Google launches the challenge to Huawei, Samsung and Xiaomi by presenting two smartphones with low prices and first-class camera. Here are the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a X
Finally unveiled yesterday, during the opening day of the annual Google I/O 2019 conference, the new mid-range smartphones from Mountain View: the Google Pixel 3a and Google Pixel 3a XL. The family of Pixel devices, therefore, is enriched by two new devices that are born with the great responsibility to bring the quality of the older brothers "without a" in the price range between 400 and 500 euros. To a large extent, given the technical characteristics, we can say that the mission has succeeded.
In particular, the Pixel 3a must propose in the mid-price range the great quality of the shots of the Pixel 3, considered one of the best smartphones on the market today with regard to the photographic sector. Quality of shots that, it must be said, in the Pixel 3 does not depend only on the integrated sensor (the Sony IMX363 12 MP), but also and above all to a long series of artificial intelligence algorithms that improve the performance of the shot even in non-optimal light conditions. But to run these algorithms you need hardware of a certain level, which the Pixel 3 does not lack. And what about the Pixel 3a and 3a XL? Here we go: the technical characteristics of Google's new midrange smartphones.
Pixel 3a and 3a XL: technical characteristics
The two midrange smartphones Pixel 3a and 3a XL differ only in the screen used (and, consequently, in size and weight) and the battery. The 3a mounts a 5.6-inch FHD+ gOLED with a resolution of 1,080×2,220 pixels, a density of 441 pps and a form ratio of 18.5:9. The Pizel 3a XL has a 6-inch gOLED screen, FHD+ 1,080×2,160 pixels, 402 pps and 18:9 form ratio. The Pixel 3a's battery is 3,000 mAh, the 3a XL's is 3,700 mAh. Both smartphones are compatible with 18-watt fast charging, but not wireless charging.
The rest of the specs are common to Google's two smartphones: Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 CPU, Adreno 615 GPU, 4 GB of LPDDR4 RAM, 64 GB of non-expandable internal storage (no other memory denomination is planned). The front camera is single, 8 MP and with f/2.0 aperture while the two top-of-the-line Pixels mount two cameras: one 8 MP f/1.8 and one 8 MP f/2.2. The rear camera of the two Pixel 3a, however, is the same as the Pixel 3: a 12 MP f/1.8 Sony IMX363 with both optical and electronic stabilizer and autofocus. All the artificial intelligence applied to the photo department of the Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL is also found in the Pixel 3a and 3a XL, since it is handled by the Exagon DSP processor integrated into the Snapdragon SoC and GPU. The Snapdragon 670, in fact, is a CPU manufactured in 10nm with eight Kryo 360 cores, 2 of which are "Gold" high-performance (maximum frequency of 2.0 GHz) and the remaining 6 are "Silver" (maximum frequency of 1.7 GHz, but consume much less).
Pixel 3a and 3 a XL: how much they cost and when they arrive
Google has chosen for the Pixel 3a and 3a XL, respectively, the price of 399 euros and 479 euros placing these two smartphones in a price range absolutely similar to that of competitors in this market segment. Both devices are already available for purchase in Italy from the official Google Pixel website, with free shipping. Those who buy them by May 22 receive a free Google Home Mini smart speaker. Google distributes the Pixel 3a with Android 9 Pie pre-installed and guarantees automatic updates for at least three years.