Table of Contents
amazon Google Pixel 3a XL reviews
Design
Pixel 3a XL has a design similar to the Pixel 3. On the back, it has two color tones with 3 color options: Black, White and Purple. The power button on the side of the device is similar in color to the camera body.
Pixel 3a XL is longer than the Pixel 3 XL but has a lighter volume of nearly 30g. The reason is that the Pixel 3a XL’s body is made of plastic rather than a metal frame like the Pixel 3 XL.
Pixel 3a phone line is the first product of Pixel series made of plastic material. If you look at it, we will not be able to recognize the plastic case on 3 XL.
However, this is also what frustrates many users when almost all products in the same price range and even many phones in the cheaper segment already use metal or glass.
The advantage of plastic is to make this phone more durable. When dropping the device, the plastic will not break like a glass or be sunken like a metal surface. However, plastic is a soft material, the main disadvantage is more easily scratched than glass and metal.
At a lower price, Pixel 3a XL has not been equipped with water and dust resistance like its predecessor.
Another problem with the design is probably the display on the front. Pixel 3a XL is not equipped with the same rabbit ears as the Pixel 3 XL, but has a rather thick screen. It can be said that the design of Pixel 3a is not in the current screen trend, this is what makes many users not satisfied. The phone looks like it was released a few years ago, not at 2019.
In addition, Pixel 3a XL’s external speakers are located on the bottom of the phone. But the power button and volume button layout is still a bit difficult for users when all the buttons are on the right side of the device, but the power button is on the volume button. This makes it more difficult for users to touch the power button. This layout also makes it difficult for users to take screenshots with one hand.
Overall, Google Pixel 3a XL’s design is somewhat less prominent than the more expensive Google Pixel 3 XL.
Screen display
Pixel 3a XL owns a 6-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2160 × 1080. The screen is equipped with Asahont Dragontrail protection glasses, not Corning Gorilla Glass used on Pixel 3 XL.
Pixel 3a XL’s screen is only 0.3 inches smaller but has a lower resolution than Pixel 3 XL. It also does not support HDR10 video.
However, the screen on Pixel 3a XL is still great. The brightness of the device can be suitable for all external lighting conditions. Viewing angles and color accuracy are also good.
The lack of HDR10 video support is also a minor shortcoming, but it doesn’t really matter because there are not many videos currently using HDR image technology.
The screen on Pixel 3a XL has overcome a major problem that is more annoying than the 3 XL screen. The Pixel 3 XL screen is highly sensitive at the edge of the glass, making it easy for users to accidentally touch the touch points on the screen. Pixel 3a XL has no such condition, so it is very comfortable to use with one hand without worrying about the palm of the hand accidentally touching the screen.
Although there is no trend of rabbit ears or water drops, the display quality on Pixel 3XL is still very good in today’s smart phone market.
Software
Pixel 3a XL is equipped with Android 9.0 operating system. The Pixel 3 XL experience is not inferior to the Pixel 3 XL because it uses the same Android version and pre-installed Google features.
The 3a XL has an Active Edge feature, allowing users to squeeze 2 sides of the phone to activate Google Assistant. Wind Down mode will automatically turn on Do not make the night time and switch the screen to a gray scale so as not to adversely affect the user’s eyes when used at night. Flip to Shhh allows to activate the Do not disturb mode by simply turning the phone to hold it face down.
Google has made some minor cuts with Pixel 3a XL. Users no longer receive unlimited backups, do not compress photos and videos on Google Photos. The device also does not support Duplex, a feature that helps Google Assistant can make voice calls on behalf of users to make appointments or make reservations.
There is one more problem, but maybe because the hardware is more, it is touch response that has been downgraded a bit compared to the 3 XL. Obviously the vibration motor on Pixel 3a XL is not as complicated as its predecessor.
Efficiency
Pixel 3a XL is equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 processor chip with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal memory. This is the first time a smartphone from Google uses chips in the mid-range segment because the company has always used the best current chip for its device since the previous Nexus to the current Pixel.
When it comes to the device’s composite benchmark, the high score for Pixel 3a XL can be predicted when using mid-range chips. However, this phone is a testament to the fact that benchmarking is somewhat misleading compared to actual performance.
Although not the top processor chip but software optimization really shines on 3A XL. Although it is not certain that the device will remain in good shape after a long time of use, the feeling after a few days of using the 3 XL is no different than that of Pixel 3 XL with a much more powerful processor.
The level of optimization is huge, it seems that Google engineers have tried to exert all the power of the Snapdragon 670 chip to make the phone experience far beyond a more powerful Android phone. Application launch and multitasking work perfectly.
