To this day, compact mobiles are still few. Back in 2020, Google was one of the few manufacturers that dared to launch small, powerful phones, and the Pixel 4a was a legend. It was a very interesting option in the mid-range, offering the Pixel 4‘s main camera in a cheaper, more compact body.
But that was five years ago. I’ve analyzed this phone’s status in late 2025, and this is my complete analysis and opinion on whether you should buy one today.
Quick Verdict (2025): DO NOT BUY.
The Google Pixel 4a is past its “End of Life” (EOL). Its guaranteed software and security update window from Google ended in August 2023. It is stuck on Android 13 and no longer receives security patches, making it unsafe to use in 2025, especially for banking or personal data. Furthermore, a January 2025 “battery performance” update has intentionally reduced the battery life for many users. Despite its low used price, it is no longer a recommended purchase.
Design: Still Compact and Comfortable
One of the best features of this phone is its size. Its dimensions of 144 x 69.4 x 8.2mm make it one of the most compact models you can find. The 5.81-inch screen occupies nearly the entire front, with a simple camera hole in the corner.
The back is made of polycarbonate (plastic) with a smooth, matte finish. It includes a rear-mounted fingerprint reader, which is still incredibly fast and reliable—many users prefer it to slower, in-screen readers. The phone is very comfortable, soft, and not slippery. It even has a 3.5mm headphone jack, a rare feature today.
While the design is “basic” by 2025 standards, its comfort and one-handed use are still excellent.
Google Pixel 4a (2025) Features & Status
- Dimensions: 144 x 69.4 x 8.2mm, 143g
- Screen: 5.81-inch OLED, Full HD+
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G
- RAM: 6 GB
- Storage: 128 GB
- Main Camera: 12.2MP with Dual Pixel (Still great!)
- Front Camera: 8MP
- Battery: 3,140 mAh (Degraded)
- Last OS: Android 13
- Update Status: SUPPORT ENDED (August 2023)
Screen: Still a Great OLED Panel
The Pixel 4a features a 5.81-inch OLED panel with Full HD+ resolution. Five years later, this screen still holds up. It’s sharp, bright, and has a very good color rendering with brilliant whites and the deep, perfect blacks you expect from an OLED. While it’s only a 60Hz panel (not a fast 90Hz or 120Hz), the tactile response is still excellent.
Performance and Battery (The 2025 Reality)
The Pixel 4a has a Snapdragon 730G processor. In 2020, this was a decent mid-range chip, and Google’s optimization made it feel fluid. In 2025, this processor is noticeably slow. It will work for browsing and social media, but it will lag in heavy applications and is not a good choice for modern games.
The battery is a much bigger problem. The 3,140 mAh battery was small to begin with. On a 5-year-old used model, its health will be severely degraded. To make matters worse, a mandatory Google update in January 2025 was pushed to prevent failure in old batteries, and this update intentionally reduces charging performance and capacity.
Camera: Its Only Redeeming Feature
The camera is the one point that has surprised me. The device has a single 12.2-megapixel main camera—the same sensor used in the Pixel 4. This is the phone’s legendary strength.
Even in 2025, this camera is fantastic. The Google processing and HDR+ work like magic. In good daylight, its photos can still compete with—or even beat—many new, $200 budget phones. Its portrait mode, which uses only software, is still better than many new phones with “dedicated” blur sensors. It can even compete with older flagships like the iPhone 11 Pro in terms of color and dynamic range.
However, this one great feature is not worth the security risk.
Software: The End of the Line (The Dealbreaker)
The main reason to buy a Pixel phone is for the pure, up-to-date Android software. This is also the main reason you must avoid the Pixel 4a in 2025.
Its guaranteed update support ended in August 2023. It is stuck on Android 13 and will never receive Android 14, 15, or 16. More importantly, it no longer receives monthly security patches.
Using a phone without security updates is like living in a house with no locks. Any new security flaw discovered in the last two years is an open door. You should not use this phone for banking, email, or any app that contains personal data. This single point makes the phone obsolete.
Price and Conclusion: Is the Pixel 4a Worth It?
The original Google Pixel 4a price was $349. In 2025, you can find it on the refurbished market for under $100. (You can check refurbished prices here: Amazon).
Even at $100, it is not worth it. The security risk is too high. The performance is dated, and the battery is poor.
If you are looking for a cheap, compact Android, you are far better off buying a refurbished Pixel 6a or Pixel 7a. These are still supported, have much faster processors, and will provide a safe, modern experience for years to come. The Pixel 4a was a legend, but its time is over.
Positive and Bad Points (2025)
Positive Points
- The camera is still excellent, even in 2025.
- Very compact and comfortable for one-handed use.
- Has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
- The OLED screen is still sharp and bright.
Bad Points
- NO MORE SOFTWARE OR SECURITY UPDATES (ENDED IN 2023)
- Unsafe to use for personal data or banking.
- Poor battery life (due to age and a 2025 update).
- Slow performance compared to new budget phones.
- Misses modern features like a wide-angle camera or 5G.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Google Pixel 4a still good in 2025?
No. While its camera is still good, the phone is no longer safe to use. It stopped receiving security updates from Google in August 2023, leaving it vulnerable to security risks. We do not recommend buying one.
What is the last Android version for Pixel 4a?
The Google Pixel 4a’s last official update was to Android 13. It will not receive Android 14 or any future OS updates.
Why is my Pixel 4a battery so bad in 2025?
There are two reasons. First, the battery has aged for 5 years. Second, in January 2025, Google released a mandatory patch for the Pixel 4a that intentionally reduces battery capacity and performance to prevent hardware failures on old devices. This has made battery life even worse for many remaining users.
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