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Phones Pixel 4A Android competitors?

ackmondual

ackmondual

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Dec 23, 2014
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U.S.A., Earth
The Pixel 4A has caught my attention. It checks off all the "essential" check boxes (nice camera, esp. for its price point; 128 GB storage; good battery life). The only concerns I have aren't deal breakers... less powerful processor (if this turns out to be a genuine issue, I guess I'll consider swapping for a new phone), no wireless charging (it looks really convenient to just plop your phone on a pad, as opposed to having to use 2 hands to plug in a cable), and video recording isn't that great. However, I should probably get a better overview of what else compares.

What are some Android phones that would be considered similar to the Google Pixel 4A in terms of value? If "phone X" is say, an extra $100, but has extra/improved features to make up for it, then I'm game. I would rather avoid going too high is all (say, over $550).



BACKGROUND: I was recommended the LG G4 as an upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy s4. Turned out to be an awesome phone. I ended up getting a 2nd LG G4 since for the 1st one, the rear camera ended up becoming blurry. 2nd one also ended up having the same issue. I tried other camera apps, but really do believe it's a hardware issue. I could get a DIY replacement camera kit, but at this point, I think I may as well just get a new phone.
 
ackmondual said:
The Pixel 4A has caught my attention. It checks off all the "essential" check boxes (nice camera, esp. for its price point; 128 GB storage; good battery life). The only concerns I have aren't deal breakers... less powerful processor (if this turns out to be a genuine issue, I guess I'll consider swapping for a new phone), no wireless charging (it looks really convenient to just plop your phone on a pad, as opposed to having to use 2 hands to plug in a cable), and video recording isn't that great. However, I should probably get a better overview of what else compares.

What are some Android phones that would be considered similar to the Google Pixel 4A in terms of value? If "phone X" is say, an extra $100, but has extra/improved features to make up for it, then I'm game. I would rather avoid going too high is all (say, over $550).



BACKGROUND: I was recommended the LG G4 as an upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy s4. Turned out to be an awesome phone. I ended up getting a 2nd LG G4 since for the 1st one, the rear camera ended up becoming blurry. 2nd one also ended up having the same issue. I tried other camera apps, but really do believe it's a hardware issue. I could get a DIY replacement camera kit, but at this point, I think I may as well just get a new phone.
Click to expand...
Closest in terms of price point probably is the Samsung Galaxy A51 LTE (not the 5G version).
 
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Vegastouch said:
But of that list, how many of those are 6.5" +?
I'd consider the TCL 10 pro but I really don't want a huge phone and why I'm more drawn to the Pixel 4a over the
SS A71 and others..
Click to expand...
Screen size wasn't part of your initial post, was I supposed to read your mind that it was a consideration?
 
Vegastouch said:
Im not the OP in this thread and don't have an initial post.
Click to expand...
Then my point is even more valid. I simply provided a link to a comparison of phones in that category. Everyone can make their own decision if the devices compared are of value to them...
 
Follow up: Thanks for the suggestions!
I ended up getting the Pixel 4A.

Overall, it's a very nice phone (esp. given its price).

My main grip against it is the screen is relatively narrow. I figured at 5.8" vs. my LG G4's 5.5" screen, it'd be bigger for sure, but removing the bezels made the screen narrower while still keeping that claim true. It makes doing certain things in landscape mode either unusable, or piss poor (e.g. the notepad app, playing certain games, or many situations where the keyboard is revealed). With the gesture based system of navigation, having to swipe from the bottom in landscape mode for certain games ends up invoking the home button (which makes for an awful experience)

Other "now you know" gripes is if I knew the 4A 5G had improved specs over the 4A (not just the sole addition of 5G), I would've considered that, even if it'd set me back an additional $150. Another is if I knew there would be a blue color, I'd gone for that instead. Black is annoying to find if it falls into dark areas (e.g. under your car seat, outside at night, or poorly lit areas indoors). However, Google's trade-in program doesn't include the 4A itself. Only Pixel 4 or earlier. It hasn't been enough of a deal breaker for me to look into selling my current phone to recoup costs, nor eating the cost and spending another $350 or $500.
 
ackmondual said:
Follow up: Thanks for the suggestions!
I ended up getting the Pixel 4A.

Overall, it's a very nice phone (esp. given its price).

My main grip against it is the screen is relatively narrow. I figured at 5.8" vs. my LG G4's 5.5" screen, it'd be bigger for sure, but removing the bezels made the screen narrower while still keeping that claim true. It makes doing certain things in landscape mode either unusable, or piss poor (e.g. the notepad app, playing certain games, or many situations where the keyboard is revealed). With the gesture based system of navigation, having to swipe from the bottom in landscape mode for certain games ends up invoking the home button (which makes for an awful experience)

Other "now you know" gripes is if I knew the 4A 5G had improved specs over the 4A (not just the sole addition of 5G), I would've considered that, even if it'd set me back an additional $150. Another is if I knew there would be a blue color, I'd gone for that instead. Black is annoying to find if it falls into dark areas (e.g. under your car seat, outside at night, or poorly lit areas indoors). However, Google's trade-in program doesn't include the 4A itself. Only Pixel 4 or earlier. It hasn't been enough of a deal breaker for me to look into selling my current phone to recoup costs, nor eating the cost and spending another $350 or $500.
Click to expand...
Im not a fan of black phones either for those same reasons And just in dark areas around the house. That's why I have one of these on it.
 

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ackmondual said:
Other "now you know" gripes is if I knew the 4A 5G had improved specs over the 4A (not just the sole addition of 5G),
Click to expand...
When did you buy your phone? The 4a 5G and its specs weren't exactly a closely-guarded secret.
 
Vegastouch said:
Im not a fan of black phones either for those same reasons And just in dark areas around the house. That's why I have one of these on it.
Click to expand...
Not in the habit of using external cases, which is why I put somewhat more stock into the phone's color itself. That said, if I can find an external case that'll let me put it in my belt clip holder, I may consider it.

hallux said:
When did you buy your phone? The 4a 5G and its specs weren't exactly a closely-guarded secret.
Click to expand...
Middle of Aug. 2020. Really? When was this known? I can acknowledge I may not have done my due diligence, but even Google's sites didn't seem to mention this.
 
ackmondual said:
Middle of Aug. 2020. Really? When was this known?
Click to expand...
I think it was pretty well known by then. Here's an article about a slip-up revealing the release date earlier than planned, the article was from Aug. 5.

www.androidcentral.com

Google Pixel 5 review: Still a great buy — if you can find it

Google spent a lot of time over the past few years coming up with new ways to impress us. In 2020, it impressed me simply by being less ambitious.
www.androidcentral.com www.androidcentral.com

Unfortunately, other articles from that site were more "live" and no longer have the same content they would have had 4 months ago when they were originally published. I found one that got turned into the review article but it seemed the original date from the Google search was actually back in early August.
 
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