Pixel 3a - any experience?
Discussion
I am after a fresh Android phone to use alongside my iPhone SE.
I have had Pixel devices int he past, most recently a Pixel 2XL which had god awful reception.
The 3a is now down to £299, I am just wondering if anyone here has got one/had one? My only worry about it is the battery life and the fact it uses a fairly low end processor. Pros are that it'll be supported for 2 more years at least.
I have had high end Android phones in the past, but went lower end after I decided I didn't like my OnePlus 6. I fancy something more compact.
Is the performance acceptable for an average user + battery life?
Thanks.
I have had Pixel devices int he past, most recently a Pixel 2XL which had god awful reception.
The 3a is now down to £299, I am just wondering if anyone here has got one/had one? My only worry about it is the battery life and the fact it uses a fairly low end processor. Pros are that it'll be supported for 2 more years at least.
I have had high end Android phones in the past, but went lower end after I decided I didn't like my OnePlus 6. I fancy something more compact.
Is the performance acceptable for an average user + battery life?
Thanks.
Had one for a year now - no complaints at all. After a couple of other 'expensive' phones I've no idea why I've wasted the money previously.
Does everything I need it to, TBH. Never had it feel slow (to my eyes) even after I've thrown a few apps at it. Takes awesome photos, size isn't too bulky, good screen. Even now after a year, I easily end the day on 30% battery. Sure, maybe a £700-800 phone has a few better features, but but 2.5x better? Nah.
So yeah, for the price they're great.
Does everything I need it to, TBH. Never had it feel slow (to my eyes) even after I've thrown a few apps at it. Takes awesome photos, size isn't too bulky, good screen. Even now after a year, I easily end the day on 30% battery. Sure, maybe a £700-800 phone has a few better features, but but 2.5x better? Nah.
So yeah, for the price they're great.
MattyB_ said:
Had one for a year now - no complaints at all. After a couple of other 'expensive' phones I've no idea why I've wasted the money previously.
Does everything I need it to, TBH. Never had it feel slow (to my eyes) even after I've thrown a few apps at it. Takes awesome photos, size isn't too bulky, good screen. Even now after a year, I easily end the day on 30% battery. Sure, maybe a £700-800 phone has a few better features, but but 2.5x better? Nah.
So yeah, for the price they're great.
Thanks a lot for that. Is this the standard size 3a you are referring to?Does everything I need it to, TBH. Never had it feel slow (to my eyes) even after I've thrown a few apps at it. Takes awesome photos, size isn't too bulky, good screen. Even now after a year, I easily end the day on 30% battery. Sure, maybe a £700-800 phone has a few better features, but but 2.5x better? Nah.
So yeah, for the price they're great.
I am pretty set on getting one from Google. My only reservation is if the price will drop even more just before the 4a is announced next month.
Agree with above comment, good option for the money.
Wife bought a 3a when she broke the screen on the Pixel 2 she had previously.
Pixel 3a seems to have much better battery life than the 2 did (even when new) and does everything you would want from a smartphone, except for lacking the water resistance that the 2 had.
It feels nicer in the hand than my Galaxy S8 but weighs the same, so I'm guessing it must be the weight distribution and also the flat display being to my taste, or just a placebo effect at play.
I'm probably going to get a Pixel 4a in 6 months time.
Wife bought a 3a when she broke the screen on the Pixel 2 she had previously.
Pixel 3a seems to have much better battery life than the 2 did (even when new) and does everything you would want from a smartphone, except for lacking the water resistance that the 2 had.
It feels nicer in the hand than my Galaxy S8 but weighs the same, so I'm guessing it must be the weight distribution and also the flat display being to my taste, or just a placebo effect at play.
I'm probably going to get a Pixel 4a in 6 months time.
I've looked more into them as I was about to order one, but I see lots of forum posts about them slowing down after a few months and becoming really slow.
Is this true?
I can afford to wait and spend more on the new 4a when it comes out, but I don't really want to spend more than £300 on a phone because I really don't see the point...
With a £50 mastercard giftcard that carphone warehouse are offering, it makes it £249, whereas the 4a will probably be £400/£429ish. Which is obviously a lot more...
Realistically, I could order it, have it tomorrow, then have 2 weeks to try it and if it isn't as fast as i'd like, I can just send it back to them.
Is this true?
I can afford to wait and spend more on the new 4a when it comes out, but I don't really want to spend more than £300 on a phone because I really don't see the point...
With a £50 mastercard giftcard that carphone warehouse are offering, it makes it £249, whereas the 4a will probably be £400/£429ish. Which is obviously a lot more...
Realistically, I could order it, have it tomorrow, then have 2 weeks to try it and if it isn't as fast as i'd like, I can just send it back to them.
Edited by gman88667733 on Friday 17th April 08:09
gman88667733 said:
Decided to go for it. Should turn up tomorrow.
I figured the only way I'll know for sure is if I try it, if it isn't any good, I can just send it back.
Where from? Need to get my wife a new phone and been looking at the 3a.I figured the only way I'll know for sure is if I try it, if it isn't any good, I can just send it back.
