The Google Pixel 4a smartphone is now available for pre-order and offers plenty of value in the camera department. The new phone arrives after the discontinuation of the earlier Pixel 3a model which left fans of the Google line of phones with little option when avoiding the most expensive premium phones. Whether taking family photos or sharing cameo selfies on Snapchat, the enhanced camera functionality is included on a phone that only costs $350 in the US.
It doesn't take a professional photographer to know that features matter, but with image editing software available for so long, pictures taken on mobile devices can receive some of the same professional editing. That's why with so many releases focusing on camera improvements, photographers and avid tech users alike get to enjoy plenty of upgrades and enhancements with each new model. Overall, smartphone cameras have come a long way since the flip phone, and now the same people with thousands of hours of picture taking on powerful hardware can draw upon that experience while taking their next selfie.
Google boasts a lengthy list of improvements with its new phone, starting with the camera. The full-screen 5.81-inch display and HDR+ will adjust color and lighting on images, helping to automate the time-intensive editing process which brings media-worthy images. Night Sight is one of the Pixel line's most popular camera features and uses smart magic to enable picture taking in low-light conditions with a 1.12 μm pixel size, such as those encountered in astrophotography, meaning that if surrounding light pollution is low then this phone could photograph the nearest arm of the Milky Way. For endeavors less extraterrestrial, there's a blur feature that can apply background softening for a unique look. Adding to the ease of use, images can also be shared to third-party apps directly from the viewfinder.
Pixel 4a Is More Than Just A Camera
Powering these features is what Google calls an 'all-day battery' which learns user habits so as to reduce power consumption and enable longer use. Accomplishing this doesn't require much information, as the apps used the least are only given less power until the user happens to load them up again. While buyers are right to be cautious when any predictive data on user habits is mentioned, Google appears ahead of the curve on this thanks to the Titan M security chip, which protects the operating system and user data. Adding to the general security nature of the phone, the Pixel 4a will automatically receive security updates for three years, starting from when the device first became available in the U.S.
The long and short of it is that Google took the time to release a phone packed with features relevant to users, while addressing some of the security-related concerns of the tech community on the hardware level. The fire-and-forget implementation of a chip receiving updates without requiring the user will theoretically help defend those unaware that missing even a basic update can affect security. For most users, however, the spotlight remains on the advanced functionality of the Google Pixel 4a's camera, and just how much technology can help take the best selfie.
Source: Google