Google Pixel 3a XL (4GB + 64GB) Review | 197 Data compared

The Google Pixel 3a XL is a mid-range, plastic-bodied smartphone that delivers a flagship-level 12.2MP camera experience, excellent battery life, and a 6-inch OLED display. Key pros include top-tier software features like Night Sight, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and three years of guaranteed updates, though it lacks waterproofing and wireless charging. While the Snapdragon 670 processor offers a smooth daily experience, it lags in high-end gaming compared to rivals, occupying an "awkward" market position.

The Google Pixel 3a XL, as reviewed by New Atlas, is identified as a high-value mid-range smartphone that brings flagship-level 12.2 MP camera performance and Night Sight capabilities to a lower price point. Key advantages include the return of the 3.5 mm headphone jack, excellent 3,700 mAh battery life, and a clean stock Android experience. While featuring a solid plastic build, the device compromises with a lower resolution display and lacks water resistance, wireless charging, and microSD expansion. Performance is driven by a Snapdragon 670 processor, which, while capable, results in slower HDR image processing compared to premium alternatives. The device is limited to 64 GB of internal storage, necessitating reliance on cloud services. Ultimately, the review concludes that the 3a XL succeeds by focusing on camera quality and software rather than premium materials or top-tier speed. New Atlas

What Hi-Fi? praises the Google Pixel 3a XL for bringing a flagship-level camera, featuring Night Sight and HDR+, and a clean Android experience to a mid-range price point. Notable pros include the 6-inch OLED screen, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and solid all-day battery life. Conversely, the review notes cons such as underwhelming audio quality, a plastic body lacking premium feel, and the absence of wireless charging or water resistance. Performance is generally smooth with the Snapdragon 670, though the device is not as fast as competitors and lacks expandable storage. What Hi-Fi? +1

The Google Pixel 3a XL delivers a premium experience at a mid-market price point, focusing on essential features like a top-tier camera and clean Android software to appeal to business users. Key advantages include its 12.2-megapixel camera, which matches flagship performance, a vibrant 6-inch OLED display, and improved battery life. However, cost-cutting measures resulted in the omission of an IP rating for water resistance, no wireless charging, and a, 64GB storage limit. For more details, visit ITPro.

In a revisit to the Google Pixel 3a XL, Thurrott.com highlights the device's continued value due to its excellent Pixel camera experience, durable polycarbonate body, headphone jack, clean Android software, and a fast fingerprint reader. However, compromises include a mid-range Snapdragon 670 processor lacking the Pixel Visual Core for faster processing, limited 64GB storage without expansion, Dragontrail glass instead of Gorilla Glass, no wireless charging, and no official IP water resistance rating. The review concludes that these trade-offs are generally acceptable, making the 3a XL a strong recommendation for those prioritizing camera and software fundamentals over premium features at a lower price point.

The Google Pixel 3a XL offers flagship-tier camera performance with its 12.2MP rear sensor and software like Night Sight and Portrait Mode, though it lacks the wide-angle front camera of the premium model. It features a sturdy plastic body, a vibrant 6-inch Full HD+ OLED display, and importantly, includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, while omitting higher resolution and premium build materials. The device uses a mid-range Snapdragon 670 chip which provides smooth daily performance but results in slower image processing and reduced gaming capability, compensated by efficient battery life with 18W fast charging but no wireless charging or water resistance.

PCMag reviewed the Google Pixel 3a XL as a mid-range phablet offering high-end features like a strong camera and 6-inch OLED display for $479, despite using a plastic build instead of glass and lacking an official IP water-resistance rating. Pros included solid performance from its Snapdragon 670 chip, a long-lasting 3,700mAh battery, the return of the 3.5mm headphone jack, and guaranteed three years of Android OS updates running Android 9.0 Pie with exclusive Google features. Cons noted were the absence of wireless charging, no microSD slot for expandable storage beyond 64GB, and the lack of the Pixel Visual Core chip resulting in slightly slower image processing and no wide-angle selfie capability due to a downgraded front camera.

The Google Pixel 3a XL is described as a "nearly great" mid-range smartphone that excels with its 12.2-megapixel camera, clean Android software, and guaranteed three years of updates, successfully bringing a flagship-level camera experience to a more affordable price. However, it features hardware compromises such as a matte plastic body, Dragontrail glass instead of Gorilla Glass, large bezels, and the lack of water resistance, wireless charging, or expandable storage. Performance from the Snapdragon 670 processor is deemed "satisfactory" but slower than competitors, while the 27-hour battery life is considered average, making it best suited for users prioritizing camera and software over raw power.

According to Mashable, the Google Pixel 3a XL offers premium features, notably a "fantastic" 12.2-megapixel camera and a 3.5mm headphone jack, at a more accessible price point. However, compromises include a plastic body that attracts fingerprints, the lack of wireless charging or water resistance, and a mid-range processor resulting in slower performance compared to flagship models. Despite these trade-offs, the review deems the Pixel 3a XL an "unequivocal win" for its price, recommending it for budget-conscious users prioritizing camera quality and clean software.

WIRED reviewed the Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL, noting their exceptional value by offering a near-flagship experience, particularly a class-leading camera, for roughly half the cost of premium devices. Key compromises for the lower price include a polycarbonate body, a less powerful mid-range processor, and the absence of features like water resistance and wireless charging. The camera is a major pro, utilizing the same excellent sensor and computational photography software as the more expensive Pixel 3, resulting in outstanding photos in varied lighting conditions. Hardware cons include the less premium feel of the polycarbonate build and potential performance lag from the Snapdragon 670 processor.

The CNET review describes the Google Pixel 3a XL as a budget-friendly, 6-inch alternative that brings flagship-level camera performance and software to a lower price point. Pros include a high-quality camera capable of Night Sight, impressive battery life, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a vibrant OLED display. Compromises, or cons, involve a polycarbonate body without water resistance or wireless charging, a less powerful processor, limited 64GB storage, and reduced cloud photo storage quality.

The Google Pixel 3a XL is reviewed as successfully delivering a premium Pixel camera experience at a mid-range price, making it a recommended device despite certain hardware compromises. The camera is particularly praised as "spectacular," capable of producing photos comparable to more expensive phones, including effective Night Sight and portrait modes. Its design features a solid polycarbonate body, a 6-inch OLED display with vibrant colors, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and impressive battery life often lasting over a full day. However, the Pixel 3a XL includes a mid-range Snapdragon 670 processor and lacks the Pixel Visual Core chip, resulting in slower image processing compared to the Pixel 3. Other omitted flagship features are an IP rating for water resistance, wireless charging, and the wide-angle front camera option. The device is limited to a single 64GB storage option without microSD expansion.