PhoneLifespan

Google Pixel 3a

Avoid buyingValue Score 40/100
$75
used/refurbished market price
$399 at launch

How long will it last?

Official promise

Supported until May 2022 · Buy-by May 2020

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2019◆ Buy-by May 20202022

Google promises 3 years of updates for this phone, so it's supported until May 2022 — buying it today still gets you about -4.0 years of safe use.

Source: Google's official policy · last verified 2026-06-12 · how we compute this

Our verdict

Google's breakout budget Pixel with a class-leading camera, now retired from updates.

Pros

  • Outstanding 12.2MP camera for its price
  • Compact and light at 147g
  • Headphone jack retained

Cons

  • Updates ended in May 2022
  • No water resistance and a modest chipset
Best for: Budget photographersBest for: Fans of small phonesAvoid if: You need ongoing security patchesAvoid if: You want fast performance

Full specifications

Display

💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).

Screen5.6-inch OLED, 1080 x 2220, 60Hz
Performance

💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.

ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 670
RAM4GB
Storage64GB
Cameras

💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.

main12.2MP
front8MP
Battery & charging

💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.

Battery3,000 mAh
Charging18W wired
Build

💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.

Dimensions151.3 × 70.1 × 8.2 mm
Weight147 g
MaterialsPolycarbonate unibody, Gorilla Glass 3 front
Water resistanceNone
Software & connectivity

💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.

SoftwareAndroid 9 Pie at launch
Connectivity4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C, headphone jack
Update policy3 OS upgrades · 3 years of security updates (official promise)

Better-value alternatives

Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.

Frequently asked questions

How long will the Pixel 3a get updates?

It is no longer supported. Google's three-year window ended in May 2022, with a final update by July 2022.

Why was the Pixel 3a so popular?

It delivered the same flagship-quality Pixel camera for around half the price of the Pixel 3, making computational photography affordable.

Is the Pixel 3a still usable in 2026?

Only for basic tasks. With no security updates since 2022 and an aging Snapdragon 670, it is not advisable for sensitive use.

Compare it

Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-12.