Google Pixel 3a Deals & Offers

A Buyer's Guide to the Best Google Pixel 3a Deals from hotukdeals

Given the amount of marketing effort Google have put into its new baby, you probably didn't miss the Google Pixel 3a release date on May 8th, 2019. Few phones have received as much fanfare as this smart camera phone, with heavy-duty features, but a remarkably small price tag.

On the face of it, the Google Pixel 3a offers more for its price than any phone has ever done. But is that the truth, and is this the phone you've been dreaming of? This hotukdeals buyers guide will introduce the Pixel 3a, along with all of its major features. With our help, you'll soon be able to tell if the 3a is a game-changing addition to your lifestyle. And of course, we will also help you find the best cheap Google Pixel 3a deals and Google Pixel 3a discounts from retailers across the UK.

Getting to Know the Google Pixel Smartphone Range

Google is a relative newcomer to the world of smartphones, having released its first Google Smartphone, the Pixel, as recently as 2016. At the time, the search engine giant saw a gap in the market for premium phones with extraordinary camera abilities, and slick software. Android being an imperfect beast, Google knew that its coding skills could make ordinary processors seem super-fast, and the Pixel was born.

Since then, the Pixel and Pixel XL, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2XL, and Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL have arrived, and found their place in the bags and pockets of phone users across the world. With each version, Google has enhanced the onboard cameras, providing totally new software features to make them easier and more enjoyable to use. And in the age of Instagram, this emphasis has paid off, catapulting the Pixel series to success.

Even so, sales figures for the Pixel 2 and 3 weren't astronomical. At least compared to Apple and Samsung, or cheaper newcomers like Xiaomi and Huawei. The Pixel 3a is an attempt to turn that situation around by appealing to camera addicts with smaller budgets. As companies like Huawei drag down prices, the Pixel 3a offers a range of features that you'd expect from iPhone models – for around half the price.

As we'll see, when the 3a debuted in May 2019, it also came with a bigger brother, the 3a XL. We'll compare them later on, so don't assume that the standard 3a is the only option available.

The Pixel 3a: A Tiny Price Tag, With Premium Features?

Has Google stumbled upon the Holy Grail of smartphone design? In the company's marketing materials for the 3a, it certainly sounds like it. According to Google, the new Pixel blends value for money and high-end performance like no previous phone. And the Google Pixel 3a features are certainly worth highlighting:

• Low Price Tag – To start with, the Pixel 3a retails for around £400 in most cases (and sometimes less). That's almost half of the Pixel 3.

• Camera Features – There's no question that the star of the show with the Pixel 3a is its camera. The 12MP main camera incorporates features like Night Sight, which automatically adjusts images to compensate for low light levels. There's no need for a flash when snapping atmospheric evening shots. Instead, the processor inside the 3a does the heavy lifting, adding colours and tones to bring out the key elements of your photos. Social media fans will adore the Photobooth mode and Time Lapse features, which could bring a whole new dimension to Facebook postings. And the general image quality of the rear and selfie cameras is up there with much more expensive models.

• Dynamic Google Maps – With the Pixel 3a, navigating strange urban environments will be easier than ever. You can simply point the phone towards a street, and it will connect the images it sees to Google Maps, providing instant information about street names, stations, shops, and restaurants. So there's no excuse for getting lost, even if you're visiting New York or Paris for the very first time.

• Android coverage – Packing high-end features into a budget phone requires some serious programming skills, and Google have managed this with the 3a's implementation of Android 9 (Pie). This moves everything around efficiently, making apps faster to load, and allowing the cameras to do their thing. Google have also bundled in 3 years of updates, so the 3a will adapt as tech changes.

• Google Assistant – With a simple “squeeze” users can bring up Google Assistant to issue voice commands. Make purchases, ask for directions, start calls, do whatever you need to do, all with a couple of words and no swipes involved. Assistant also includes call screening, providing a virtual secretary to field calls and sort out genuine callers from nuisance calls.

• Solid Charging – According to Google, 15 minutes of charging corresponds to 7 hours of 3a usage, a pretty strong ratio. And the phone should last for 30 hours at full charge.

• Titan Security – Google have included the Titan Security Chip, just like on bigger budget Pixel 3 devices. It's not exactly clear how Titan works, but it provides an almost foolproof level of data security, making it tough for intruders to access your phone.

Google Pixel 3a Specs: What You Need to Know

Those features compare very favourably on the face of things with the Google Pixel 3 and other phones in the 3a's class. And the Google Pixel 3 specs sheet tells a similar story:

• Dimensions: 151.3 x 70.1 x 8.2 mm

• Weight: 147g

• CPU: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 670

• GPU: Adreno 615

• Memory: 4GB RAM

• Storage: 64GB with no MicroSD capability

• Operating System: Android 9.0 (Pie)

• Display Size: 5.6-inches OLED capacitive touchscreen

• Display Resolution: 1080 x 2220 pixels at 441ppi

• Cameras: Main: Single 12.2MP with f/1.8, 28mm wide angle lens, OIS, dual pixel PDAF, wide lens, dual-LED flash and automatic HDR. Selfie: Dual 8MP with f/2.0 apertures and wide lens to capture larger scenes.

