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Google Pixel 4a/aL
- Thread starter idck_cn
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A little update on the MNML case. It actually arrived a day after I got the notice it was in shipping. It’s nice but definitely super thin and not worth $27.
It’s not opaque, as I had thought by seeing it photographed on a white dummy phone. It’s a frosted translucent paper thin case. It’s almost like a skin. Which is what they said it was.
It’s just my first experience with a case like this so its thinness surprised me. They were not kidding when naming it “minimal”. I’m going to keep it, because I had been thinking of getting a skin and skins aren’t cheap, either. But I had anxiety about not getting them applied correctly. This is something I can just press on easily. It will protect against casual scratching, and that’s about it. Which is sufficient at home. I actually think I’ll use it a lot.
It’s weird, because it’s what I was looking for, but not what I was expecting. I do look at it and wonder “$27, really?” But then in the next minute I’m wishing they would make more colors! 😂
It’s not opaque, as I had thought by seeing it photographed on a white dummy phone. It’s a frosted translucent paper thin case. It’s almost like a skin. Which is what they said it was.
It’s just my first experience with a case like this so its thinness surprised me. They were not kidding when naming it “minimal”. I’m going to keep it, because I had been thinking of getting a skin and skins aren’t cheap, either. But I had anxiety about not getting them applied correctly. This is something I can just press on easily. It will protect against casual scratching, and that’s about it. Which is sufficient at home. I actually think I’ll use it a lot.
It’s weird, because it’s what I was looking for, but not what I was expecting. I do look at it and wonder “$27, really?” But then in the next minute I’m wishing they would make more colors! 😂
Moment (the addon lens people) have a case - it takes addon on lenses and a wrist strap - $39. I have one of their cases for my Pixel 3a.A little update on the MNML case. It actually arrived a day after I got the notice it was in shipping. It’s nice but definitely super thin and not worth $27.
It’s not opaque, as I had thought by seeing it photographed on a white dummy phone. It’s a frosted translucent paper thin case. It’s almost like a skin. Which is what they said it was.
It’s just my first experience with a case like this so its thinness surprised me. They were not kidding when naming it “minimal”. I’m going to keep it, because I had been thinking of getting a skin and skins aren’t cheap, either. But I had anxiety about not getting them applied correctly. This is something I can just press on easily. It will protect against casual scratching, and that’s about it. Which is sufficient at home. I actually think I’ll use it a lot.
It’s weird, because it’s what I was looking for, but not what I was expecting. I do look at it and wonder “$27, really?” But then in the next minute I’m wishing they would make more colors!
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Not sure this will give much protection either but it's cheap.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/203002666582
I've been VERY happy with the Spigen case I have on my Pixel 2XL. I have the Liquid Crystal, it's only up to the 3a so far but maybe they have a 4a version in the works? It shouldn't be super expensive if it follows suit.
Here's the 3a version, so you know what to look for - https://www.amazon.com/Spigen-Liqui...d+crystal+pixel+4a+case&qid=1597355222&sr=8-5
Here's the 3a version, so you know what to look for - https://www.amazon.com/Spigen-Liqui...d+crystal+pixel+4a+case&qid=1597355222&sr=8-5
Pre-ordered the Pixel 4a today. Says will be here Sept 5th-8th(using the free shipping) Hmm, they must have had a lot of orders. Trade in Kit will be here Aug 21st, lol.
Oh Well, gives me time to get a case or two and Tempered glass protector.
Also for GrumpyMom, i came across this if you dont like your white case or dont want to use one. I might get one of these as well, we'll see.
https://dbrand.com/shop/google-pixel-4a-skins
Oh Well, gives me time to get a case or two and Tempered glass protector.
Also for GrumpyMom, i came across this if you dont like your white case or dont want to use one. I might get one of these as well, we'll see.
https://dbrand.com/shop/google-pixel-4a-skins
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I was looking at the specs and realized that the display is OLED. My 3xL is AMOLED. I did some research and looked at more review videos. I can see the screen flicker really bad on video vs the one on the Nord. Since I am prone to migraines from displays I am worried this isn’t going to work out for me. I’m going to cancel while I still can. 
