DECEMBER 2020 PCWorld 83a Pixel-centric release, with
several exclusive features,
plus others that will take
months to land on other
phones. The Pixels are still
the only Android phones
that get the latest OS on
day one, even if others are
beginning to catch up.
Android has always
been Google’s greatest
advantage over its similarly
priced competitors, but it
seems even greater at this
price point. Where other $500 phones are
janky and laggy, the Pixel 4a 5G feels more
like a high-end phone than a mid-range one.
From the camera to the UI, Google has
optimized Android 11 to the fullest extent for
the Snapdragon 765G. While you can
definitely feel the difference when switching
between the 4a 5G and the 5, it’s the best
experience you’ll get at this price range.
Along with features like Hold for Me and
the Recorder app, you’re also guaranteed to
get Android 14 on the Pixel 4a 5G, thanks to
Google’s support commitment. While
Google is still the only phone to offer that
(Samsung only promises up to Android 13
on the Note 20), I can’t help but wonder
how well the 4a 5G will perform in 2023
with a middling processor and just 6GB of
RAM.
The battery, however, should be fine.
Google has outfitted the Pixel 4a 5G with a
3,800mAh battery, much bigger than the
paltry 2,800mAh battery in the Pixel 4 and
even bigger than the 3,700mAh battery in
the Pixel 4 XL. Add to that a less powerful
and more efficient chip, fewer pixels, and
smarter optimization, and you’ve got a
phone that will easily make it into a second
day, even longer if you’re tapping into the
new Extreme Battery Saver feature.
In benchmarks, I got a whopping
13-plus hours. In real-world use, I never
reached the point where I had to worry
about the 4a 5G’s battery life before
plugging it in for the night. Just remember
that if the phone is using the 5G network,
the battery will drain faster.
Of course, 5G is the main reason for the
Pixel 4a 5G to exist, but life on the cutting
edge of wireless connectivity is still prettyThe Pixel 4a 5G is made of plastic just like the 4a.