Google Pixel 3a XL

You get the Pixel’s best features on a budget ; Reliable performance for the price ; Good camera performance ; Much-improved battery life ; It has a headphone jack!

No water resistance or expandable storage ; Unclear so far if performance will degrade like the original Pixel 3 ; Screen isn’t quite as crisp as the 3 XL’s

Excellent display

Dated design with plastic construction

The Pixel 3a XL is not a phone that will win spec wars. It is not a phone that turns heads or starts conversations everywhere you go. But if you want a smartphone that will keep its head down and do its job, day in, day out, a phone that has the basics...

Phenomenal Pixel 3 Camera ; 3.5mm Headphone Port ; Fast-Charging / Fast-Charger In The Box ; 3 Years Of Android OS Updates Guaranteed ; Unlimited Google Photos Storage

Very Difficult To Use One-Handed ; No Ultra-Wide Group Selfie Mode From Pixel 3 ; No Water Or Dust Resistance ; No Wireless Charging ; Not As Powerful As Some Phones At This Price

Headphone jack returns ; Great camera potential ; Slick, stock Android

Design is a little bland

Its design may not be head-turning, but the Google Pixel 3a XL packs a punch internally with a potentially great camera for the price point. It's the best of Google in a phone, at a lower price tag.

Vivid, punchy OLED screen ; Class-leading camera ; 3.5mm headphone jack ; Seamless Android OS

Sound quality is lacking ; Plastic body feels cheap

A serious smartphone for Android purists on a budget

Speakers on the Pixel 3a XL are good – it’s not the best, but the fact that the phone even has stereo is something that’s a differentiating factor against mono competitors. Having the 3.5mm headphone jack is also pleasant and useful, even though it’s a...

The Pixel 3A XL packs a large screen, a fantastic camera, a long-lasting battery and a headphone jack -- all at a more affordable price than the Pixel 3 and 3 XL.

The phone doesn't have water resistance, wireless charging or expandable memory. As a Pixel 3A XL owner, you have unlimited uploads to Google Photos only at high quality, not original.

The Pixel 3A XL has the best camera for its price and a generously-sized screen. But if having a fast processor and more memory is a priority, get the OnePlus 6T instead.

Same camera as the Pixel 3 XL ; Same software as the Pixel 3 XL ; Better battery life than the Pixel 3 XL

No water or dust-resistance ; No wireless charging ; Screen isn't edge-to-edge

All of this goes together to produce a rather impressive overall package. In fact, in the Pixel 3a XL I think Google has stumbled across a magic formula. This is a phone that’s not only far more reasonably priced than most modern flagships, but also...

Class-leading main camera ; Good battery life ; Hints of old-school Google phone appeal ; It has a headphone jack

Dated-looking borders ; Pricier than rival mid-rangers

All the best bits of the Pixel 3 XL for less cash – but Google needs to up its design game next time.