This phone SAVED the Google Pixel.

The Google Pixel series might look pretty complete in 2024 but it wasn't always like this. The first three instalments in the series weren't as successful in the mainstream than many of us enthusiasts would have liked. Not long after the Pixel 3 series launched, Google announced a new sub-series that would change the game for the line and ultimately picked it up. The Google Pixel 3a is an underrated device and one that made waves for Google's Pixel series. Here's why!

[@briando8150]

Google's sensor age like fine wine. The Pixel 2 to 5a basically all share the same camera and Google still supports the processing pipeline for the older cameras by proxy. It makes sense the sensor still holds up because even on my older 2 XL, photos look better in 2024 than 2017.

[@joelconolly5574]

Just show how better Sony's sensor is compared to the competition.

[@xiondFirst]

@@joelconolly5574 it's the computational photography here.

[@breadcat9928]

6a too

[@TheSkyrimps3]

6a has the same sensor too

[@justinvalentin8983]

I’ve heard from another video that it’s also in the Nexus 6P and Pixel 1, but those didn’t have optical image stabilization like the 2 and newer

[@Whahah]

I'm still using a Pixel 3a, and that camera comparison with the Pixel 9 Pro really cheered me up since I don't have the money to upgrade yet 🤣. The difference in quality isn't that huge, so I'm not too bummed out.

[@HigherQualityUploads]

You could get a new or gently used 6 or 7 that would be within your budget. Would still be a nice upgrade. The screens in particular have been massively upgraded since the 3a.

[@darky799]

Pixel 3A has OLED display, FP sensor, NFC, charging speed on pixel 8a is still 18w iirc same as 3a 😂, aod And bonus has headphone jack. Just replace the battery and will be good for another 2-3 years. Maybe flash a14/15 custom rom or any with latest security patch if you are worried about safety.

[@AliAlslaman]

That Pixel 3a took nice photos ngl.

[@handlemonium]

And the 5a was the last with a headphone jack with the longest Pixel battery life! Like Sony flagships have been on a roll lately always having the most cutting edge camera tech and they STILL HAVE A 3.5mm JACK. Why can't you one-up Sony, Google? *WHHYY!?*

[@rjpearson]

Seeing the side by side photos is super cool. My mum still has a 3aXL and took some really impressive photos on a recent trip to Paris that you would be hard pressed to say were from a 5 year old phone. After upgrading from my 4a, I did miss some of the character the photos had from that phone.

[@anjanbabu2009]

What did you miss??

[@rjpearson]

@@anjanbabu2009 don't get me wrong, don't regret upgrading or anything, but the flaws in the photos (intense grain, chromatic abortions, inconsistent colors, etc) could end up looking really unique (in daytime shots :). Also, the imx363 is just a good sensor. Not the most powerful sensor, but definitely had unique characteristics in raw photos.

[@Whahah]

@@anjanbabu2009 Maybe a cooler white balance compared to the latest Pixel, which is warmer 🤷‍♂️

[@centurytuna100]

Hi there, so nice of you to make this video about the 3a. I have the same color you're holding when it first came out and i was blown away by the camera. Since then I stuck to pixel phones - the 4a and presently I have the 6. I love taking photos and they all performed so well ❤. Owning an 8a would be quite a stretch nowadays but that would be great when that day comes. Indeed 3a saved the pixel series. 👍😎 Can't wait for your pixel 9 review bro. 🌟

[@silentD02]

Still using my pixel 3a XL. Still good for watching KZbin because of good speakers. The camera is great, just need to be little patient cause it need time to process.. the light weight just perfect for me.

[@chess1]

Genuinely shocked at the camera comparison! I’m still rocking the 4a 5g which I love. Thanks for the video Ryan great job as always! 👍

[@doller6584]

😂

[@nemanjaj8903]

Wow the photo comparison took me out like....thats a budget 5 year old phone - those photos look better than 90% of all phones that were released in last 5 years. Pixel is definitely GOAT when it comes to camera photography

[@FigWidIt]

The camera on the 3a's at the time were so good. Just point-and-click after opening the camera app.

[@majtechtings]

Had the 3aXL and I ADORED that phone. It was actually pretty shocking how solid of a device it was. Even the camera gave me some incredible shots that I still can't believe came from a mid ranger at a time when mid range cameras were a dumpster fire.

[@TheBackOfTheClassroom]

I actually prefer taking pictures with my 3a XL vs my 6a.

