If you love your Pixel 3 XL but are ready to switch to a newer Pixel, there are several options to choose from. The features that are worth investing in will depend on how you use your phone and what you are looking for.
While Google’s latest and greatest phone is now the Pixel 5, you can pay less and get more features by going with a Pixel 4 or 4 XL on Swappa instead. You can also opt for another phone on Google’s current lineup, the Pixel 4a 5G or the Pixel 4a. Any of these phones will give you the same Google software experience you love, and grant you more time with Android update compatibility.
Whichever Pixel you choose, you can save a ton on a Pixel upgrade by buying newish on Swappa. Now, let’s compare these Pixel phones — so you can decide what’s right for you.
Pixel Specs
| Pixel 5 | Pixel 4a 5G | Pixel 4a | Pixel 4 XL | Pixel 4 | Pixel 3 XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6 inches | 6.2 inches | 5.8 inches | 6.3 inch | 5.7 inches | 6.3 inches |
| Network | 5G | 5G | 4G | 4G | 4G | 4G |
| Display | FHD+ (1080 x 2340) Flexible OLED at 432 ppi Smooth Display (up to 90 Hz) Full 24-bit depth for 16 million colors | FHD+ (1080 x 2340) OLED at 413 ppi Full 24-bit depth for 16 million colors | FHD+ (1080 x 2340) OLED at 443 ppi | FHD+ (1,080 x 2,280) OLED at 537 ppi Smooth Display (up to 90 Hz) | FHD+ (1,080 x 2,280) OLED at 444 ppi Smooth Display (up to 90 Hz) | FHD+ (1440 x 2960) OLED at 523 ppi |
| Battery | 4080 mAh Wireless charging Battery Share | 3885 mAh | 3140 mAh Fast charging | 3700 mAh Wireless charging | 2,800 mAh Wireless charging | 3430 mAh Wireless charging |
| Water resistance | IP68 | n/a | n/a | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Face unlock | Face unlock | Fingerprint sensor |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB | 6 GB | 6 GB | 6 GB | 4 GB |
| Rear camera | 12.2 MP dual-pixel wide angle 16 MP ultrawide | 12.2 MP dual-pixel wide angle 16 MP ultrawide | 12.2 MP dual-pixel wide angle | 12.2 MP dual-pixel wide angle 16 MP telephoto | 12.2 MP dual-pixel wide angle 16 MP telephoto | 12.2 MP dual-pixel |
| Front camera | 8 MP | 8 MP | 8 MP | 8 MP | 8 MP | 8 MP wide 8 MP ultrawide |
Learn more about the Pixel 3XL in our Pixel 3 XL Buyer’s Guide and Pixel 3 XL Overview. Not sure if the Pixel 3 XL is the phone for you? Head over to our Google Pixel Roundup 2021 to see how the most popular Pixel phones stack up.
Pixel 3 XL vs Pixel 5
Released in October 2020, the Pixel 5 has a high-refresh-rate display, an impressive camera, and 5G capabilities. 5G allows users to take advantage of faster data speeds for downloading videos and streaming games, and lower latency for video calls. Even if you can’t count on using 5G right now where you live, buying a 5G phone will future-proof your phone for the days when 5G is more of reality.
The Pixel 5 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor, and it’s available in two colors: black and sage green. Unlike the Pixel 3 XL, which has an additional ultrawide lens, the Pixel 5 only has one selfie camera. The Pixel 5 has an 8 MP hole-punch front camera, making more room for its prominent 6-inch screen. That means you won’t find the same large forehead you get with the Pixel 3 XL. And since it’s protected by Gorilla Glass 6, you don’t have to worry too much about scratches.
Pixel devices are known for their phenomenal cameras, and the Pixel 5 doesn’t disappoint. Pixel cameras do what they do best not because of the actual camera hardware, but Google’s machine learning imaging software.
Google introduced new camera features with the Pixel 5, making Portrait Mode even more powerful in low-light situations. Google’s HDR is also improved, bringing more vivid photos and upgrading their photo editing software.
In addition to the 12.2 MP dual-pixel camera, the Pixel 5’s rear also includes a 16MP wide-angle lens. If telephoto lenses are your thing, consider opting for a Pixel 4 or 4 XL.
The Pixel 5 doesn’t come with an XL size option, so if you like bigger phones, maybe consider the Pixel 4a 5G (6.2 inches) or the Pixel 4 XL (6.3 inches). However, the Pixel 5 is 6 inches, which is larger than the Pixel 4 and 3. So perhaps the Pixel 5 is the perfect middle-ground for you.
Like the Pixel 3 XL, the Pixel 5 has a fingerprint sensor conveniently located on the back. One reason to switch to the Pixel 5 from the Pixel 3 XL is the larger battery (4080 mAh), as well as faster wireless charging and a boost in RAM. While the Pixel 3 XL has 4 GB of RAM, the Pixel 5 has 8 GB — facilitating multitasking.
The phone retails at $699, but you can get it for as low as $570 on Swappa.
START AT
Pixel 3 XL vs Pixel 4a 5G
If you’re intrigued by the 5G capabilities of the Google Pixel 5, but want to save a bit of money, consider upgrading to the Pixel 4a 5G instead. This phone is also a bit bigger than the Pixel 5, at 6.2 inches — the largest Pixel phone in Google’s latest smartphone lineup.
The battery is smaller than the Pixel 5 (at 3885 mAh), but still larger than what you’d get with the Pixel 3 XL, so you can still expect better battery life. You’ll also get 6GB of RAM, delivering better multitasking performance than the Pixel 3 XL.
