Google has finally announced the long-rumored Pixel 5a smartphone, and it looks incredibly promising, especially considering the low $449 price tag. Between a great camera system and a speedy processor, the Pixel 5a punches above its weight class.
The Pixel 5a Is All About Value
Not everyone needs a $1,000 smartphone. For most users, a solid, mid-range phone is more than enough to meet their needs. When it comes to mid-range smartphones with high-end features, nothing out there rivals the Pixel A-series of phones from Google. The newly announced Pixel 5a is no exception, as it packs many of the same features as the Pixel 5 but with a lower $449 price tag.
The Pixel 5a runs a Snapdragon 765G 5G and 6GB of RAM, which is solid for a phone at this price. Obviously, it isn't as powerful as the full Pixel 5, but it will get the job done for most smartphone users. With that chipset, you'll get full support for 5G connectivity. The phone also comes with 128 GB of storage.
Google included a 6.34-inch OLED bezel-less screen with a Full HD+ resolution. That's actually slightly larger than the display offered by the more expensive Pixel 5. However, the 5a doesn't come with the higher refresh rate offered by that screen.
For battery life, the Pixel 5a comes with a massive 4,680mAh battery, which is substantially larger than the Pixel 5's battery. Google says that with Extreme Battery Saver, the phone can last for up to 48 hours on a single charge.
Another significant change coming to the Pixel 5a is IP67 water and dust resistance, which is a first for the A-series of phones. If you tend to be a little rough on your phones, this is a huge feature.
Finally, Google announced the camera for the Pixel 5a, and it looks pretty great. It has a 12MP dual-pixel primary shooter and a 16MP ultrawide lens. It also comes with Google's beloved photography software, which is some of the best on the market.
Pixel 5a Availability
Google announced that the Pixel 5a is available for preorder right now in the U.S. and Japan for $449. The device will officially be released on August 26, so you won't have to wait too long to get your hands on one.
Google Pixel 5a 5G
The Pixel 5a pushes the limits in terms of what you can get in a smartphone for $449.