The Google Pixel 4a vs Google Pixel 4 XL comparison is quite an interesting one. The Google Pixel 4 XL is a lot more expensive than the Pixel 4a, and the question is, is it worth it. Truth be said, the Pixel 4 XL is a considerably larger phone, so if you do require a larger display / phone, this is probably not the comparison you’re interested in.
We’ve recently compared the Pixel 4a and the Pixel 4, and that comparison may surprise some of you. Well, let’s see if the Google Pixel 4a can hold its own against the Pixel 4 XL. As per usual, we’ll kick things off by listing the specs of the two phones, and go from there. We’ll compare them across a number of categories, including the design, display, performance, and so on.
The Google Pixel 4a is a lot more affordable than its big sibling, the Pixel 4 XL. So, keep that in mind while reading through the comparison. That being said, let’s kick off the Google Pixel 4a vs Pixel 4 XL comparison, shall we.
Specs
Google Pixel 4a
Google Pixel 4 XL
Screen size
5.81-inch fullHD+ OLED display
6.3-inch QHD+ Smooth Display (flexible OLED, 90Hz)
Screen resolution
2340 x 1080
3040 x 1440
SoC
Qualcomm Snapdragon 730
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
RAM
6GB (LPDDR4X)
6GB
Storage
128GB, non-expandable
64GB/128GB; Non-Expandable
Rear cameras
12.2MP (f/1.7 aperture, 27mm lens, 1.4um pixel size, dual pixel PDAF, OIS)
12.2MP (1.4um pixel size, f/1.7 aperture, 77-degree angle lens, PDAF, OIS, EIS)
16MP (1.0um pixel size, f/2.4 aperture, 52-degree angle lens, OIS, EIS, PDAF)
Front cameras
8MP (f/2.0 aperture, 24mm lens, 1.12um pixel size)
8MP (1.22um pixel size, f/2.0 aperture, 90-degree angle lens, fixed focus)
Battery
3,140mAh, non-removable, 18W fast battery charging
3,700mAh, Non-Removable, 18W Fast Battery Charging (USB-PD 2.0), Qi wireless charging
Dimensions
144 x 69.4 x 8.2mm
160.4 x 75.1 x 8.2mm
Weight
143 grams
193 grams
Connectivity
LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C
LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C
Security
Rear-facing fingerprint scanner
IR-based facial scanning, Titan M module
OS
Android 10
Android 10
Price
$349
$899 (64GB) / $999 (128GB)
Buy
Amazon
Google / Amazon
Google Pixel 4a vs Google Pixel 4 XL: Design
These two phones do look somewhat similar from the back, but they’re quite different otherwise. Not only do they look different overall, but the build materials are also different. The Google Pixel 4a is made out of polycarbonate aka plastic. Its body is made out of a single piece of plastic, and the phone’s display. The Pixel 4 XL, on the other hand, combines metal and glass in its build.
The Google Pixel 4a has thinner bezels, as it utilizes a single display camera hole. The Pixel 4 XL does not have a display camera hole, but its top bezel is noticeably thicker than the one on the Pixel 4a. Other bezels are equally thick, more or less. The Pixel 4a has a rear-facing fingerprint scanner, while the Pixel 4 XL doesn’t have it at all. That handset relies on advanced facial scanning instead.
Google Pixel 4 XL: back side
The camera modules on the back are placed in the same spot, top-left corner. The Pixel 4 XL does include one more camera than the Pixel 4a, though. It has two, compared to a single camera on the Pixel 4a. The main sensor is the same on both phones, though, we’ll talk more about that in the camera section.
The Pixel 4a also includes an audio jack, which is something you won’t find on its sibling. Both phones are really well made, even though the Pixel 4 XL does seem more premium. The Pixel 4a is lighter, though, and it still feels like a really well-built phone, not to mention it’s smaller, easier to use with one hand, and it’s also less slippery.
Google Pixel 4a vs Google Pixel 4 XL: Display
Both of these phones feature OLED displays, but they’re considerably different. The Google Pixel 4a comes with a 5.81-inch fullHD+ OLED panel. The Pixel 4 XL, on the other hand, sports a 6.3-inch QHD+ P-OLED display. The aspect ratio is a bit higher on the Pixel 4a. Both panels are flat, and both support HDR output. The Pixel 4a’s display is protected by Gorilla Glass 3, while the Pixel 4 XL’s by the Gorilla Glass 5.
