That seems to be the biggest factor and reason why I haven't purchased one yet. My current phone is slow and the last thing I want is another slow, laggy phone. If I install X number of apps, is there a point at which it won't be able to handle as compared to a more powerful phone? I've also been considering a Galaxy s10e which seems to be better powered with better processor.
How underpowered really is the Pixel 4a?
- Thread starter Mateo1041
- Start date
Don't know your current phone, so the 4a processor could already be a significant upgrade for you. Regarding the performance differences between current flagship and current mid-range processors, check the link below. I'm guessing that this will not be an issue for most in the real world.
https://www.androidcentral.com/snapdragon-765g-tested-oneplus-nord-motorola-edge
https://www.androidcentral.com/snapdragon-765g-tested-oneplus-nord-motorola-edge
Morty2264
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I see you are a newer user here - welcome to Android Central!
What is your current smartphone? Though it is a year old, the Pixel's 3a line gives a nod to what mid-range phones are capable of doing. I would say it's kind of a "more bang for your buck" thing.
If the 4a's processor isn't as snappy as a flagship's, the difference may not even be noticeable to the average user. I've used mid-range and flagship phones and honestly didn't notice any lag or obvious difference in terms of performance.
A Pixel device is a smooth, non-clunky interface, as well, so I feel as if it won't chug the way you are worried it will (but I don't have ESP!
). However, having dealt with lag myself with phones that have aged, I get why you are concerned!
My advice to you is to watch review videos of the 4a and even hold one in the hand at the store and see what you yourself think of it. A phone purchase is a big decision and only you can make that choice.
What is your current smartphone? Though it is a year old, the Pixel's 3a line gives a nod to what mid-range phones are capable of doing. I would say it's kind of a "more bang for your buck" thing.
If the 4a's processor isn't as snappy as a flagship's, the difference may not even be noticeable to the average user. I've used mid-range and flagship phones and honestly didn't notice any lag or obvious difference in terms of performance.
A Pixel device is a smooth, non-clunky interface, as well, so I feel as if it won't chug the way you are worried it will (but I don't have ESP!
). However, having dealt with lag myself with phones that have aged, I get why you are concerned!My advice to you is to watch review videos of the 4a and even hold one in the hand at the store and see what you yourself think of it. A phone purchase is a big decision and only you can make that choice.
Thanks for that link. It was a good read. And sorry, current phone is a Moto X4 which is a 630 processor. The Pixel 4a would be 730. The Samsung Galaxy s10e would be 855. It's just hard to determine real world how well the Pixel 4a would be able to keep up. I don't video edit, but do take a lot of photos and multi-task. I also keep quite a few apps handy. The 4a interested me due to smaller form factor. That's been really important, to not have to carry a boat in my pocket.
Thanks! For some reason the phones I use tend to degrade performance wise over time and some of it may relate to the apps I use and run. My current Moto 4X has been painful lately, although some of it may relate to having a Pixel Experience ROM installed for the increased camera functionality. I just want to be really sure it's a strong and smooth experience for whatever phone I end up upgrading to. Thanks for the thoughts on it. I've owned both a Nexus 4 and 5X before and mostly liked them, although they seemed to suffer from various cost-cutting issues.
Morty2264
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I can definitely understand what you are saying. You want a phone that keeps up. I would recommend watching reviews on YouTube to try and get a feel for the phone and how it operates performance-wise.
Given the way the Pixel 3a line performed last year, I'm assuming - and hoping, because I haven't watched any reviews as of yet - that the Pixel 4a will meet and/or surpass that perfotnance.
Let us know what you think about the 4a, and which phone you decide to buy!
I did end up purchasing this phone and so far it's been great. I've only had it for a few days, but it's been pretty snappy and with no lag. Size (at least for me) has been perfect. Phones are getting so crazy big now in days that I think there is a great nitch for smaller phones. I'm not sure if Android hardware just can't support a smaller form factor like Apple can or what it is, but the Pixel 4a, despite being mid-tier, has been really nice.
vzwuser76
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I don't think the problem is that they support smaller phones. I think the problem is that getting decent battery life out of a smaller form factor is the issue. With a larger phone they can put a larger battery inside. Now if they'd increase the thickness of these smaller phones, at least to the point where there wouldn't be a camera hump, that would probably be enough to give exceptional battery life.
Although I still haven't gotten my 4a activated yet, I have been using it and it seems to have great battery life.
Apple2Droid
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I don't have the P4a, but I've owned Pixel 2, 3, and 4 XL. I've never felt any of these to feel laggy or slow, with one exception. Twitter was often problematic and slow, but I also had those issues with it on a Note 10, though it now runs fine on the Note 10. So I don't blame the P3 for this.
