Last week, Google, in a bid to capture market share in emerging market announced affordable phones Pixel 3a, 3a XL at I/O 2019.
In India, the new Pixel 3a series is directly foraying into the sub-Rs 45,000 territory, which OnePlus is the reigning leader. The latter has been top-pick for consumers looking for flagship phone but doesn't cost a bomb.
DH lists key features of devices, which will assist you to make an informed decision.
Display, design and build quality
In this aspect, OnePlus 6T trumps Pixel 3a series on all three aspects. It has big 6.41-inch full HD+ Optic OLED display with water-drop notch leaving the wide area of the functional display so that users can have enthralling viewing experience watching multimedia content. It comes with full HD+ resolution display having an 86-percent screen-to-body ratio.
On the other hand, Google Pixel 3a and the 3a XL have very thick bezels, very reminiscent of 2017-era phone models. If you need a big display, then go for the Pixel 3a XL.
As far as the build quality is concerned, the Pixel 3a series is a letdown. Both the models come with the polycarbonate-based shell on the back. They come with a dual-tone shell similar to the original Pixel 3 with top-portion consisting of a single-lens camera are enclosed in the glass.
On the bright side, Google has incorporated OLED-based screen on Pixel 3a series, which the consumers will enjoy true black and natural RGB colors on HD videos.
One positive point of Google Pixel 3a over the OnePlus 6T is that the latter comes with a 3.5mm audio jack, while the former does not. If you are a music aficionado, you know which to buy between the two.
OnePlus 6T: 6.41-inch full HD+ (2280x1080p) Optic AMOLED screen with 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 6 shield
Pixel 3a: 5.6-inch full HD+ OLED display with 2160x1080p resolution
Pixel 3a XL: 6.0-inch full HD+ OLED display with 2160x1080p resolution
Processor, RAM, storage
Again, OnePlus 6T comes up trumps in this aspect. It is a monster compared to the Pixel 3a series. The latter houses Qualcomm's Snapdragon 845 chipset under its belly and comes with 6GB/8GB RAM and 128GB/256GB storage options.
OnePlus has already released Android Pie-based OxygenOS 9 and the now the Android Q beta is available for the OnePlus 6T.
Google Pixel 3a series houses Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 octa-core, which is way subpar for a phone costing close to Rs 40,000. The only saving grace is that it runs pure Android Pie and will be the first phones to get Android Q later in the year. In total, it is sure to get three years of major software support (until 2022).
OnePlus 6T: 10nm class 2.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 octa-core CPU with Adreno 630 GPU, 6GB/8GB RAM (LPDDR4X), 128GB/256GB (UFS 2.1)
Pixel 3a and 3a XL: Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 octa-core processor with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage
Camera
Thanks to Google's photography software sorcery, Pixel 3a series, despite having a single-lens camera, beats OnePlus 6T's dual-camera by miles. Already samples are out in the social media channels and Google too, during the Pixel 3a keynote presentation, took potshots at top rival brands for featuring sub-par camera hardware inside the expensive phones.
OnePlus 6T
Main: 16MP with Sony IMX519 sensor, 1.22 µm pixel size, Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS), CDAF (Contrast Detection Auto Focus), F1.7 aperture + 20MP with Sony IMX376K, F1.7 aperture, 1.0µm pixel size, PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus) with dual-LED flash, AI Scene Detection, Portrait, Pro mode, Night mode, Panorama, HDR, HQ, Studio Lighting, RAW image
Front: 16MP with Sony IMX371 sensor, 1.0µm pixel size, Fixed focus, F2.0 aperture, Portrait, HDR, Screen flash, studio lighting, face retouching, smile capture
Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL
Primary camera: 12.2MP with F1.8 aperture, 1.14-micron pixel size, 76-degree Field-Of-View (FOV), dual Phase detection, Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS), full HD recording, 4K video recording, Night Sight, slo-mo video recording, Google Lens integration
Front camera: An 8MP sensor with F2.0 aperture, 1.12-micron pixel size, 84-degree FOV, full HD, HD video recording
Battery
One of the highlight features of OnePlus 6T is the big battery and its super-fast charging capability. It can easily last a whole day if not more under mixed usage. It can also charge from zero to 100-percent in under 90 minutes.
On the other hand, Google Pixel 3a comes with a full day's battery life and the Pixel 3a XL can last more than a day under mixed-usage. Both the models come with an 18W fast charger.
OnePlus 6T: 3,700 with USB-C WARP fast charging feature
Pixel 3a: 3,000mAh with USB-C 18 W adaptor with USB-PD 2.0
Pixel 3a XL: 3,700mAh with USB-C 18 W adaptor with USB-PD 2.0
Price
In terms of price-to-specs ratio, OnePlus 6T comes on top over the Google Pixel 3a series.
However, If your only priority is a good camera phone with decent battery life, you can bet on Google Pixel 3a series. Or if you are an extreme gamer and power-user then, OnePlus 6T is one for you.
OnePlus 6T: Since the OnePlus 7 is coming later this week, OnePlus 6T recently received price cut and is now available for as low as Rs 32,999.
Google Pixel 3a: Rs 39,999 will be available after May 15
Google Pixel 3a XL: Rs 44,999 will be available after May 15
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