Google’s latest phone, the Pixel 4, is clever even for a smartphone. Its photo-improving processing software, 90Hz display, auto-transcribing Recorder app and more all make it an attractive device.
The previous Google phone, the Pixel 3a, is also a great device, but makes a few minor downgrades to keep the cost to around £400 instead of £800.
The Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are all currently £70 off on Google’s online store, which makes these appealing phones even more so, particularly the Pixel 4s, having only debuted in October.
All four phones on offer have scored highly in our reviews. The Pixel 4, despite having a shorter battery life than what would be ideal, amazed us with its photography skills. Google gave it a second rear camera, a 16MP 2x optical zoom telephoto sensor, to accompany the existing 12MP camera.
On the front there have been some major changes. Both versions of the Pixel 4 now have a full bezel at the top of the phone (the Pixel 3 XL had an iPhone-eque notch) in order to fit in the Motion Sense radar chip.
This lets you control the phone with swiping gestures, even if you’re not holding it, and has also allowed Google to add facial recognition unlocking to the Pixel series for the first time. The radar sensor detects when you pick up the phone and readies the camera for you.
The Pixel 3a and 3a XL did just as well in our tests. About the only complaints we could find were the cheaper body materials, prominent bezels and the slightly dim screen. Other than that, you get an almost identical experience to last year’s Pixel 3, which is an amazing compliment to give for any phone, but particularly for the fairly cheap Pixel 3a.
If you want to find a different phone deal this Black Friday period, or some other kinds of cheap gadgets and tech, then make sure you check out our regularly updated Black Friday deals page for the best of what we’ve found so far.
