If you’re confused by Google’s new Pixel lineup, you’re not alone. After releasing the $349 Pixel 4a earlier this year, the tech giant is back with the $499 Pixel 4a 5G and the $699 Pixel 5. Confusingly, the Pixel 4a 5G has more in common with the Pixel 5 than its less expensive sibling, and then there’s the $599 Pixel 4a 5G UW, which is the model you need for 5G on Verizon. Confusion aside, the Pixel 4a 5G is a solid midrange phone with excellent cameras, fantastic software, and 5G access for as low as $499. That said, it doesn’t offer the same all-day battery life, wireless charging, and water protection as the Pixel 5, and if you want the $600 Verizon model, the value proposition lessens. Design and Durability  The Pixel 4a 5G sports a boxy and utilitarian design that feels uniquely Google. Measuring 6.1 by 2.9 by 0.3 inches (HWD) and weighing 5.9 ounces, the Pixel 4a 5G is the company's largest phone this year, though it's still relatively light when compared with other 5G pho...

The Pixel 4a 5G offers excellent camera performance, a top-notch Android experience, and 5G connectivity for under $500, but Google's Pixel 5 ultimately delivers better value in the long run.

Excellent cameras; Solid performance; Guaranteed OS upgrades and security updates for three years; Headphone jack

Questionable durability; No wireless charging; Adding Verizon mmWave connectivity costs $100

The Google Pixel 4A 5G is a good phone for reasons that have almost nothing to do with the “5G” in the name. The ostensible reason for the phone to exist is to offer 5G connectivity to customers who want a more affordable phone. It starts at $499 for most carriers but costs $599.99 on Verizon.

6.2-inch OLED screen, Great camera, including ultrawide, Good battery life

No IP68 water or dust rating, No wireless charging, 5G tax increases price, especially on the mmWave version

Bigger screen than the 6-inch Pixel 5; Excellent camera, with all the same features as the high-end Pixel 5; One of the few 5G phones to have a headphone jack;

Plastic back doesn't support wireless charging; mmWave 5G costs $100 extra through Verizon; Bland design with no color options;

The 4a 5G is a mash-up of both the 4a and Pixel 5 and in many ways that makes it the hardest to recommend. It lacks some of the more ‘flagship’ features of the higher-end model and is missing the downright affordable price tag of the 4a.

Great camera; Excellent software; Promise of updates;

No 90Hz screen; Pixel 5 is only £100 more and worth it; Design is a little bland;

The Pixel 4a 5G has a lot more to offer than the regular 4a, especially for those looking for an XL Google phone. However, it has serious competition from cheaper rivals.

Big screen for XL fans; Excellent cameras; Easy to use;

Rivals are cheaper; 60Hz display; Fast charging only 18W;

Overall, it's been a great phone, easily one of the best at it's price. Only complaint is that tap-to-pay causes an error on any payment terminal, despite allegedly working according to the phone. Tried multiple apps for payment which had all worked on my Samsung device, but online research indicates it's a widespread issue which Google doesn't seem likely to fix.

Everything is good about the phone, battery, pics, performance, size, display. The only correction I could suggest is if the power button and the volume button could have been interchanged. If you are watching any video and you want to increase or decrease the sound you have to use the secon hand.

The Google Pixel 4a 5G is difficult to place as it's not a premium smartphone but it's too expensive to be considered a true mid-range or budget smartphone. However, if we did have to pigeon hole it, it would certainly be a good mid-range option or as it shares several of the Pixel 5's features, you...

Price, Great display that's bigger than the Pixel 5 screen, Easy to use camera, Headphone socket, Brilliant camera AI

No telephoto lens/optical zoom, Not waterproof

There’s a thing magicians do called misdirection, where they catch your eye with one thing while something more important happens elsewhere. Whether modern smartphones count as magic is probably a little too philosophical for here, but I certainly got the misdirection feeling from the Pixel 4a 5G.

Affordably priced, Excellent camera performance, Android has some truly useful features, Great battery life

You pay more for faster 5G, No waterproofing or wireless charging, Plastic design is unremarkable

If Google did not release the Pixel 5, I would have given you a clear recommendation to buy the Pixel 4a 5G. But this is not a fault of the Pixel 4a 5G, which is not only convincing as a smartphone, but as an overall concept.

Camera quality, Look and feel, Vibration motor and speaker, Performance, Android 11

No IP certification, 60 Hz refresh rate, A Pixel 5 clone