7 ms·

This is an awesome phone at $350. I currently have the Pixel 4, but if this was available when I was making my purchase decision, I'd probably have gone with it

This is an awesome phone at $350. I currently have the Pixel 4, but if this was available when I was making my purchase decision, I'd probably have gone with it. That said, the Pixel line of phones isn't known for having long lasting battery. A feature that I've found to be indispensable is wireless charging. I just rest my Pixel 4 on a vertical charging base throughout the day. Otherwise, I'd have to have to constantly plug/unplug the phone throughout the day to charge, and that'd be a huge regression in the user experience. Just as I'm about 100% fully committed to Bluetooth headsets and my collection is just about fully covering all my use cases, Google brings back the 3.5mm jack! Nice that they're giving me hope that I can still use my wired headsets without having to use a dongle, but I'd be again terribly disappointed if they removed this feature again in the next iteration. This feature alone is almost enough to downgrade my Pixel 4. P.S. The Pixel 4 isn't an available trade-in option for the Pixel 4a. Lol!

jldugger 6y ago
> That said, the Pixel line of phones isn't known for having long lasting battery. A feature that I've found to be indispensable is wireless charging. Note that wireless charging causes a lot of heat, which is like cryptonite for battery longevity.
101008 6y ago
I bought a Pixel 3A a few months ago and my battery lasts 2 days without charging it. I use it for regular browsing, Instagram, twitter, and it is constantly using networks because I have Whatsapp always on on my computer.
- noelsusman 6y ago
  I've been wondering for years what the hell people were doing with their phones to make them run out of battery in a day. I can't remember the last time any phone I've had got below 50% on a day with normal usage. I guess people play a lot of mobile games?
  - invisible 6y ago
    I think it _very_ heavily depends on what apps you have installed and how much they do in the background (especially while you have the screen off). Similarly, screen time plays a huge role (e.g. someone with 2 hours a day vs 4 hours a day).
    - markmark 6y ago
      Yeah, I think it's mostly screen time. Someone getting 2 days out of a 3a isn't using it 6 hours a day. But some people do.
  - kayodelycaon 6y ago
    I'm playing podcasts and music using the phone's speakers at high volume and cellular data with poor reception. Drains my iPhone XS in about 8 hours. Using my AirPods instead of my phone doubles my battery life to a more reasonable 16 hours. And yes, 8+ hours continuously streaming audio. My brain can't stand any long periods of silence.
  - distances 6y ago
    A heavy tourist day with lots of navigation and photos will eat my 3a battery before the day is over if I'm not careful.
- mianos 6y ago
  I have had a pixel 3a since they came out. I noticed recently the battery life seems to have been improved with a firmware update. At the end of the day I used to have 30% and now I have 60% with what seems to me no change in use. Just anecdotal so I may be dreaming, but this phone lasts two days easily if I need it to.
- drusepth 6y ago
  Yep, I bought a Pixel 3A when it first came out and I'm still consistently getting 2+ days battery with every charge. It's honestly amazing to not have to worry about batteries anymore; whenever it gets low I just charge for 15-30 minutes back up to 75% and I'm good to go for at least a day (repeat ad infinitum). It's a perfect encapsulation of why I just can't wrap my head around phones without a headphone jack. Why would you want to worry about managing battery levels on more devices? Going from 1-->0 is the dream and I don't think I'd ever upgrade to a phone where I have to worry about battery again, let alone a phone where I have to worry about two batteries.
- csdreamer7 6y ago
  Same, my little 3A is a battery life trooper. The only reason I am looking at the 4A is because one of my family members 3A phone screen was cracked by a coworker. That 3A still works and is mostly still usable, even if the screen perspective is a little off.
schoolornot 6y ago
I don't get why Google creates problems for themselves by relying on unproven tech or working backwards. Case in point: adaptive battery. Androids have historically had poor battery efficiency (mah vs. screen on time) against iPhones. Rather than optimize the OS and the apps and provide a larger capacity battery, they size down the battery and introduce software-based battery management with AI. Common responses to complaints on /r/GooglePixel about piss poor battery life are that the user hasn't waiting long enough for the system to develop a proper AI/ML model. Another example: RCS. A protocol that neither carriers nor users actually want. 7 years after iMessage took over the US, Google is still unable to provide a functional E2E encrypted multi-device messaging service with all the doo-dads that come with iMessage. So many more textbook examples out there.
- buttersbrian 6y ago
  Google got wedged between the desire to create a imessage competitor, and not alienating every carrier / OEM. RCS works. I am glad it's here. It would have been far more helpful 3 years ago though. The most boggling decision is what has happened with Hangouts.
- rurp 6y ago
