Google Pixel 4 vs Google Pixel 4A – Which Model is Better?

Last Updated on May 29, 2022 by James Smith

After several delays and anticipation, Google decided to release the Google Pixel 4a smartphone in August 2020. Probably, the pandemic caused some delays in the availability of the components for the production of the model.

The search engine giant produced the model to compete with models from other brands like that the OnePlus Nord & iPhone SE. Of course, today we also have the iPhone SE 2022 model to compete with.

However, today, we will be comparing the features and capabilities of the Google Pixel 4 vs Google Pixel 4a smartphones in this review. Is the Pixel 4 model good enough for the Pixel 4a model or is it going to be the other way around?

Google is known to produce some remarkable products over the years. The search engine giant has been making steady progress with products like Chromebooks. While other manufacturers depend on a particular product to make waves in the market, Google does not.

The main advantage lies in the fact that their R&D is almost on par with the likes of brands like Apple & Samsung. It is not surprising that many consumers globally prefer to make use of Google products because of their reliability.

The Google Pixel 4a is their flagship model. It comes embedded with terrific features like it is water-resistant and dustproof. You will be delighted to know that it comes with a faster CPU speed, has more megapixels along with the primary camera, and has wireless charging.

However, the price point of the model is close to $900. It is heartening to note that the retailers are not offering any sort of discount on the model. The Google Pixel 4 smartphone is an excellent choice for users.

It comes with superb battery power that can last for 24 hours. You would be glad to make use of the battery power for a few days without hassle. There is also an incredible camera that comes with a higher resolution, has a socket for a 3.5mm audio jack, and a fingerprint scanner.

The Pixel 4 smartphone is a phenomenal product thanks to some incredible features in it. However, the Pixel 4a could provide some stiff competition priced at almost half the price of the counterpart discussed here.

We will take a closer look at the models, comparing the design, features, setup, and performance. This will give us a good idea about their capabilities and whether the pricing justifies the models.

For now, we can say that the Pixel 4a provides you with some pretty comparable features to its flagship predecessor. Let us now read further to get to know these superb models better. We have also mentioned the winner at the end of the review.

Google Pixel 4	Google Pixel 4A
PROS	PROS
The model comes with an elegant design. The unit has a Night Sight feature for brilliant photo capturing. It comes with Quick Gestures for instant control of the device. It enables you to work productively with the help of Google Assistant. The product offers you opulent battery life.	The unit has a beautiful sleek design to it. The model comes with a powerful performance. It has the Titan M security chip that can protect sensitive data. It has outstanding camera features that allow eloquent visuals. The product comes with exceptional battery performance.
CONS	CONS
The smartphone is immensely expensive priced at $800.	The smartphone does not come with a microSD slot.
CHECK ON AMAZON	CHECK ON AMAZON

Google Pixel 4 vs Google Pixel 4a: Design & Features

We will now read about the design & features of the powerful models released by Google. When you are getting a Google product, you might want to know one thing, they don’t compromise on the design aspect of it.

It is quite evident when you take a look at their products. They are mostly opulently done, and consumers do not complain about their looks and appearance. The Google Pixel 4 smartphone comes with an opulent design & features on it.

You can notice the smooth curves on the edges and the right kind of size that the model has produced. It comes with a 5.7 inches screen, which is quite right. Our tester finds the models having above 6 inches screens difficult to handle, store, and operate with.

It was not the case with this model. We encourage our readers to try out these models that are average in size. They are easy to use, operate, and store in your pockets as well. The Pixel 4 comes with a solid metal design on it.

That gives it a top-notch look to it. Additionally, we were delighted to know that the model comes infused with features like water & dirt resistance. When that might not impress you, there is also wireless charging for you to operate the phone with.

Isn’t that awesome? We did note that the forehead of the model is somewhat larger than most of the models on the market. That was a bit of a downer. It comes with the Soli chip and sensors. You would want to know that the sensors work for the face unlock feature.

It does not have the 3.5mm port, which we found weird for the price point of the model. However, it comes with the Active Edge which allows you to make use of the Google Assistant feature.

It also comes with a 90Hz refresh rate offering you eloquent image quality. The Google Pixel 4a smartphone comes with a good design & features. It has a polycarbonate body. Moreover, users would love the near bezel-less front.

We could also find the fingerprint scanner. Though it isn’t something major but comes as a worthy security option to have in there. We felt that the unit is immensely recognizable because of the stupendous looks that it has on the model.

You can also find no Active Edge on the model. It is heartening to note that the feature was there on the Pixel 3a model but has been removed from here. That does not mean, you cannot use Google Assistant on this phone.

It is just that you need to do it yourself. A notable feature of this unit would be the headphone jack. We found it one of the main USPs of this budget-friendly smartphone. Unfortunately, the Pixel 4a does not come with dust and splash-resistance features on it.

This was to have the pricing as low as possible for budget users. That does not mean, this model is not worth the look. Overall, we can say that the appearance of the model depends on your personal choice.

But when you consider the features the Pixel 4 is noteworthy. You can find a barrage of features that are not found on the Pixel 4a. Having said that, the Pixel 4a model is a budget model that comes with an OLED & Full HD screen.

We were impressed with the display quality found on the Pixel 4a model for the price range. You would also find the Pixel 4 XL model’s 6.3 inches screen with the Quad HD looks opulent, when you want something better sold in the market.

Google Pixel 4 vs Google Pixel 4a: Setup & Performance

The setup & performance of any smartphone is crucial for the overall ability of the model. Users would choose the unit likewise. The Google Pixel 4 smartphone comes infused with some tremendous performance capabilities.

