Pixel 3a or Pixel 4?

[Mark Kaine]

Is the pixel 4 really smaller? 

 

How much worse is the 3a? because it's bigger (apparently) but cheaper and I'd really prefer a small phone (currently using a Z3 compact and I absolutely hate having to go bigger,  but looks like I'll have to so I'd want the size difference to be as little as possible) 

 

In other words, is there a (technical) reason I shouldn't go with the pixel 3a (as it's cheaper and has a better battery possibly) 

Edited August 31, 2020 by Mark Kaine
Corrected some things, hopefully

[RajTheGeek]

1 minute ago, Mark Kaine said:

Is the pixel 4 really smaller? 

 

How much worse is the 3a? because it's smaller (apparently) and I'd really prefer that (currently using a Z3 compact and I absolutely hate having to go bigger,  but looks like I'll have to so I'd want the size difference to be as little as possible) 

 

In other words, is there a (technical) reason I shouldn't go with the pixel 3a (it's also cheaper and has a better battery possibly) 

Practically you really shouldn't go with pixel 3a now. It was okay if you were considering last year. go with pixel 4a. It's cheaper, better specs than 3a that will last you longer and its very handy. Not a big screen I would say so it will be very handy to you. 

[Mark Kaine]

2 minutes ago, RajTheGeek said:

Practically you really shouldn't go with pixel 3a now. It was okay if you were considering last year. go with pixel 4a. It's cheaper, better specs than 3a that will last you longer and its very handy. Not a big screen I would say so it will be very handy to you. 

I corrected some stuff, the pixel 4 is more expensive here, but not by much. 

 

And it seems to be slightly smaller so that would be good... I'm just wondering at this point how much worse the 3a is, what are the big differences,  if any? 

[marmour]

4 minutes ago, Mark Kaine said:

Is the pixel 4 really smaller? 

 

How much worse is the 3a? because it's bigger (apparently) but cheaper and I'd really prefer a small phone (currently using a Z3 compact and I absolutely hate having to go bigger,  but looks like I'll have to so I'd want the size difference to be as little as possible) 

 

In other words, is there a (technical) reason I shouldn't go with the pixel 3a (as it's cheaper and has a better battery possibly) 

Both are near identical in size. I would only get the 4 if you like the extra features like face unlock (although you lose the fingerprint reader), telephoto lens, wireless charging and the faster SoC. The 4 was a bit overpriced at launch, and is a far from perfect phone, but now that pricing is down it may be worth considering.

If value is your main concern though, get the new 4A when it is available. It should be nearly as cheap as the 3a is, and will offer more up to date specs and longer software support

[Mark Kaine]

2 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

Nothing spells masochism like deliberately going for a phone that is stuck with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage...

 

If you don't want to pay for the Pixel 4 then get the 4a...

Wait,  the 3a doesn't have an SD slot, but 4 and 4a do?  

[marmour]

1 minute ago, Mark Kaine said:

Wait,  the 3a doesn't have an SD slot, but 4 and 4a do?  

None of them do iirc

[RajTheGeek]

1 minute ago, Mark Kaine said:

I corrected some stuff, the pixel 4 is more expensive here, but not by much. 

 

And it seems to be slightly smaller so that would be good... I'm just wondering at this point how much worse the 3a is, what are the big differences,  if any? 

3a doesn't have that good processor(snapdragon 675). I think its market price is $399. the 4a will come around $349. It will have snapdragon 730. So if you're looking for a phone that will last longer without any lags or shutting, I wouldn't consider 3a unless you get it in a really good deal. How much the pixel 4 cost? pixel 4 and 4a has only 0.1 inch difference that really shouldn't be a much difference. Go through its unboxing and videos to check how handy it is. 

[marmour]

Idk what region you're in, but UK pricing at the moment is:

£300 for the 3A

£500 for the 4

£350 Pre order for the 4A

 

Based off this, I think the 4A is definitely the best value, although none of them are bad at these prices. 

[Mark Kaine]

21 minutes ago, marmour said:

None of them do iirc

 

21 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

None of them do

 

19 minutes ago, RajTheGeek said:

3a doesn't have that good processor(snapdragon 675). I think its market price is $399. the 4a will come around $349. It will have snapdragon 730. So if you're looking for a phone that will last longer without any lags or shutting, I wouldn't consider 3a unless you get it in a really good deal. How much the pixel 4 cost? pixel 4 and 4a has only 0.1 inch difference that really shouldn't be a much difference. Go through its unboxing and videos to check how handy it is. 

 

16 minutes ago, marmour said:

Idk what region you're in, but UK pricing at the moment is:

£300 for the 3A

£500 for the 4

£350 Pre order for the 4A

 

Based off this, I think the 4A is definitely the best value, although none of them are bad at these prices. 

Oof. Ok I noticed it didn't say SD card anywhere but I thought surely, in 2020, nobody would be stupid enough to sell a phone without SD slot... 

 

I know they have a "cloud" solution but that's a joke (imo)

 

Also my ISP doesn't seem to have any 128GB variants,  *that* would have been a compromise I could live with,  but 64GB is a joke,  it wouldn't even fit what's on my 2014 Sony Z3 lol...

 

Well, I'm glad I asked,  I guess I have to find something else. 

 

Samsung or Sony I guess ... Also I really don't mind if it's a model from 2-3 years ago, as long it's good. Keep in mind I'm using a Z3 and I still think it's fast - problem is,  it starts falling apart lol, maybe I just need some super glue... (the back plate is coming off)

[Mark Kaine]

17 hours ago, huilun02 said:

ISPs like to stock up on the bottom of the barrel variant of phones

Get the 4a if they have it. There is only one variant of the 4a which has 6GB of RAM with 128GB of storage

I just checked it's available 10th September here, no pre-orders as far I can tell. I think it's best to wait until then, thanks for the tip,  128GB is more than enough actually - and it's really cheap (hopefully) for the specs... 

 

My carrier is on btw 

 

 

PS: it also seems the smallest of the bunch 

[marmour]

2 minutes ago, Mark Kaine said:

I just checked it's available 10th September here, no pre-orders as far I can tell. I think it's best to wait until then, thanks for the tip,  128GB is more than enough actually - and it's really cheap (hopefully) for the specs... 

 

My carrier is o2 btw. 

 

PS: it also seems the smallest of the bunch 

Had forgotten the 4A had the extra ram and double the storage. Makes it an even better deal. Makes me kinda want to sell my 3A XL now

[Mark Kaine]

Lol, I just was at my local store to ask about availability / pre-orders... They never heard of a Google "Pixel" lmao...

 

Though I think it'll be available on the 10th. Probably.