Last year, the Pixel 3 proved that it's possible to use software to create a thoughtful phone that's just as powerful, and sometimes easier to use than competitors crammed full of the latest high-end components.

Google's top-of-the-line Pixel series just received two new smartphones, the Pixel 3a, and Pixel 3a XL aimed at the upper midrange segment. This is the Google Pixel 3a running the pure Android 9 Pie and equips a camera that performs very much like the more expensive Pixel 3.

Compact & Light Weight Design | Resembles Pixel 3; Pure Android | Smooth UX | Faster Android Updates; Remarkable Camera Performance | Mind Boggling Portraits; Crisp & Bright OLED Display | HDR Support; Unlimited Google Photos Storage (~3 Years; Google Playground Is Fun To Play; Decent Performance,...

Large Bezels On Top & Bottom; Lacks 4K Video Recording At 60FPS; No IP Ratings – Not Water Resistant; No Dual SIM Option; No microSD Support; Expensive

The affordable Pixel champion

On the plus side, many will be thrilled to hear that these phones mark the return of the 3.5mm headphone jack to Google phones. Battery life was, in my testing, excellent. The 3a and 3a XL feature bigger batteries than the flagship, and likely aren't as power hungry thanks to less powerful...

The Pixel 3a is a very important product to Google. It marks a return to cheaper but good phones, and it brings many of the excellent features from the £739 Pixel 3 to under £400. The camera is simply better than anything else at this price and so is the software.

Pros: great camera, good screen, great software and support, headphone socket, relatively small, fairly inexpensive, squeezable sides

Cons: poor battery life, average performance, no wireless charging, no water resistance, no expandable storage or dual-sim support, large bezels

Rather than see these phones as Pixel-Lite models, we'd say they are more like a new generation of Nexus phones, showcasing the potential of Android without breaking the bank, only this time with Google's hand firmly on the hardware design tiller.

One of the best phone cameras around, best display on a Pixel phone to date, 3.5mm headphone jack is back.

No special hardware features, waterproofing is gone, Pixel 3a XL doesn't add much.

After months of rumors, the Google Pixel 3a is finally available. It’s a more affordable take on the company’s flagship phone, with corners cut in all the right places. It’s 90 percent of the Pixel 3 at half the price.

Incomparable value, Excellent camera, Great battery life

No waterproofing, The gesture navigation is bad