Google Pixel 3a Xl Review

The Google Pixel 3a Xl is a mid-range Android phone that offers everything you’d expect from the Pixel series. While it doesn’t have the same high-end specs as its flagship sibling, it’s a fantastic choice for anyone who wants to take great photos without breaking the bank.

The Pixel 3a Xl has a brilliant 12-megapixel rear camera with software-powered features like Night Sight and Super Res Zoom and a new Time Lapse mode. The results are incredible, and you won’t get better photos at this price point.

Display

The Google Pixel 3a Xl is a trimmed-down version of the company’s 2018 flagship smartphone that offers some of its best features at a more affordable price. It also avoids two significant problems that have sparked controversy with the Pixel 3 XL, including its notch and thick display bezels.

The phone’s 6.0-inch display offers plenty of screen real estate for entertainment, reading, and Google apps. Its high resolution makes everything look vibrant and sharp, while its wide viewing angle ensures the screen is readable in bright light.

The Pixel 3a Xl is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 processor, which offers competent performance and 4G LTE connectivity. It’s also got 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage but doesn’t include a microSD card slot.

Camera

Google’s Pixel phones are known for their stellar camera quality, and the 3a Xl is no exception. It packs in a 12.2 MP rear-facing sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and 76 degrees field of view.

The camera does a great job of delivering crisp, clear images with a high degree of color accuracy. It also provides well-controlled chromatic and luminance noise levels in various outdoor shots.

Night-time, long exposure shots are a particular strength, as is the ability to capture a wide range of colors in low-light conditions. The Pixel 3a Xl also does a fine job of avoiding significant flash fall-off in flat areas towards the corners, and flash portraits are perfect.

Performance

The Pixel 3a Xl is an excellent midrange device that delivers everything you’d expect from a Google Pixel at a price much lower than the more expensive models. It offers a great camera, smooth performance, and a fast-charging battery.

The phone’s display looks sharp and punchy, delivering a vibrant color range with accurate brightness and contrast. It’s also an excellent choice for watching HD content and Netflix streaming.

The Pixel 3a Xl ditches the dual-lens front camera that you’ll find on the more expensive phones, but it still offers excellent wide-angle selfies with a single 12.2 MP lens. Like the other Pixels, it leans on machine learning to perform photo-taking tasks and offers impressive features such as Night Sight and Portrait Mode.

Battery

Battery life is a massive part of the Pixel experience, and Google’s new Pixel 3a Xl combines a bigger battery with more robust software to deliver better longevity than its predecessor. It’s not a massive change, but the extra juice means that even on a long day with reasonably consistent use, it will easily last two days off a single charge.

The Pixel 3a Xl comes with a 3,700 mAh battery, up from the 3,430 mAh of the original Pixel. While it’s not quite as large as the 4,500 mAh battery of the Galaxy S10+, it’s still much more than you’ll find in many budget phones out there.

Battery life is improved by the use of Adaptive Battery, which learns your usage habits and optimizes your power allocation as needed. The Pixel 3a Xl is also faster to charge than the standard Pixel, requiring just 15 minutes of charging with the 18W USB PD charger that comes with it.

Price

If you’re in the market for a new phone, you may be looking for a device that offers value for money. Google’s Pixel 3a and 3a XL are designed to appeal to that demographic, combining a core Pixel experience with the ability to save some money.

The Pixel 3a Xl, for instance, is a trimmed-down version of the flagship phone that opts for cheaper materials and less cutting-edge components. But it arrives at a much more appealing price point than the $899 starting price of the original.

Like the standard Google Pixel, the 3a Xl comes in various colors and finishes. It’s available in Clearly White, Just Black, and Purple-ish.