Google Pixel 4a/aL

[ackmondual]

How is the Pixelbook Go? I had an OG Pixelbook and loved it. I only returned it as I couldn't justify a MacBook pricing for something that was essentially 'just' a Chromebook.
So bought an ASUS chromebook for like £250 and have had it for about 2.5 years now and it's brilliant.

Was tempted by a Pixelbook Go, but just didn't need to replace this ASUS when it runs just as good as it did day 1.

First time I heard of Pixelbook. For those wondering, they're like high-end Chromebooks (of which those are also available by other manufacturers). I'd like to know too. I'm still sporting a $200 Chromebook. It's not the latest and greatest, but it still does web browsing and basic still really well.

 

[dj1891]

So have the Pixel 4a for a couple of days now after coming from an SE 2020. My thoughts are Google got this bang on. Apple went the wrong way with the SE 2020. They put a Ferrari engine in a Fiat Punto. My main reason for switching was battery life on the SE, it was never fantastic anyway but iOS 14 just killed it and Apple don't seem to care. Google got this just right, and average processor but enough RAM to keep it snappy and the result of the lower processor being fantastic battery life. Its unashamedly plastic and that's fine. Its snappy, great battery life, and amazing camera, its checked all the boxes, something the SE didn't.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

This is the best phone in Google's lineup this year hands down. You get so much for so little asking price it makes the choice a no brainer. When Black Friday comes around and the phone sees a discount it will be hard to resist. I'm just wondering if the discount will be $50 or $100?

 

[edubfromktown]

I got a chance today to play with a P4a at Best Buy. What a nice little phone. The screen is super bright and it fits in your hand nice and snug. I developed puppy syndrome as I kept going back to the phone and picking it up and it felt just perfect as a one handed phone. The screen size is just .1" smaller than my Nexus 6 which is around 5.9". Scrolling up and down is liquid smooth so i'm equally impressed with the performance of the 730 SOC.

So i'm sold on the P4a and i'm waiting on BF to see if any deals show up for the P4a. If not I may look at the P4a 5G but the P4a gave me such a nice first impression that it's on the top of my list now.

I've had a Pixel 4a since late August. It has been a refreshing change from iPhones (most recently 8 Plus, on back to the 3gs).

No regrets on switching whatsoever and performance is the same if not slightly better on the Pixel.

 

[nfl46]

I picked up this phone and have been using it for a few days. Jeez, solid device, Google. Impressed for the price.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

My Barely Blue P4a just shipped, which was ordered yesterday so count me shocked. I’m hoping the Pastel Blue P4a’s are shipping with Android 11. Keeping fingers and toes crossed.

 

[nospleen]

My Barely Blue P4a just shipped, which was ordered yesterday so count me shocked. I’m hoping the Pastel Blue P4a’s are shipping with Android 11. Keeping fingers and toes crossed.

Mine too! It’ll be here Friday.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I just received my Barely Blue P4a and I LOVE..LOVE..LOVE it and best of all it DOES ship with Android 11. Which should be good for every other P4a owner because that should mean that there is a 99.9999% chance your phone will also receive Android 14.

The smaller size doesn't even bother me one bit. In fact as all other reviews have stated it's the perfect one handed phone and the 5.8" screen size is just .1" smaller than my Nexus 6 which is 5.9"

The OLED screen is beautiful and plenty bright.

This is the best value Pixel on the market. The P4a 5G is nice but not $150 nicer and i'm not on Fi so I can't take advantage of the $200 discount for new Fi customers.

 

[Vegastouch]

I just received my Barely Blue P4a and I LOVE..LOVE..LOVE it and best of all it DOES ship with Android 11. Which should be good for every other P4a owner because that should mean that there is a 99.9999% chance your phone will also receive Android 14.

The smaller size doesn't even bother me one bit. In fact as all other reviews have stated it's the perfect one handed phone and the 5.8" screen size is just .1" smaller than my Nexus 6 which is 5.9"

The OLED screen is beautiful and plenty bright.

This is the best value Pixel on the market. The P4a 5G is nice but not $150 nicer and i'm not on Fi so I can't take advantage of the $200 discount for new Fi customers.