Just like the Pixel 5, the Pixel 4a 5G has one 8MP front-facing camera and two rear cameras: one 16 MP ultrawide, and one 12.2 MP dual-pixel. You also can expect similar camera performance, with the same Pixel features like night Sight, Top Shot, Super Res Zoom, and more.
For about $460 on Swappa, the Pixel 4a 5G is a great, budget-friendly upgrade from the Pixel 3 XL. With this phone, you can count on Android software updates until November 2023. However, if protecting your phone from water damage is a big concern, go for a phone in the Pixel 4 series (or splurge on the Pixel 5) instead, as they have a better IP rating. Another important thing to note is that the Pixel 4a 5G doesn’t come with wireless charging. So if that is important to you, go with another Pixel.
START AT
Pixel 3 XL vs Pixel 4a
Google’s current budget Pixel option available in stores is the Pixel 4a, which was launched in August 2020. With a 5.8-inch OLED display and a headphone jack, the Pixel 4a brings you lots of elements you love from Pixel phones, except it’s made of plastic. Not only does this make for a more affordable phone, but the device might be more durable if dropped.
The Pixel 4a won’t get you the high-refresh-rate screen found on the Pixel 5, 4, or 4 XL, there’s no wireless charging, and it’s not 5G compatible. However, its 6GB of RAM will improve your multitasking performance, if you’re coming from a Pixel 3 XL.
With just one rear camera and one front camera, the Pixel 4a still offers a great camera for the price with lots of Google software features. And with this phone, you can plan on Android software updates until August 2023. You can find it on Swappa for about $322.
START AT
Pixel 3 XL vs Pixel 4 XL
If you prefer a bigger smartphone and want to take advantage of some of the features that you can’t get in the Pixel 3 XL or in any current Google Pixel, the Pixel 4 XL is your bet.
This phone has a 6.3-inch OLED display with a smooth, high refresh rate screen. Coming from the Pixel 3 XL, you’ll see improved performance with 6GB of RAM and the faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor. You’ll also see better battery life, with a larger 3700 mAh battery.
Switching to the Pixel 4 or 4 XL also means new features you can’t get in any other Pixel. The Pixel 4 series introduced Motion Sense, which is the culmination of Google’s futuristic Project Soli. Motion Sense is a combination of radar hardware and innovative software, bringing the most advanced motion sensing features and gesture recognition ever seen on a consumer device. This creates a bubble of awareness around the Pixel, which allows for touchless gestures and more. This feature is no longer available on the new Pixels. So if you want to use Motion Sense to easily swipe between tracks while listening to music, or swipe to dismiss calls, go with a Pixel 4 or 4 XL.
To make room for Motion Sense, the Pixel 4 XL has a larger forehead on its display. This bezel is also what allows for the phone’s face unlock feature, which is said to be faster than Apple’s Face ID. The new unlock method makes use of the powerful sensor array crammed into the top bezel to deliver speedy and secure device authentication. This feature was also discontinued by the newer Pixels, which went with a fingerprint sensor instead. If you prefer a fingerprint sensor, go for a Pixel 5, 4a 5G, or 4a instead. Get the Pixel 4 XL on Swappa for as low as $284.
START AT
Pixel 3 XL vs Pixel 4
Upgrading to the Pixel 4 from the Pixel 3 XL might be the smallest step, but you still get a lot of new features.
Just like the Pixel 4 XL, the Pixel 4 also includes Google’s Project Soli, Motion Sense, and the super-fast face unlock feature. You’ll also get the silky high-refresh rate display, which was not available on the Pixel 3 lineup.
The Pixel 4 is 5.7 inches, which is great if you’d prefer a compact phone. The phone also sports more RAM, a better processor, and other perks making it a more modern phone than the Pixel 3 XL. You can also expect Android software updates until October 2022 with the Pixel 4. And on Swappa, you can grab the Pixel 4 for as low as $239.
START AT
Other Pixels
And if you’re still hanging onto another older Pixel, like the Pixel 2, there are still some things to love about the Pixel 3 XL. The Pixel 3 series introduced wireless charging, which we didn’t see on older Pixels. Also, the Pixel 3 XL brought Super Res Zoom, an innovative machine learning camera feature also found on later Pixel models. This feature takes photos in bursts and then merges them together to fill in extra details in your snapshots.
The Pixel 3 XL debuted Night Sight, improving the camera’s ability to take low-light photos. If you like an ultrawide camera, the Pixel 3 features the same 8 MP ultrawide selfie cam you can find on the Pixel 3 XL.
START AT
Price
For most people, whether you should upgrade to the Pixel 4, 4 XL, 4a, 4a 5G or 5 will come down to price. Swappa is the best place to find a reliable, gently used Pixel in new, mint, or good condition. Not only can you trust the tech you buy on our people-powered marketplace, but you save a ton of money. And with Google discontinuing the Pixel 3 and 4 series, you can’t buy them from Google — but you can still find them on Swappa.
Both the Pixel 3 and 4 were valued at $799 at launch. You can now get the phone on Swappa for a fraction of the price. We’re talking under $350 bucks. Compare Pixel prices below.
| Google Pixel model | Avg price (November 2020) |
|---|---|
| Google Pixel 3 XL (64 GB) | $194 |
| Google Pixel 3 XL (128 GB) | $235 |
| Google Pixel 4 (64 GB) | $322 |
| Google Pixel 4 (128 GB) | $392 |
| Google Pixel 4 XL (64) | $382 |
| Google Pixel 4 XL (128) | $382 |
| Google Pixel 4a (128 GB) | $324 |
| Google Pixel 5 (128 GB) | $660 |