[@ujjwalkumar7567]

Dude I have a 6 and a 4a 4g, i actually prefer 4a over 6 lol how crazy it is,

[@futuretrunks6461]

I like how the pixel 3a still offers Google photos unlimited photo and video (in Storage saver only). I still use it for this purpose. I transfer photos from newer phones like iphone 14 and pixel 7 pro to my pixel 3a for free unlimited photo backups.

[@armichng]

(If you install custom rom you can have unlimited on original quality)

[@gankster9007]

Pixel 3 is my favorite phone of all time. Ive shot so many amazing photos with that phone

[@jettnerona]

I used to have a Pixel 3a. And I took it in vacation and used it as my camera, and I was amazed specially in the night.

[@g1andonly1]

This was my 1st pixel. I had the first Nexus but the pictures with the 3a were just fantastic.

[@robertheron7017]

I had the 6a was only 400 pound took some of the best photos ive ever seen.i now have the pixel 8 and that takes even better pics love my pixel phone's.looking forward to the ten when it comes out.

[@gGadget]

loved the video! I love the 3a. I used it for a couple of months a few years back. I still remember it for being one of the nicest feeling phones in hand to me

[@Some-guy-on-the-internet]

I never had one myself but the 3a was such an easy phone to recommend to people looking in the $350-$400 range and wanted a good camera. It got all the basics right and excelled where it needed to, all for a fair price. Not bad.

[@duanemcclun9924]

My first Pixel was the 3A and I loved it! Then I got the 5A, 7Pro, and will be getting the 9Pro XL because my 7Pro phone East speaker quit working. I switched from the A series to the Pro series for the telephoto lens that the A series didn't have. I'll stay with the Pixel phones because of the camera and computational photography. Best Duane

[@EJSocialmedia]

That Google Camera's playground brings me some memories.

[@RalphJaysonSantiago]

i still use my pixel 3a as my daily driver. Still have no issues so far. Because I'm a very light user and I don't really use my phone to play games because I have PC for that and Im still happy using my 3a.

[@wallacewarren]

I wanted the Pixel 2, but waited and got the 3A xl... 💜, now I have a Pixel 6 as well and I'm about to get the 9.

[@jarjarbinks8954]

thanks a bunch for the camera comparison mate. Loveddd it

[@jimengab]

I still have my Pixel 3a XL and if that thing had more RAM, it would be extremely usable by today standards. What an amazing device.

[@jevonsims900]

Google lost the plot with Pixel 9 series. What made Pixel great was it's low price compared to Apple or Samsung.

[@YTU-j4x]

I think they often forget that except for the 'A' series, they’re enthusiast phones. And with their processors being subpar in raw horsepower to Snapdragon/A17, why would someone buy a technically inferior product just because of AI(which Samsung, Apple has without compromising anything)

[@prshantdeula]

Not necessarily. They need to improve their Soc now. Maybe next year hopefully. What made pixel great was and is their software experience. Google upping their hadware design is a step in the right direction. 9 series just looks premium now albeit very iphon-y.

[@Tater_chip_00]

⁠ehhhh I wouldn't boil it down to just the processor. Tbh, I'd bet 90% of buyers don't even care about the processor. Every processor is fast these days. Only us phone nerds care about Antutu scores and whatnot. I have an iPhone 15 Pro Max and a Pixel 7 Pro and performance is comparable. Who cares about a second or two difference in load times

[@axellex2077]

Disagree, that's where the A series comes into play. Pretty sure we will see a Pixel 9A next year. That or a huge price reduction

[@babaawawu3156]

They didn't. The hardware is already at the level of those phones you mentioned. The chip being behind is why it's still relatively priced lower than the competition. Aside from the so called chip that 99% of users don't even care about, the Pixel can stand toe to toe with those phones and one could argue they offer a better software experience

[@SheepKid12]

The 3a XL was my first Android phone. Loved that thing, and I'm still using an a series phone to this day.

[@o_nazim]

I'd love to see a comparison of the A series models.

[@johnathanblade1]

My 3a XL was fantastic. I used it for a couple years. The battery life that first year was a leap over any phone's battery longevity that I had experienced up to that point. Great snaps as well. When comparing the snaps to the Tensor Pixels what I noticed is that the broad strokes of the image are the same. The bigger lens on the Tensor phones makes for a more detailed snap. The Tensor pictures look like they have an anti aliasing algorithm applied in post. The Tensor phones have a slightly finer application of HDR. But upon an initial look, the style of the images is the same.