Mine came with Android 10 and updated a week or so later so i dont think mine will get Android 14 but it dont matter. I wont have it that long.
I usually go 2 years or maybe a little past that but ive never gone 3 years and ill probably want a 5G phone when it gets better. Ive already contimplated a 4a 5G later when they go on sale but ill probably wait til next years Pixels come out.

 

[hallux]

Mine came with Android 10 and updated a week or so later so i dont think mine will get Android 14 but it dont matter.

If the P4a released with 10, then 13 is probably the highest it will go. For @Heat_Fan89 a P4a that shipped with 11 will not get 14 just because it shipped with 11 on it. If one round of P4a's gets 14, they will all get 14.

 

[Vegastouch]

If the P4a released with 10, then 13 is probably the highest it will go. For @Heat_Fan89 a P4a that shipped with 11 will not get 14 just because it shipped with 11 on it. If one round of P4a's gets 14, they will all get 14.

Here is the updates schedule for the Pixels. No idea is he will get 14 or not but again for me it dont matter. His just had a different color release and they updated for him upon shipping it. But his might.

https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/4457705?hl=en

 

[Heat_Fan89]

If the P4a released with 10, then 13 is probably the highest it will go. For @Heat_Fan89 a P4a that shipped with 11 will not get 14 just because it shipped with 11 on it. If one round of P4a's gets 14, they will all get 14.

True but this was a new entry (barely blue limited edition) and as such it comes with a 3 yr OS update promise followed by a few security updates. And that's what I'm referring too that if my P4a shipped with A11 and if I get A14 then every P4a will get A14. I tend to keep my phones more than a couple of yrs as my P4a has replaced my Nexus 6 so I'm holding out hope it gets A14.

Google really needs to copy Apple and do 5 OS updates.

 

[hallux]

I highly doubt they'll segment the P4a line like that. They simply released a different color later in the cycle, it doesn't have a different model code and as such it will receive the final update at the same time as the previous P4a's. The P4a 5G that I just ordered will likely get Android 14 as it's a new model and a different model code than the regular P4a.

 

[Vegastouch]

True but this was a new entry (barely blue limited edition) and as such it comes with a 3 yr OS update promise followed by a few security updates. And that's what I'm referring too that if my P4a shipped with A11 and if I get A14 then every P4a will get A14 . I tend to keep my phones more than a couple of yrs as my P4a has replaced my Nexus 6 so I'm holding out hope it gets A14.

Google really needs to copy Apple and do 5 OS updates.

If you get it, then that's good for you but all P4a's will not get it.

I posted the OS schedule above a couple posts back and it says the 4a is good for updates til August 2023. Pixel 5 is Oct or Nov 2023.

It states in there that the updates are good for the dates from when the phones was avaliable in the Google store.

So In that case, perhaps you may get to A14 but since this is Nov, id assume you will be good til Nov 2023 so if the next A14 update is scheduled for say Sept 2024, you won't get it.
But who knows, maybe you will.

Me, I don't care. If I get a 4a 5g later, I know it's only good for updates till Nov 2023 or Dec..... Whenever they are available in the Google store. I know pre-orders are starting today.

 

[hallux]

I know pre-orders are starting today.

Orders started recently. I ordered one yesterday and it's already shipped, it seems I'll have it Sunday if FedEx delivers on a Sunday..

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Two minor issues with the P4a and hopefully its just user error on my part.

1) Sometimes the FP sensor doesn't recognize my scan and I have to retry. I deleted the original FP scan and did another one. I'll see if it fixes that issue. I also received a ne P4a clear case with a larger FP cutout. Hopefully that helps as well.

2) Maybe it was an app issue and not the camera but I was trying to add my Walmart credit card by taking a picture of the CC inside their app so I could use Walmart Pay and it wouldn't take the picture no matter how many times I tried. So I had to manually enter the information.

Tbh, it's taking a little getting used to using a phone with a smaller screen. The keyboard for one, is narrower vs a phone with a larger screen. I guess I'll just have to deal with it but one advantage is the phone fits in my back pocket and doesn't weigh much.

