“Google Store has sold through its inventory and completed sales of Pixel 3a. For people who are still interested in buying Pixel 3a, the product is available from some partners while supplies last.”

The Pixel 3a and 3a XL were launched in 2019 as affordable spinoffs of Google’s flagship Pixel 3 and 3 XL phones. They were even better-received than their more expensive counterparts — which suffered from a rough start, with users complaining about sluggish performance, worrying battery life and camera-stability problems — seeing as they offer Pixel’s best features on a budget. To note, they come with Pixel 3’s highly praised camera and an excellent battery life. While Google has yet to officially launch the Pixel 4a, 3a’s exit doesn’t entirely come as a surprise: Google discontinued the Pixel 3 and 3 XL in March.

Buy AirPods Pro at Amazon – $228

Fire TV devices

Nicole Lee / Engadget

A number of Amazon’s Fire TV devices are still on sale. The Fire TV Cube for $100 is notable because it hasn’t been on sale since February and this sale price is only $10 more than its lowest price ever. We gave the newest Fire TV Cube a score of 84 for its improved performance, solid handling of voice commands and support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+. If you don’t want to spend that much on a streaming device, you could opt for the Fire TV Stick that’s on sale for $30 or the 4K version that’s on sale for $40.

Buy Fire TV Cube at Amazon – $100

Buy Fire TV Stick at Amazon – $30

Buy Fire TV Stick 4K at Amazon – $40

Nest WiFi

Daniel Cooper

Google’s Nest WiFi 2-pack with one router and one access point is still on sale for $199. You can find it at this price at Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond and Home Depot. It’s a great deal if you want to upgrade your home WiFi, which you’re probably using now more than ever before. We gave the system a score of 84 for its smart design, simple installation process and its built-in smart speaker.

Buy Google Nest WiFi at Best Buy – $199

Buy Google Nest WiFi at Bed Bath and Beyond – $199

Nest Learning Thermostat

Google

BuyDig still has Nest’s Learning Thermostat for $199, which is $50 off its normal price. This deal also includes a couple freebies — one Deco wall plate cover for the thermostat and two Deco WiFi smart plugs. We recommend checking that your heating and cooling system works with Nest thermostats before buying.

Buy Nest Learning Thermostat at BuyDig – $199

Pixel 3a

Engadget

B&H Photo still has a sale on Google’s Pixel 3a smartphone that knocks the starting price down to $280. Some models are backordered right now, so you won’t get a specific shipping date, but the sale price is still available. While we’ve seen the Pixel 3a at $300 before, this is the lowest price we’ve seen yet on the handset. We gave the Pixel 3a a score of 87 (and the XL a score of 88) — they’re both solid midrange smartphones with excellent cameras, improved battery lives and included headphone hacks. The Pixel 4a may be just around the corner, but the Pixel 3a is one of the best options available now for those who need an affordable smartphone.

Buy Pixel 3a at B&H Photo – $280

New deal additions

Theragun G3Pro

Best Buy has Theragun’s G3Pro massage gun on sale for $400 today, down from $600. This is one of the company’s higher-end percussion therapy guns with two speed settings, six interchangeable head attachments and an adjustable arm. While not one of the newest models with Bluetooth connection, it’s still a solid therapy gun at a price that’s more accessible than normal.

Buy Theragun G3Pro at Best Buy – $400

Vantrue N2 Pro

You can get Vantrue’s N2 Pro dash cam for $125 using the code VN6BQOO2 at checkout. Normally $200, this is a great deal on one of Vantrue’s higher-end dash cams that’s just as useful for regular drivers as it is for those who work for ride share companies. The N2 Pro records 1080p video and has a camera that faces inside the car as well, so you’ll get footage of the road ahead of you as well as you driving (and your passengers). It also has infrared night vision, loop recording and a G-sensor that will prompt the dash cam to automatically save footage of the impact event.

Buy Vantrue N2 Pro at Amazon – $125

Amazon Echo Show (2-pack)

A deal on Amazon will save you $100 on two Echo Show smart displays, dropping the price from $460 to $360. Just add two to your cart and use the code SHOW2PACK at checkout. We gave the Echo Show a score of 86 for its improved design and solid audio quality.

