Google Pixel 4a 5G

The Pixel 4a 5G is a good phone perched in an awkward place in Google’s 2020 smartphone lineup. There are equally compelling arguments to upgrade or downgrade to either of its siblings—unless you definitely want a Pixel with 5G.

As for the 5G, if your goal is future-proofing then you probably want the mmWave version, and by that point you’re $100 away from the Pixel 5. That has a better display, wireless charging, and a bigger battery. In short, while Google’s tweener phone is good, I’m not sure the Pixel 4a 5G does enough to stand out from the great phones that sandwich it.

The Pixel 4a 5G takes the best of the Pixel 5 and combines it with the value package of the Pixel 4a. It's the perfect balance between premium and budget in Google's 2020 portfolio and one of the best mid-rangers ever made.

This summer’s Pixel 4a is an excellent value, but its 5G-enabled big brother offers a significant upgrade for not too much more cash. It’s got a larger display, snappier performance, and a more versatile camera, and it’s still bargain-priced at $499. For most people eyeing a Google phone, the Pixel 4a (5G) is the one to get.

The Pixel 4a 5G offers excellent camera performance, a top-notch Android experience, and 5G connectivity for under $500, but Google's Pixel 5 ultimately delivers better value in the long run.

The Pixel 4a 5G is easy to recommend. Honestly, I think most folks looking at the more expensive Pixel 5 should reflect on what they value in a phone and consider if this can deliver what they want for hundreds less. This isn't really a Pixel 4a 5G, this is the Pixel 5 Lite, and if you can live without an IP rating, wireless charging, and a 90Hz screen, this offers a similar experience at a much better value.

If you’re after a compact phone that won’t make too much of a bulge in your pocket, then it’s definitely the phone for you. Although it isn’t as fast as the Apple iPhone SE (2020), it is a better all-rounder, with a bigger screen, superior portrait photography and far superior battery life.

As with all Pixels, the 4A 5G’s strengths are hard to put on a spec sheet. It’s more unassuming than other Android phones, but its software is also more elegant and easier to use — and of course, the camera is almost surely better than the direct competition. It won’t turn heads, but the Pixel 4A 5G won’t let you down, either.