Google's latest affordable Android puts software first - for better or worse

Streamlined Android experience with guaranteed updates, Camera quality competes with flagship rivals, All-day battery life

Few standout features on the hardware front, Plastic build gives away budget nature, Expandable storage still a no-go

The Pixel 3a debuted at Google I/O 2019, and it was closer to budget smartphone nirvana than any phone in the US that came before it. That was, until Apple responded with the iPhone SE .

Price In America, this is a lot of phone for $350. In fact, I see no reason to buy any currently on sale Android smartphone that doesn't cost as least twice as much as the 4a., Camera This phone uses the same sensor and optics as the Pixel 4 (which were the same as the Pixel 3, etc.). You can tell.

Soft touch plastic It greases up almost instantly, just like the Nexus 5 (one throwback that hasn't aged well, IMO)., Auto-brightness Google thinks my issues are relatively isolated, but I've had consistent issues with the autobrightness freaking out.

The Pixel 4a is an amazing device. But every time a device like this comes along and I sing its praises, someone asks me if I'd really be willing to make it my daily driver, and the answer is no, only because there's no wireless charging.

Pixel camera, Unique design, Solid performance, Value

No wireless charging, 60Hz screen, No 5G

The Pixel 4a came a little late this year. Now that we spent a few weeks with it, here are 4 things you need to know about the Pixel 4a.

Great camera, Under $400, Clean Android OS Experience, Headphone jack

No water resistance, No wireless charging, No expandable storage

With 2020 being a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ of a year, on the tech side of things – it hasn’t been as bad. The industry has been bringing the mid-range smartphone back up to speed while the budget smartphones have been getting some amazing options.

The simplicity of design flows through to the software which is clean, proactive, free from bloat and a joy to use, especially compared to other lower-price Androids. The device focuses on delivering everything you need and very little extra, with Google's services and AI doing the heavy lifting...

The Pixel 4a is a great starting point for anyone looking for a basic, capable smartphone. You get a modern design, a great camera, a headphone jack, good enough performance, and a great software build with timely, day-one updates direct from Google.

The $350 price tag. You could buy three of these for the price of a $1000 smartphone., From the front, it's the best-looking phone Google has ever produced, with slim bezels, a hole punch camera, and no crazy design decisions. It's a rare Pixel phone that just looks... normal.

It's a budget phone, so don't expect wireless charging, water resistance, or a fast 90Hz or 120Hz display., The back, which is plain and cheap-looking, and not because it's plastic. An exact copy of the Pixel 3a back would have been a huge improvement.

Much of the money spent advertising smartphones typically centers around flagships, and that makes sense for the most part. It’s the bleeding-edge tech, heavy with hardware and coupled with the latest software. It’s big sexy designs with curves and gorgeous colors.

But they are pricier, and for what you’re paying the Pixel 4a is a great handset. Though if you look beyond Google’s offerings you can get some very tempting alternatives for similar money, such as the OnePlus Nord and Moto G 5G Plus.

Flagship-quality camera, Great interface, Good value

Plastic back, 60Hz refresh rate, Average battery life