Google Announces the Pixel 4a
Over the course of the year, the Pixel 4a has been a constant source of leaks in the Android world. We've seen pretty much every aspect of this phone, so Google thought it would be nice to actually announce it this morning.
Just about the only thing we didn't know is the price. Surprisingly, this year's Pixel a series model is $350, which is $50 cheaper than the Pixel 3a. Maybe that's to soften the blow of no XL model for the second straight year and the lack of any color other than black, but is nice either way.
For that price, you're getting a lot of bang for your buck. The Pixel 4a is a 5.81" 2340x1080 60Hz OLED display, a Snapdragon 730 SoC, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of onboard UFS 2.1 storage, a 3140 mAh battery that according to Google will last 24 hours, a 12MP rear camera, a 8MP selfie camera, and yes a headphone jack.
This year's design looks much better than my Pixel 3a XL, and reminds me of a mix between an iPhone 4 and the Essential Phone (RIP). If I didn't have another year in my Verizon contract, I'd probably be picking this up on August 20. The hole punch cutout is a nice way to get around the traditionally large forehead of the Pixels, and the bigger battery is much needed.
However, this isn't the only thing Google had to announce today. It also announced a 5G version of the Pixel 4a, which will cost $499 and the Pixel 5, with both coming this Fall.
Google didn't say much more than that, but this has me curious about what the 4a (5G) and the Pixel 5 will have to offer against the Pixel 4a. Will the 4a (5G) have a bigger screen like the Pixel 3a XL? Will it just cost more because of the 5G antennas? Why are they announcing the Pixel 5 now when Google has three months (presumably) to announce it? Who knows.
The bottom line is if you are in the market for a new phone and don't want to spend a boatload, grab the Pixel 4a on August 20. If you can't wait, you can pre-order the Pixel 4a now.