  > Common responses to complaints on /r/GooglePixel about piss poor battery life are that the user hasn't waiting long enough for the system to develop a proper AI/ML model. Oof, this sounds like the sort of thing that could go really frustratingly wrong in some cases. Do you happen to know if this results in apps being erroneously killed when switching to the background? My phone killing whatever is playing on Spotify or Podcast Addict when I switch to another app has been a recurring annoyance for me on Android. I've always been able to find a fix but, bewilderingly, the fix has been different on almost every phone I've had.
- paulcole 6y ago
  The Americans waited for their phones to develop a proper AI/ML model. The Russians used a bigger battery!
- MithrilTuxedo 6y ago
  Apple and Google aren't both just using jabber for messaging?
dirtyid 6y ago
There's wireless charging adapters, not ideal, no fast charging, but it's something. Or magnetic cables which I find is better solution. Ultimately, nothing beats just having a massive battery and 2-3 day endurance.
JeremyNT 6y ago
> That said, the Pixel line of phones isn't known for having long lasting battery. A feature that I've found to be indispensable is wireless charging. I just rest my Pixel 4 on a vertical charging base throughout the day. Otherwise, I'd have to have to constantly plug/unplug the phone throughout the day to charge, and that'd be a huge regression in the user experience. Note that the 4a actually has a larger battery than the 4, per the article, so this complaint may well be addressed by this device.
- droidno9 6y ago
  About 12% larger capacity. Not enough of an improvement to eliminate this problem.
  - Exmoor 6y ago
    The 4a also uses a lower power SOC and a 60hz screen, which is likely to make a more substantial difference.
    - what_ever 6y ago
      60hz screen at lower resolution as well.
ss3000 6y ago
I'm not a huge Apple fanboy by any measure, but one thing I do appreciate is that they consider wireless charging to be a table stakes feature, and include it even in their "budget" phones. They clearly understand how dramatically it elevates the user experience. Compare that to every Android manufacturer who either don't offer wireless charging at all or gate it to flagships, it's a really sad state of affairs for someone like myself who won't even consider a phone without wireless charging today.
- mehrdadn 6y ago
  Never used wireless charging but also never really understood what is so dramatically elevating about it. Is it just the requirement for 1 hand vs. 2 hands that people find so life-changing? Doesn't it waste a ton of power in the process?
  - jakub_g 6y ago
    (Not using wireless charging either) One advantage is that it does not destroy the USB port. Constant plugging and unplugging can really wear some ports after 1-2 years, depending on manufacturing quality. To the point that it won't charge anymore. (Hopefully will be less of an issue with USB-C which seems better designed than microUSB). Plus the convenience.
    - rand49an 6y ago
      To counter that though, it's not nearly as efficient and the additional heat definitely puts more stress on the battery possibly lowering it's lifespan.
      - ss3000 6y ago
        My hunch is that you're probably correct about the heat effects of wireless charging on battery lifespan to some degree, but I'd love to see more emperical studies on the topic. Especially comparing it to usage of wired quick charge solutions that tend to result in much higher spikes in temperature than wireless charging, but over a shorter timespan. It's not obvious to me that one would be more harmful to battery lifespan than the other. Newer wireless chargers also usually have some form of active heat management (i.e. fans), and anecdotally my phone only ever gets lukewarm to the touch, even with a somewhat bulky case on it. At the end of the day though, I personally wouldn't mind having to upgrade my phone slightly faster than I would otherwise in order to enjoy the convenience offered by wireless charging, but definitely speaking from a position of privilege here.
camillomiller 6y ago
It’s not. Check out the One Plus Nord at the same price. (EU and India only, though)
mrigor 6y ago
what BT accessories did you settle on?
- droidno9 6y ago
  Bose QCII to tune out noise, Bose SoundWear Companion when it's too hot for the QCII, Plantronics Voyager Edge for calls on the go, and Jabra Halo Smart as a backup that lives in bag all the time. Hands-free calling is quite important to me. :)
deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
flavor8 6y ago
> the Pixel line of phones isn't known for having long lasting battery Anecdote: I still have a 2XL and it can get me through 24 hours. It's gotten a _little_ worse recently which I attribute to hardware age. The camera is fantastic, so I have no need to upgrade (although having stereo speakers would be nice.)
- Lutzb 6y ago
  I also own a 2XL and really enjoy it. Sadly google will stop supplying updates this fall.
  - DebtDeflation 6y ago
    In theory, should be less of an issue with Project Mainline now. Of course, we said the same thing with Project Treble. Though it is starting to feel like the idea of an Android Version Upgrade is becoming less and less meaningful with so much of the OS modular and upgradable with Google Play now. <---Pixel 2 XL owner who really sees little reason to upgrade.
- SomewhatLikely 6y ago
  The Pixel 2XL does have stereo front facing speakers...
  - flavor8 6y ago
    Oh, not mine. Hardware issue then. Only the "bottom" speaker works.
- lostmsu 6y ago
  Anecdote: I have a $250 Xiaomi phone, and it lasts 3 days on average.
zouhair 6y ago
In Canada, with tax it goes up to CA$550.73. Not worth it.