That was quite obvious when we read about the features in the earlier segment. The model comes powered by the flagship processor, the Snapdragon 855. You can be assured that the speed along with the performance of the model is second to none.

It comes with 6GB of RAM, and the software is the same on both the models that are discussed here. The Pixel UI gives the Pixel 4 unit a slight advantage. Its camera performance is noteworthy having a 12.2MP primary unit.

Here, you can find that it has a secondary telephoto lens. It produces eloquent photos that can take your breath away. They are highly professional and come with the capability to induce some optimism in your photography.
The unit is a great choice for photographers, regular users, and live streamers as well. The images produce in them have a fantastic dynamic range and optimum colors in them. It comes with a second-to-none camera ability.

The Pixel 4 was released with the Android 10 software. But with the update provided on it constantly, it comes with the Android 12 now. You can bet that its performance of it is good. The Google Pixel 4a smartphone has a good setup & performance.

Besides, the camera performance is not on par with the Pixel 4 model. But it comes with a decent capability. You can take nice visuals using the model. But when you want them to be stunningly beautiful, then you might want to choose the other unit.

The Pixel 4a smartphone rises when it comes to the battery performance of things. You can work with the unit for 2-3 days effortlessly using the 24-hours battery. We are amazed that the search engine giant did not bother to infuse its flagship model with a better battery.

It also comes with some additional features that are found on the Pixel 4a. Some of them include call screening, Google Assistant, and more. While the Pixel UI might not solve all your problems, it is a smooth operator in today’s market.

You also got the HDR+ present on the camera that enhances your photography. So, it is not a bad choice for learners and hobbyists. You can make use of the night sight that offers rich colors during the dark.

The Titan M security chip enables you to protect your data. You can now ensure that your passwords are protected, your OS is updated frequently, and you have had security updates for more than 2 years.

The Pixel 4 model is the flagship choice here, as it comes with a quicker processing package and exceptional build quality. It also provides you with wireless charging. You will be glad to know that the smartphone has a higher refresh rate, there is Motion Sense and Active Edge.

The Pixel 4a comes with the average processor, the Snapdragon 730G. But it is able to provide you with decent speeds. You should not find any lag in the performance of the model when using it for regular tasks.

It is obvious here, that the Pixel 4 comes with sublime features most of which are not found on the Pixel 4a model. Could be the game-changer in the end or will the pricing affect the choice for the winner?

Google Pixel 4 vs Google Pixel 4a: Price

The Google Pixel 4 is priced under $800. This model is the 64GB storage space smartphone. It will be priced higher if you are looking for better storage space. Our tester thought that the search engine giant could have reduced the pricing a bit.

One wonders the reason for them to still stick to the same pricing for more than two years now. However, you may want to get it from certain service providers as they provide you with a minor discount.

The main benefit of using this unit is that you can make use of the Google Assistant to send texts, share visuals, and even do a lot more. There is a new way to control your smartphone using the quick gestures feature.

Now, you can silence your calls, skip songs, and do more by moving your hand on the screen. Consumers can also use Google Assistant to filter the spam before the smartphone rings, avoiding those annoying calls.

The Google Pixel 4a smartphone is priced under $350. This model is a 64GB storage space. The smartphone model can operate with several service providers including Google Fi, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and other options.

You can shoot breathtaking images with the help of your smartphone using a stunning camera. The rear camera has features like Portrait Mode and Live HDR+ Night Sight. Besides, you can also share the images directly from the viewfinder of your smartphone.

It comes with a phenomenal battery working life of 24 hours or 1 whole day. Now, you can use it for 2-3 days without having to worry about charging it. This feature comes useful when you are trekking or hiking.

All in all, the Pixel 4a is almost half the price point of the Pixel 4 smartphone. Besides, the Pixel 4a comes embedded with tremendous features. However, the Pixel 4 model is easier to get today. You get it from Verizon, US Cellular, T-Mobile, Visible, Republic Wireless, and BestBuy.

Google Pixel 4 vs Google Pixel 4a: Verdict

We have come to the end of our comparison review between the Google Pixel 4 vs Google Pixel 4a smartphones. These two models are exquisite and come embedded with the unique specifications that make them phenomenal devices.

However, there can be only one winner. The Google Pixel 4 smartphone is a fantastic choice for owning a new phone. It comes with a sleek design, exceptional features, a decent battery, and the Google Assistant for performing a wide range of activities.

Besides, you have some notable features like quick gestures that help you skip songs and cut the calls if you want without using your hands. If you are alright with the price point of the model at $800, then nothing should be stopping you from getting it for yourself.

The Google Pixel 4a is similar in appearance to the Pixel 4 model. You now have the flexibility to change carriers and select the data plan from carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint. You would love the quality of images from the 12MP dual-pixel rear camera.

Its battery is amazing offering you with 24 hours coverage. But it is priced cheaper and comes infused with awesome features in it. The Google Pixel 4 smartphone could be the better model because it is dustproof and water-resistant, has a faster CPU speed, and has more megapixels.

It has wireless charging, provides you with quicker downloads, and is DLNA-certified. You will be delighted to know that it has a dual-tone LED flash. The Google Pixel 4a smartphone is also good, as it has battery power, a higher resolution, and a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack.

It also has a fingerprint scanner, is much lighter, and comes with a manual shutter speed. The model also comes embedded with the Bluetooth aptX. Our winner in this comparison review between the Google Pixel 4 vs Google Pixel 4a models is the Pixel 4a device.

The Pixel 4a may not have most of the top-notch features found on the Pixel 4 model. But you can use a powerful battery, eloquent camera visuals, and excellent software. The unit is priced much cheaper than the Pixel 4, which really got us vouching for it.