Buy Echo Show (2-pack) at Amazon – $360

The only downsides are the lack of water resistance, expandable storage and lower performance, since both phones are equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 670 and not the Snapdragon 845 found on the Pixel 3. That makes it a bit slower for opening apps and processing photos with AI, but we didn’t find that to be a deal-breaker by any means.

We’ve seen the Pixel 3a/3a XL as low as $300 and $380 on Amazon, but the latest discount takes it below that magic $300 barrier, giving you a mid-range phone at a budget price. For now it looks like the Pixel 4a has been delayed until mid-summer, so if you still need a phone during the lockdown, now might be the time to act.

Buy Google Pixel 3a on Amazon – $279

Buy Google Pixel 3a XL on Amazon – $319

The first alternative that springs to mind is Google’s Pixel 3a. It costs the same as the SE, though you might find it on sale now, since rumors are that a Pixel 4a is coming soon. Though the Pixel 3a packs a midrange Snapdragon 670 processor, Google’s tuned its software to make the $400 phone run basically as fast as a flagship. Of course, if you’re a processor snob, you might still prefer the iPhone’s A13 Bionic, which is the same high-end chip found in the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max. But most people won’t notice a difference in performance. 

The Pixel 3a’s screen is noticeably bigger than the iPhone SE’s though. Google’s affordable phone has a 5.6-inch OLED display, which is positively enormous compared to the SE’s 4.7-inch LCD screen. The Pixel also has a higher resolution at 1080p, whereas the iPhone runs at a mere 750p. Both phones start with 64GB of storage and offer single rear 12-megapixel cameras with the same f/1.8 aperture, though Google arguably has better image-processing software. The pair also have similarly sharp selfie cameras, and since the iPhone SE is newer, it supports the latest WiFi 6 standard while the Pixel 3a still uses 802.11ac. However, almost no one uses WiFi 6 yet, so this isn’t the most meaningful feature for now.

If you’re picking between Google and Apple, your decision ultimately boils down to your software preference. These two handsets are quite similar where it counts, though the iPhone SE is a little more future proof, thanks to its superior processor. The Pixel has a slightly better screen and more modern appearance though. 

But these two aren’t the only companies making decent phones for less than $500. Samsung, Motorola and OnePlus all have offerings in that range that you could consider. The Galaxy A51, for example, costs $400 and is currently even cheaper at several stores while the Moto G Stylus goes for $300 at Best Buy. Both of these guys are larger devices, with the Galaxy’s screen measuring 6.5 inches and the Moto’s stretching 6.4 inches. Though they both run at full HD, Samsung as usual delivers a superior AMOLED screen while Motorola uses an LCD panel. The Galaxy A51 and the Moto G Stylus also look more modern than the iPhone SE, featuring the all-screen faces and hole-punch front cameras that we’ve come to expect on flagships. 

Samsung also offers the sharpest selfie camera of the four, with a 32-megapixel sensor. Meanwhile, Moto beats the Pixel and iPhone SE with its 16-megapixel front cam. On the rear, the G Stylus has a 48-megapixel triple-camera system while the Galaxy adds a depth-sensing option. Both of these phones include macro and ultra-wide lenses in their arrays, making for more-versatile shooting. 

Samsung uses its own Exynos 9611 chipset in the Galaxy A51, which performs similarly to the Moto G Stylus’ Snapdragon 665. These still pale in comparison to the A13 Bionic though, which runs much faster. 

Of the four phones I’ve mentioned, those who prioritize powerful cameras and displays might prefer the Galaxy A51. If you like clean Android software, the Pixel 3a is for you — that is, if you can’t wait till fall, by which point we expect the Pixel 4a will have arrived. The Moto G Stylus has the added benefit of having a built-in passive stylus, plus it is the only option to still have a microSD card slot. 

Those with a bit more money to spare should consider the OnePlus 7T. The last-gen phone features a beautiful build and a 6.5-inch full HD screen that runs at a smooth 90Hz. It even supports HDR for richer image quality. Like the Moto G Stylus, the OnePlus 7T offers a 48-megapixel triple-camera system on its rear and a 16-megapixel sensor up front. It costs a bit more than the others at $500, but it uses a powerful Snapdragon 855 processor.