That being said, the Google Pixel 4a’s display does not support a high refresh rate. It is limited to 60Hz, while the Pixel 4 XL’s goes up to 90Hz. The screen-to-body ratio is a bit higher on the Pixel 4a, but the difference is not that big, to be quite honest. Both of these displays are quite good, there’s no doubt. However, the Pixel 4 XL’s does have an edge due to its resolution and refresh rate.
Truth be said, you won’t notice the lack of additional resolution on the Pixel 4a, at all. That panel is extremely sharp, and the vast majority of users can’t even tell the difference. The refresh rate is something you’ll notice if you’ve tried high refresh rate displays in the past, if not, that will not bother you either. Both panels show vibrant colors, deep blacks, great viewing angles, and everything else you’d expect out of a good smartphone display.
Google Pixel 4a vs Google Pixel 4 XL: Performance
Ah… the performance. It’s not exactly a secret that the Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL had performance issues when they launched. The two phones were plagued with rather odd issues, at least for some users. Well, Google managed to fix the vast majority of such issues in the updates following the launch, so both phones perform great now. The Pixel 4a is a great performer as well, though.
The Pixel 4a has an inferior chip, that’s for sure. It’s fueled by the Snapdragon 730, compared to the Snapdragon 855 inside the Pixel 4 XL. The difference in day-to-day performance is not exactly noticeable, though. As long as you’re not running high-end games, you won’t notice the difference. Well, you can play such games on the Pixel 4a as well, but they’ll run better on the Pixel 4 XL.
The Google Pixel 4a is likely to start stuttering sooner than the Pixel 4 XL, though. Simply because its SoC is not the latest, nor the most powerful. Still, if you’re not planning to keep the phone for a lot of years, it should be good for a couple of them. The less powerful SoC should not deter you from getting the Pixel 4a, that’s for sure.
Google Pixel 4a vs Google Pixel 4 XL: Battery
The Google Pixel 4 XL has a larger battery than the Pixel 4a, but it also has a more power-hungry SoC, higher display resolution, and higher refresh rate. What I’m trying to say is… don’t let the battery capacity fool you. Both phones offer decent battery life, but not something that will awe you.
Do note that your usage differs from ours, and you may get completely different results. You should be able to get around 5-6 hours of screen on time with both devices, though. With 90Hz refresh enabled on the Pixel 4 XL, by the way. If you’re gaming a lot, or run any other sort of power-intensive tasks often, the battery will deplete quicker, of course.
Both smartphones do support fast charging, luckily. Both include 30W fast wired charging. The Pixel 4 XL also supports wireless charging, which is not available on the Pixel 4a. All in all, most people will be happy with the battery life here, that’s for sure. If you’re a power user, though, think twice.
Google Pixel 4a vs Google Pixel 4 XL: Cameras
The Google Pixel 4 XL has two cameras on the back, while the Pixel 4a is equipped with one. Realistically, you’ll be using the main one in the vast majority of use cases. The main camera is the same on these two phones, and even though the Pixel 4a doesn’t have the Pixel Visual Core, the photos this camera takes are almost the same as the ones on the Pixel 4 XL. Pretty much every shot we take was difficult to differentiate from the one on the Pixel 4 XL.
Google Pixel 4 XL: camera
The secondary camera on the Pixel 4 XL is a telephoto unit, not an ultrawide camera. Therefore, chances are you’ll use it far less than you think. So, in general, the Pixel 4 XL does give you more options thanks to that telephoto camera, but if you’re not planning to use it often, the Pixel 4a is more than good enough. Even the phone’s digital zoom is really good thanks to Google’s processing. Both phones excel in low light. Video recording is really good on both, with excellent stabilization.
Audio
In terms of audio, well, both phones are equipped with stereo speakers. What differentiates them, is the fact that the Pixel 4a offers a 3.5mm headphone jack, while the Pixel 4 XL does not. Let’s talk about the speakers first, though. These speakers are really good on both phones, but the Pixel 4a’s secondary one is a bit quieter than we’d prefer. The Pixel 4 XL seems to be doing a bit better in that regard. Both sets can get quite loud in general, though.
In terms of wired and wireless audio headphones and sound quality. Well, the output will be more or less the same from the two devices. Don’t expect something extraordinary, and you’ll be just fine. The audio output is well-balanced across the spectrum, and even though it may not suit audiophiles, everyone else will be happy with it, pretty much.
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Source: ndroidheadlines.com