The Google Pixel 3a arrived in May 2019 as Google’s answer to a simple question: how much of the flagship Pixel experience can survive at a mid-range price? Built around a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 and a 5.6-inch OLED panel, it traded aluminum and glass for a lighter plastic body while keeping the one thing Pixel buyers cared about most — the camera.
At roughly 120 EUR on today’s second-hand and clearance market, the Pixel 3a is worth revisiting not as a cutting-edge device but as a case study in smart compromise. This article breaks down where Google spent its budget, where it cut corners, and who still stands to benefit from picking one up.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology: | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| 2G bands: | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| CDMA 800 / 1900 | |
| 3G bands: | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| 4G bands: | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed: | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps |
Launch
| Announced: | 2019, May 07 |
| Status: | Available. Released 2019, May 15 |
Body
| Dimensions: | 151.3 x 70.1 x 8.2 mm (5.96 x 2.76 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight: | 147 g (5.19 oz) |
| Build: | Glass front (Asahi Dragontrail), plastic back, plastic frame |
| SIM: | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
Display
| Type: | OLED |
| Size: | 5.6 inches, 79.6 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution: | 1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Protection: | Asahi Dragontrail Glass |
Platform
| OS: | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12 |
| Chipset: | Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 (10 nm) |
| CPU: | Octa-core (2×2.0 GHz 360 Gold & 6×1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| GPU: | Adreno 615 |
Memory
| Card slot: | No |
| Internal: | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 |
Main Camera
| Single: | 12.2 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Features: | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, HDR, panorama |
| Video: | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps |
Selfie camera
| Single: | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0″, 1.12µm |
| Features: | HDR |
| Video: | 1080p@30fps |
Sound
| Loudspeaker: | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack: | Yes |
Comms
| WLAN: | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth: | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Positioning: | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| NFC: | Yes |
| Radio: | No |
| USB: | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Features
| Sensors: | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
Battery
| Type: | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging: | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
Misc
| Colors: | Just Black, Clearly White, Purple-ish |
| Models: | G020A, G020E, G020B, G020G, G020H |
| Price: | About 120 EUR |
Price and Availability
The Google Pixel 3a offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €120, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the Google Pixel 3a converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of September 30, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $136
- Japan: ¥21,424
- United Kingdom: £103
- Australia: A$195
- Canada: C$193
- Taiwan: NT$4,333
- Denmark: kr897
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼510
- South Korea: ₩184,381
- Germany: €120
- Brazil: R$710
- Vietnam: ₫3.531.770
- Kenya: KSh 17,671
- India: ₹13,063
- Indonesia: Rp 2.442.906
- Nigeria: ₦183,813
- Pakistan: ₨37,696
- Philippines: ₱8,517
- Bangladesh: ৳১৬,৭৪৩
Why the Pixel 3a Still Represents Value
The Pixel 3a’s appeal has always been disproportionate to its price. For around 120 EUR in the used and remaindered market, it delivers a camera and software experience that once shipped exclusively on phones costing three times as much. Compared with contemporaries in Google’s own lineup like the later a-series, the 3a set the template of prioritizing imaging and clean Android over spec-sheet bragging rights, and that focus keeps it relevant for buyers who want a dependable secondary or budget phone.
Design and Build Quality
Measuring 151.3 x 70.1 x 8.2 mm and weighing just 147 g, the Pixel 3a is compact and genuinely comfortable in one hand — a rarity today. The switch to a plastic back and plastic frame, paired with a glass front protected by Asahi Dragontrail Glass, keeps the weight down and the phone surprisingly resistant to shattering. Color options included Just Black, Clearly White, and the pastel Purple-ish, giving it a personality that many restrained rivals lacked.
Display: Compact OLED Done Right
The 5.6-inch OLED display runs at 1080 x 2220 pixels in an 18.5:9 ratio, for roughly 441 ppi. That pixel density keeps text crisp, while OLED delivers the deep blacks and punchy contrast you would not typically expect at this tier. The 75% screen-to-body ratio and forehead/chin bezels date it against modern all-screen designs, but for reading, browsing, and video the panel remains perfectly pleasant.
Performance and Everyday Speed
Powering the phone is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 670, a 10 nm octa-core chip pairing two 2.0 GHz Kryo 360 Gold cores with six 1.7 GHz Silver cores and an Adreno 615 GPU. Backed by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC 5.1 storage, it was never built for heavy gaming, but Google’s lightweight software makes day-to-day navigation feel smooth. Note the lack of a microSD slot, so that 64GB is all you get.
Camera: The Real Headline
The single 12.2 MP rear camera (f/1.8, 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS) is the reason the Pixel 3a earned its reputation. Thanks to Google’s computational photography — HDR+, Night Sight, and Pixel Shift — it produces images that rival and sometimes beat far pricier hardware. Video tops out at 4K@30fps, with 1080p up to 120fps for slow motion. The 8 MP f/2.0 selfie camera with HDR rounds out a package that punches well above its class.
Battery Life and Charging
A 3000 mAh Li-Po battery keeps the compact frame easy to hold, and the efficient Snapdragon 670 helps it comfortably last a full day of moderate use. Charging is handled over USB-C at 18W with Power Delivery 2.0, which is respectable for a 2019 mid-ranger and enough to top up quickly between tasks.
Software and Long-Term Support
The Pixel 3a shipped with Android 9.0 Pie and was upgradable to Android 12, delivering three years of the clean, bloat-free Pixel software and prompt security patches that defined the line. That guaranteed update window has now ended, so buyers today should treat it as a device past its official support horizon and weigh that against their security needs.
Connectivity and Extras
Connectivity is comprehensive for its era: Wi-Fi 802.11ac dual-band, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD, NFC, and GPS/GLONASS/Galileo positioning. The 3a also keeps two increasingly rare conveniences — a 3.5mm headphone jack and stereo speakers — plus a reliable rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. It supports Nano-SIM plus eSIM, though there is no FM radio.
Who Should Buy the Pixel 3a
The Pixel 3a suits budget-conscious buyers who prize photography and clean software over raw power, anyone wanting a compact phone that fits comfortably in one hand, or those needing an inexpensive, camera-capable backup device. Gamers, heavy multitaskers, and users who require ongoing security updates should look to a newer a-series model instead.
Conclusion
The Google Pixel 3a remains one of the clearest examples of a phone that knew exactly what mattered: a standout camera, clean software, and a comfortable compact body, all at a mid-range price. Its aging chipset, ended update support, and modest 3000 mAh battery mean it is no longer a primary-phone recommendation for most people. But if you can find one around 120 EUR and want a lightweight, photography-first companion or a low-cost backup, the Pixel 3a still earns a confident recommendation for the right buyer.
References
- Google Store – Pixel Phones – Official Google product store; primary source for Pixel hardware and specification details as published by the manufacturer.
- Google Pixel Help (Official Support) – Official Google support documentation for Pixel devices, covering technical details, features, and software support.
- GSMArena – Google Pixel 3a – Established smartphone specifications database widely used for accurate, structured technical spec sheets (display, chipset, camera, battery, dimensions).
- Qualcomm – Snapdragon 670 Mobile Platform – Official Qualcomm page for the Snapdragon 670 SoC used in the Pixel 3a, for authoritative processor specifications.