There are, of course, several more options for less than $500 from the likes of TCL, LG, Nokia and ASUS, but honestly they don’t quite hold up to our favorites here. Those looking for an alternative to the new iPhone SE will appreciate that there are plenty of respectable options in this price range. But bear in mind that they’re all Android devices. If you’re stuck on iOS, then you’re stuck with the iPhone SE. It’s great and all, offering flagship performance at a nice price. But you’ll have to live with the outdated design and single-camera setup. The next cheapest iPhone is the XR, which starts at $600 and doesn’t get you more cameras or a better processor. It seems Apple fans who want to save money don’t have that many options after all.

Durability

Speaking of that lightweight feel, our users largely approved of the phone’s materials. Some, like Maddie, thought that “even though it uses a plastic case, it feels sturdy and brilliantly light.” Kyle concurred, saying the polycarbonate body “doesn’t feel cheap or plastic-ish in any way,” adding that the decision to use the material “goes a long way in preserving the body of this phone for your lifetime of ownership.” 

Others, like Kyle, were more focused on durability, saying “it resists scuffs and obvious scratches, remaining reliably dependable inside and out of your pockets.” Travis “dropped this phone to hell and still not even a cracked screen, just the plastic corners getting beat up.” Dustin said the cheaper materials made the 3a “easier to damage” but it “can take a fair amount of abuse; just don’t expect it to look pretty unless you cover it in a case.” Dwight said he wasn’t worried about dropping the device because it’s made out of plastic. Finally, Kevin shared that “we have many 3a handsets in our fleet of company-owned devices — they are trouble-free and reliable and we don’t worry about employees that accidentally damage them.” 

Display

The 3a’s 6-inch OLED display runs at a 2,140 x 1,080 resolution and our reviewer, Chris, enjoyed the punchy ‘Adaptive’ color mode that was the default setting. But he also wished the display was brighter (especially in outdoor lighting). Readers agreed with him: Billy found the colors vivid and the blacks deep and felt the display resolution was more than enough, and “had to scale the DPI settings up due to my eyesight. I don’t think having a higher resolution display would bring any benefits.” He also felt the OLED display was an excellent value for a phone in the 3a’s price range, and that it was much easier on the eyes to read text in dark surroundings from a non-backlit display. 

When it came to screen brightness, Peter, Kyle and Kenshin11 all agreed with Chris Velazco. Peter said the only negative “is that the screen won’t go bright enough outside in the sun, but that impacts pretty much any non-Apple phone.” Kyle felt the “screen brightness does suffer when in full sunlight,” but that it was manageable. This drawback was also Kenshin11’s main complaint. “The resolution for the screen size is fine. It’s a $399 phone, I don’t think you’re going to get a decently bright screen at this price. Besides the lack of maximum screen brightness, this is a solid phone for the price range.” 

Battery

The 3,700mAh battery in the 3a was a noticeable improvement to our readers. Billy felt that battery life was one of the areas where the 3a excelled, and he was “regularly amazed at how at the end of the day the phone can have up to 80 percent of the battery left. Even if I use the phone heavily, it will have 60 percent battery left. In fact, I don’t think my 3a has ever run out of battery so far.” James said battery life was great (but should be swappable), and appreciated the quick charge feature as well. Dergolem found the battery management very good and that it has “gotten smarter as I use it. I get a couple of days’ use before a recharge.” The only users who had a less than stellar experience were Iebe, who called the battery life mediocre, and Dwight noted the battery management is “normal, but not so good that it can last for a full day.” 

