Google Pixel 3a XL vs Google Pixel 4a

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Pixel 3a XL compared with Pixel 4a
GooglePixel 3a XLGooglePixel 4a
Overview
ReleasedMay 2019August 2020
Display
Screen size6″5.81″
Resolution2160 × 10802340 × 1080 (better)
Sharpness402 pixels per inch444 pixels per inch (better)
PanelOLEDOLED
Refresh rate–60 Hz
Display typeFull-screen OLED; 18:9 aspect ratioFull-screen OLED with hole-punch camera; 19.5:9 aspect ratio
Pixel density402 ppi443 ppi
Always-on displayAlways-on display; Now PlayingAlways-on display; Now Playing
Screen protectionAsahi Dragontrail Glass identified by NotebookcheckCorning Gorilla Glass 3
Display features100,000:1 contrast ratio; true black; 24-bit colour; 16 million colours; D67 white pointHDR support; greater than 100,000:1 contrast ratio; true black; 24-bit colour; 60 Hz refresh identified by Notebookcheck
Performance
ChipQualcomm Snapdragon 670Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G
Memory4 GB6 GB (better)
Storage64 GB128 GB (better)
CPU64-bit octa-core CPU; 2.0 GHz + 1.7 GHz; Titan M security module64-bit octa-core CPU; 2.2 GHz + 1.8 GHz; Titan M security module
GPUGoogle's historical hardware sheet lists Adreno 615; Notebookcheck identifies Adreno 616Adreno 618
Storage type4 GB LPDDR4x RAM; eMMC storage identified by Notebookcheck; no microSD slot6 GB LPDDR4x RAM; UFS 2.0 storage identified by Notebookcheck; no microSD slot
Cameras
Main camera12.2 MP12.2 MP
Ultra wide cameraNoneNone
Telephoto cameraNoneNone
Optical zoomNoneNone
Front camera8 MP8 MP
Main cameraDual-pixel phase-detection autofocus; f/1.8; 1.4 μm pixels; 76° field of view; optical and electronic image stabilisationDual-pixel phase-detection autofocus; f/1.7; 1.4 μm pixels; 77° field of view; optical and electronic image stabilisation
Front cameraf/2.0; 1.12 μm pixels; fixed focus; 84° field of viewf/2.0; 1.12 μm pixels; fixed focus; 84° field of view
Video recordingRear 4K at 30 fps; 1080p at 30/60/120 fps; 720p at 30/60/240 fpsRear 4K at 30 fps; 1080p at 30/60/120 fps; 720p at 30/60/240 fps
Front video1080p, 720p or 480p at 30 fps1080p, 720p or 480p at 30 fps
Camera featuresHDR+; Portrait Mode; Super Res Zoom; Night Sight; time lapseHDR+ with dual exposure controls; Portrait Mode; Top Shot; Night Sight with astrophotography; fused video stabilisation
Battery and charging
Battery3,700 mAh (better)3,140 mAh
Wired chargingUp to 18 WUp to 18 W
Wireless chargingNoneNone
Battery life detail–Original typical capacity 3,140 mAh; Google's Android 13 update from 8 January 2025 reduces available capacity and charging performance on affected Pixel 4a units, not all units; related support programme ended 8 January 2026
Wired chargingUp to 18 W using supplied USB-PD 2.0 adaptor; maker claims up to seven hours of mixed use from 15 minutes of charging; actual results varyOriginal rating up to 18 W using supplied USB-PD 2.0 adaptor; charging performance reduced on units affected by Google's January 2025 battery update
Design
TypeStandardStandard
Weight167 g143 g (better)
Thickness8.2 mm8.2 mm
Height × width160.1 × 76.1 mm144 × 69.4 mm
MaterialsPolycarbonate unibodySoft-touch polycarbonate unibody
ColoursJust Black, Clearly White and Purple-ish; availability varies by marketJust Black in the UK; Barely Blue also sold in the US and Japan
ButtonsPower button and volume controls; Active Edge squeeze gesturePower button and volume controls
BiometricsPixel Imprint rear fingerprint sensorPixel Imprint rear fingerprint sensor
SensorsProximity and ambient light; accelerometer; gyrometer; magnetometer; barometer; Android Sensor Hub; hapticsProximity and ambient light; accelerometer; gyrometer; magnetometer; barometer; Android Sensor Hub
SpeakersStereo speakersStereo speakers
MicrophonesTwo microphones with noise suppressionTwo microphones with noise suppression
Software
Operating systemAndroidAndroid
Software at launchAndroid 9 PieAndroid 10
Software updatesNo longer receives Android version or security updates according to Google's current support policy; original promise was three yearsNo longer receives regular Android version or security updates according to Google's current support policy; original promise was at least three years; separate battery-related Android 13 update issued in January 2025
AI featuresGoogle Assistant with Active Edge; Call Screen initially available in English in the US and Canada; Google Maps AR walking preview required Street View coverage, a good data connection and good lightingGoogle Assistant; Recorder with on-device English transcription and Google Docs sharing; Live Caption for audio, video and calls at launch in English
Safety features–Personal Safety app with emergency sharing and car crash detection; language, country and network restrictions apply
In the box18 W USB-C power adaptor and Quick Switch adaptor confirmed in Google's launch announcementUK package includes 18 W USB-C power adaptor, USB-C to USB-C cable (1 m, USB 2.0), Quick Switch adaptor, SIM tool and quick start guide; earbuds included only in certain other regions
Connectivity
Mobile networkUK and European G020B/G020F family supports LTE Cat 11 download up to 600 Mbps and Cat 5 upload up to 75 Mbps; three-carrier aggregation; 2x2 MIMO; no 5GUK G025N supports LTE Cat 12 download up to 600 Mbps and Cat 5 upload up to 75 Mbps; no 5G; first sold in the US on 20 August 2020
SIMOne nano-SIM and eSIM in selected markets, including the UK; operator dependentOne nano-SIM and eSIM in selected markets, including the UK; operator dependent
Wi-FiDual-band 2.4/5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; 2x2 MIMODual-band 2.4/5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; 2x2 MIMO
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0 + LE; aptX and aptX HDBluetooth 5.0 + LE; A2DP; aptX, aptX HD, LDAC and AAC
NFCNFC; Google Cast; FeliCa on Japanese modelsNFC; Google Cast; FeliCa on Japanese G025M
USBUSB-C 2.0; 3.5 mm headphone jackUSB-C 3.1 Gen 1; 3.5 mm headphone jack; supplied cable runs at USB 2.0
PositioningGPS and GLONASS; BeiDou and Galileo outside the US and Puerto RicoGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS and BeiDou outside the US

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