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Google Pixel 4, Pixel 3 or Pixel 3A: Should you upgrade?

Google Pixel 4, Pixel 3 or Pixel 3A: Should you upgrade?

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Every Pixel compared

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Google’s Pixel 4 and 4 XL are here at last, after a mountain of leaks. But the choice isn’t quite as easy as “big” or “small" because Google’s new phones are expensive, at $799 and up — and because the excellent Pixel 3 and Pixel 3A are still sticking around for hundreds of dollars cheaper.

Here’s the full lineup as of today:

  • Pixel 4: $799 for 64GB, $899 for 128GB
  • Pixel 4 XL: $899 for 64GB, $999 for 128GB
  • Pixel 3: $499 for 64GB, $599 for 128GB
  • Pixel 3 XL: $599 for 64GB
  • Pixel 3A: $399 for 64GB
  • Pixel 3A XL: $479 for 64GB

If your budget tops out at $500 or so, we’ve already covered the tradeoffs between the Pixel 3A and Pixel 3, including water resistance, wireless charging, a higher quality screen, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. We’ve also already compared the Pixel 4 to other flagship phones.

So let’s tackle this another way. What does the Pixel 4 offer (on paper) compared to any previous Pixel? What, if anything, do you give up? Scroll down to the phone you own and see — and if you don’t see enough differences to satisfy your upgrade itch, you’ll know it’s OK to wait.

Photo by James Bareham / The Verge

Pixel 3 and 3 XL

If you bought a flagship Pixel 3 just last year, it may be tough to justify another purchase so soon — but the Pixel 4 certainly has plenty of new toys for early adopters, including a bona fide miniature radar for air gestures, a genuine Face ID competitor for unlocking your phone without a fingerprint, a faster screen than ever before, and the second rear camera (with a telephoto lens) that Google always insisted it never needed.

What you get with Pixel 4

  • A second 16MP camera with a telephoto lens
  • Google’s seemingly speedy Face Unlock
  • 90Hz “Smooth Display” with Ambient EQ automatic color temperature
  • Built-in Soli radar sensor for air gestures in apps
  • “Pixel Neural Core” for faster Google Assistant and real-time audio transcription
  • Slightly faster processor
  • 2GB of additional memory
  • Dual exposure controls for the camera
  • Slightly wider f/1.7 aperture on main camera (vs. f/1.8)
  • Slightly larger screen on the standard Pixel 4 (5.7 inch vs. 5.5 inch)
  • Larger battery on the Pixel 4 XL (3700mAh vs. 3430mAh)
  • New “limited edition” orange color option
  • The new no-notch design with prominent metal band and camera square

What’s the same

  • Google’s excellent 12-megapixel camera (assuming nothing’s changed) with Night Sight
  • Screen size on the XL (6.3 inches)
  • HDR support
  • 64 and 128GB storage options
  • Dual stereo speakers
  • 18W fast charging
  • Wireless charging
  • Water resistance
  • Squeezable sides to summon the Google Assistant
  • Android 10
  • 4G LTE support on all major US carriers

What you lose

  • Fingerprint reader
  • Unlimited Google Photos uploads at original quality
  • The second portrait selfie camera
  • A tiny bit of space in your pocket (both phones are a tenth of an inch taller and slightly thicker)
  • Both phones are half an ounce heavier
  • The ability to brag that you only need a single camera instead of a square
  • The notched screen on the Pixel 3 XL
Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge

Pixel 3A and 3A XL

Upgrading from the Pixel 3A and 3A XL is a more intriguing proposition. It came out just five months ago, but perhaps you were tempted by Google’s offer of getting one of Android’s best cameras for $399, liked what you saw, and see your Pixel 3A as a potential hand-me-down? Or perhaps you’re considering the 3A now, and want to see if the Pixel 4 is really worth double the money before you plunk cash down.