Camera

Google didn’t skimp on the camera here; the 3a features the same 12.2-megapixel camera and Sony IMX363 sensor as the more expensive Pixel 3. Users raved about the performance, and across the board had no criticisms. Billy said the camera “is superb, much better than in any of my previous phones, or even my friends’ flagship phones. Night sight even allows me to take photos in what I would before consider impossible lighting conditions.” Peter said he’s “found the camera to be fantastic,” and he “rarely digs out my mirrorless unless I’m vacationing.”  Kenshin11 felt the camera system on the 3a was “leagues above the Note 8. This has taken the best portrait photos of any phone I’ve tried.” Dergolem said the camera “knocks me out. The photos are amazing.” And Kyle, who called the camera unbelievable, thought the Night Sight feature was “mind-blowing, capturing what no other phone can do.” He also said, “As I have kids, my camera is subjected to constant use in all conditions,” and “colors stay true while the bokeh effect can sometimes be overly aggressive, though simply taking an extra photo seems to allow the AI to compensate and correct without any fiddling of setting.” 

Pure Android

One of the main reasons users cited for purchasing a Pixel phone was getting the Android operating system directly from Google itself. As Billy phrased it, “this phone does not have any manufacturer’s second-rate features and apps that just annoy me – everything is pure Android, which is great.” Dustin felt similarly, stating “the pure Android experience is a welcome change to all the skins the big manufacturers put on their Android phones.” Kenshin11 added, “you get vanilla Android, and being directly from Google you’ll get the Android updates very quickly.” 

Fast updates were another big reason why users said they went with a Google-made smartphone, with Ken appreciating the fast OS updates. Billy said he valued that the “software received security updates each month, and new Android versions are made available immediately (within hours) of when they are publicly released.” Dergolem said these were why they stuck with the 3a for as long as possible: “My primary reason for updating [my handset] is OS update support and security patches.” 

Price/Value

In a world where flagship smartphones often cost upwards of $1,000, the 3a’s low price made it stand out even more. Multiple users mentioned they felt they were getting a high quality smartphone on a budget ($299 for the 3a and $479 for the 3a XL). Ken, who said he couldn’t justify a $1,000 purchase price for a smartphone, said the 3a “exceeded all of my expectations and shattered my preconceived notions of what a mid-range smartphone is capable of. This feels like a high-end phone to me.” Page said it was “by far the best budget phone I have ever purchased. For everything you get with this phone there is really nothing at all you can complain about.” Dergolem deemed it a “perfect balance of price and features,” while Dwight called it “the best device you can have in this price range.” User Chris explained that “part of the love is the value people feel they’re getting from such a relatively inexpensive phone,” and Dustin, Billy, Kevin and James all commented on the fair price and good value of their 3a handsets. Kyle said “at $399, Google brought a mid range phone that feels and operates just as reliably as any top tier phone My pocket feels happy, which is not to be understated.” 

Overall

Aside from a few users who reported some snags with Bluetooth connections, our user reviewers had nothing but positive feedback about their experiences with the 3a. Travis had a fantastic experience with his handset, while Ken said “honestly, I have zero complaints. Can’t recommend this phone enough.” Reader Chris declared the 3a his “ideal phone in basically every sense,” and Peter said “after about nine months of use, I really don’t have much to complain about.” Kyle, who had eight months of use with his device, felt it had “exceeded any expectations I had prior to purchase” and that “the team behind Google nailed it out of the park with their 2019 mid-range phones.” Kenshin11 confessed that “this phone does most things very well, so much so, that I’m able to delay getting a new ‘flagship’ phone for even longer – if ever again.”

 

More than anything else about the new SE, Apple’s decision to include the A13 is likely to irk some current iPhone 11 and 11 Pro owners. This isn’t a new tactic for Apple. It did the same thing with the original SE, which shipped with the company’s flagship chip at the time, the A9. That said, a new processor in a mid-priced phone is hardly the norm. Consider Google’s Pixel 3a, which settled for a slower, less-powerful processor. The 3a came with a mid-range Snapdragon 670 instead of a Snapdragon 845. While it likely features less RAM than its iPhone 11 siblings, performance shouldn’t be significantly affected. What’s more, the fact the SE includes the A13 means Apple will likely support the phone with software updates for approximately the same amount of time it plans to maintain the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max.  

Looking at other parts of the iPhone SE spec sheet, what’s notable here is that Apple also didn’t cut corners in a lot of places Android manufacturers typically do. With the SE, you get a device that includes wireless charging and an IP68 rating for water and dust-resistance — two features that are missing from the Pixel 3a and even the recently announced OnePlus 8. Moreover, while it might not have a high-resolution OLED display like the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, it’s hardly a cheap screen either; you still get access to Apple’s True Tone technology and DCI-P3 wide color gamut support.     

