Price and Specifications

The Google Pixel 4a 5G is a mid-range smartphone launched by Google in October 2020 as part of the Pixel 4a series. It brought the benefits of 5G connectivity, a larger display, and enhanced performance, positioning it as an attractive option for users who wanted a balance of affordability and advanced features. The Pixel 4a 5G is an upgrade over the Pixel 4a in several key areas, most notably with the addition of 5G support, a larger screen, and improved internals.

This device combines Google’s signature camera quality, AI-powered features, and a clean Android experience with competitive pricing, making it a solid choice for those looking for a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank.

In this article, we will provide an in-depth look at the price, specifications, and standout features of the Google Pixel 4a 5G.

Price

At launch, the Google Pixel 4a 5G was priced at:

• $499 USD for the 128GB storage variant.

This pricing made the Pixel 4a 5G highly competitive in the mid-range smartphone market, offering 5G support, a large OLED display, a solid camera system, and access to Google’s clean Android experience all at a reasonable price. Over time, with the release of newer models like the Pixel 5 and Pixel 6, the Pixel 4a 5G’s price has dropped, making it even more attractive for budget-conscious buyers looking for a capable device with modern features.

Key Specifications

1. Display

• Screen Size: 6.2 inches
• Type: OLED, Full HD+ (2340 x 1080 pixels)
• Pixel Density: 413 PPI (pixels per inch)
• Aspect Ratio: 19.5:9
• Refresh Rate: Standard 60Hz (no higher refresh rates like 90Hz or 120Hz)
• Brightness: Supports 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR content)
• Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for durability

The Pixel 4a 5G features a 6.2-inch OLED display, which offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and sharp details. The OLED technology provides great contrast ratios and an immersive viewing experience, especially for video streaming and gaming. Although the 60Hz refresh rate is not as smooth as the 90Hz or 120Hz displays found in some other devices, it is still sufficient for most users, especially considering the price point.

With a Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), the display ensures crisp text, clear images, and decent screen real estate for a comfortable viewing experience. The 1000 nits peak brightness makes it easy to read the screen outdoors even under direct sunlight, which is a significant advantage for users who frequently use their phones in bright environments.

2. Camera

The camera system on the Pixel 4a 5G is one of the standout features of the device, leveraging Google’s expertise in computational photography and AI to produce exceptional image quality. While the device doesn’t offer the multiple camera configurations seen on more premium devices, the single-camera system is highly capable, and the dual-camera setup on the rear gives users more versatility.

• Rear Camera:
• 12.2 MP (f/1.7) – Main Camera (Wide Angle)
  • Dual Pixel Autofocus for fast and accurate focusing
  • Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for stable photos
  • Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for smooth video recording
  • Night Sight for excellent low-light performance
  • HDR+ for great dynamic range, improving highlights and shadows
  • Super Res Zoom for detailed zoomed-in shots without optical zoom
  • Portrait Mode for professional-looking blurred backgrounds
  • Astrophotography Mode for capturing stunning images of the night sky
• 16 MP (f/2.2) – Ultra-Wide Camera
  • Field of view: 107°
  • Ideal for group shots or wide landscape photos
• Front Camera:
• 8 MP (f/2.0) Camera
  • Wide-Angle Lens for group selfies
  • HDR+ for brighter, more vibrant selfies, even in low light
  • Supports Portrait Mode and Video Recording

The dual-camera system allows for great flexibility when shooting photos, offering both a standard wide-angle view and an ultra-wide-angle lens for more expansive shots. The Night Sight feature continues to be one of the most impressive on any smartphone, making the Pixel 4a 5G a strong performer in low-light conditions. The HDR+ technology, combined with AI-based image processing, ensures that images look natural and rich with details.

The selfie camera is also solid, providing good image quality and a wide-angle lens for group selfies. Google’s Portrait Mode on both the rear and front cameras also helps produce beautiful bokeh effects, with the software effectively isolating the subject from the background.

3. Performance

• Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm, octa-core)
• CPU: 1x Kryo 475 Prime (2.4 GHz) + 1x Kryo 475 Gold (2.2 GHz) + 6x Kryo 475 Silver (1.8 GHz)
• GPU: Adreno 620
• RAM: 6 GB LPDDR4X RAM

The Snapdragon 765G chipset, which supports 5G connectivity, powers the Pixel 4a 5G, making it a solid performer for the mid-range segment. The 765G is optimized for gaming, AI processing, and camera functions, providing good performance for day-to-day tasks like browsing, social media, and multimedia consumption. While it isn’t as powerful as the high-end Snapdragon 865 or 888, the 765G is more than capable of handling most apps and games without significant lag or stuttering.

With 6 GB of RAM, the device can handle multitasking relatively well, allowing users to switch between apps smoothly. The Pixel 4a 5G offers a very responsive experience overall, and the use of Google’s clean Android interface ensures that there’s no bloatware to slow the system down.

4. Battery

• Battery Capacity: 3885 mAh
• Charging:
• 18W USB Type-C fast charging (0-50% in about 30 minutes)
• No wireless charging
• Reverse wireless charging: Not supported

Despite the slightly larger display and 5G connectivity, the 3885 mAh battery on the Pixel 4a 5G performs decently, offering a full day of use under typical conditions. Google’s battery optimization software helps extend the battery life, especially with features like Adaptive Battery, which learns your usage patterns and prioritizes apps that you use most often.

Though the battery capacity is smaller than some competitors in the same price range, the Pixel 4a 5G should comfortably last through a day of moderate use, including browsing, social media, video streaming, and light gaming.

5. Storage

• Internal Storage: 128 GB (non-expandable via microSD card)

The Pixel 4a 5G offers 128 GB of internal storage, which should be sufficient for most users to store apps, photos, videos, and other media. However, there is no microSD card slot, so if you require more storage, you’ll need to rely on cloud services, such as Google Drive or Google Photos, for backup.

6. Software

• Operating System: Initially shipped with Android 11, and it is eligible for future software updates.
• Google’s Clean Android Experience: The Pixel 4a 5G runs the purest version of Android available, with no bloatware, and is among the first to receive new Android features and security updates.
• Google Assistant: Seamless integration of Google’s voice assistant for hands-free control of the device.
• Call Screening: Automatically screens incoming calls to help block spam and robocalls.
• Live Transcribe: Real-time transcription of conversations using Google’s AI-powered tools.
• Security: Google’s Titan M security chip to ensure your device’s security and protect your data.

As part of the Pixel lineup, the Pixel 4a 5G guarantees fast access to Android updates, with 3 years of OS updates and security patches. Google also offers exclusive features such as Live Caption (auto-captioning for videos and audio), Google Lens (visual search), and Digital Wellbeing tools for managing screen time and phone usage.

7. Design and Build

• Dimensions: 153.9 x 74.0 x 8.2 mm
• Weight: 168 grams
• Material: Polycarbonate (plastic) unibody
• Colors: Just Black, Clearly White
• Water Resistance: IP53 (dust and splash resistance)
• Fingerprint Sensor: Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner