Google's Pixel 4a: great performance at a low price -
20 Minutes
Google is determined to occupy the field of mid-range smartphones and is launching its Pixel 4a in October, which “20 Minutes” has already been able to test.
Sold for 349 euros, or 50 euros less than the Pixel 3a launched in 2019, the latest is a masterpiece that seduces with a general quality that few shortcomings struggle to oppose.
With him, Google signs above all the prowess of an exceptional photophone as comfortable day and night.
Even cheaper!
349 euros: this is the price of the new Pixel 4a that Google is preparing to launch in this fall 2020. This is an unexpected price for a smartphone from the Mountain View firm.
After the Pixel 3a launched a year ago at 399 euros, Google wants to take control of the mid-range smartphone market and is giving itself the means.
Lightweight and discreet
What surprises first of all is its lightness.
With 144 grams, the Pixel 4a stands out in the world of smartphones, the weight of which is most often around 200 grams.
One reason for this among others: the rear shell of the terminal is plastic and not glass as is the case with many competitors.
Google's unique Pixel 4a rear photo module.
- CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES
The result is a logical sensation of lower quality, but in use, this bias is not ultimately disabling.
The very slightly grainy finish of this shell even offers a pleasant grip, especially since you often put your index finger on it: it is with a fingerprint reader on the back that the device unlocks.
The Pixel 4a's sense of discretion is further enhanced by the device's small size.
With its 5.81 '' / 14.75 cm screen, the new Pixel looks like a master key, which knows how to be discreet in the pocket.
OLED for all uses
After spending part of the summer with it, we find that this small screen isn't as compelling as it might seem.
After all, it's the same size as the iPhone 11 Pro.
Its ease of use adapts to most situations, even if it can seem a little cramped for watching videos or playing for a long time (here with a headphone jack, in Bluetooth or with stereo speakers).
Google's Pixel 4a will only be available from October 1, 2020. - CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES
Its Full HD + definition (2340 x 1080 pixels) is more than enough, especially since the screen is OLED.
Its powerful contrasts undoubtedly reinforce the comfort of the retina which makes short work of the slightest image.
Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 730G processor (with very honorable performance), with 128 GB of memory (against 64 GB for the older Pixel 3a) and 6 Gb of Ram, the Pixel 4a can blend in with everyone , offering neither too much nor not enough.
He holds his rank in photo
Highly anticipated in photos (a sector in which Google excels), the Pixel 4a carries the brand's good reputation high.
And this, with a single 12.2 megapixel rear photo sensor!
This is all the know-how of the manufacturer: favoring particularly efficient algorithms instead of multiplying photo modules as others prefer to do.
Result: the Pixel 4a is a very good photophone.
Portrait mode can also be used for plants or objects.
- CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES
Capable of offering detailed views, bright and with nuanced colors, it is also comfortable to shoot the portrait with a bokeh effect (blur at the back of the subject) generally perfectly balanced.
Some clipping of the subject can be awkward (the endless question of more or less blurred hair), but the results are generally good.
The digital zoom of Google Pixel 4a ... - CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES
... can reach up to 7x.
- CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES
As for the digital zoom up to 7x, it does its job correctly, nothing more.
At night, the 4a bends over backwards
But above all, the smartphone is like its elders a champion of night photography.
Not only does the Pixel 4a deliver crisp, quiet photos in sometimes very delicate lighting conditions, but it is also able to “light up” very dark scenes and thus achieve real visual feats.
The Pixel 4a's ability to take good night shots is one of its strengths.
- CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES
Google's Night Vision mode succeeds in producing night photos ... bright!
- CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES
To date, there are few smartphones capable of such feats of arms: Huawei's P40 or Oppo's Find X II Pro, but both are worth more than 1000 euros.
Too bad the Pixel 4a doesn't have an ultra-wide-angle mode.
While most smartphones, even mid-range ones, are equipped with it, this is a real shortcoming.
The 8-megapixel front sensor, on the other hand, is self-sufficient and also offers a Portrait mode.
Finally, the device films in 4K up to 30 images / second and in Full HD up to 60 images per second, no complaints on this point.
Successful portrait selfies (even when the subject is not smiling).
- CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES
Our opinion will be more mixed on the smartphone's battery of only 3140 mAh, which will not be able to accompany us beyond a day without being recharged.
With a USB-C plug and an 18W charger, it takes around 2 hours to refuel.
Sold for 189 euros, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 aligns it, 5020 mAh.
But the comparison stops there.
Time to wait
So should you afford or offer the Pixel 4a from Google?
Well let's say… you still have time to think about it.
Due to the Covid crisis, Google had to comply with the constraints of longer manufacturing times and the smartphone that we were able to test from the end of July will not be available in France until October 1.
Still at 349 euros, this smartphone offers a fairly exceptional performance / price ratio.
This serious competitor to the new OnePlus North (399 euros), or even to the iPhone SE (489 euros) can be ordered on
the
manufacturer's
store
which offers a "waiting list": click on the link and you will be alerted to the product availability.
This at least has the merit of avoiding an impulse purchase!
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