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Compared with Google’s Pixel 3 flagship, the 2019 Pixel 3a kept much of the Pixel camera feature set and an OLED display, but traded away faster hardware, wireless charging, rated water protection, dual front cameras, HDR display support, and a 128GB storage option. It also added a 3.5mm headphone jack. This is a historical comparison with the Pixel 3—not a claim about every flagship phone—and the 3a is now an older device rather than a current-support recommendation.
What the Pixel 3a kept from the Pixel experience
The Pixel 3a and 3a XL retained several headline features of Google’s 2019 phone lineup. Google’s specifications list a 12.2MP dual-pixel rear camera with optical and electronic image stabilization, an OLED display, 4GB of RAM, a Titan M security module, and a Snapdragon 670 processor. Google also promoted HDR+, Portrait Mode, Super Res Zoom, and Night Sight for the camera. Google’s Pixel specifications and its 2019 launch announcement document those features.
That overlap matters if your priority was Google’s computational photography approach at a lower launch price. It does not establish that the 3a produced identical photos or processed every shot as quickly as the Pixel 3; the documented feature list is not a controlled camera comparison.
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| Area | Pixel 3a | Pixel 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor and image hardware | Snapdragon 670 | Snapdragon 845 and Pixel Visual Core |
| Front cameras | One 8MP front camera | Dual 8MP front cameras |
| Display HDR | HDR support not listed in Google’s specifications | HDR support listed |
| Wireless charging | Not listed | Listed |
| Water protection | No IP68 rating listed | IP68 rating listed |
| Storage options | 64GB | 64GB or 128GB |
Specifications are from Google’s historical Pixel specifications. Storage capacity is measured before formatting, according to Google.
#1 Best Overall
- Capture stunning photos with features like night sight, portrait mode, and HDR+.
Performance: newer flagship hardware was materially stronger
The Pixel 3’s Snapdragon 845 and Pixel Visual Core were a higher-end hardware combination than the 3a’s Snapdragon 670. That is a real hardware distinction, but the cited specifications do not provide comparative benchmark scores or a measured speed difference. Avoid translating the chip names into a precise claim about how much faster one phone feels in a particular app.
Selfies and display media
The Pixel 3 had two front cameras; the 3a had one. A contemporary TIME review from May 2019 identified the missing secondary wide-angle selfie camera as a tradeoff. Google lists HDR support for the Pixel 3, but not for the 3a. Both models have OLED displays, so the 3a did not give up OLED itself; it gave up the specific HDR support listed for the flagship.
Rank #2
- Fullscreen 6.0-inch (152.4mm) displayFHD+ (2160 x 1080) OLED at 402 ppi18:9 aspect ratio
- Camera 12.2 MP Front Camera 8 MP
- Battery 3700mAh
- Experience HD Voice, Video Calling and Simultaneous Voice & Data. Enable Wi-Fi Calling and make calls anywhere you have a Wi-Fi connection.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 2.0GHz + 1.7GHz, 64-bit Octa-Core
Wireless charging and water protection
The Pixel 3 supported Qi wireless charging and carried an IP68 water-protection rating; neither feature is listed for the Pixel 3a. The IP68 rating is based on IEC standard 60529. Google warns that water resistance can diminish through normal wear and can be compromised by repair, disassembly, or damage, so even a Pixel 3’s rating should not be treated as a guarantee that a used handset remains water-resistant. Google’s specifications and water-resistance note provide the qualification.
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The lower-cost model was not simply a stripped-down Pixel 3. Its polycarbonate unibody and 3.5mm headphone jack were practical differences. The Pixel 3 used glass and had wireless charging; the 3a’s headphone jack let users connect wired headphones without a USB-C adapter. TIME’s 2019 review also reported that Pixel 3 cases did not fit the slightly taller 3a body. That is a contemporary review observation, not a universal compatibility test of every third-party case.
Rank #3
- 5.6-inch displayFHD+ (2220 x 1080) OLED at 441 ppi
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 2.0GHz + 1.7GHz, 64-bit Octa-Core
- Battery 3000 mAh lithium ion
- Camera 12.2 MP Front Camera 8 MP
- Locked to Verizon
Launch price, battery claims, and software promise
Historical US launch prices
At its 2019 US launch, Google priced the 5.6-inch Pixel 3a at $399 and the 6-inch Pixel 3a XL at $479. These are original launch prices, not estimates of what a used or refurbished phone costs today. Google’s May 7, 2019 announcement gives those figures.
Battery figures were manufacturer estimates
Google said the 3a included an 18-watt charger and estimated up to seven hours of battery life from a 15-minute charge, and up to 30 hours on a full charge. Google characterized these as estimates based on mixed use and said active display or data use reduces runtime. They were not independent laboratory measurements, and they do not predict the performance of a battery that has aged since 2019. Google’s launch announcement contains the claim and caveat.
Rank #4
- 6.2" OLED 428PPI, 1080x2400px, 120Hz, HDR10+, Bluetooth 5.3, 4575mAh Battery, Android 14
- 128GB 8GB RAM, Octa-core, Google Tensor G3 (4nm), Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510), Mali-G710 MP7
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.7 (wide) + 12MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), Front Camera: 10.5MP, f/2.2
- 2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, CDMA 800/1700/1900, 3G: HSDPA 800/850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/46/48/66/71, 5G: 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/66/70/71/77/78/258/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Nano-SIM and eSIM
- Compatible with Most GSM + CDMA Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Sprint.
Updates: a historical three-year commitment
Google announced three years of operating-system and security updates for the Pixel 3a. Its current earlier-model specifications page retains that note. This was the launch-era commitment, not an active update promise in 2026; the exact final update date and a particular handset’s installed security patch are not established here. Google’s 2019 announcement and its specifications page state the commitment.
Is the Pixel 3a a sensible used-phone choice now?
The original comparison explains what the 3a sacrificed to reach a lower 2019 price; it cannot establish whether a specific used Pixel 3a is a good buy today. Its age, battery condition, seller, local network support, and installed software matter more to a present-day purchase than its launch price.
Best Value
- Exclusive fabrics, designed from scratch and knit to fit.
- Soft microfiber lining for cushioned scratch protection.
- Raised-edge protection, for the day-to-day and the rough-and-tumble.
- Squeeze for help.
- Perfectly made for your phone, the Pixel 3a Case works with Active Edge. Just squeeze your Pixel to access the Google Assistant.
- Confirm the exact model and that it works with your carrier and region.
- Check battery health and general condition, including screen, charging port, and signs of damage or repair.
- Verify the installed security patch on the handset rather than assuming it receives current updates.
- Review the seller’s return policy and warranty before buying.
Current used prices, inventory, and seller reliability are not established by the 2019 launch information, so compare those separately before purchasing.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
