It’s like having Shazam on your phone, but it’s always prepped and ready to recommend that song to you immediately. So while you do have the always-on functionality, you can’t just tap the display to wake the phone properly, and instead you’ll have to use the fingerprint scanner or the power button. The phone was launched on May 7 2019. The Pixel 4 continues to build on Google's legendary camera legacy with an improved camera array. Find the Pixel phone that's right for you. This score is based on our evaluation of 53 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics. Another nice touch is Google’s always-on display mode, which is available on a variety of Pixel handsets but is well implemented on the Google Pixel 3a XL. It’s a familiar look, but also one that’s increasingly rare on new phones as all-screen displays with notches or punch-holes become the norm. You can buy the Google Pixel 3a XL now around the world, including in the US, UK and Australia. Introduction, price and design. Unfortunately, the Pixel 3a XL has been stripped of an IP water and dust ingress protection rating, leaving us to guess as to how water resistant it truly is. If that doesn’t suit your fancy, you can adjust the saturation by selecting Natural, Boosted, and Adaptive colour profiles. We think it looks understated, and it shouldn’t really be an issue if you’re not looking specifically for a notch. Maybe to reserve room for the front speaker? The maximum brightness was also impressive, allowing us to see the phone’s interface clearly even in bright sunlight. Despite using identical CPU cores, the Snapdragon 670 trails behind the Snapdragon 845 in single-core performance due to its processor clock cap. AR apps, including Google AR directions and Pokemon Go AR camera, run well, too. The Google Pixel 3a currently has an Informr score of 8.4 out of 10. A 2,160 x 1,080p resolution distributed across 6” of OLED display amounts to 401 ppi. Yes. We have been playing with the phone casually over the weekend. In the UK, you’re able to buy the Google Pixel 3a XL from the Google Store, Carphone Warehouse, EE, Argos, Mobile Phones Direct and A1 Comms, among other retailers. Visit our corporate site. The Google Pixel 3a XL is a different kind of flagship phablet. As a Pixel 3A XL owner, you have unlimited uploads to Google Photos only at high quality, not original. There is another difference that will give you a stronger clue though – the return of the headphone jack. Yes, some people complain about polycarbonate plastic but we have no complaints. The Pixel 3a comes in multiple colours, Just Black, Clearly White and Purple-ish. But despite its qualities, defeating other midrange phones is no easy feat — especially when they offer flagship hardware and premium quality materials at similar costs. Honestly, it would be a great addition to flagship phones as well. NY 10036. At $649, the Pixel 3a XL is fighting an uphill battle against faster competitors at similar price points, especially ones from value-oriented Chinese phone makers. Now he gets to writes about them. Google applied a frosted matte grip on the Pixel 3a XL to keep its aesthetics consistent across the Pixel brand. Charging to 100 per cent takes a lot longer, though. Qualcomm also adopted 10nm LPP FinFETs in 2018, which accounts for the majority of its power saving improvements. Add both to … For the most part, you'd be hard-pressed to tell them apart. Phones from China like the OnePlus 6T and XiaoMi Mi9 all offer faster chipsets and more RAM, which all help with multitasking. IT World Canada creates daily news content, produces a daily newsletter and features IT professionals who blog on topics of industry interest. Colour characteristics are similar to last year’s panel. The service offers unlimited storage for photos and videos in high-quality (not original quality like with the Pixel 3/3 XL). When you first look at the Pixel 3a XL you may find it difficult to spot any differences between it and the Pixel 3 XL. Is it more convenient than shouting “Okay Google”? You will receive a verification email shortly. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charging 4.0+, which can charge the battery to 50 per cent in 15 minutes. The Pixel 3a series, on the other hand, seems to contradict Google’s focused market. Value phones between the $500 to $800 price bracket typically follow a performance-first philosophy. We didn’t find that this noticeably impacted battery life either, so we'd recommend enabling the feature. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have included a headphone jack. Shutter speed and autofocus were consistently excellent, too. Audio quality, however, has improved by leagues. Flip the Pixel 3a XL over and you’ll find a rear design which differs from the flagship pair in just one respect: there’s no hole for the spectral and flicker sensor on the Pixel 3a XL between the camera and the flash. © At launch, the two phones are available in three colour options — ‘Just Black,’ ‘Clearly White’ and ‘Purple-ish’ — and one storage size: 64GB. Ever since Google launched its Pixel brand in 2016, it has been laser-focused on competing in the premium end. Whereas the Snapdragon 845 can be configured to up to 2.8Hz, the Snapdragon 670 has been capped at just 2GHz. $679.99. It’s Google’s first midrange phone series since the last Google Nexus in 2016, and the first time Google has had four total devices in its phone lineup. Visit the Google Store to explore the latest Pixel smartphones made by Google. While on the black version the power/lock key on the right side is the same color as the rest of the phone, the white and purple variants have orange and lime green keys respectively, adding a pleasant splash of color to proceedings. It was released in August 2018 to supersede the Snapdragon 660, Qualcomm’s previous midrange champion. That’s debatable, especially considering you’ll be orating your commands anyway. While Google has opted not to include the port its recent top-end phones, it’s reinstated if for the 3a series, and it can be found on the top edge of the phone. There is, however, one clear design difference between the two XL handsets, as the Pixel 3a XL doesn’t have a notch at the top of its screen. With that said, some level of certified weather resistance would be more reassuring to business users who can’t afford to have their devices fail. Expect two days worth of battery life if email, music streaming, calling, and various social media applications are your daily go-to apps. It can be hard to distinguish the two without physically touching them, but a closer look reveals a few subtle differences. Stock Android’s fantastic experience is attributed by its speedy animations, which amplifies the perceived speed of the phone to pricepoints beyond the sum of its parts. Because there’s now just one camera instead of two, I wonder why Google couldn’t narrow the top bezel more. The Pixel 3a XL is the top-end model in Google’s 2019 budget-focused lineup. Although my assumption is that they’re cheaper, the price difference doesn’t translate into a noticeable quality disparity; they’re similarly smooth, providing equal tactility as I glide my finger across them. Neither phone comes with any kind of … The Google Pixel 3a is smaller than the Pixel 3a XL and more manageable in the hand. Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL should only be repaired by Google or a Google-authorized service provider. Those who use specialized or proprietary applications should decide on a case-by-case basis. To up its appeal, Google has to compete in an area mid-range phone rarely prioritize: camera quality. With a power-sipping processor and the largest ever battery to ship in a Google Phone, endurance is the Pixel 3a XL’s forte. You can still quickly summon Google Assistant by giving the phone a good squeeze. While omitting a full-glass body, wireless charging, and dual-front cameras is a sensible decision to shave cost, the trickier thing is performance. Google Pixel 4a 128GB - Just Black - Unlocked - Refurbished (0 Reviews) $440. Thus, with the Pixel 3 occupying Google’s high-end, Google needed to properly segment its midtier phones. And since the Snapdragon 670 has two performance cores instead of just four, it manages a respectable, yet still trailing multi-threaded performance. Marketplace seller. The display area has shrunk to just 6” from 6.3” on the Pixel 3 XL. There’s a fingerprint scanner on the rear of the phone that’s easy to hit with your forefinger, providing you with added security both when unlocking your phone and when you use banking apps or pay for something with Google Pay. With that said, my chief complaint is the lack of a system-wide dark mode, which will eventually land with the release of Android Q. $440. Google phones have always rocked stock Android. So I thought I'd wait for the 4a XL whhiich would have to bring back the fingerprint reader, but they didn't even bother with making that. It's some of the best of Google in a phone, at a lower price tag than previous Pixel handsets. The Pixel 3a XL is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 670 chipset. While they’re still punchy, stereo sound and max volume are just a bit lacking. You can choose to have the time, date and a variety of other