[@davidsalazar853]

I did own a Pixel 3a back in 2019. I always wanted to try the Pixel line and it's been the reason why I've always dabbled in the future models.

[@praveenp7419]

I still have pixel 3a xl along with my pixel 7

[@therealJeXus]

Pixel 3a was my first pixel! used motorola almost exclusively before that. LOVED that phone. Its camera was always great, and google even put Astrophotography mode on it!

[@NehemYah810]

Never had a pixel but yeah the 3a XL was the first one I tried to get back in the day but I was broke back then 🤷‍♂️ awesome to see it still hold its own with cameras. Googles processing is crazy.

[@RAJ.769]

Just bought a refurbished pixel 4a a week ago and it handles all my day to day task just fine minus the battery backup but it is still in 95% battery health.

[@Esmael822]

as i'm watching this, im debating if I should upgrade from the pixel 4a or just slap a new battery and call it a day

[@9000eldiablo]

My Pixel 4a (now dead) pictures from 3 years ago still show up as stories on Google photos on my S23. Those pictures are still on par with my S23 camera (at least the day pics).

[@PwndByAchick]

in pixel 3a they put the 12.2mp same camera on pixel 4-5-6a. They optimized it very well

[@jazewave7013]

I'm pretty much new with this Google Pixel phone and I actually bought myself a Pixel 6 two weeks ago. The reason why i get one because i got hooked with the solid camera as well. Ngl its still a solid phone that i use daily.

[@newfnshow031]

I had this phone the xl version for $479 I wiped the screen on with a drop of water and the screen turned green. It was over for the phone on that day.

[@ithehappy1]

i am still using a 2xl. if it weren't for the dying battery and slow ufs I would have kept on using it for one more year at least.

[@armichng]

I never got this one but I used 4a 5G and now I have 7a Because of both phones I never felt away from the high-end Pixel and don't think I miss anything really special

[@FN-170]

still have my pixel 3a to this day. Sure its performance is not good enough to play games nowdays but I still find it amazing it is still very smooth at everyday task. Definitely the best phone google ever made.

[@bogdanrzheusski8115]

Most of camera improvements are on low light quality and capture speed, almost anything is ok with daylight nowadays

[@Fierrosporcelular]

Had a 3a XL and loved it till Android 12 destroyed the experience. The best photos I have are from that humble 3a XL...

[@wisniatd]

Galaxy SIII was also with stock android officially (option) as I remember, next to to Nexus 4. Of course it was a niche option, normally it was sold with lagwizz. Oh, I mean toichwizz.

[@ccroy2001]

The only Pixels I've owned were a-series: 4a and 6a. I loved how compact the 4a was both took really good photos, but many phone do today. Now I have a Z Flip and 1+ 12r. One thing I am not crazy about on newer versions of Pixels are the widgets. They are too large (not space efficient) when used on a 6" or less screen imo.

[@rohanajay]

I miss this Pixel hardware

[@km08]

Still using the Pixel 3 till today. I bought it even after Google released the 3a, this is because of the wireless charging. Still giving me the same convenience, nice photos and videos, and reliable for a day-to-day companion. Apart from having the battery draining faster now, I just always bring my powerbank.

[@mariano17swan]

I had pixel 3 as well and loved it but battery was degrading overtime like yours, so i went to local shop and asked them to replace old battery with a new one and it become awesome again.... but a year the screen died and so i got pixel 7 then. And honestly, i still miss the pics from pixel 3.... those pics had a character and were punchy whereas Pixel 7 is more true to life but kinda boring. Pixel 3 pics were good enough to be posted on social media directly but now i need to edit my pics a little bit. Lol you can clearly see on my Instagram when i had pixel 3 by looking at the pics.

[@handlemonium]

Can you review the resurgence of repairable phones? Like the Fairphone 5, HMD Skyline, and Shiftphone 8?

[@andre-nunes]

Loved my 3A when I had it

[@martinangelomooney1010]

I really liked the Pixel 4 especially the orange black combo. I wish they would have the same color soon.

[@asan1050]

Ryan Thank you very much!

