Details of the Pixel 3a and 3a XL surface - AMOLED, 64 GB, and an iffy camera app

Just a few days, XDA-Developers revealed that Google code had references to a Pixel 3a and 3a XL—the lite, cheaper versions of the Pixel 3 phones. More details of the two devices have now been confirmed.

According to the source, the Pixel 3a will feature a 5.6-inch FHD+ display, while the 3a XL will opt for a 6-inch one. The Pixel 3a’s display is an OLED one—reports touted an LCD display previously—and we expect the 3a XL’s to be the same.

Both phones are said to come with the Active Edge feature that debuted on the Pixel 2 phones, the Titan M security chip from the Pixel 3, and eSIMs. Rumors initially claimed the 3a would only feature 32 GB of storage, a deal breaker considering Google usually eschews expandable storage, but it turns out both devices are going to have 64 GB of storage.

The Pixel 3a will sport 4 GB of RAM, an 8 MP selfie camera, and a 12 MP rear camera. A big selling point of these phones is that they’re supposed to have the same camera performance as the flagship Pixels and that appears to be the case, going by the source. 

The camera app, however, is said to be worse than on the Pixel 3 phones, which is disappointing. It apparently is slower to open and take pictures. That says a lot when you consider the fact that the flagship Pixels have already received a lot of flak for having unreliable camera apps.

The Pixel 3a is said to be powered by a Snapdragon 670. We expect the Pixel 3a XL to sport a Snapdragon 710. The smaller phone gets its juice from a 3000 mAh battery, and supports 18 W fast-charging via a USB Type-C port. Stereo speakers are present, ditto a 3.5 mm jack. The back is made out of plastic, and there's no wireless charging support.

We'll be sure to keep you updated on this.