Sub 6” Android phones, Pixel 4a?
Discussion
I’ve got an iPhone 12 Pro which is great, but I have use for a second phone and I love having an Android as well as an iPhone.
The problem is most Android phones, especially at the cheaper end of the market are absolutely massive.
I’m not after something flash, and until recently I had a £180 Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite which was great, but all of their new models are 6” plus.
The only thing decent I can find is a Pixel 4A for sub £300 on Amazon, but it’s not waterproof, doesn’t have wireless charging or face unlock. Not dealer breakers, but they are nice to have.
I guess I’m also concerned that its been out a year and that it may be replaced any month now?
It would be great to hear some recommendations.
Cheers
The problem is most Android phones, especially at the cheaper end of the market are absolutely massive.
I’m not after something flash, and until recently I had a £180 Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite which was great, but all of their new models are 6” plus.
The only thing decent I can find is a Pixel 4A for sub £300 on Amazon, but it’s not waterproof, doesn’t have wireless charging or face unlock. Not dealer breakers, but they are nice to have.
I guess I’m also concerned that its been out a year and that it may be replaced any month now?
It would be great to hear some recommendations.
Cheers
I have a 4a and it is really good phone. Definitely not perfect though.
The screen isn't very bright under 95% brightness (common pixel flaw). The build is a bit hollow, but most plastic phones are.
Battery life is good for the size, but about average compared to others. Heavy use won't get through a day.
However, it is a really good phone. The size is very good to use. I have the 4a and a Galaxy A52 5G and I definitely prefer the size of the 4a, it is much lighter and smaller.
Performance is good, i'm having a few issues on Android 12 beta, but on 11, it was just as fast as any other phone i've used.
Obviously the camera is the standout feature, it is better than most.
For £279 that it currently is, there aren't many other mainstream phones that are better value. I'd recommend it to pretty much anyone.
(Rumours seem to point towards the 5a being slightly bigger, more like a rebadged 4a 5G, but who knows?)
The screen isn't very bright under 95% brightness (common pixel flaw). The build is a bit hollow, but most plastic phones are.
Battery life is good for the size, but about average compared to others. Heavy use won't get through a day.
However, it is a really good phone. The size is very good to use. I have the 4a and a Galaxy A52 5G and I definitely prefer the size of the 4a, it is much lighter and smaller.
Performance is good, i'm having a few issues on Android 12 beta, but on 11, it was just as fast as any other phone i've used.
Obviously the camera is the standout feature, it is better than most.
For £279 that it currently is, there aren't many other mainstream phones that are better value. I'd recommend it to pretty much anyone.
(Rumours seem to point towards the 5a being slightly bigger, more like a rebadged 4a 5G, but who knows?)
Edited by gman88667733 on Friday 9th July 09:33
Edited by gman88667733 on Friday 9th July 09:34
What's the purpose of the second phone? Might help narrow the choice down.
is it a phone to take a way camping for example? Or nights out? battery life important, camera important etc?
I share your frustration with the size of phones now. I've broken a few recently, but can't get a phone and decent case in any of my cycling pockets. So I went for tough samsung phone (Xcover). Its smaller, and requires no case. But you make sacrifices like the camera quality.
is it a phone to take a way camping for example? Or nights out? battery life important, camera important etc?
I share your frustration with the size of phones now. I've broken a few recently, but can't get a phone and decent case in any of my cycling pockets. So I went for tough samsung phone (Xcover). Its smaller, and requires no case. But you make sacrifices like the camera quality.
S10e is a few years old now, but seems the only sensible thing I can find to replace my current broken S10e. Pixel 4a isn't waterproof and doesn't have wireless charging as you noted, and the Pixel 5 is way more expensive not much additional benefit, although the Pixel will presumably get software updates for longer than the S10e
Thanks for the suggestions, guys.
Ideally, I want to avoid spending more than £300, so that rules out the Pixel 5 and Samsung.
A quick google suggests the 5a will be released next month, so I might hold out for that (and go a bit above budget if I need to).
Its interesting people recommend Samsung, I’ve had a couple as work phones and they have all been incredibly slow and full of bloatware. I’m beginning to wonder if work has installed software that deliberately throttles them back, but that’s a different conversation!
Ideally, I want to avoid spending more than £300, so that rules out the Pixel 5 and Samsung.
A quick google suggests the 5a will be released next month, so I might hold out for that (and go a bit above budget if I need to).
Its interesting people recommend Samsung, I’ve had a couple as work phones and they have all been incredibly slow and full of bloatware. I’m beginning to wonder if work has installed software that deliberately throttles them back, but that’s a different conversation!
On the whole, cheaper Samsung's can be laggy.
They are much better than they used to be a few years ago though. This A52 I have is just as fast as my 4a. You will notice more sluggish animations though as OneUI is a lot more RAM heavy than say, stock android.
I doubt most would notice/care, but it is definitely a thing. You still see reports of year old Samsung's lagging. My previous A71 I had got worse after 6 months and animations became really jarring etc... (May well have just been my device though)
They are much better than they used to be a few years ago though. This A52 I have is just as fast as my 4a. You will notice more sluggish animations though as OneUI is a lot more RAM heavy than say, stock android.
I doubt most would notice/care, but it is definitely a thing. You still see reports of year old Samsung's lagging. My previous A71 I had got worse after 6 months and animations became really jarring etc... (May well have just been my device though)
I just got a Pixel 5 from work to replace my Xiaomi Mi A1 for development and testing. It’s smaller, thinner and lighter than the Xiaomi but the visible screen area is larger. Similar metal back construction. Hugely better camera. I’d say for a small phone it’s a decent bet
Edited by mikef on Friday 23 July 22:54
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