In the photo application, due to the lack of Pixel Visual Core image processor, 3a XL takes more than 0.5 seconds to process and save HDR + images compared to Pixel 3 XL.
After testing a few popular games, Pixel 3a XL works very well and delivers gaming performance that is not inferior to any flagship. Combined with stereo speakers, users will enjoy playing games on this device.
The Pixel 3a XL’s weakest point is 4GB of RAM. When multiple applications are opened at the same time, the device’s speed will be slightly reduced and it will take a long time to reopen the previous application.
In addition, Pixel 3a XL really impresses when working well with everyday tasks. Hopefully, this phone can maintain performance for at least several years after use.
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Sound
Google has restored the 3.5mm headphone jack on 3 XL. As mentioned above, the 3.5mm earbuds, not the Type-C headphones like the Pixel 3 XL.
This has brought some hope to improve the sound quality because Pixel-XL comes with Type 3 XL headphones, which provide poor quality. But the headphones of 3a XL have only a few small improvements. The bass doesn’t sound very good.
In addition, the 3a XL also includes an external stereo speaker that emits many other fast ways to deliver good sound quality, improve the entertainment experience like watching videos and playing games. Should keep the volume of the device at less than 80% because the sound will be thin and uncomfortable if left above 80%.
Camera
Pixel 3a XL uses a 12MP rear camera with a f / 1.8 aperture similar to the Pixel 3 XL, with autofocus and optical stabilization. Instead of using 2 front-facing cameras like the Pixel 3 XL, the 3a XL has only one front camera, no longer comes with an ultra wide-angle camera like brother.
The camera application on the 3a XL is identical to the 3 XL, which has a good layout and is easy to use when taking photos. There are many different modes, users can touch or swipe through to change. Many other advanced modes are hidden in the menu in the right corner. The camera app also provides a level of basic image quality adjustment, mainly through white balance.
Another great feature of the camera on 3a XL is focusing. Not only does face recognition work, users can also touch objects on the screen and the camera will always track the target even when the subject moves. This makes shooting more convenient.
Users can also use gestures to start the camera by tapping twice on the power button. When the camera application is open, users only need to rotate the device in the camera arm to automatically switch from the front camera to the rear camera and vice versa.
Regarding image quality, because owning cameras on 3 XL, the image on 3 XL has similar quality. The details in the picture have a good balance between sharpness and detail and excellent color retention. The color reproduction system makes the image more blue.
The camera on Pixel does not show as much shadow detail as the iPhone and has a lower brightness. This gives the contrast characteristic to the images, which looks better than the original scene.
In low light conditions, the Pixel 3a XL camera also works very well, capable of removing noise naturally and without causing too many blurry images.
With Night Sight mode, users will be able to own longer exposure images, attracting more light into the photo. When using this mode, the phone should be kept in a balanced position.
The only problem that often appears when shooting in the dark is focusing. Although the image quality is enhanced, the focal length cannot be improved. Getting the track to make the Night Sight feature probably won’t be used much.
Besides, 3a XL also has a portrait mode. The default opacity of the background is quite average while shooting but users can adjust after taking a picture and the overall result is very good.
Google Pixel 3a XL also uses Google’s impressive Super Res Zoom feature, a very good digital zoom solution.
The front camera on Pixel 3a XL is not really good. Images are sometimes not sharp, much less quality than the mid-range phones on the market today.
In terms of video recording capability, Pixel can record 4K video at 30 frames per second; 1080p at 30, 60 and 120 frames per second; 720p at 30, 60 and 120 frames / sec. It is not surprising that 3a XL cannot record 4K video at 60 frames per second because the Snapdraon 670 chip is unable to do so. The image quality in the videos is at a good level.
In summary, the Pixel 3a XL camera still works very well and will be one of the best camera phones on the market.
The battery
Pixel 3a XL has a 3,700 mAh battery, which is higher than the 3,430 mAh battery on Pixel 3 XL. The processor of the 3 XL is also capable of much more battery saving.
The battery life on the 3a XL is great. On average after one day of work, the device will have about 20-30% of the battery with continuous operation frequency.
Pixel 3a XL is supported with fast charging using USB-Power Delivery technology. Although this is not the fastest battery charging solution on the market today, but with 2 hours for a full charge, the result is quite impressive.
In addition, Pixel 3a XL is not equipped with wireless charging technology Pixel Stand. However, this does not affect most users.
Conclude
When only looking at Pixel 3a XL specifications with thick border displays and mid-range processor chips, this phone really doesn’t show any highlights but after a few days of use, users can see How well Google has done with this device.
Pixel 3a XL promises to be a reasonable choice for users with beautiful design, impressive performance and camera. The phone will definitely solve all the tasks as well as the necessary work and does not disappoint users.