Neither the Google Pixel 3a nor Pixel 3 receives Android version or security updates from Google anymore. That support status is the most important consideration if you are choosing a used phone today. Between the two, the Pixel 3 is faster and adds wireless charging, a wide-angle selfie camera and an IP68 rating; the Pixel 3a has a headphone jack and a slightly higher listed battery capacity. For a daily-use phone that handles sensitive information, the lack of security updates is a substantial drawback for either model.
Pixel 3a vs. Pixel 3 at a glance
| Feature | Pixel 3a | Pixel 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor and memory | Qualcomm Snapdragon 670; 4 GB RAM | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845; 4 GB RAM |
| Display | 5.6-inch OLED, 2220 × 1080 | 5.5-inch flexible OLED, 2160 × 1080; HDR support and Gorilla Glass 5 listed |
| Rear camera | 12.2 MP with optical and electronic image stabilization | 12.2 MP with optical and electronic image stabilization; spectral/flicker sensor |
| Front camera | One 8 MP fixed-focus camera | Two 8 MP cameras, including a 97° wide-angle camera |
| Battery and charging | 3,000 mAh; 18 W wired fast charging; wireless charging not listed | 2,915 mAh; 18 W wired charging and Qi wireless charging |
| Build and protection | Polycarbonate unibody; 3.5 mm headphone jack | Glass exterior; IP68 rating; no headphone jack listed |
| Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB |
| Google software and security updates | No longer receives Android version or security updates | No longer receives Android version or security updates |
Specifications in the table are from Google’s Pixel 3a and Pixel 3 specifications; current update status is listed on Google’s Pixel update page.
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Do the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a still get updates?
No. Google’s current support page lists both phones among devices that no longer receive Android version or security updates. Google originally promised three years of updates for these models; that launch-era commitment has run its course. Neither phone is a good choice as a secure primary device if you depend on current security patches.
Which phone is faster?
The Pixel 3 is faster on paper. It uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845, while the Pixel 3a uses the Snapdragon 670; both have 4 GB of RAM. That makes the Pixel 3 the stronger choice for processor-intensive tasks, though the specifications alone do not establish how a particular aged or repaired handset performs today.
#1 Best Overall
- Capture stunning photos with features like night sight, portrait mode, and HDR+.
How do their cameras compare?
Rear cameras
Both phones list a 12.2 MP rear camera with optical and electronic image stabilization. The Pixel 3 also lists a spectral/flicker sensor, but the headline rear-camera resolution and stabilization are similar.
Selfies and group photos
The Pixel 3 has two separate 8 MP front cameras, including a 97° wide-angle camera, so it offers more flexibility for group selfies or wider framing. The Pixel 3a has one 8 MP fixed-focus front camera.
Rank #2
- Fullscreen 6.0-inch (152.4mm) displayFHD+ (2160 x 1080) OLED at 402 ppi18:9 aspect ratio
- Camera 12.2 MP Front Camera 8 MP
- Battery 3700mAh
- Experience HD Voice, Video Calling and Simultaneous Voice & Data. Enable Wi-Fi Calling and make calls anywhere you have a Wi-Fi connection.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 2.0GHz + 1.7GHz, 64-bit Octa-Core
Does the Pixel 3a have a headphone jack? Does the Pixel 3 have wireless charging?
Yes: the Pixel 3a has a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The Pixel 3 does not list one, but it does support Qi wireless charging; wireless charging is not listed for the Pixel 3a. Choose according to which feature you will actually use, particularly if you already own wired headphones or a Qi charging pad.
Which screen is larger, and what about storage?
The Pixel 3a has the slightly larger listed screen: 5.6 inches versus 5.5 inches on the Pixel 3. The Pixel 3’s specification lists HDR support and Gorilla Glass 5; the 3a specification lists an OLED display at 2220 × 1080 resolution. For storage, the Pixel 3 comes in 64 GB or 128 GB, while the Pixel 3a is listed with 64 GB. Neither phone is documented here as having expandable storage.
Rank #3
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- Soft microfiber lining for cushioned scratch protection.
- Raised-edge protection, for the day-to-day and the rough-and-tumble.
- Squeeze for help.
- Perfectly made for your phone, the Pixel 3a Case works with Active Edge. Just squeeze your Pixel to access the Google Assistant.
Does the Pixel 3a have better battery life?
Not necessarily. Google lists a 3,000 mAh battery for the Pixel 3a and a 2,915 mAh battery for the Pixel 3, a small capacity difference that does not prove which used phone will last longer. Battery wear varies from handset to handset, so the condition of the individual battery matters more than the original capacity figures.
At the Pixel 3a’s 2019 launch, Google claimed “up to 7 hours of battery life on a 15-minute charge” and “up to 30 hours on a full charge.” These were launch-era claims, not guarantees for a used device or results from a current head-to-head battery test. Google’s 2019 Pixel 3a announcement also said the phone would receive three years of security and operating system updates.
Rank #4
- 6.2" OLED 428PPI, 1080x2400px, 120Hz, HDR10+, Bluetooth 5.3, 4575mAh Battery, Android 14
- 128GB 8GB RAM, Octa-core, Google Tensor G3 (4nm), Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510), Mali-G710 MP7
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.7 (wide) + 12MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), Front Camera: 10.5MP, f/2.2
- 2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, CDMA 800/1700/1900, 3G: HSDPA 800/850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/46/48/66/71, 5G: 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/66/70/71/77/78/258/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Nano-SIM and eSIM
- Compatible with Most GSM + CDMA Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Sprint.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Pixel 3a if the headphone jack matters most
The Pixel 3a is the match if you want a 3.5 mm audio jack and a polycarbonate unibody. Its slightly higher stated battery capacity is not enough to conclude that a particular used unit has better endurance.
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The Pixel 3 is the better fit if you value its faster processor, wide-angle selfie camera, Qi wireless charging, IP68 rating, or 128 GB storage option. Its glass exterior and the age of any used unit are relevant when assessing condition; an IP68 rating should not be treated as a guarantee against water damage, especially on an older or damaged phone.
Check the particular used phone before buying
There is no single used-phone price or condition implied by the model name. Before buying either one, check the specific listing’s condition, return terms, carrier compatibility and battery state. Do not assume that a listing’s “refurbished” label establishes battery health or that a damaged or repaired phone retains its original water protection.
Quick Recap
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