Can't see any mention of £50 gift card of CPW website.
gman88667733 said:
I've looked more into them as I was about to order one, but I see lots of forum posts about them slowing down after a few months and becoming really slow.
Is this true?
I can afford to wait and spend more on the new 4a when it comes out, but I don't really want to spend more than £300 on a phone because I really don't see the point...
With a £50 mastercard giftcard that carphone warehouse are offering, it makes it £249, whereas the 4a will probably be £400/£429ish. Which is obviously a lot more...
Realistically, I could order it, have it tomorrow, then have 2 weeks to try it and if it isn't as fast as i'd like, I can just send it back to them.
cant say ive noticed this, but i dont have too many apps or stuff on there. It craps out in apps very occasionally.Is this true?
I can afford to wait and spend more on the new 4a when it comes out, but I don't really want to spend more than £300 on a phone because I really don't see the point...
With a £50 mastercard giftcard that carphone warehouse are offering, it makes it £249, whereas the 4a will probably be £400/£429ish. Which is obviously a lot more...
Realistically, I could order it, have it tomorrow, then have 2 weeks to try it and if it isn't as fast as i'd like, I can just send it back to them.
Edited by gman88667733 on Friday 17th April 08:09
rich12 said:
Where from? Need to get my wife a new phone and been looking at the 3a.
Can't see any mention of £50 gift card of CPW website.
If you keep refreshing the pixel 3a page, eventually a pop-up comes up where it gives you a £50 mastercard giftcard on any pixel phone purchase. It it mentioned on the hot UK deals website.Can't see any mention of £50 gift card of CPW website.
The only caveat is you have to wait about 60 days for it to come through, but it is a proper offer. You get sent an email from carphone warehouse with a link to go back through and order the phone and then you get sent the giftcard after.
gman88667733 said:
I've looked more into them as I was about to order one, but I see lots of forum posts about them slowing down after a few months and becoming really slow.
Is this true?
I can afford to wait and spend more on the new 4a when it comes out, but I don't really want to spend more than £300 on a phone because I really don't see the point...
With a £50 mastercard giftcard that carphone warehouse are offering, it makes it £249, whereas the 4a will probably be £400/£429ish. Which is obviously a lot more...
Realistically, I could order it, have it tomorrow, then have 2 weeks to try it and if it isn't as fast as i'd like, I can just send it back to them.
No complaints from my wife about her 3a in 4 months of usage.Is this true?
I can afford to wait and spend more on the new 4a when it comes out, but I don't really want to spend more than £300 on a phone because I really don't see the point...
With a £50 mastercard giftcard that carphone warehouse are offering, it makes it £249, whereas the 4a will probably be £400/£429ish. Which is obviously a lot more...
Realistically, I could order it, have it tomorrow, then have 2 weeks to try it and if it isn't as fast as i'd like, I can just send it back to them.
Edited by gman88667733 on Friday 17th April 08:09
Never had any issues with any of my Nexus or Pixel devices slowing down over time, after 2 years my Pixel 2 XL was still excellent, the 4 XL I replaced it with wasn't a massive upgrade over the 2 in my opinion but has better battery life.
I'm the type of person who uses the phone heavily all day but doesn't have many "third party" apps installed.
I'm the type of person who uses the phone heavily all day but doesn't have many "third party" apps installed.
I'm still using a Pixel 2 XL, my contract ended but I'm still happy with it and I looked at the latest models and they didn't seem a huge improvement over what I have now so I stuck with it and went sim only.
I did notice that apparently Google don't guarantee to support it with updates after October this year, can anyone advise on whether or not I am likely to start having issues after that time?
I did notice that apparently Google don't guarantee to support it with updates after October this year, can anyone advise on whether or not I am likely to start having issues after that time?
I got a 3a XL last summer after the battery life of my 4 year old Nexus 5 started decreasing ( I went for the XL because of the bigger battery). There were price reductions around then because the 4 was about to be released.
Verdict - love it. Doesn't seem at all slow or laggy and the camera is excellent. Not strictly comparable to the 3a, but I easily get 2 days out of the battery.
Verdict - love it. Doesn't seem at all slow or laggy and the camera is excellent. Not strictly comparable to the 3a, but I easily get 2 days out of the battery.
Benrad said:
I was considering it at the end of last year. I bought a refurbished 3XL for £350 instead and it's great. I used Envirofone
This is exactly what i did i went for the 3XL over the 3aXL as i wanted the better screen, water resistance and wireless charging if none of these are that important to you then i'm sure you wont be disappointed with the 3a. Camera is fantastic.
Jamescrs said:
I'm still using a Pixel 2 XL, my contract ended but I'm still happy with it and I looked at the latest models and they didn't seem a huge improvement over what I have now so I stuck with it and went sim only.
I did notice that apparently Google don't guarantee to support it with updates after October this year, can anyone advise on whether or not I am likely to start having issues after that time?
They will likely carry it on for a while yet, my Chromebase said last year but its still getting them. I did notice that apparently Google don't guarantee to support it with updates after October this year, can anyone advise on whether or not I am likely to start having issues after that time?
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