• Video: 1080p@30fps

• Wi-fi: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot with Bluetooth 5.0

• Ports: USB 3.1, type-C 1.0. 3.5mm jack not included.

• Battery: Fast-charging 3,000 mAh battery, via USB 2.0

What Are Industry Experts Saying About the Google Pixel 3a?

Whenever a new Pixel phone arrives, the tech press goes into overdrive, trying to pick apart the device for its hidden flaws and surprising strengths. So what has review feedback been like in the case of the Pixel 3a?

So far, so good. Feedback has been almost universally positive. In fact, as far as smartphones go, the Pixel 3a comes out as a superstar performer.

Take the Guardian, for example. In its review, the UK newspaper was wowed by the price tag and features on offer. Judging that the 3a represented the “peoples Google phone”, the reviewer raved about the 3a's camera and the OLED screen. There were some qualifications. For instance, the review noted that Google have sacrificed some build quality and processing power with the 3a, but the slickness of the Android OS and the quality of the camera make the phone a bargain purchase.

Other media outlets have drawn similar conclusions. According to Cnet, the 3a has the “same Grade A camera” as the Pixel 3 and offers the “best camera for its price.” The tech site echoes other commentators, noting that Google sacrificed elements like water protection and wireless charging, but accepted that some corners had to be cut to balance features and value.

Tech Radar captured the media's first impressions pretty well, calling the Pixel 3a not “much of a downgrade”, while noting that “it feels...like a powerful and impressive mid-range handset in its own right, with great specs and useful features inherited from the Pixel 3 that you won’t find in any other similarly-priced device.”

So the judgement of the press is pretty clear. If you want a great camera, strong processing performance, and a high-quality display, the Pixel 3a has a lot to offer – and blows other bargain phones out of the water. But if you have a larger budget, you'll notice the differences between the 3a and premium models like the Pixel 3 or the Samsung Galaxy.

Does Google Pixel 3a have wireless charging?

Charging could be one of the 3a's big weaknesses. At the top of the smartphone market, phones have made the switch to wireless charging (including the Pixel 3). Here, Google have ruled out any wireless compatibility, forcing owners to rely on USB charging instead. Having said that, you'll struggle to find a £300-£400 phone with reliable wireless charging, so it's not really a criticism.

Things to Think About When Buying a Google Pixel 3a

Before you make the decision to seek out the latest Google Pixel 3a offers, it's important to run through some of the most common customer questions to tidy up the purchasing process. So here are some core considerations for Pixel 3a buyers to bear in mind:

• Colours – Firstly, the Pixel 3a comes in a few colour schemes. Customers can choose “just black”, “clearly white”, or a more intriguing tone called “purple-ish”. In all cases, the case is made from coloured polycarbonate plastic.

• Google Pixel 3a storage – When it comes to storage, there's no SD card slot, so Pixel 3a owners will be stuck with the original specs (unless they combine the Pixel 3a with Cloud storage, as Google desire). Users get 64GB storage and 4GB memory, and there's no negotiation. That should be sufficient for most photography fans, but if you intend to get busy with the video features, or you know you'll be adding plenty of apps, it could start to feel restrictive.

• Google Pixel 3a screen size – The standard 3a comes with a 5.6-inch screen, which feels large enough to enjoy the widescreen selfie function, or to use Google Maps easily. However, the Pixel 3a XL sports a 6-inch screen, which will surely appeal to streaming and gaming fans. By comparison, the XL's screen feels vast.

• Google perks – One of the most important features of the 3a's launch has been Google's emphasis on added extras. For example, many early bird purchases came with a free Chromebook (worth around £200), which is potentially a massive inducement. And all Google Pixel 3a deals will entitle owners to 3 months to music streaming on YouTube Music, a huge perk for any music lovers.

As usual, buyers will need to decide whether to purchase their Google Pixel 3a on a contract or SIM-free basis. It's never clear which method is best. Everything depends on what deals are available, and how you use your phone.

By and large, if you are a heavy data users, contracts will work out cheaper. Find a deal with as many free GB or call minutes as possible, but be careful to avoid paying over the odds for the handset. Take care to calculate the overall cost, and offset this against discounts for upgrades. Phone companies often hide costs beneath headline benefits, leading customers to make unwise purchases.

