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Google Launches Pixel 4a, a $349 iPhone SE Competitor

Google made more effort with the 4a than Apple did with the SE. Thought the 4a was going to have a mediocre near 720p LCD but it's actually 1080p OLED. Other pluses are fingerprint scanner so mask friendly, 3.5mm jack to interface with my Apple IIs to transfer software, Titan M 2FA security key built-in, double the DRAM and storage of the SE for future proofing, etc. If the camera checks out and the performance can play Fortnite then it's going to be a hit at $349.
 
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1144557 said:
I believe the point was the A13 is overkill for the SE; for a 4.7" $399 phone. But you have to also remember Apple makes the chips, they arent paying Qualcomm like these other cheap phones, so the cost difference between an A13 and say an A11 may be minimal.
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Maybe, but I disagree with the suggestion. When the 1G SE came out, having A9 horsepower was a big deal and an effective selling point. With better battery efficiency than prior SoCs, why not include the A13 in the new SE as long as cost isn’t a real issue, as you said? With all the whining about specs, having a well-outfitted affordable iPhone should be thought of as a good thing.
 
1144557 said:
"Competitor" is not a great word. You have to sell more than a few thousand to compete. The SE will sell millions here. You are taking the people who wouldnt spend the money for an Apple device anyway, $50 or not, if price is the deciding factor; Apple isnt "losing" anything there.

IT's a compellling device for the price, but another $50 and wireless charge, 90hz, IP (or at least like Oneplus does and put the water resistance in), and bigger battery would have been the better choice. Id spend the extra few bucks on the OnePlus Nord here frankly if it was an Android device (no wireless charge but worth the few bucks extra).
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IIRC, the 3a models sold much better than the standard Pixel 3 versions--somewhere less than 10 million. Not a huge number but not insignificant.

BasicGreatGuy said:
Even with a $350.00 price, I don’t think Google can really compete with what Apple offers with the SE.
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The following post by @enc0re clarifies it perfectly. It really comes down to what features are most important to you. And as he subsequently points out, it most likely just comes down to OS preference first and foremost.

enc0re said:
$100 cheaper than the SE (128GB both). SE has better processor, video camera, and longer support. Pixel has bigger screen, better still camera, and an 18W charger in the box.

Of course people will actually choose based on OS. But I am thrilled seeing affordable phones get this good. Not just because I feel bad when the best someone could afford a few years ago was a terrible Alcatel. But also because it really ups the pressure on $1,000 phones to be great.
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tbayrgs said:
IIRC, the 3a models sold much better than the standard Pixel 3 versions--somewhere less than 10 million. Not a huge number but not insignificant.



The following post by @enc0re clarifies it perfectly. It really comes down to what features are most important to you. And as he subsequently points out, it most likely just comes down to OS preference first and foremost.
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The OS is part of what Apple offers with the SE. Still a valid point since I didn’t make myself as clear as I could have.
 
As these google phones are data collection devices, Google should be offering these for free.
 
I like a lot of things about Pixel 4a except for Snapdragon 730 SoC. Probably going to be fine if you are intending to keep it for 2 years then replace, but for longer than that, it could end up becoming a huge bottleneck.
 
this is great for the SE.. might force apple to make a non-bezel iPhone SE in the next generation of phones
 
Detonation said:
$50 is not an insignificant amount in the budget market. But really the main selling point for this is the camera, and if you don't care about that, I'd say the $50 more is worth spending for SE long term.
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The problem is the long term - this will only get 3yrs support and it's from launch day not launch year. for $50 more you KNOW all iOS apps will work on iPhone SE 2020 model for 5yrs minimum AND you don't have to worry about quite a few apps not working. There is always in-store warranty support as well. You're getting a LOT more value for that $50 extra than most people realize.
 
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Who even buys google phones? Lol.

All I ever see in the wild are Samsung phones or iPhones, even among old farts all I ever see are these two.
 
I'm an Android user and I have to agree with the "if it's not an iPhone..." comments.

This is a device that competes with every other device that's NOT an iPhone.

There are some device-agnostic folks out there like myself, but no average Apple user is gonna give up iMessage (for starters) for this, or ANY android device.

That $50 price difference, spread over two years, become 2 very-worth-it bucks a month to current iPhone users.
 
H3LL5P4WN said:
This could be a nice option for those of us who also have to still know their way around Google's operating system for work.

...now that the Essential Phone isn't getting updates anymore. 😥

EDIT: Only 3 years of updates? *laughs in iPhone 6s*
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Better privacy options, longer update cycles, and an iMessage competitor would literally make these android phones much more sought after.
 
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Not cheap enough to make it worth downgrading to Android.

The cheap iPhone is far more likely to appeal to Android users wanting to switch.
 
I have a Pixel 3a from last year I bought just as a device to play around with Android on. Great little phone. Can only imagine this new one will be even better.
 
Zero support after 2 years. Half ass customer support.
Hard pass.
 
I didn't see the direct physical spec comparison, so FTR:


Pixel 4a

H: 144 mm (5.7 in)
W: 69.4 mm (2.73 in)
D: 8.2 mm (0.32 in)
Mass: 143 g (5.0 oz)


iPhone SE 2

H: 138.4 mm (5.45 in)
W: 67.3 mm (2.65 in)
D: 7.3 mm (0.29 in)
Mass: 148 g (5.2 oz)


The Pixel 4a is 21% larger and 3% lighter than the iPhone SE 2.
 
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magicman32 said:
Tiny? I wish the screen was even smaller like the SE.




C’mon man, the budget SE doesn’t have a notch and none of those Android phones without a notch also don’t have all the sensors for 3D Face Unlock.

Comment. Better.
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Face ID is garbage. It's even less accurate than Touch ID and at least with that I could unlock my phone without having to pick it up.

Apple are falling behind the competition again. When even a low end, super cheap phone can have no notch and only a tiny chin it's clear that Apple need to seriously up their game.
 
TrevorR90 said:
Who even buys google phones? Lol.

All I ever see in the wild are Samsung phones or iPhones, even among old farts all I ever see are these two.
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That's true. Samsung markets their phones more aggressively, with plenty of trade-in offers and bonuses. Also, Samsung offers their phones in more countries than Google.

Nonetheless, the Pixel 4a is still a good phone and the price is appropriate. The straight competitor from Samsung is probably the Galaxy A51.
 
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Given this camera is still so great for 350 you simply can’t go wrong at all. Less bezels as well compared to their previous phones.
 
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