Apple could have also gone back to some of its worst past inclinations and made the higher storage configurations significantly more expensive, but it showed restraint there too. If you want the 128GB model, it’s only $49 extra. Meanwhile, you’ll pay a $149 premium to own the 256GB model.    

At least on paper, the new iPhone SE doesn’t feel like it will be a significant step down from its more expensive siblings. More so than any other iPhone before it, the SE shows Apple’s other iPhones cost too much. Yes, there’s something to be said about the fact the SE won’t have the best camera setup, the most modern display or the biggest battery. But it also makes a compelling argument that those things shouldn’t cost $1,000 or more.

To some extent, all manufacturers are guilty of pricing their high-end devices higher than they should (see Google, for example), but Apple has consistently been among the worst offenders. When Engadget’s Chris Velazco reviewed the iPhone 11, he said it “might not be the “best” iPhone, but it’s still the better choice for almost everyone.” We’ll have to see how he feels about the SE and, in particular, its camera, but he may have to revise that recommendation.  

   

Fire TV Stick

Amazon continues to run a good sale on its Fire TV Sticks for Prime members. Use the code 4KFIRETV to get a Fire TV Stick 4K for $25, which is 50 percent off its normal price. The regular Fire TV Stick is down to $23, which is the lowest price we’ve seen it hit outside of Cyber Week and Amazon Prime Day.

Square Enix Switch sale

There’s still time to load up your Nintendo Switch with Final Fantasy games, as all of the main games are still on sale at the Nintendo eShop. Many games are 40 to 50 percent off, and ahead of the remake coming soon, Final Fantasy VII now costs $8. While there are a number of good deals in this sale, we also particularly like Collection of Mana for $20 because you’re getting three games for half the normal price.

Google Pixel 3a

One of the best affordable smartphones is even cheaper than normal right now: Amazon has the Google Pixel 3a for $300 and the 3a XL for $380. The Pixel 3a normally starts at $400, and while this isn’t the lowest starting price we’ve seen ($280), it’s close enough that it’s still a great deal. Keep in mind, though, that a Google Pixel 4a may be right around the corner — it may be best to wait if you want the newest possible Pixel device.

Moog and Korg synth apps

Stay-at-home musicians can get a few extra tools with Moog and Korg apps that are still free. Moog’s Minimoog Model D iOS synth app remains free to download, and Korg’s Android and iOS Kaossilator apps are also free for a limited time (both of the latter are normally $20, making this a great deal). Today is the final day Android users can grab Korg’s app, and iOS users have until March 31.

Affinity apps free trial

Serif continues to offer a 90-day free trial for anyone who wants to try out Affinity software. You can download Affinity Photo, Designer, and Publisher and try them out without any necessary purchase at the end of the trial. But Serif sweetened the deal for those who do want to buy: until April 20, you can get 50 percent off the computer and mobile versions of all Affinity programs — yes, that includes the iPad version of Affinity Photo, which is now $10.

New deal additions

Master & Dynamic WFH sale

Audio company Master & Dynamic hopes to make the transition to work-from-home life easier for some with its work-from-home sale that slashes up to 50 percent off some of its popular headphones, earbuds and speakers. Use the code WFH50 to save on select items, including the MW07 wireless earbuds (Engadget’s Billy Steele reviewed the updated model, the MW07 Plus). Most of the sale items are older models, but considering Master & Dynamic devices can be quite expensive to begin with, it’s worth grabbing all the discounts you can get. The sale ends Sunday, March 22.

Disco Elysium

The award-winning detective game Disco Elysium is back down to its lowest price ever — $30 — on Steam. The game has dropped to this price before, but this is a good time to buy it if you’re looking for a new PC game to dive into during your free time. Disco Elysium developer ZA/UM also recently added a “Hardcore True Detective” mode that you’ll want to try, but only once you get used to the base game.