[@Through_the_door]

also u can get the official lineage os 21 on the pixel 3 based on android 14

[@dutchy1121]

That was release back when Google in their idea thought that the Benelux region was not worth the bother so getting Pixels prior to the 6 were rather difficult. Something made them change their minds because many companies started selling the 5 by shipping them from Germany to sell here. My 6a I got just before the 7 came out and paid a whopping €299 for it. I still use that as my daily phone because it does everything I need it to do and it does take very good pictures.

[@wisniatd]

Definitely right. I well remmeber when I got Nexus 4. It was glamorous phone. Man, those back! Specially bought bumper style case so the back can be visible. Without any case it was sliding on glass back and even can crack when hot and put on cold surface. And back speaker was silenced also when lying on back. And sliding from any leveled surface like on air cushion. Over all it was really good phone (rgb diode for notifications, glass finish on both sides, nice responsive feeling) but the camera was quite bad to be honest. Next Nexus was better, especially 6P but it was huge. Then pixel A series (came form Nexus 4 through Xiaomi Redmi Note to Pixel 4A) and the camera stiil is spectacular as for 3 years old budget pixel wit 13 MPix.

[@idcrafter-cgi]

you can put CalyxOS onto a 3a/3a XL and get Androdi 14 with a locked bootloader.

[@ciprianadrian21]

the Pixel 3a was absolutely incredible at photography.

[@kkyz13]

When I jumped from Pixel 3 to the 6 Pro, I was actually disappointed by the camera on the 6 Pro, something about how it processed photos just didn't hit as right as the 3.

[@beanbag345]

Been using and really enjoying my 6a, huge camera improvement over my Moto G Power 2024.

[@oxqlion9661]

this video is very nostalgic

[@the_nomadic_ajith]

I had a Pixel 3a for 3 years. Later i have used 6a,7 and 8 also.. Currently i am using iPhone 15. Here is how i feel. The 3a used to shoot pictures very slowly and as a result image quality was far better. After they switched to Tensor, i started noticing a lot of issues. Camera clicks much faster, but the image quality is not good as 3a ( believe me) in many cases. The portrait mode has several bokeh issues. Astro photography now takes 4 minutes compared to 1 minute on 3a. And 3 had better astro photos than Pixel 7 that took 4 minutes to capture. Also google has removed the Photo sphere option from Pixel which was a unique feature. I never had to delete any of the photos taken on 3a but while using my iPhone i delete 4 or 5 out of every 10 pic i take. Pixel 8 is a good phone but still stuck on 12MP photos in unfortunate. Again it also has the same bokeh issues like 6a. In short google has killed the snapdragon goose that use to lay golden eggs, for its Tensor crap. 😥

[@rakhavkrishnag9935]

Still rockin my 4a!!!

[@Manuel-rl6um]

The Pixel 3a was my first Pixel. I had it for 3 years and bought the 6a. One of the best phones I've had after my Nokia Lumia 1520. Simplicity and good cameras was all I needed. I upgraded to the 6a for several reasons: - Battery was starting to be not enough - Photos took some time to process every time you took a photo - Started to have some lag here and there - I wanted an ultrawide lens I was still using it as my second phone until I gave it to my brother as he needed one, and it lasted 2 months in his hand (he dropped it).

[@sidersproductions941]

Ah the classic Lumia 1520. The good ole days.

[@piratekingluffy13]

I m from india continously searching for pixel 3a but couldn't find to buy it. Help me

[@Wurntel]

I miss front facing speakers

[@ManosMe]

I just came back from vacation and the pics I took with my 4 XL beat the ones of my wife’s iPhone 15 pro!!! What a camera (same camera with the one of the 3a)…

[@RackaApps]

Definitely saved them. It was my first ever Pixel and I loved every part of it. I had just upgraded from a Galaxy Note 5 and it was so much better

[@khalidbashir3546]

can you make a comparison between pixel android 9 or 10 software camera vs the current software camera. i have that feeling that pixels camera processing then are better than now.am just curious

[@prakharlal9909]

I switched to the pixel 6 and even the 7 pro But im trying to fix my pixel 3a since the camera is having hardware issues, and going back to that since it was an amazing form factor

[@disastermaster3K]

The first pixels were manufactured by htc and lg. foxconn has been manufacturing them since the pixel 4

[@hitfan]

I remember going from 4a 5G to 7 and didn't feel any difference, despite the new camera module and software

[@robertdigerolamo3426]

Would a jump from 7a to the 9 be worth it?