Edit: I did cancel. And I’m going to return that overpriced case, too. Lol
I am really bummed out though. I was really excited about the 4a. I know the flicker that you see on a video isn’t what you see in person. But I was judging how it was flickering vs the Nord display and some other displays. I didn’t like what I was seeing. And I’ve got a Pixel 2 that flickers a lot. That one is AMOLED but it’s a bad one. I’m just going to stick to what I know is working for me, the 3XL.
If I ever get to try it in person and discover it’s fine, I will buy it then.
Edit: I did cancel. And I’m going to return that overpriced case, too. Lol
I am really bummed out though. I was really excited about the 4a. I know the flicker that you see on a video isn’t what you see in person. But I was judging how it was flickering vs the Nord display and some other displays. I didn’t like what I was seeing. And I’ve got a Pixel 2 that flickers a lot. That one is AMOLED but it’s a bad one. I’m just going to stick to what I know is working for me, the 3XL.
If I ever get to try it in person and discover it’s fine, I will buy it then.
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Actually thinking about starting my mom fresh and grab one of these to upgrade her 2 XL and put her on fi and kick her carrier to the curb. She likes the 2 but it's just a bit too large for her.
I've kinda kicked the idea around to get one myself but I don't need really. Might see what the 5 XL will offer, perhaps a decent price? Seriously the big G needs to get back to their Nexus roots instead of this copy Apple everyone seems to be doing nowadays.
I've kinda kicked the idea around to get one myself but I don't need really. Might see what the 5 XL will offer, perhaps a decent price? Seriously the big G needs to get back to their Nexus roots instead of this copy Apple everyone seems to be doing nowadays.
Mine arrives tomorrow. Excited for a pixel with decent bezels!
Very tempted to buy one along with my Note 20 Ultra. LOL
I think Verizon will have it but not sure. I don't have Verizon but thought I read that.
Does anyone know where it’s set up to see in person? My concerns about the display setting off my migraines made me cancel my preorder. I still am interested in this phone but I need to get that question resolved first. Thanks to Covid I don’t know how the usual store displays are affected. I’ve been limiting outings to bare necessities.
Not sure but Best Buy and Verizon would be my guess. I've been in BB and TMobile during this pandemic. Just have to wear a mask
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Amazon just resisted them for sale 2-4 wks delivery. That would be your best option. If they trip your migraines, you can always send it back for a refund. I sent my Moto G8 Power (Int'l) back, garbage phone. I ordered the P4a along with the ivoler phone case. Now I have to wait 2-4 wks before I see it.
I did! I think you'll like this one more than Snowball!
Screen is great, size is really nice, I find it to be really smooth after the initial setup background process completed running. I don't game, but it has been as smooth as any Android phone I've used.
Battery is really solid as well. Build quality is better than I expected and the buttons are super clicky, love them. The assistant is lightning quick, I couldn't be happier. (well, I do wish it came in white!)
Glad to see such a solid package in an awesome price.
As expected, the camera is great. I know you have some sensitivity to certain OLEDs, if this one doesn't bother you, you'll love this phone.
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Oh thanks for the great recommendation. I hope to be able to see the display in person at some point.
The pictures it takes, the ones that you posted, honestly put my S20 to absolute shame. I’ve tried and can’t get my S20 to render fur detail like that. Especially if the fur is very light in color, it sort of goes soft focus on the fur. Like a weird beauty mode. Landscapes are gorgeous though.
Have you had a chance to evaluate the call quality and see how well it holds onto a signal? My SE is sort of good but not great at that. My 11 Pro is a notch better 😝. My S20 is excellent.
My 3XL was very good but also prone to dropouts. Snowball was/is really good and never gave me any problems. I did “jell” better with Snowball than I did the 3XL even though the 3XL has an excellent display. Not S20 levels of excellence, but enjoyable for reading.
Call quality is good. Signal is pretty close between it and my iPhone 11. I may give the iPhone a slightly better score in that department, but it's very close.
When I pre ordered, it said I'd receive it between Sept 5th - 8th.
It's now supposed to be here tomorrow. I'm happy about getting it earlier than expected.
Maybe by Saturday I'll be able to have some good feedback on it since I have to transfer things over and set it up. Maybe it will be easier than I think lol,...but I don't have a desk job so I can't spend the days doing it at work.
