Despite an exceptional camera and a handful of useful software tricks, the Pixel 4 (and its sibling the 4 XL) didn't blow us away when it launched in October 2019. That's because the phone had an average battery life that rivals easily outlasted, it had limited storage and other phones had excellent cameras with their own impressive low-light modes (like the iPhone 11 and OnePlus 7T at the time).

If you want the latest software from Google and the ability to capture excellent photos, the Pixel 3A has the best camera for its price.

The Pixel 3A is cheaper than the original Pixel 3 but packs the same grade-A camera that shoots great in low light; It can also record time-lapse videos and has a headphone jack.

The phone isn't water resistant and doesn't have wireless charging; Local storage is capped at 64GB, and Pixel 3A owners have unlimited uploads to Google Photos at a compressed high-quality resolution, not original.

I am going to break an unwritten rule of tech reviews and tell you the ending right at the top: if you want to buy a new smartphone that costs between $300 and $500, you should buy a Pixel 3A or Pixel 3A XL.

Low price; Excellent camera; Clean Google version of Android; Low price; Excellent camera; Clean Google version of Android

Slow processor; No wireless charging; Not water resistant; Slow processor; No wireless charging; Not water resistant

The affordable Pixel champion

The affordable Pixel champion

I think that the Pixel 3a is a fantastic phone. It ticks most of the boxes at being a great smartphone, with its only main shortfall being an average-sized battery. The value for money that the Pixel offers regarding performance, experience and especially camera performance makes the device a...

Having told you about a far larger Google offering the 3XL in February as summer turns to autumn a smaller more compact offering crosses my desk this may suit those who have slightly smaller hands or pockets both cost and size.

You simply can't get a smartphone with a better camera at $399.

Incredible pricing, Big and vibrant OLED displays, Fantastic cameras, Has a headphone jack, Clean bloat-free Android 9 Pie

Slower Night Sight processing, No wireless charging, Slower performance especially for AR, No IP rating

Camera is remarkable for a $499 phone; Display is big and vibrant; It has a headphone jack!;

No internal or expandable storage options; Doesn't use Pixel Visual Core ISP;