The Pixel 4A in its new pale blue hue.
Google’s midtier Pixel 4A phone, which it introduced back in August, will now come in a limited-edition color called “Barely Blue.” Initially sold only in black, the blue variant will be available beginning Monday in the US for the same $349 price. Once it sells out, it will be not be restocked. Besides the US, the color will be available in Japan later this year.
The Pixel 4A features a single 12.2-megapixel camera on the back, the same one that last year’s Pixel 4 had. In my original review of the phone, I noted how it takes superb low-light and portrait photos and records steady video. Because of its excellent camera, long-lasting battery and low price, the Pixel 4A is one of CNET’s favorite Android phones of 2020, second to its 5G counterpart, the larger Pixel 4A 5G.
Watch this:
Pixel 4A review: Impressive camera and a battery that…
5:09
Other Pixel 4A features include a headphone jack, an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, and Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon 730G chipset. Compared to the $699 Pixel 5 flagship, however, the Pixel 4A does lack a few other goodies besides 5G. It isn’t water resistant, for instance, it does not have a 90Hz display or wireless charging and it cannot directly charge other accessories wirelessly.
Pixel 5 vs. Pixel 4A 5G, 4A and 4
| Google Pixel 5 | Google Pixel 4A 5G | Google Pixel 4A | Google Pixel 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display size, resolution | 6-inch OLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels | 6.2-inch OLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels | 5.81-inch OLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels | 5.7-inch OLED; 2,280×1,080 pixels |
| Pixel density | 432 ppi | 413 ppi | 443 ppi | 444 ppi |
| Dimensions (Inches) | 5.7 x 2.8 x 0.3 in | 6.1 x 2.9 x 0.3 in | 5.7 x 2.7 x 0.3 in | 2.7 x 5.7 x 0.3 in |
| Dimensions (Millimeters) | 144.7 x 70.4 x 8.0 mm | 153.9 x 74 x 8.2 mm (Sub-6 only) 153.9 x 74 x 8.5 mm (mmWave + Sub-6) | 144 x 69.4 x 8.2 mm | 68.8 x 147.1 x 8.2 mm |
| Weight (Ounces, Grams) | 5.33 oz; 151g | 5.93 oz; 168g (Sub-6 only) 6.03 oz; 171g (mmWave + Sub-6) | 5.04 oz; 143g | 5.7 oz; 162g |
| Mobile software | Android 11 | Android 11 | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| Camera | 12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12.2-megapixel | 12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (telephoto) |
| Front-facing camera | 8-megapixel | 8-megapixel | 8-megapixel | 8-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 |
| Storage | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 64GB, 128GB |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB | 6GB | 6GB |
| Expandable storage | No | No | No | No |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh | 3,800 mAh | 3,140 mAh | 2,800 mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Rear | Rear | Rear | No |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Special features | 5G enabled; water resistant (IP68); 90Hz refresh rate display; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); reverse wireless charging; fast charging | 5G enabled; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); fast charging | Dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); fast charging | Soli motion sensing and touchless gestures; 90Hz display; water resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging |
| Price off-contract (USD) | $699 | $499 | $349 | $799 (64GB), $899 (128GB) |
| Price (GBP) | £599 | £499 | £349 | £669 (64GB), £769 (128GB) |
| Price (AUD) | AU$999 | AU$799 | AU$599 | AU$1,049 (64GB), AU$1,199 (128GB) |
Prices listed are at launch.
