Google Pixel 3a
+ CompareSCORE
- Released May 2019
- OS Android 9.0
- Display 5.6" OLED
- Camera 12.2MP Single
- RAM 4GB / 64GB
- Battery 3000mAh 18W
PROS
- 1 Same 12.2MP camera as the Pixel 3 flagship.
- 2 3.5mm headphone jack.
- 3 Light 147g plastic body.
- 4 Clean Android, updated to Android 12.1.
- 5 Cheapest way into a Pixel camera.
CONS
- 1 Snapdragon 670 is slow for 2026.
- 2 No IP rating.
- 3 No wireless charging.
- 4 3,000mAh battery.
- 5 No security updates since May 2022.
Specification
Network
| Technology The mobile network technology the phone uses, such as GSM, HSPA or LTE. It determines which types of networks the phone can connect to. | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| 2G bands The second-generation mobile network bands the phone can use for calls and basic data. Support for more bands means better compatibility with different networks. | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (only for dual SIM model); CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands The third-generation mobile network bands the phone supports for calls and mobile data. More supported bands mean better compatibility with different networks. | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100; CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| 4G bands The fourth-generation (LTE) mobile network bands the phone supports. More supported bands mean better compatibility and coverage on different networks. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed The data speed the phone can support on mobile networks. Higher speeds mean faster downloads and uploads when the network supports them. | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps |
Body
| Dimensions The height, width and thickness of the phone, usually measured in millimetres. Smaller dimensions generally make a phone easier to hold. | 151.3 x 70.1 x 8.2 mm (5.96 x 2.76 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight How heavy the phone is, measured in grams. A lower weight generally makes a phone more comfortable to hold for long periods. | 147 g (5.19 oz) |
| Build The materials and construction used for the phone body, such as the front glass, back and frame. | Front glass, plastic body |
| SIM The SIM card type and number the phone accepts, such as Nano-SIM or dual SIM. It determines how many mobile connections can be used. | Nano-SIM |
Display
| Type The kind of display panel used in the phone. Different panel types affect colour, contrast and power use. | OLED, 16M colors |
| Size The diagonal size of the display, measured in inches from corner to corner. | 5.6 inches, 79.3% screen-to-body ratio |
| Resolution The number of pixels in the display, shown as width by height. Higher resolution generally means a sharper image. | 1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Protection Protection applied to the display or body, such as strengthened glass or water and dust resistance ratings. | Asahi Dragontrail Glass |
| Features Additional functions included for that part of the phone, such as special modes or enhancements. The list shows which extra functions are supported. | Always-on display |
Platform
| OS The operating system software that runs the phone and its apps. Its version affects features, security and app compatibility. | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12.1 |
| Chipset The main processor platform that powers the device. It controls performance, power efficiency and supported features. | Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 (10 nm) |
| CPU The central processing unit that runs apps and tasks. More cores and higher clock speeds generally mean faster performance. | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| GPU The graphics processing unit that handles images, video and games. A more capable GPU generally gives smoother graphics and gaming. | Adreno 615 |
Camera
| Single A camera is a device that captures light and processes it into an image. It does this through a lens, which focuses the light onto a light-sensitive surface where a picture is formed. This could be film in traditional cameras or an electronic sensor in digital cameras. | 12.2 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, OIS, dual pixel PDAF |
| Features Additional functions included for that part of the phone, such as special modes or enhancements. The list shows which extra functions are supported. | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video The meaning of VIDEO CAMERA is a camera that records video and usually audio | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps |
| Selfie camera The front-facing camera used for self-portraits and video calls. Higher megapixels can give more detail, along with features such as autofocus or flash. | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm; HDR; Video: 1080p@30fps |
Memory
| Card slot A special slot for inserting a memory card. Memory cards allow you to expand the phone's built-in memory (or in the past these slots have been used to add some missing features such as Wi-Fi connectivity). Memory cards have different capacities and are used to store and transfer files between compatible devices. There are several types of memory cards. The most popular and frequently used by mobile phone manufacturers is microSD; however, up until recently Sony Ericsson exclusively used the Memory Stick Micro (M2) card type developed by Sony. | No |
| Internal Storage The built-in storage space for apps, photos and files, measured in gigabytes. More storage lets you keep more content on the phone. | 64GB |
| RAM The memory the phone uses to run apps and keep them open in the background, measured in gigabytes. More RAM generally helps multitasking run smoothly. | 4GB |
More
| Alert types The ways the phone signals incoming calls and notifications, such as vibration, ringing tones or MP3 ringtones. | Vibration; MP3, WAV ringtones |
| Loudspeaker The built-in speaker used for calls on speakerphone, music and videos. It states whether the phone has one and its type, such as stereo speakers. | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack A round headphone port for wired headphones and audio accessories. If present, wired audio can be used without an adapter. | Yes (active noise cancellation with dedicated mic) |
