Google Pixel 3a review
After a long five-year wait, an affordable Google phone is back.
All we know is the phone will be announced on Oct. 15. We don’t know when it will be available for preorder, or when it will begin shipping.
How much will it cost?
Hopefully similar to the Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL
Pricing hasn’t leaked yet, and even if there are rumored numbers, the cost of new phones seems to be what all the leaks get wrong. A recent trend among smartphone makers is rising prices, but hopefully, Google finds a way to buck that and keep prices in line with the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, which launched at $799 and $899, respectively.
Image: Evan Blass
What will it look like?
Like previous Pixels, but with a single color instead of two-toneA new camera arrangement looks a lot like the iPhone 11’sNo notches this year
The Pixel line has always had a two-tone look on the back of the phone, but photos and videos leaked so far show a single color across the entire device. Evan Blass posted an image of the new “Oh So Orange” color, along with renders of a black version and a white version.
As you can see in the leaked render above, the Pixel 4 ditches any sort of display cutout or notch. Instead, the top bezel houses the front-facing camera setup that will be used for the Pixel’s facial recognition/unlock feature.
What about new features?
Project Soli will allow hand gesture to control the Pixel 4Face unlock feature will debutImproved camera featuresSmarter Google Assistant
Google confirmed that Project Soli, a radar-based system, will be used in Pixel 4. Using Motion Sense, you’ll be able to wave your hand over the phone on a table to mute incoming calls, switch tracks, and similar tasks.
Also included in the Pixel 4 is a facial recognition system that can be used to unlock the phone, and presumably, make purchases with Google Pay. There’s not a fingerprint sensor on the Pixel 4, so it makes sense that anything you used the fingerprint reader for can now be accomplished with face unlock.
Google will take advantage of having two cameras on the Pixel 4 — a first for the Pixel line — by adding new exposure controls, and Night Sight is gaining the ability to photograph the stars. Once again, 9to5Google has all the info, complete with photo samples.
Google Assistant will also see updates with the launch of the Pixel 4. Specifically, 9to5Google has a video of the new Google Assistant running on Pixel 4. In the video, Assistant appears to be smarter and more aware of what you’re doing and can use that to complete tasks on your behalf. The website uses the example of receiving a text asking what time your flight lands from a friend. You ask Assistant to see your itinerary, and then ask Assistant to send a text with the time — all without saying who to send the message to.
What about the specs?
9to5Google was able to get their hands on what it claims is the official spec sheet for the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL.
Here’s what we should expect:
Google Pixel 4 specs
Display: 5.7-inch Full HD+ Smooth Display (up to 90Hz OLED) — Ambient EQBattery: 2,800mAhProcessor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, Pixel Neural CoreMemory: 6GB RAMStorage: 64GB, 128GBCameras: 12MP Dual-Pixel and 16MP TelephotoAudio: Stereo speakersSecurity: Titan M Security ModuleFeatures: Face unlock, Motion SenseOS: Android OS with three years of security and OS updates
Google Pixel 4 XL specs
Display: 6.3-inch Quad HD+ Smooth Display (up to 90Hz OLED) — Ambient EQBattery: 3,700mAhProcessor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, Pixel Neural CoreMemory: 6GB RAMStorage: 64GB, 128GBCameras: 12MP Dual-Pixel and 16MP TelephotoAudio: Stereo speakersSecurity: Titan M Security ModuleFeatures: Face unlock, Motion SenseOS: Android OS with three years of security and OS updates
Perhaps the most notable aspect of the spec sheet is that the Pixel 4 will have a 90Hz display, which should make common tasks like gaming and scrolling through your Facebook feel smoother.
Google Event
Google Pixel 4 event: How to watch and what to expect
Google launches Incognito Mode for Google Maps, and more
When is Android 10 coming to my phone?
Android 10: The five best new features explained (ZDNet YouTube)
Our Google Pixel event smart home wishlist (CNET)
How to control your privacy in Android 10 (TechRepublic)
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