I have been a happy owner of the Pixel 3a XL for several years. But this month due to chronic battery drain I decided it was time to retire my trusted Pixel 3a XL. I’ve always owned Android phones and several Google phones starting with the Nexus 4, then the Nexus 5x, and later the Nexus 6p, so I assumed purchasing the Google Pixel 8a would be the right decision. The technical specs seemed attractive to me and I was eager to experience the new camera features and obvious battery life improvement. However, my experience revealed that newer technology does not always provide a better solution and taking a step back can lead to the desired outcome.
The Pixel 8a represented a major upgrade over my old phone in nearly every category from enhanced camera tech to screen resolution as well as performance. And at nearly $500 it was a sizeable cost increase too. But I could not adapt to 1 fundamental design change with the Pixel 8a so my search for the right phone ended with the Google Pixel 4a which has become the perfect phone for me. The 4a delivered the right combination of performance, camera quality, and battery life which suited my everyday needs even though it was an older model. The 4a’s small design and dependable performance showed me that the best technology solution may not always be the newest model available.
Pixel 8a versus Pixel 4a
Display
The Pixel 8a features a 6.1-inch display that exceeds the 5.8-inch display size of the 4a. The 8a stands out through its 120Hz refresh rate because it surpasses the 60Hz standard found in the 4a resulting in fluid scrolling and animations.
Performance
The most significant performance variation will become apparent in this area. The Pixel 8a demonstrates performance that is approximately 3.3 times better than its competitors based on benchmark tests. The 8a includes 8GB of RAM whereas the 4a has 6GB of RAM but users state they do not experience major improvements when handling multiple tasks at once.
Camera
The 8a received major camera enhancements through its 64MP main camera which surpasses the 12.2MP camera of the 4a. The front-facing camera received an upgrade from 8MP to 13MP.
Battery
The 8a provides a substantial battery life enhancement because it contains 4492mAh of battery capacity which exceeds the 3140mAh capacity of the 4a by 43%.
Durability & Design
The 8a stands out from the 4a because it includes IP67 water and dust resistance which provides better protection against spills and weather conditions. The absence of a headphone jack on the 8a remains a disappointment for users who owned the 4a.
The Pixel 8a delivers major upgrades across all departments yet its larger dimensions create challenges with one-handed use compared to the 4a.
- New, unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan; unlocked smartphone works with T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, and other major carriers; not compatible with the Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband network
- 5G capable cell phone gives you an extra boost of speed. So you can download a movie in seconds, enjoy smooth streaming in ultra clear HD, play games at home and on the go, and even share your 5G speed with friends
- The all day battery can last up to 48 hours with Extreme Battery Saver
Google Pixel 4a with 5G
The Pixel 4a with 5G offers exceptional value with its impressive camera system, clean Android experience, and 5G connectivity at a mid-range price point.
Pros
- Stellar camera performance with Night Sight and ultrawide lens
- Clean Android experience with guaranteed updates for 3+ years
- Excellent battery life that can stretch to two days with Extreme Battery Saver
Cons
- Plastic build feels less premium than flagship phones
- No wireless charging capability
- Screen brightness struggles in direct sunlight
- Meet Google Pixel 8a, the Google AI phone; with the incredible Pixel Camera and top-rated security features to help protect your data[1]
- Unlocked Android 5G smartphone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; it works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- The Pixel Camera gives you amazing photo and video quality; Google AI helps you create perfect group shots with Best Take and fix blurry images with Photo Unblur[3]
Google Pixel 8a
The Pixel 8a delivers exceptional value with its impressive camera system, Google AI features, and all-day battery life at a mid-range price point.
Pros
- Outstanding camera quality with AI enhancements like Best Take and Photo Unblur
- Clean Android experience with fast performance and long-term software support
- Bright, responsive 6.1-inch Actua display that’s vibrant even outdoors
Cons
- No headphone jack might disappoint some users
- Slightly bulkier than premium flagship phones
- Storage limited to 128GB on base model with no expandable storage
Downgrading from Pixel 8a to Pixel 4a
So why did I switch from a new phone to a 4 year old phone? The front fingerprint sensor on my Pixel 8a pushed me to reconsider my purchase. After only two weeks of use I returned the Pixel 8a because the fingerprint sensor drove me nuts. The front fingerprint sensor required multiple attempts to unlock the device even after I activated the recommended sensitivity mode. The constant screen tapping to unlock my phone became annoyingly frustrating. I followed all Google recommendations to make it work right to no avail.
The Pixel 4a became my new phone after switching from the Pixel 8a and I must say it has been an improvement. The rear fingerprint sensor functions immediately just as my previous Pixel 3a XL used to. The phone unlocks automatically as my finger rests in its natural position without any conscious thought. New technology does not always represent better technology. I choose dependable performance over state-of-the-art features without hesitation.
How to Disable 5G on Pixel 4a
If you’re like me you may not be a fan of 5G. If want to disable 5G functionality on your Pixel 4a, follow these steps. The process is quite simple regardless of your reason. Here’s how:
- To access your quick settings panel swipe down from the top of your screen twice.
- You can access the Settings application by tapping on the gear icon.
- You will find “Network & internet” by scrolling down to the top section of the menu.
- The “Mobile network” section contains all your cellular network preferences.
- Choose the “Preferred network type” option from the available choices.
- Choose either “4G” or “LTE” instead of “5G” or “5G (preferred)” from the available options.
Alternatively you can make this change using * code. To disable 5G on an Android phone using the radio settings code, you can:
- Open your phone app/dialer
- Dial
*#*#4636#*#*(this is a testing menu code) - Select “Phone Information” from the menu
- Look for “Set preferred network type” option
- Choose an option from the drop-down that does NOT have “NR” in it (NR stands for New Radio, which is 5G)
- Typically, you would select “LTE/GSM/WCDMA” to disable 5G functionality
This method gives you direct access to the RF (radio frequency) menu, which allows you to disable 5G in less than a minute.
That’s it! Your phone will now use only 4G/LTE connections without attempting to connect to 5G networks. To enable 5G again simply follow these steps and choose the 5G option from the menu.
In Summary
I owned a Pixel 3a XL for several years until chronic battery drain lead me to purchase a new Pixel 8a. The nearly $500 purchase left me expecting technology nirvana including fast performance and improved photography capabilities and the latest and greatest Google Android features. But instead I received a big surprise from this upgrade. The front-facing fingerprint sensor operated with a mind of its own. The premium features and AI failed to mask the frustration I experienced from a fingerprint reader that failed to recognize my fingerprints nearly every time. So I downgraded to the Pixel 4a which has a fingerprint sensor on the back similar to my old Pixel 3a XL. Despite being 4 years old I was able to purchase a new Pixel 4a on Amazon.com. It has turned out to be my favorite phone thus far and it was significantly cheaper than the Pixel 8a. The newest technology does not always represent the best technology as I experienced first hand. Thanks for Reading!