What you get with Pixel 4

  • A second 16MP camera with a telephoto lens
  • Google’s seemingly speedy Face Unlock
  • 90Hz “Smooth Display” with Ambient EQ automatic color temperature
  • Built-in Soli radar sensor for air gestures in apps
  • “Pixel Neural Core” for faster Google Assistant and real-time audio transcription
  • Notably faster processor (Snapdragon 855 vs Snapdragon 670)
  • IP68 dust and water resistance
  • Wireless charging
  • Aluminum and glass body (instead of plastic)
  • Premium OLED screen with HDR support
  • 2GB of additional memory
  • Dual exposure controls for the camera
  • Slightly wider f/1.7 aperture on main camera (vs. f/1.8)
  • Larger screen on the Pixel 4 XL (6.3-inch vs. 6.0-inch)
  • Oh-so-slightly larger screen on the standard Pixel 4 (5.6 inch vs. 5.5 inch)
  • A bit of extra space in your pocket with standard Pixel 4 (two-tenths of an inch shorter and one-tenth narrower)
  • 128GB storage option
  • New “limited edition” orange color option
  • The new design with prominent metal band and camera square

What’s the same

  • Google’s excellent 12-megapixel camera (assuming nothing’s changed) with Night Sight
  • Dual stereo speakers
  • 18W fast charging
  • Squeezable sides to summon the Google Assistant
  • Android 10
  • 4G LTE support on all major US carriers

What you lose

  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Fingerprint reader
  • Pixel 4 is half an ounce heavier, Pixel 4 XL an ounce heavier than their 3A-gen counterparts
  • Pixel 4 XL is very slightly thicker
  • Blue color option
  • The ability to brag that you only need a single camera instead of a square
Photo by James Bareham / The Verge

Pixel 2 and 2 XL

Now we’re in two-year upgrade territory, and the upgrades are more obvious — with the Pixel 2 and 2 XL, you no longer already possess one of Android’s best cameras nor a recent processor, there’s no headphone jack to tie you down, and the battery on your aging phone is probably feeling a little low. There’s also no simple way to buy the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL new. So let’s talk upgrades, shall we?

What you get with Pixel 4

  • An upgraded 12MP main camera (assuming nothing’s changed since Pixel 3)
  • Slightly wider f/1.7 aperture on main camera (vs. f/1.8)
  • A second 16MP camera with a telephoto lens
  • Google’s seemingly speedy Face Unlock
  • 90Hz “Smooth Display” with Ambient EQ automatic color temperature
  • Built-in Soli radar sensor for air gestures in apps
  • “Pixel Neural Core” for faster Google Assistant and real-time audio transcription
  • Notably faster processor (Snapdragon 855 vs Snapdragon 835)
  • Much larger 5.7-inch screen for Pixel (vs 5.0-inch)
  • Larger 6.3-inch screen for Pixel XL (vs. 6.0-inch)
  • Slightly larger batteries (3700mAh vs. 3520mAh for XL, 2800mAh vs 2700mAh for Pixel)
  • Better IP68 dust and water resistance (vs IP67)
  • Wireless charging
  • Premium OLED screen with HDR support
  • 2GB of additional memory
  • Dual exposure controls for the camera
  • New “limited edition” orange color option
  • The new design with prominent metal band, camera square and full glass back

What’s the same

  • Google’s excellent 12-megapixel camera (assuming nothing’s changed) with Night Sight
  • Dual stereo speakers
  • 18W fast charging
  • Squeezable sides to summon the Google Assistant
  • Android 10
  • 4G LTE support on all major US carriers

What you lose

  • Fingerprint reader
  • Unlimited Google Photos uploads at original quality
  • A tiny bit of space in your pocket (both phones are a tenth of an inch taller and slightly thicker this gen)
  • Both phones are 0.8 oz heavier than their Pixel 2-gen counterparts
  • Blue color option
  • The possibility of dropping your phone on a mostly-metal back instead of guaranteed glass
Photo by James Bareham / The Verge

Pixel and Pixel XL

If you’re still holding onto the three-year-old Pixel or Pixel XL, you’re probably starting to miss out. Yes, you’ve still got a headphone jack, you got the Night Sight camera upgrade, and you’ve probably upgraded to Android 10 by now — but hardware has marched forward, particularly that camera, and it may be time you did as well.