| WLAN The Wi-Fi standards the phone supports for wireless internet. Newer standards generally offer faster speeds and better connections. | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Bluetooth A short-range wireless technology for connecting accessories such as headphones and speakers. A newer version generally offers better range, speed and power efficiency. | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| GPS Satellite positioning used to find the phone location for maps and navigation. Support for more satellite systems can improve accuracy. | Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| NFC Near Field Communication, a short-range wireless feature for contactless payments and quick pairing. It works only over very short distances. | Yes |
| FM radio Mobile phones that support FM radio have a dedicated FM radio receiver chip. This chip is responsible for receiving FM radio signals and converting them into audio signals that can be played through the phone's speakers or headphones. | No |
| USB The USB port used for charging and data transfer. Newer USB versions generally offer faster transfer speeds and a reversible connector. | 2.0, Type-C 1.0 reversible connector |
| Infrared port An infrared (IR) port is a port on an electronic device that sends and receives data using infrared light. IR ports were commonly used in wireless devices to allow for fast communication with other devices, such as base stations. IR ports work by allowing two devices to face each other and share data using infrared rays within a range of 10 meters. | |
| Sensors Built-in sensors that detect motion, light, position and other conditions. They enable features such as auto-rotation, face unlock and navigation. | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery Type The kind of battery used in the phone and whether it can be removed. It describes the battery technology and form. | Li-Ion |
| Battery Capacity The size of the battery, measured in milliamp-hours (mAh). A higher capacity usually means longer use between charges. | 3000 mAh |
| Charging How the battery is charged, including wired and wireless charging speeds in watts. Higher wattage usually means faster charging. | 18W wired (USB Power Delivery 2.0) |
| Made by The company that makes the device. It names the manufacturer responsible for the phone. | |
| Color The color options in which the phone is available. Color choice does not affect performance or features. | Just Black, Clearly White, Purple-ish |
Disclaimer
We do not guarantee that the information of this page is 100% accurate and up to date. Read more
The Google Pixel 3a was Google’s first “a” phone — the same 12.2MP camera as the flagship Pixel 3 at a lower price. In 2026 nobody buys one new: what you find in Pakistani shops is a used or imported unit, and the price reflects what a retailer lists today (Rs. 17,000), not a launch price. That is the honest starting point for a phone that is now more than seven years old.
Design and Display
The Pixel 3a is plain and light: 151.3 x 70.1 x 8.2 mm and 147 grams, with a plastic body and a glass front. It has no IP rating, and Google never pretended otherwise, so keep it away from water. The screen is a 5.6-inch OLED at 1080 x 2220, about 441 pixels per inch, protected by Asahi Dragontrail Glass, with an always-on display. The 3.5mm headphone jack is here, which the flagships had already dropped — buyers who still use wired earphones will care.
Performance
The Snapdragon 670 is modest, and seven years on it shows. Daily use is fine: calls, messaging, maps and social apps run without fuss. Gaming is limited, and 4GB of RAM is the ceiling — heavy apps reload when you switch between them. This is a phone for the basics, not for pushing it.
Camera
The camera is the reason to buy this phone. It is the same 12.2MP rear camera with optical image stabilisation and Night Sight as the Pixel 3, and its photos punch well above the price.
- Main: 12.2MP, f/1.8, with optical image stabilisation and dual-pixel autofocus. Sharp daylight photos, and Night Sight turns dark scenes into usable shots.
- Selfie: a single 8MP front camera, f/2.0, for straightforward selfies and video calls.
There is no telephoto lens and no ultrawide lens on the back, so zoom is digital and wide rear shots are not an option. Video: 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 30/60/120fps.
Battery and Charging
The 3,000mAh battery is modest, and on a used unit the real question is battery health — check it before paying. Charging is 18W wired over USB Power Delivery 2.0. There is no wireless charging on the 3a, so do not expect it.
Software
The Pixel 3a launched on Android 9 and was updated to Android 12.1. Google ended support in May 2022, with a final build in September 2022, and there have been no security patches since. That matters for banking apps and for safety in general, and it is the main reason to think twice. If up-to-date software matters to you, look at a newer Pixel instead.
Price in Pakistan
The Pixel 3a is listed by a Pakistani retailer at Rs. 17,000, and the expected price used here is Rs. 17,999. That figure comes from the zmobiles.pk listing, the only Pakistani listing found for this phone. It is a used or imported price, and the final figure depends on the condition of the unit and whether it is PTA-approved.
All storage options — Expected: Rs. 17,999 (zmobiles.pk listing)
| Model | Google Pixel 3a |
| Price | PKR. 17,999 (Expected) |
| Display | 5.6″ OLED 1080×2220 pixels |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| ROM | 64 GB |
| Released | May 2019 |
Buying in Pakistan
- Check the IMEI and the exact model number against DIRBS before paying — PTA status varies from unit to unit.
- Confirm whether the unit is PTA-approved or non-PTA, and what that means for the price you are paying.
- Ask for the battery health percentage and test the phone on the spot.
- Buy from a seller who offers a checking warranty, even a short one.
- Check that the phone is the model you expect — the Pixel 3a has no card slot and 64GB of storage only.
Final Verdict: the cheapest way into a Pixel camera
The Pixel 3a gives you the Pixel 3’s camera for the lowest price in the range, plus a headphone jack and a light body. That is a fair deal if the camera is what you care about and you go in with your eyes open. The chip is slow by 2026 standards, the battery is small and the software support is over — buy it for the camera, and check the battery and the PTA status first.
