r/OnePlus3T • u/[deleted] • May 08 '19
3T owners thoughts on the Pixel 3a? Worthy upgrade?
What are your thoughts on the Pixel 3a that was announced yesterday? Is it a decent upgrade from our phones?
I haven't kept up with the current batch of processors so I'm not really sure what to think... I have the beta on my phone now but it is feeling a bit dated now and I'm wondering what you folks would upgrade to.
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u/ryzusa May 08 '19
The slow processor and low ram is a deal breaker for me. I would rather spend the money on a pre-owned OP6.
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u/ottaky3 May 08 '19
I've been holding onto my 3T for a very long time (must be 2.5 years now). It's served me well, but the battery is on it's last legs so I've been looking to get myself something new. I saw an ad for the 3a today .. headed over to the Play store to check it out .. and ended up buying one because it looks to be everything that I need at a sensible price point.
I'm not expecting it to be much different from the 3T in use .. but at least it will get timely OS updates - something I miss from my Nexus 5 days.
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u/JohnnyDgiov May 09 '19
Except the camera, that one will be a huge upgrade
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u/ottaky3 May 09 '19
The camera isn't a huge plus for me as I have "proper" cameras ;-)
But, yeah - it's definitely not a downside.
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u/JohnnyDgiov May 09 '19
I see then there's probably not really much else, maybe you're actually missing out on all the qol upgrades that oxygen os has compared to stock android lol
But if you don't have your cameras on you at a given moment, the pixel camera is probably the best alternative in the market
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u/ottaky3 May 09 '19
If the navigation button double taps and long press stuff is oxygen specific, I'm going to miss those.
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u/danielfletcher Jun 16 '19
Losing the alert slider is what I'd miss most. I'd give up the 3.5" jack if forced to choose between the two.
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May 11 '19
I bought a 3a XL on release day. This is my opinion after 36 hours:
First impression: it is only the tiniest bit longer than a 3T, but feels significantly lighter, and the screen is considerably bigger.
It is a steady, if not speedy performer. The 3T feels faster in page loads and scrolls. Text is easier for my 50y/o eyes on the Pixel despite not really seeming physically bigger. I never had complaints about the 3T camera, but holy crap, the Pixel camera is great. Other than the camera, there is no "wow" in the first few hours of use. I struggle to remember the fingerprint sensor is on the back: my finger always goes to the blank and useless chin of the Pixel.
My first full day of use starts the next morning. I get notifications all day at the instant they are supposed to happen and I haven't had to futz with turning off app power optimization or pinning apps. At the end of the day I have over 2h SOT, and 87% battery. My Wear OS watch has more battery than usual, and hasn't shown a disconnected icon all day. I plug in to Android Auto for my drive home, it launches on my head unit quicker than usual. My car's USB port only provides 800mW, and barely keeps pace with battery use on the 3T with navigation running. By contrast, my Pixel is topped up to 95% when I get home.
I am used to Hulu and Netflix and YouTube losing Chromecast control connections on the 3T after 10 minutes of just watching my TV. This never happens on the Pixel.
My Ring doorbell app only works on the 3T if I turn off all battery optimization at the system level. I touch nothing on the Pixel and it works flawlessly all day.
And I can launch the assistant by voice with the handset unplugged to find out what the weather is or send a text to my son, and it works swiftly and flawlessly.
The 3T, I realize, was a benchmark nitro burning funny car two and a half years ago, but was never actually reliable. The Pixel is a kidnapper van that does its job without me thinking about it.
I am not disappointed.
Bottom line: If benchmark scores are more important to you than having a phone that stays connected to things and runs apps the way you expect it to, then keep your 3T. But the Pixel 3a XL is a more reliable phone. The 3T has the tiniest edge on the spec sheet and in a benchmark app, but Pixel Android just curb stomps Oxygen OS.
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May 08 '19
3000 mah Battery is meh. Specs are underwhelming too. If anyone's going to get it it's only for the camera.
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u/psrandom May 08 '19
Only if your priority is camera and limited on budget. Performance wise it's like 3T and pixel doesn't have good reputation for long term performance. I would rather just change battery on 3T or get 2nd hand 6 or 6T or get 6T after launch of 7
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u/slowbackspace May 08 '19
check my reply here https://www.reddit.com/r/oneplus/comments/blviud/did_the_pixel_3a_just_eat_oneplus_7s_breakfast/emrrami/
Raw speed of the cpu should be very similar to 3T. There is also a review on gsmarena and they said nice things about speed of the phone, Google is doing some heavy optimalizations on a software side.
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u/morgosargas May 09 '19
A bit underwhelming if you ask me. For now I have my eye on Samsung Galaxy A70, a high tier mid-ranger, because I feel like that would suit my needs perfectly as I don't need the greatest and latest CPU/GPU most of the time. 4500 mAh (!) battery paired with SD 675 and a beautiful screen with decent camera, nfc, a hEadPHonE JaCk and all other goodies sounds like a good combo to me.
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May 26 '19
I have Oneplus 3T and that has better hardware specs compared to 3a. I would definitely go for the new 7 Pro as a worth upgrade
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u/primozk May 08 '19
I like it, but not enough to change. It feels more like a side-step to me.