jldugger 6y ago

> That said, the Pixel line of phones isn't known for having long lasting battery. A feature that I've found to be indispensable is wireless charging. Note that wireless charging causes a lot of heat, which is like cryptonite for battery longevity.

101008 6y ago

I bought a Pixel 3A a few months ago and my battery lasts 2 days without charging it. I use it for regular browsing, Instagram, twitter, and it is constantly using networks because I have Whatsapp always on on my computer.

noelsusman 6y ago
I've been wondering for years what the hell people were doing with their phones to make them run out of battery in a day. I can't remember the last time any phone I've had got below 50% on a day with normal usage. I guess people play a lot of mobile games?
- invisible 6y ago
  I think it _very_ heavily depends on what apps you have installed and how much they do in the background (especially while you have the screen off). Similarly, screen time plays a huge role (e.g. someone with 2 hours a day vs 4 hours a day).
  - markmark 6y ago
    Yeah, I think it's mostly screen time. Someone getting 2 days out of a 3a isn't using it 6 hours a day. But some people do.
- kayodelycaon 6y ago
  I'm playing podcasts and music using the phone's speakers at high volume and cellular data with poor reception. Drains my iPhone XS in about 8 hours. Using my AirPods instead of my phone doubles my battery life to a more reasonable 16 hours. And yes, 8+ hours continuously streaming audio. My brain can't stand any long periods of silence.
- distances 6y ago
  A heavy tourist day with lots of navigation and photos will eat my 3a battery before the day is over if I'm not careful.
mianos 6y ago
I have had a pixel 3a since they came out. I noticed recently the battery life seems to have been improved with a firmware update. At the end of the day I used to have 30% and now I have 60% with what seems to me no change in use. Just anecdotal so I may be dreaming, but this phone lasts two days easily if I need it to.
drusepth 6y ago
Yep, I bought a Pixel 3A when it first came out and I'm still consistently getting 2+ days battery with every charge. It's honestly amazing to not have to worry about batteries anymore; whenever it gets low I just charge for 15-30 minutes back up to 75% and I'm good to go for at least a day (repeat ad infinitum). It's a perfect encapsulation of why I just can't wrap my head around phones without a headphone jack. Why would you want to worry about managing battery levels on more devices? Going from 1-->0 is the dream and I don't think I'd ever upgrade to a phone where I have to worry about battery again, let alone a phone where I have to worry about two batteries.
csdreamer7 6y ago
Same, my little 3A is a battery life trooper. The only reason I am looking at the 4A is because one of my family members 3A phone screen was cracked by a coworker. That 3A still works and is mostly still usable, even if the screen perspective is a little off.

schoolornot 6y ago

I don't get why Google creates problems for themselves by relying on unproven tech or working backwards. Case in point: adaptive battery. Androids have historically had poor battery efficiency (mah vs. screen on time) against iPhones. Rather than optimize the OS and the apps and provide a larger capacity battery, they size down the battery and introduce software-based battery management with AI. Common responses to complaints on /r/GooglePixel about piss poor battery life are that the user hasn't waiting long enough for the system to develop a proper AI/ML model. Another example: RCS. A protocol that neither carriers nor users actually want. 7 years after iMessage took over the US, Google is still unable to provide a functional E2E encrypted multi-device messaging service with all the doo-dads that come with iMessage. So many more textbook examples out there.

buttersbrian 6y ago
Google got wedged between the desire to create a imessage competitor, and not alienating every carrier / OEM. RCS works. I am glad it's here. It would have been far more helpful 3 years ago though. The most boggling decision is what has happened with Hangouts.
rurp 6y ago
> Common responses to complaints on /r/GooglePixel about piss poor battery life are that the user hasn't waiting long enough for the system to develop a proper AI/ML model. Oof, this sounds like the sort of thing that could go really frustratingly wrong in some cases. Do you happen to know if this results in apps being erroneously killed when switching to the background? My phone killing whatever is playing on Spotify or Podcast Addict when I switch to another app has been a recurring annoyance for me on Android. I've always been able to find a fix but, bewilderingly, the fix has been different on almost every phone I've had.
paulcole 6y ago
The Americans waited for their phones to develop a proper AI/ML model. The Russians used a bigger battery!
MithrilTuxedo 6y ago
Apple and Google aren't both just using jabber for messaging?

dirtyid 6y ago

There's wireless charging adapters, not ideal, no fast charging, but it's something. Or magnetic cables which I find is better solution. Ultimately, nothing beats just having a massive battery and 2-3 day endurance.

