Google Pixel 3a Review: Hard to justify paying more for a smartphone

At $649 and $799 respectively the Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL are stunning value on the face of it – but what are you going to miss out on?

To be honest, this is a simple review.

The Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL are bloody great phones. Google makes them simplistic in design which I like. They have accessory cases to suit which fit well and look good, and because it’s the most vanilla version of Google’s Android operating system the experience is a dream.

For $649 you probably wont find a better phone.

Of course, for an extra $550 you can get the Pixel 3 (minus the a) and you get a better phone – but is it? Really?

The 3a’s have a headphone Jack, the 3’s don’t. Courageous.

The 3a’s don’t have the wide angle selfie camera on the front – who cares.

Their processing power is lower – but you won’t notice that.

They do lack Wireless charging and I sure as heck have noticed that, but not enough to justify bumping in an extra $500+.

For the price, the camera is likely unmatched, in fact if you were tossing up between the OG’s and the a’s – I’d take the a’s any day.

However, it’s hardly comparable to the Huawei P30 Pro in any way – but it’s ridiculous to even suggest it, but I wanted to clarify this is a great phone, but not an exceptional one.

Battery life isn’t as good as those flagship models either, but it’s an all dayer, just needs a charge before bed – again, not a deal breaker.

It looks great, feels great, goes great, it’s bloody excellent.

To bother spending more than $649 you either don’t care about money or need the camera strength of the big boys. Though you really don’t.

IMPRESSIVE – VERY IMPRESSIVE, that’s the upshot here.

Save your coin. Go the Pixel 3a (or 3a XL) folks.