At Google I / O 2019, in Mountain View, California, Google officially announced the release of the Pixel 3a and 3a XL smartphones. While considering the mid-range alternatives to the flagship Pixel 3 and 3 XL smartphones, Pixel 3a and 3a XL are not just some cheap phones that simply carry the Pixel name.
The Pixel 3a and the 3rd XL still have the impressive 12.2 MP dual pixel rear camera found on their flagship counterparts. This means that you will still have access to Google HDR + technology with features like Portrait mode, super res zoom and night view. You don't have to worry about running out of storage space for your high-resolution photos and videos, as they will be backed up on Google Photos. But this time there is only an 8 MP front camera.
Pixel 3a will present a 5.6 "OLED display with a resolution of 2220 x 1080 at 441 ppi, while Pixel 3a XL has a 6" OLED screen with a resolution of 2160 x 1080 at 402 ppi. You will also notice that the Pixel 3a models have opted for full frames instead of the notch on the Pixel 3. Active Edge sensors allow you to push Pixel 3a to access Google Assistant, while the Pixel Imprint sensor on the back of the phone allows to unlock the phone safely and quickly using the fingerprint.
Google also states that Pixel 3a and 3a XL can last up to 30 hours for full charge (may vary based on usage). Thanks to an 18-watt charger included, you can get up to seven hours of battery life with a recharge of just 15 minutes. The Pixel 3a has a 3,000 mAh battery, while the 3rd XL has a larger 3,700 mAh battery. Both Pixel 3a models will run on Android 9.0 Pie OS, with Google promising a minimum of three years of operating system updates. The Pixel 3a models support GSM / CDMA wireless networks, as well as Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
Obviously, Google had to compromise to keep costs down. Pixel 3a and 3a XL feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 processor instead of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor featured on the Pixel 3 flagship models. It also replaced the rear glass design found on the Pixel 3 with a cheaper plastic back cover. Furthermore, wireless charging or waterproofing for Pixel 3a models is not provided. The Pixel 3a models also have stereo speakers, but the lower speaker is facing down, not towards the front like the Pixel 3. While the USB Type-C port is still there, analog headphone users will be happy to hear that Pixel 3a and 3a XL will see the return of the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Both Pixel 3a and 3a XL will be available in Clearly White and Just Black, as well as in a new color called Purple-ish. All Pixel 3a and 3a XL models have 4 GB of RAM and a storage capacity of 64 GB.
Google has announced that the Pixel 3a and 3a XL smartphones will be available starting today, 7 May.