In a time when the smartphone industry as a whole continues to struggle with a saturated market, while at the same time companies are releasing flagship phones that break the $1,000 mark, something has to change.
Google's approach? Release cheaper versions of their flagship Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL[1]. The $400 Pixel 3A[2] is half the price of the $800 Pixel 3[3], and the $479 Pixel 3A XL[4] is a far cry from the $900 you'd pay for a Pixel 3 XL today.
Google's approach undercuts Apple[5] and Samsung[6], both of which released a less expensive -- $750 -- version of their flagship phones as an alternative to the $999 iPhone XS[7] and $899 Galaxy S10[8]. But, arguably, they're still expensive.
Apple and Samsung, take note. Google's approach to offering different experiences at markedly different price points is the right one.
I've been using the Pixel 3A XL for the past week, and it's clear to me that Google had to make some sacrifices to hit the lower price point. Overall, however, the Pixel 3A XL is a steal.
Design
The overall design of the Pixel 3A XL feels a lot like what we saw with the Pixel 2 line. The back of the phone is plastic, sharing the same two-tone look like the rest of the Pixel line. Despite being plastic, the phone doesn't feel cheap. Google sent me the black model, but you can also get it in white or a slightly purple color -- Google cheekily calls it "Purple-ish".
Top ZDNET Reviews
The Pixel 3A