Anybody else who has theirs getting the good battery life we keep hearing about?
It's now supposed to be here tomorrow. I'm happy about getting it earlier than expected.
Maybe by Saturday I'll be able to have some good feedback on it since I have to transfer things over and set it up. Maybe it will be easier than I think lol,...but I don't have a desk job so I can't spend the days doing it at work.
Anybody else who has theirs getting the good battery life we keep hearing about?
The battery life has been good for me. I'm in an area with bad cell signal, so I don't get the 6+ hours of screentime. But, it's better than my other Pixels have been.
If you're buying from the Google Store, they seem to be doing a "under promise, over deliver" type thing. Mine came in recently, but I was originally told it wouldn't get delivered until mid-Sept. (so more than 2 weeks early!). I guess some "kink" cleared up in their delivery logistics and supply chain.
I've been content with default Android launchers, but I'll keep this in mind. BTW, this says it has IAP. Do you know what those are for? Premium/extra features? I've been a bit cautious with apps that are free.
Welp, I haven't got a delivery update from Fed Ex yet and it said it was going to be here today by 12am. I haven't got a tracking update from Fed Ex since Tuesday.
EDIT.....got update, now coming tomorrow lol.
I really in no rush so that's fine but I'm not a fan of Fed Ex. They actually suck. Just hope they don't throw the box to my porch from the driveway.
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I've now had mine for a week (got it August 22nd just after launch day via preorder) and so far so good!
I actually*downgraded* from my Galaxy S10 that I sold for a profit and purchased the Pixel 4a. I just felt that I didn't need an $899 glass sandwich in my pocket all day every day and really wanted the benefits of the Pixel camera (yes my S10 had triple cameras dual aperture and even a GCam mod, but Google's AI is simply amazing).
So far the battery is darn near identical to my S10 if not slightly worse but easily makes it through a day for what I do. Speed difference is negligible in every aspect and jumping between apps/animations are actually smoother than on the SD 855 it had.
I rocked it caseless for a few days until Bellroy leather case came in. Love it! It's not as good as the Apple Leather case I had on my iPhone 7 for 3 years (man that aged well) as it is only the back and not the sides that are leather. But acceptable since there are hardly any for this phone at the moment.
Camera is of course excellent, portrait background detection is great and Astrophotography mode is a blast even with a full moon last night. I'll have to play with it on a tripod with no moon and see how it does.
I'm sure I'll be happy with this for a year or two and see whats around again. I planned to keep my S10 for 3 years until Samsung stopped updating it but got tired of seeing ADs in stock apps, thought that was just plain silly and wanted to try Pixel UI vs One UI 2.1 on the Samsung. I had the 2016 Pixel XL for a short time but sold it as it was stuck with a far too small 32GB of non-expandable storage. 128GB is passable though my S10 was larger and had an SD slot.
I actually*downgraded* from my Galaxy S10 that I sold for a profit and purchased the Pixel 4a. I just felt that I didn't need an $899 glass sandwich in my pocket all day every day and really wanted the benefits of the Pixel camera (yes my S10 had triple cameras dual aperture and even a GCam mod, but Google's AI is simply amazing).
So far the battery is darn near identical to my S10 if not slightly worse but easily makes it through a day for what I do. Speed difference is negligible in every aspect and jumping between apps/animations are actually smoother than on the SD 855 it had.
I rocked it caseless for a few days until Bellroy leather case came in. Love it! It's not as good as the Apple Leather case I had on my iPhone 7 for 3 years (man that aged well) as it is only the back and not the sides that are leather. But acceptable since there are hardly any for this phone at the moment.
Camera is of course excellent, portrait background detection is great and Astrophotography mode is a blast even with a full moon last night. I'll have to play with it on a tripod with no moon and see how it does.
I'm sure I'll be happy with this for a year or two and see whats around again. I planned to keep my S10 for 3 years until Samsung stopped updating it but got tired of seeing ADs in stock apps, thought that was just plain silly and wanted to try Pixel UI vs One UI 2.1 on the Samsung. I had the 2016 Pixel XL for a short time but sold it as it was stuck with a far too small 32GB of non-expandable storage. 128GB is passable though my S10 was larger and had an SD slot.