 

[Vegastouch]

The FP sensor for me has been great. It's fast and works well and I have had some that don't work but it's when I really half ass try to put my finger on it. Otherwise it works really good.

It's worked so fast at times when I think it shouldn't have read it that I'll close it and try another finger just to make sure lol.

I haven't tried to use any pay method. Not even Google Pay.

 

[hallux]

So far - liking the 4a 5G.

Had a slight hiccup during setup/app install. I do MAC filtering on my network, I had set my phone to connect to my network and not randomize the MAC but for some reason that setting didn't stick. During the app installs the WiFi dropped for some reason so when it tried reconnecting it couldn't because it had a different MAC than I had registered on my network. I'm on Fi, the Fi app needed an update in order to complete the registration, but the app that was updating when the network hiccuped ended up stalling and not finishing its update after I fixed the WiFi which I didn't realize until it had been a while. The Fi activation is as simple as signing in to the Fi app on the device (once the app is up to date).

Still getting apps set up. One thing I noticed is that changing devices is one of the best times to make a change in your navigation preference. I tried using gesture navigation on my Pixel 2xl when the option was introduced but I just had a hard time wrapping my mind around it. I started right from the beginning on the 4a 5G with gesture navigation and it's already becoming second nature.

Compared to the Pixel 2xl this phone feels so light!

I still need to decide on one thing to finalize my setup. I work for one company, as a contractor for another. Both now use the work profile, but my 2xl was set up prior to one of them implementing that. So, I might need to decide which company email is more important to have on my phone. One of them may be moving off that setup as it's moving from G-Suite to O365 so I may keep both phones for a bit.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Google is sending a replacement phone to me although I can't order the replacement because I'm getting an error message on their website. Last night I did a factory reset and the phone froze until I turned the screen off and back on. FYI, they definitely do charge a $35 restocking fee regardless of your reason. So I decided to get a replacement and you are given a few days for that window. Afterwards it's sent to their repair dept.

 

[andy2141]

Still loving the 4a 5G. Battery life is crazy good.

Official case just turned up. Confetti Blue.

 

[The_Interloper]

Well, I’ve joined the Pixel 4a bandwagon. £319 Black Friday deal in the UK including a free case and Nest Hub Mini (at BT online shop). Loving what I’ve seen so far. Even managed to snap a Night Sight shot through the back window and my mind is blown at the quality.

 

[tt061282]

I’m waiting on my Pixel 4A. It is supposed to be here on Tuesday. It shipped out yesterday. I’m so very highly anticipating it. I’ve been wanting to switch from iPhone for a while now and the 4A seemed like the perfect choice.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I’m waiting on my Pixel 4A. It is supposed to be here on Tuesday. It shipped out yesterday. I’m so very highly anticipating it. I’ve been wanting to switch from iPhone for a while now and the 4A seemed like the perfect choice.

It's a really solid choice, great phone. My only quibble is that i'm used to typing on keyboards on a wider screen. I have had to readjust. But that is my only complaint if you can call it that. At $349 it's a hands down winner.

What color did you get? Barely Blue looks pretty slick.

 

[tt061282]

It's a really solid choice, great phone. My only quibble is that i'm used to typing on keyboards on a wider screen. I have had to readjust. But that is my only complaint if you can call it that. At $349 it's a hands down winner.

What color did you get? Barely Blue looks pretty slick.

I went ahead and got Barely Blue. Just because I seen the black in person and I like it, but all my phones have been black. Lol so I wanted something different. Just like I wanted something besides an iPhone, but didn’t want a Galaxy. If I was leaving iOS I wanted pure Android.

So compared to the screen of an iPhone X/XS/11 Pro is the 4A screen just as wide? I don’t recall. I’ve held one for maybe 2 minutes total lol. However, I’m 100% sure on switching from iPhone to Pixel.

I ordered it on the 8th and I’m just wishing it would get here. Lol. Right now it has the delivery date as 12-15, but I’m truly hoping it’s here before. Lol

 

[Steven-iphone]

Seems like Google has a winner with the cell phone