JeremyNT 6y ago

> That said, the Pixel line of phones isn't known for having long lasting battery. A feature that I've found to be indispensable is wireless charging. I just rest my Pixel 4 on a vertical charging base throughout the day. Otherwise, I'd have to have to constantly plug/unplug the phone throughout the day to charge, and that'd be a huge regression in the user experience. Note that the 4a actually has a larger battery than the 4, per the article, so this complaint may well be addressed by this device.

droidno9 6y ago
About 12% larger capacity. Not enough of an improvement to eliminate this problem.
- Exmoor 6y ago
  The 4a also uses a lower power SOC and a 60hz screen, which is likely to make a more substantial difference.
  - what_ever 6y ago
    60hz screen at lower resolution as well.

ss3000 6y ago

I'm not a huge Apple fanboy by any measure, but one thing I do appreciate is that they consider wireless charging to be a table stakes feature, and include it even in their "budget" phones. They clearly understand how dramatically it elevates the user experience. Compare that to every Android manufacturer who either don't offer wireless charging at all or gate it to flagships, it's a really sad state of affairs for someone like myself who won't even consider a phone without wireless charging today.

mehrdadn 6y ago
Never used wireless charging but also never really understood what is so dramatically elevating about it. Is it just the requirement for 1 hand vs. 2 hands that people find so life-changing? Doesn't it waste a ton of power in the process?
- jakub_g 6y ago
  (Not using wireless charging either) One advantage is that it does not destroy the USB port. Constant plugging and unplugging can really wear some ports after 1-2 years, depending on manufacturing quality. To the point that it won't charge anymore. (Hopefully will be less of an issue with USB-C which seems better designed than microUSB). Plus the convenience.
  - rand49an 6y ago
    To counter that though, it's not nearly as efficient and the additional heat definitely puts more stress on the battery possibly lowering it's lifespan.
    - ss3000 6y ago
      My hunch is that you're probably correct about the heat effects of wireless charging on battery lifespan to some degree, but I'd love to see more emperical studies on the topic. Especially comparing it to usage of wired quick charge solutions that tend to result in much higher spikes in temperature than wireless charging, but over a shorter timespan. It's not obvious to me that one would be more harmful to battery lifespan than the other. Newer wireless chargers also usually have some form of active heat management (i.e. fans), and anecdotally my phone only ever gets lukewarm to the touch, even with a somewhat bulky case on it. At the end of the day though, I personally wouldn't mind having to upgrade my phone slightly faster than I would otherwise in order to enjoy the convenience offered by wireless charging, but definitely speaking from a position of privilege here.

camillomiller 6y ago

It’s not. Check out the One Plus Nord at the same price. (EU and India only, though)

mrigor 6y ago

what BT accessories did you settle on?

droidno9 6y ago
Bose QCII to tune out noise, Bose SoundWear Companion when it's too hot for the QCII, Plantronics Voyager Edge for calls on the go, and Jabra Halo Smart as a backup that lives in bag all the time. Hands-free calling is quite important to me. :)

deleted 6y ago

[deleted]

flavor8 6y ago

> the Pixel line of phones isn't known for having long lasting battery Anecdote: I still have a 2XL and it can get me through 24 hours. It's gotten a _little_ worse recently which I attribute to hardware age. The camera is fantastic, so I have no need to upgrade (although having stereo speakers would be nice.)

Lutzb 6y ago
I also own a 2XL and really enjoy it. Sadly google will stop supplying updates this fall.
- DebtDeflation 6y ago
  In theory, should be less of an issue with Project Mainline now. Of course, we said the same thing with Project Treble. Though it is starting to feel like the idea of an Android Version Upgrade is becoming less and less meaningful with so much of the OS modular and upgradable with Google Play now. <---Pixel 2 XL owner who really sees little reason to upgrade.
SomewhatLikely 6y ago
The Pixel 2XL does have stereo front facing speakers...
- flavor8 6y ago
  Oh, not mine. Hardware issue then. Only the "bottom" speaker works.
lostmsu 6y ago
Anecdote: I have a $250 Xiaomi phone, and it lasts 3 days on average.

zouhair 6y ago

In Canada, with tax it goes up to CA$550.73. Not worth it.