What you get with Pixel 4

  • An notably upgraded 12MP main camera with optical image stabilization
  • Wider f/1.7 aperture on main camera (vs. f/2.0)
  • A second 16MP camera with a telephoto lens
  • Google’s seemingly speedy Face Unlock
  • 90Hz “Smooth Display” with Ambient EQ automatic color temperature
  • Built-in Soli radar sensor for air gestures in apps
  • “Pixel Neural Core” for faster Google Assistant and real-time audio transcription
  • Much faster processor (Snapdragon 855 vs Snapdragon 821)
  • Much larger screens (5.7-inch vs. 5.0 inch for regular, 6.3-inch vs. 5.5-inch for XL)
  • Slightly larger 3700mAh battery on Pixel 4 XL (vs. 3450mAh)
  • Much better IP68 dust and water resistance (vs. IP53)
  • Wireless charging
  • Dual stereo speakers (up from just one)
  • Premium OLED screen with HDR support
  • 2GB of additional memory
  • Double the base storage at 64GB
  • Dual exposure controls for the camera
  • Squeezeable sides to summon the Google Assistant
  • Pixel Visual Core and hardware security module
  • New “limited edition” orange color option
  • The new design with camera square and full glass back

What’s the same

  • 18W fast charging
  • Night Sight camera mode
  • Battery size (on regular Pixel)
  • Android 10
  • 4G LTE support on all major US carriers

What you lose

  • Fingerprint reader
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Unlimited Google Photos uploads at original quality
  • A tiny bit of space in your pocket (Pixel 4 is a tenth of an inch taller, Pixel 4 XL is two-tenths)
  • Both phones are about 0.8 oz heavier than their Pixel 2-gen counterparts
  • Blue color option
  • The possibility of dropping your phone on a mostly-metal back instead of guaranteed glass

Every Pixel’s specs compared

SpecificationPixel 4Pixel 3Pixel 3aPixel 2PixelPixel 4 XLPixel 3 XLPixel 3a XLPixel 2 XLPixel XL
Display5.7 inches, 90Hz5.5 inches5.6 inches5.0 inches5.0 inches6.3 inches, 90Hz6.3 inches6.0 inches6.0 inches5.5 inches
ResolutionFHD+ (2280 x 1080?)2160 x 10802280 x 10801920 x 10801920 x 1080QHD+ (3060 x 1440?)2960 x 14402160 x 10802880 x 14402560 x 1440
Pixel Density444 ppi443 ppi441 ppi441 ppi441 ppi537 ppi523 ppi402 ppi538 ppi534 ppi
ProcessorSnapdragon 855Snapdragon 845Snapdragon 670Snapdragon 835Snapdragon 821Snapdragon 855Snapdragon 845Snapdragon 670Snapdragon 835Snapdragon 821
RAM6GB4GB4GB4GB4GB6GB4GB4GB4GB4GB
Storage64GB, 128GB64GB, 128GB64GB64GB, 128GB32GB, 128GB64GB, 128GB64GB, 128GB64GB64GB, 128GB32GB, 128GB
Rear camera12MP, 16MP tele12MP12MP12MP12MP12MP + 16MP tele12MP12MP12MP12MP
Front camera8MP8MP, 8MP (wide)8MP8MP8MP8MP8MP, 8MP (wide)8MP8MP8MP
Battery2,800mAh2,915mAh3,000mAh2,700mAh2,770mAh3,700mAh3,430mAh3,700mAh3,520mAh3,450mAh
BiometricsFace UnlockFingerprintFingerprintFingerprintFingerprintFace UnlockFingerprintFingerprintFingerprintFingerprint
Water protectionIPX8IPX8NoIPX7IPX3 (barely any)IPX8IPX8NoIPX7IPX3 (barely any)
Wireless charging?YesYesNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNo
Fast charging18W18W18W18W18W18W18W18W18W18W
PortsUSB-CUSB-CUSB-C, 3.5mmUSB-CUSB-C, 3.5mmUSB-CUSB-CUSB-C, 3.5mmUSB-CUSB-C, 3.5mm
Daydream VRNoYesNoYesYesNoYesNoYesYes
Weight (lbs)0.360.330.320.310.310.430.400.360.380.37
Dimensions (in.)5.79 x 2.7 x 0.325.70 x 2.70 x 0.306.0 x 2.8 x 0.305.7 x 2.7 x 0.305.7 x 2.7 x 0.346.31 x 2.96 x 0.326.20 x 3.00 x 0.306.3 x 3.0 x 0.306.2 x 3.0 x 0.306.1 x 3.0 x 0.34
Starting price$799$799$399$649$649$899$899$479$849$769

Update, October 16th at 5:15PM ET: Added the Pixel Neural Core which enables real-time audio transcription. It’s possible it’s a rebranded Pixel Visual Core, since it replaces that core and similarly does machine learning, but Google does say the real-time transcription feature it enables is exclusive to Pixel 4.

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