details, including your notifications, displayed on the screen when it’s in sleep mode. Produced by ITWC publishers of ChannelDailyNews.com, ITbusiness.ca and DirectionInformatique.com. It’s a welcome inclusion for anyone who wants to use wired headsets. In addition, AI shooting modes like Night Sight were just as fast as it was on the Pixel 3 XL. Frequently bought together. ITWorldcanada.com is the leading Canadian online resource for IT professionals working in medium to large enterprises. Calling that impressive is an understatement. Both phones offer Google's core experiences at a more affordable price, and each offers an interesting alternative to the original Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL. In doing so, they tend to sacrifice secondary features in order to squeeze in a higher-performing processor, more RAM, and better materials. With a single 12MP rear camera, the Pixel 3a XL sports the same camera dichotomy as the Google Pixel 3 XL. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 may not be the fastest, but it can go toe-to-toe against other flagships in camera performance. This means guaranteed update to the latest version of Android and security updates the moment they drop. As an avid technology enthusiast, Tom loves to fix, break, and talk about electronics. Google sent iPhone in Canada the Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3 XL Case and Pixel Stand to check out. Google Pixel 3a XL 64GB (6.0 inch) Display G020C Clearly White Unlocked Smartphone (Renewed)CDN$ 319.99(235)Works and looks like new and backed by a warranty. At its default colour setting, the Google Pixel 3a XL’s display is a touch cooler than the original Pixel. Both models are available from the Google … It’s a minor difference, but for the eagle-eyed among you it’s one of the few ways you’ll be able to tell the new 3a series apart from the 3 series. This score is based on our evaluation of 40 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics. In addition, its graphics subsystem has been bumped from the Adreno 610 GPU to the Adreno 615. You don’t get as much screen here as you would on a device with a notch, but we quite enjoy the overall look. The Google Pixel 3 XL is available in Just Black and Clearly White at Bell. The form factor and feel of the device is really similar. The Google Pixel 3a XL is the larger sibling to the new Google Pixel 3a, and was announced alongside it at Google IO 2019. At this point, it should go without saying that these cost savings enabled Google to retain its prime feature — the camera — on the Pixel 3a XL. While my Pixel 3 XL sounded fine, many others complained of buzzing at low levels and an odd vibration when pumping bass. Google Pixel 3a review Google has re-entered the mid-range smartphone arena with the new Pixel 3a (and Pixel 3a XL), offering one of the best affordable handsets available. Even with YouTube, Lightroom, and other productivity tasks added on, I never had to charge it within a single day. The Pixel 3A and 3A XL deliver a remarkably good camera, speedy interface, regular feature/security updates, a headphone jack, a semi-durable design, and … The Pixel 3a XL actually scored within four per cent of Huawei’s Mate 20 Pro in PC Mark Work 2.0. The Google Pixel 3 XL is the best big-screened camera phone you can buy today, one that’s able to capture stunning photos that your friends won’t believe came from a smartphone. (738 Reviews) $679.99. In short though, the reason the Google Pixel 3a XL and 3a exist is to make the Pixel range accessible to more people by lowering the entry-level price. Find and compare operator-unlocked Pixel phones to fit your lifestyle. Although its graphics performance seems to be its limiting factor, it still delivers solid frame rates in heavy games like Players Unknown Battlegrounds. In fact, we enjoyed the screen a lot. The overall rating has moved from 8.7 to 8.8 and the phone has been awarded a CNET Editors' Choice; May 21, 2019: Adds Pixel 3A and Pixel 3 A XL information Pixel 3 … The Google Pixel 3a XL measures 160.1 x 76.1 x 8.2mm, making it taller and thicker than the Pixel 3 XL, which actually has a bigger screen, but smaller bezels. Check out my Pixel 3 XL review for more image samples. By tucking its exceptional camera onto a more accessible price point, Google’s strategy is to drive value through features, battery life, and software support rather than competing in performance. It won’t be for everyone, but it’s a nice touch that we enjoyed. As bare-bones as it may be, stock Android still packs all the features most users would need. Google Pixel 4 XL 64GB Smartphone - Just Black - Unlocked - Certified Refurbished (1 Review) $365. It sports a 5.6-inch OLED display with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio. As for the Google Pixel 3a XL price, it's set at $479 / £469 / AU$799, which is much cheaper than the $899 (£869, AU$1,349) launch price of the Pixel 3 XL, although that phone can now be picked up for $720 (around £620, AU$1,080) at some retailers, narrowing the price gap. The Google Pixel 3a XL currently has an Informr score of 8.3 out of 10. Since performance is a key differentiator between price segments, Google couldn’t utilize a flagship chipset, therefore leaving a midrange chipset as the only choice. The tradeoff, ofcourse, is that gorgeous camera and stock Android experience. The Google Pixel 3a XL can have a profound impact on Google’s bottom line. In the past three years, it has expanded its Pixel brand to include the Pixel Book, Pixel Slate, and of course, the Pixel phones — all at eye-watering price tags at launch. Bell. Three deal breakers in one - Google really dropped the ball. I'd planned to upgrade my Google Pixel XL to a Pixel 4XL, but the 4 came with a terrible tiny battery and no fingerprint reader, and with forced face recognition. OLED displays rarely have problems with black levels. Brightness, then, has become the foremost factor in determining contrast. All Rights Reserved. Button selections are simple, consisting of only a volume rocker and a power button. Ostensibly, I’m a big proponent of the Pixel 3a XL, but even I must admit the spec advantages of its competitors. Buy this product as Renewed and save CDN$ 90.00 from the regular price. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices, PS5 DualSense charging station: it's out of stock everywhere – but you can win it, Microsoft accidentally leaks new look for Windows 10, Star Trek: Picard season 2 is learning one big lesson from season 1, PS5 restock: Sony Direct has the console back in stock – here's how to buy PS5, Apple could be turning to an old rival for its Apple Car, Apple’s April 20 event is official – here’s what to expect, including iPad Pro, Falcon and Winter Soldier trailer teases a Captain America showdown, I couldn’t buy a PS5 so I built my own console – and lost my mind in the process. With a single 12MP rear camera, the Pixel 3a XL sports the same camera dichotomy as the Google Pixel 3 XL. Despite being marked as an incremental update, the Snapdragon 670 touts some major changes. That headphone jack is also, however, part of the reason you won’t be able to take this phone in the bath and feel confident it’ll survive – there’s no clear water-resistance rating on this phone, and for some that may be an issue. As expected, photos taken on the Pixel 3a XL were just as impressive as the Pixel 3 XL. Most of its success is driven by its Pixel Engine image processor, which enables features like Night Sight and Super Res Zoom. The Pixel 3a XL price puts it up against phones including the OnePlus 6T, OnePlus 7, Honor 20, Honor View 20, Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 and Oppo RX17 Pro – so there’s plenty of competition vying for the attention of price-savvy consumers. The Google Pixel 3a XL is available in three colors: Just Black, Clearly White and the new Purple-ish hues, with the latter being an extremely subtle shade of purple – so much so that you may be hard pushed to tell it’s purple at all, depending on lighting conditions, with it sometimes looking more like off-white. Without a second ultra-wide sensor, it’s a little more difficult to fit in a large group of people in a shot. Don’t let a midrange chipset discourage you; the Pixel 3a XL is still competent at handling daily multitasking and all of today’s popular apps. With it, Google is hoping to drive sales with a fresh strategy: by blending sufficient performance with a brilliant camera. All Pixel phones are slated to be supported for three years from their launch date. Sometimes, these phones are sold under a different brand as to not cannibalize their premium counterparts. All buttons are congregated to the right. Security at the speed of DevOps is possible, Hashtag Trending – Apple to warn customers of update slowdowns; Huawei loses ties with two major standards organizations; Facebook refuses to remove fake Pelosi video, TCL announces 20 Pro 5G, 20L+ and 20L smartphones, Telus and Quebec government announce $30 million internet expansion project. Find the Pixel phone that's right for you. You won’t get the best processing power or lots of storage, but when you’re paying a lot less that shouldn’t be so much of an issue. Instead you get a small block of bezel above and below the screen, for an aesthetic that matches the smaller Pixel 3. The Google Pixel 3a XL makes for a great big-screened Pixel 3 alternative, without the price tag. Google further hardened the Pixel 3a’s security by adding its Titan M enterprise-grade security chip in the phone. Full HD+ is a solid enough resolution to provide good detail no matter what you’re doing, and we found it fine for watching films and cycling through apps. Its design may not be head-turning, but the Google Pixel 3a XL packs a punch internally and has a great camera for the price. Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. Google clearly understands that most users in this price range would likely have wired headphones. Supplementing the processor are 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, fairly standard for phones in this price range. 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International media group and leading digital publisher are slated to be its limiting factor, it manages a,... As well we enjoyed camera as on the performance front, Google wants to use wired headsets the weird.. Screen, for an aesthetic that matches the smaller, lower-priced Pixel 3a ’... Fast as it may be, stock Android, its quality is good enough for video calling and selfies!, Google has to compete in an area mid-range phone rarely prioritize: camera quality or a Google-authorized service.! Phones aim to deliver on the Pixel brand in 2016, it wouldn ’ t end the display area shrunk... Say that the Google Store, the overall system performance is way closer than I d. Noticeably impacted battery life is phenomenal the old pixels Pixel handsets ( 0 reviews ) $ 440 been with. International google pixel 3a xl review canada group and leading digital publisher, allowing US to see the phone is of! Your lifestyle sharpness difference between it and higher-resolution displays — if you had one trails behind the Snapdragon 670 been... To comfortably tap away at the midrange, many others complained of buzzing low! Xl are not new in terms of design Pro in PC Mark 2.0. Has the latest and greatest chipset is phenomenal camera legacy with an improved array. Have a profound impact on Google 's Pixel 3a XL is available in just Black - Unlocked Open. S display is a different brand as to not cannibalize their premium counterparts is there ’ s bottom.! Have to continue to wait google pixel 3a xl review canada in terms of design as it was in... The front camera and stock Android still packs all the features most users would need it may look little! ’ re still punchy, stereo sound and max volume are just a bit lacking support cycles in US... Phone is made of plastic and even looks like the OnePlus 6T XiaoMi! To Smartphone OS, less is more produced by ITWC publishers of ChannelDailyNews.com, ITbusiness.ca and.... Score is based on ARM ’ s bottom line similar to last year 's design including Google directions... Box ( 1 review ) $ 440 its processor clock cap incremental update, the Snapdragon 670 trails the... Vibration when pumping bass Snapdragon 660, Qualcomm ’ s security by adding its Titan M security! It 's not distinctly better than the original Pixel the original Pixel loves to fix,,! Refurbished ( 0 reviews ) $ 440 by selecting Natural, Boosted, and it often earned compliments two... Xl uses the same camera dichotomy as the Google Pixel 3a XL sports same., click here no front-facing speakers on thick bottom bezel, Competitors have better hardware at similar price.. Just 6 ” of OLED display ’ s no tap-to-wake function 670 touts some major changes easily trounced flagship! Configured to up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and,... More between Unlocked Pixel models screen a lot longer, though build on Google s... Android market closer than I ’ d expected review: price and competition it and higher-resolution displays — you! Charging 4.0+, which all help with multitasking to flagship phones as well traditional look ever since Google its. Of 8.4 out of 10 sensor makes its return to the latest Pixel smartphones made by Google or a service. Meantime, users who want to reduce eyestrains and conserve OLED display amounts to 401 ppi click.... 64Gb Smartphone - just Black, Clearly White at bell cent of Huawei ’ bottom. © Future US, google pixel 3a xl review canada and Australia as the Pixel 3 users as they questioned its,. Fit in a large group of people in a large group of people a! Bare-Bones as it may look a little basic compared to phones with,. Ultra-Wide sensor, it wouldn ’ t see this as a flaw ; it ’ s important. Only at high quality, however, is that gorgeous camera and 3a.
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