Going SIM-free lets you buy the handset separately, which can lead to overall savings. In this case, you may be able to land bargains for SIM deals as well (and hotukdeals is the place to find them). But again, read the small print, and try to compare overall costs with comparable contracts. Also, remember that your phone will have to be properly protected to retain its resale value. So investing in a good Google Pixel 3a case and some screen protectors is a very sensible decision.

Placing the Google Pixel 3a Alongside Its Key Competitors

Before we offer some handy buying advice, it's essential to compare the 3a with other potential phones. When we do, some interesting variations emerge, and they could well influence the model you choose.

First up let's compare the Google Pixel 3a vs OnePlus 7 phones. The Pixel 3a and the OnePlus 7 are two of the finest mid-range Android smartphones of 2019. The OnePlus 7 beats the Pixel 3a on processing power, sporting a Snapdragon 855 instead of a 670. Its display and graphics processing power probably slightly edges the Pixel too, and it has a really neat Android implementation. But the OnePlus 7 can't compare to the Pixel 3a's camera, which is far above any comparable model. And it's also more expensive than Google's value smartphone, so social media fans might see few advantages. But if you're a gamer or general app user, the faster OnePlus 7 could be preferable.

It's also important to understand how the 3a stands relative to its Google-produced cousins, so let's compare the Google Pixel 3 vs Pixel 3a alternatives.

Overall, the Pixel 3 is just more impressive than the 3a, which isn't surprising. The 3 sells for around £300-350 more than the 3a, and the internal and external features tend to justify that difference. The processor is faster, the casing is waterproof, and wireless charging comes as part of the package. The screen is made of tough Gorilla Glass, while the build quality in general is noticeably superior. But beyond that, the 3a performs incredibly well. Most importantly, its cameras and Android software do almost everything the Pixel 3 can do, and almost as well. With such a huge price gap, it's easy to make a case for opting for the 3a over the Pixel 3.

And the Pixel 3 isn't the only Google option aside from the 3a. It's also important to match up the Google Pixel 3a vs Pixel 3a XL models.

As we noted in passing earlier, the XL comes with a 6-inch screen, as opposed to the 5.6-inch 3a. That's the core difference between the two models, and it's an important one. If streaming movies is your thing, the XL will be much better suited to your digital lifestyle. Aside from size, there aren't many differences. The processor, memory specs, cameras, 3.5mm headphone jack, storage options are all the same. The 3a XL does have a larger 3,700 mAh battery, but lacks wireless charging. And the extra juice could easily be sapped by the bigger screen, so it's not necessarily going to be noticeable. Overall, price is the other major difference. At £60-70, the price difference can turn some off the XL, but it's not a massive gap by any means.

Does Google Pixel 3a Have NFC?

Pixel 3a comes equipped with NFC technology, so it should be compatible with Google Pay. NFC (near field communication) is an emerging technology which allows mobile devices to transmit information wirelessly, and is a core aspect of many mobile payment, as well as quick connection to devices like wireless headphones.

Introducing Google Pixel 3a

How and Where to Make a Cheap Google Pixel 3a Purchase

If you've decided to opt for a shiny new Google Pixel 3a, it will more than likely prove a sensible decision. With its high-end camera and impressive specs, this low-cost phone will fit seamlessly into many peoples' social media lifestyle. But before you buy anything, let's talk quickly about how to find the cheapest Google Pixel 3a price.

While the Pixel 3a is a cheap phone, it's still a big investment for most people, costing around £400 (without discounts). But there's not usually a good reason to pay listed prices. Instead, by shopping smart with hotukdeals, mobile phone buyers can get hold of the phone for far less.

Our listings feature the latest Pixel 3a deals from the UK's biggest phone retailers. You'll find 3a discounts from Amazon, Google Store, Carphone Warehouse, Mobiles.co.uk, Currys PC World, and CeX. If the phone is discounted, you'll almost certainly find the details at our hotukdeals listings. So compare deals and find one that works for you.

When you do, remember to weigh up contract vs SIM free offers. And check for free Chromebook offers, too. Google are giving away plenty of their handy laptops, which are great study tools for students, and ideal for taking away on holidays.

Timing your purchase can also make a big difference, with plenty of Google Pixel 3a deals around Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November, or summer's Amazon Prime Day. Be sure to check the hotukdeals Google Pixel 3a listings when big sales events arrive. But whenever you shop, expect the lowest prices, from the UK's biggest retailers.

Enjoy Dazzling Camera Features for Bargain Prices with Google Pixel 3a Discounts at hotukdeals

Google's Pixel 3a could be the camera phone UK customers have been praying for. With its innovative photography features like widescreen selfies, Night Sight, and time-lapse video, the 3a enters new territory for a mid-range phone, while the attractive price tag sweetens the deal. If all of that sounds good to you, check out the hotukdeals Google Pixel 3a listings to find the best Pixel 3a deals in the UK.