The Google Pixel 3a is the latest offering from tech giant Google, and it’s a mid-range phone that promises to deliver a top-of-the-line experience at an affordable price. Priced at $399, it’s a device that punches above its weight and competes with higher-end phones in many ways.

Design and Build

At first glance, the Pixel 3a looks a lot like the Pixel 3, but there are a few notable differences. While the Pixel 3 has a glass back, the Pixel 3a opts for a more budget-friendly plastic finish. However, that doesn’t mean the phone looks cheap in any way. The Pixel 3a is well-built and feels solid in the hand, with a minimalistic aesthetic that exudes class.

The phone comes in three colors: Just Black, Clearly White, and Purple-ish. The power button is accented with a pop of neon color, which adds a touch of whimsy to an otherwise restrained design. The fingerprint sensor is located at the back of the phone, and the phone has a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare in newer devices.

Display

The Pixel 3a features a 5.6-inch OLED display with Full HD+ resolution (2220×1080 pixels). The display is bright, colorful, and offers excellent viewing angles. It’s not as sharp as the Pixel 3’s display, but it’s still one of the best displays you can get at this price point.

Performance

The Pixel 3a is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 processor, which is paired with 4GB of RAM. While this might not sound as impressive on paper as some other phones, the Pixel 3a delivers a smooth and responsive experience in everyday use. Apps open quickly, and scrolling is buttery smooth. The phone has 64GB of internal storage, which should be more than enough for most users.

Camera

One of the highlights of the Pixel 3a is its camera. It has a single 12.2-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a wide f/1.8 aperture. The camera is the same as the one found on the higher-end Pixel 3, and it’s one of the best cameras you’ll find on a mid-range phone.

The Pixel 3a’s camera shines in low-light situations, delivering bright and detailed photos with minimal noise. The phone also has Google’s Night Sight mode, which takes multiple pictures and combines them for even better low-light performance. The camera app is straightforward and easy to use, and it has a variety of modes such as portrait and panorama.

Battery Life

The Pixel 3a has a 3000mAh battery, which might not sound like much, but it’s enough to get you through a day of moderate use. The phone also supports fast charging, which can give you up to 7 hours of use in just 15 minutes of charging. There’s no wireless charging, but that’s not a deal-breaker at this price point.

Software

The Pixel 3a runs on Android 9 Pie with Google’s custom Pixel UI. Google promises three years of software updates with the Pixel 3a, which means you’ll get the latest features and security patches for years to come. The phone also has Google Assistant built-in and offers a variety of unique features such as Google Lens and Now Playing.

Should You Buy It?

The Google Pixel 3a is a fantastic mid-range phone that offers flagship-level features at an affordable price. The camera is top-notch, the software is clean and up-to-date, and the phone feels well-built and solid. If you’re on a budget and looking for a phone that doesn’t compromise on performance, camera, or software, the Pixel 3a is definitely worth considering.