PC World - USA (2020-12)

86 PCWorld DECEMBER 2020

REVIEWS GOOGLE PIXEL 4A 5G

OnePlus continue to close the gap, and

Apple keeps improving the iPhone in

meaningful ways, Google’s camera, while

still among the best, no longer feels like a

trend-setter.

BOTTOM LINE

If you want a 5G phone, the Pixel 4a 5G is a

viable option. It has a very good processor, a

great camera, a decent screen, and a nice

design. If you want a Google phone, it gives

you a bigger screen than the Pixel 5 and a

better processor than the 4a.

But even with those upgrades, the Pixel

4a 5G’s price doesn’t feel quite right. At

$150 more than the 4a and $200 cheaper

than the 5. And next year, I expect the Pixel

5a to bring similar specs and sub-6GHz 5G

for $399, and the Pixel 6 to slide down to

$599 with the same semi-premium features.

All this suggests the 4a 5G may have a fairly

short shelf life.

Google Pixel 4a 5G

PROS

• 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.
  CONS


• Plastic back doesn't support wireless charging.


• mmWave 5G costs $100 extra through Verizon.


• Bland design with no color options.
  BOTTOM LINE
  The Pixel 4a 5G is a good phone perched in an
  awkward place in Google’s 2020 smartphone lineup.
  There are equally compelling arguments to upgrade
  or downgrade to either of its siblings—unless you
  definitely want a Pixel with 5G.
  $499

This low-light shot was handled well by all three phones, but you can see a bit more noise in the shot

snapped by the 4a (right) due to over-brightening. Both the 4a 5G (left) and the 5 (center) perfectly

captured the mood, lighting, and shadows.