[@freebyte]

maaaaan it looks beautiful

[@rohitakeli]

Which games you were playing on the phone kindly mention

[@Andrewski8506]

is the pixel 3a still secure? Still getting security updates?

[@fishwasherr]

that was my first pixel!! I'm with a 7 pro now :]

[@cbread208]

Watching on my Google 6 pro on Verizon

[@jtec99]

Just plugged in my purple 3a xl. Pristine condition

[@Omkuskom]

I had a pixel 3a until I broke it almost 3 years ago, then I decided to buy a pixel 6 over a pixel 6a since at the time they had almost the same pricetag.

[@craigwheeler4722]

Wallpaper on the first gen pixel at 58 seconds anyone?

[@jackevansevo]

Loved my pixel 3a right until the moment I dropped it on the bathroom floor and the screen smashed. Would have cost more to fix than replace completely :( I wish they still made phones this size.

[@vvorthabilly]

good on Google for moving up market, why should they only make budget devices. they actually do an awesome job of covering all tiers when it comes to OEMs.

[@ElectroZoneZ]

From what I remember edge detection of the 3a is better than 8 pro and pretty sure also better than 9 pro in potrait mode Also 3a tends towards warme tones which looks a bit nicer

[@blasien1]

I keep my old 2 and 3 around as handy point and shoot cameras. The contrast signature and balance of the early Pixels was from genius Marc Lavoy, who was a classic art connoisseur as well as software wizard. Too bad they ran him off for preferring telephoto lenses over ultra wide and other petty nonsense

[@ParanoidDharmas]

Hoping Pixel 10 won't be dead by seeing the price of Pixel 9

[@justindaxter5962]

yes I had the pixel 3a xl series good smartphone now I pixel 8

[@sian12]

Pixel A Version is seen as Best after a year and 2. That's how Pixel makes the phone. They will launch it at a higher price and then lower it to such an extent it will be one of the best in that price range. The camera is where they dominated in those Price ranges. The same happened with all Pixel A Versions before.

[@Hopiiya]

Pixel 3xl was may first google phone, sold it to my girlfriend and uptil now it still solid, only problem with it was the battery it drains rapidly now but other than that its still fine, unlike for my 4xl before it overheats while charging still I prefer the 4xl though, that 90fps feels snappier. And now I have the 8 pro. And to be honest not a fan with the Tensor. Looking forward for the TSMC collab next year and hoping for that Snappy snapdragon again 😅

[@prathamkaushik69]

Can I get this pill shape nav. Bar on my pixel 7a , it's classic !

[@mauriciochacon]

My pixel 3 was 400$, thanks to 50% google fi anniversary or something like that. And yes i still have the p1 p3 p5 p6 p8, i can confirm the p3 takes amazing pictures

[@siZeDcuBe]

Yup. loved this phone. " upgraded " to the 6a out of necessity but I'm not nearly as happy with it. Worse fingerprint sensor and too big and heavy. wish smaller phones were more of a thing

[@mobile_matt]

Had 3a & 3aXL favourite pixels / fave focal length

[@rxer3n]

first my pixel 4xl died a year ago and then in march this year i saved some money to buy a pixel 5 and it died last month i couldn't found the motherboard for replacement.. the phones didnt fell or anything, both phones were in 10/10 condition ..... so now im broke phoneless thank you google

[@akibulislamzisan7259]

Absolutely real talk

[@KOBRAGT500]

what's the name of this game ? 6:06

[@alv14]

Same question 🥺

[@mattleeyy]

Rider

[@mattleeyy]

@@alv14Rider

[@NizarNoor]

Google needs to make Pixel 9a and 9a XL. And make them significantly cheaper than the Pixel 9 series. Not just $50 difference.

[@cs_photoshoot1982]

What about pixel watch 3????

[@SatongiFilms]

look at these bot comments damn

[@FaceCreeper]

I love Pixel 3, at least if my mother don't take my money every time

[@joelconolly5574]

Pixel 3 XL should've never had that bathtub sized notch. It would've saved the Pixel 3 series altogether and at least have something that would've been a differentiate it from other ugly notched smartphone at the time. Still wonder why Google thought it was a wise idea to put a notch that would've been better if they shrunk it further, improved speakers and still have dual selfie canera like it's smaller siblings. It's not that Google is bad at hardware. It's that their bad at hardware choice. A trend we still see now.

[@EGKing231]

plus unlimited google photos storage