Review on Google Pixel 5A 5G 128GB 6GB RAM Unlocked International 📱 Version (GSM Only) - Black, Not Compatible with Verizon/Sprint CDMA network by Dale Rylander

Physical: ***** Coming from the Pixel 3a, I was a little worried about this phone's large display, but it turns out the phone itself isn't that much bigger - The screen just fits more edge, especially the top and bottom. There were some concessions to this design (e.g. "Home" and "Back" can now be swiped), but overall it's a welcome change. However, the 5A is noticeably heavier due to the larger battery. And it's not what I would look for when I'm looking for a phone, but I have to admit that 2 or even 3 days without charging or taking an extra battery on day trips, something I really liked. The fact that it's waterproof belongs in the same category, which keeps me light when I'm out in the woods. I really wish it had wireless charging and an in-display fingerprint sensor so I could unlock it without picking it up, but at this price I'm really happy with the kit. One last thing to mention: the phone is a very dark green color. It looks black most of the time, but noticeably isn't in direct sunlight. Most people (including me) don't care if they use a phone case. Setup: ***** Switching from one Pixel phone to another was completely painless. Most of the data was backed up via a cable to connect the old phone to the new, and some apps were synced via their cloud. Of course, I had to re-login everywhere, but everything stayed, even the raw images captured on the Pixel 3a (rather than uploaded to Photos). 5G: ****This phone supports 5G, but only so-called sub-6 bands. It lacks mmWave, an option that delivers significantly faster speeds in urban areas, and C-band support, which is touted as the future of 5G. Both mmWave and C-Band are somewhat theoretical now (in 2021), so it's not surprising that Google decided not to cram those options into a mid-range phone, but I suspect it will in a year or two something will become of a dud. Obstacle. Oddly enough, 5G service is pretty touchy for me. My Pixel 3a had a steady 100Mbps on 4G almost anywhere, anytime in NYC, but 5A 5G is everywhere. I often get over 200Mbps, but indoors or just occasionally get to 50Mbps, and my infamous record was 15Mbps. YMMV obviously, but my point is that 5G may not give you the boost you were hoping for. Cameras: ***** This phone doesn't have a dedicated telephoto lens, but otherwise shares the same hardware as the Pixel 5, which has been praised for its excellent image quality. I'd add that double-clicking the power button launches the camera app very quickly, the autofocus is excellent for a phone camera, and of course you can shoot "in raw" which leaves more room for post-processing. The night mode has been improved and is really impressive. Conclusion: ***** My slight disappointment with 5G aside, this is the phone I've been waiting for. It's a rugged, responsive device with excellent outdoor cameras.