As others have mentioned, the lean OS helps to keep the phone snappy. If you're on the fence but want to try it, I think B& H Photo gives a month to return it if you don't like it, so that could give you more time to test it versus buying from somewhere else. And I don't think they charge a restocking fee if you do return it.
As others have mentioned, the lean OS helps to keep the phone snappy. If you're on the fence but want to try it, I think B& H Photo gives a month to return it if you don't like it, so that could give you more time to test it versus buying from somewhere else. And I don't think they charge a restocking fee if you do return it.
Morty2264
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What a great review! Congratulations on your new device! So glad you are loving it! It looks super amazing!
Thanks! No slowness or lag issues so far. And I like how they give an option for some apps to not get installed during the initial setup. I just hope it's still snappy a year or even two from now. I'll have to check back in with an update. The only odd thing so far has been only one side of a used USB-C cable charging my phone, but it could just be the cable and/or adapter are old.
Apple2Droid
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Congratulations on your purchase! I'm glad you're liking it so far. I LOVE Pixel phones. They're just fun to use, unlike any other phone I've ever had.
Do you have the same issues with the USB-C cable included with the phone?
Morty2264
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Glad you are liking it thus far! And having app installation options is always good! I recall that my Pixel 2 was pretty snappy at almost a year and a half (ish) of use - just the battery was getting a little off. That's usually my issue with phones though!
I checked last night and do not. There's some wiggle room within the Pixel 4a's USB-C port and the older cable I've always used in the past only shows as charging if pushed up against the one side of the phone's USB-C port. The new charger and cable that came with the phone do not seem to have that issue, no matter where the USB plug is within the port. So I take it I might need the official charging hardware direct from Google vs something else OEM?
ackmondual
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I too was initially concerned with this phone being underpowered. What got me to go ahead anyways include:
1) The $350 price tag is quite nice. I'm really not willing to shell out more bucks for something that's faster
2) I really don't see myself needing that extra processing power.
Sure, it'd be nice, but again, it falls into the "not willing to pay more" as mentioned above
Also, what really required or could use a superior processor? I'll be playing a few games, but many of them or mid-end game. Not the "bleeding edge" ones. If I want gaming grade hardware, I'd rather use that extra money to buy a Nintendo Switch (which ironically enough, are still unavailable, or available at a +$200 surcharge, but at least the principle remains). I'll be taking lots of pictures once we can travel again. Heavier on documents?
.
I've been using my P4A for a couple of weeks now. Yeah, it seems more than sufficient. I'm sure a better processor would yield better performance, but trade off is battery may take a hit, and device gets warmer.
Compared to my LG G4, this is much smoother. However, it's sort of a low bar to clear since it's a phone that came out in 2015.
1) The $350 price tag is quite nice. I'm really not willing to shell out more bucks for something that's faster
2) I really don't see myself needing that extra processing power.
Sure, it'd be nice, but again, it falls into the "not willing to pay more" as mentioned above
Also, what really required or could use a superior processor? I'll be playing a few games, but many of them or mid-end game. Not the "bleeding edge" ones. If I want gaming grade hardware, I'd rather use that extra money to buy a Nintendo Switch (which ironically enough, are still unavailable, or available at a +$200 surcharge, but at least the principle remains). I'll be taking lots of pictures once we can travel again. Heavier on documents?
.
I've been using my P4A for a couple of weeks now. Yeah, it seems more than sufficient. I'm sure a better processor would yield better performance, but trade off is battery may take a hit, and device gets warmer.
Compared to my LG G4, this is much smoother. However, it's sort of a low bar to clear since it's a phone that came out in 2015.
The P4a's included charger is nice. Charges about 1% every 1.2 minutes. It fits snugly without getting paranoid that "it's in but no charging". I'd get another one, but it's $35. I went onto Amazon to get a outlet charger that has a port for both USB-A, and USB-C, and more importantly, supports 18W charging (which should be the "charging rapidly" notice you get while the P4A is charging).
I did end up getting an Anker charger with dual types of USB ports and it's worked really well. No wiggle or fit issues. So I guess brand really does matter.
The one thing I really wish the Pixel 4a had was a wide angle camera. But in the end I'm the same way and the $350 price tag won out. I was on the fence for quite a while with the Samsung s10e, though.
The one thing I really wish the Pixel 4a had was a wide angle camera. But in the end I'm the same way and the $350 price tag won out. I was on the fence for quite a while with the Samsung s10e, though.
After about 15 months of owning my Pix 3a, it still feels like the first day I bought it in terms of performance. One thing I do is a weekly junk file cleaning and restart on my phone. Honestly I am not sure if that makes a big difference but I guess it wouldn't hurt it either.
I am sure that the Pix 4a will hold up just fine.
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