Apple Watch Series 5

While the Apple Watch Series 5 doesn’t see huge discounts, Amazon has a 40mm model for $360 now. That’s $40 off it’s normal price of $400, and only $5 more expensive than the lowest price we’ve seen it. With the next version of the Apple Watch likely six months away, now’s a good time to buy the Series 5 while it’s slightly more affordable than normal.

Apple Mac mini

After Apple modestly updated the Mac mini earlier this week, B&H Photo has discounted the 2018 Mac mini. A model with a Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage is now $880, which is $20 less than its previous lowest price. While less powerful Mac mini models are also on sale, this deal has the right specs at the right price.

SanDisk Ultra microSDXC card with adapter

If your Nintendo Switch or your smartphone needs some extra storage, consider Newegg’s deal on a 256GB SanDisk Ultra microSDXC card with adapter. Use the code EMCDEGR28 to take an extra $5 off to get this bundle for only $31. This deal ends tonight, so it’s one to grab sooner rather than later.

Frequent Engadget readers will know all about our love for the Pixel 3a and 3a XL. When he reviewed the phone last year, Senior Editor Chris Velazco said, “none of the compromises [Google] made in producing this cheap Pixel actually feel like compromises.” He praised the Pixel 3a and 3a XL for their excellent performance and battery life, as well as their superb primary camera. If you can get past the fact that they don’t feature expandable storage and waterproofing, the Pixel 3a and 3a XL are easy to recommend.

That said, based on what we’ve seen from recent leaks, you may want to hold off on buying the 3a. Google may release the Pixel 4a, the 3a’s successor, sometime in the next month or two. What’s more, the 4a will likely include several major upgrades over the company’s current budget champ, including a faster processor, more RAM and a screen with less prominent display bezels. Unless you desperately need a new phone, it may be best to wait, particularly since the 4a is likely to start at around a modest $400.

According to TecnoLike, the phone is made of plastic. Its camera array houses a 12-megapixel sensor and a built-in flash module. It may also include a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor to help with portrait mode shots. Unlike the Pixel 4, it looks like the 4a will feature a capacitive fingerprint scanner — no Project Soli sensor here. There’s a USB-C port at the bottom of the device and a 3.5mm headphone jack up top. Also noteworthy is the logo located toward the bottom of the phone. We’ve seen similar logos on past Pixel leaks. They’ve usually been an indication that the phone is a pre-production model.

Not surprised at this leak, but I am surprised that the Pixel 4a basically appears ready at this point. I’m hearing that the launch won’t be for at least a couple of months, if not later. Google’s launch cadence seems increasingly forced. https://t.co/VJkV8YiGep

— David Ruddock (@RDRv3) March 10, 2020

On the front of the device, TecnoLike claims the Pixel 4a features a 5.81-inch display. The 1080 x 2340 resolution gives the screen a 443 pixel per inch pixel density. In another departure from the Pixel 4, the refresh rate of the 4a’s display maxes out at 60Hz.

Internally, the phone reportedly features a Snapdragon 730 processor, 6GB of RAM, a 3,080mAh battery and 64GB of non-expandable storage (welp). Besides the Motorola Razr, we haven’t seen a lot of phones with 700-series Qualcomm chips make their way to North America. The Pixel 3a shipped with the Snapdragon 670 and 4GB of RAM, so the extra RAM and beefier processor should lead to a nice performance boost.

Notably, TecnoLike doesn’t mention an XL variant, which suggests one may not exist. We also see the phone running the upcoming April Android security patch. Last year, the Pixel 3a launched at Google I/O, so read what you will into the security patch. When the Pixel 4 started leaking last year, Google tried to counter by detailing some aspects of the phone ahead of its official launch last October. We could see the company do something similar again.

When we first spotted this deal, Best Buy had was also offering the phones for $50 off. However, it has since cut the price of both the 3a and 3a XL by an additional $50, making them $300 and $380 respectively. You’ll also get a $100 gift card when you buy either of the two devices from Best Buy.

Engadget’s Chris Velazco gave the Pixel 3a and 3a XL scores of 88 and 87 when he reviewed them. For the price, he found Google’s mid-range phones offered reliable performance and battery life, as well as an excellent camera. As expected for two devices that cost less than $500, they don’t include an official water resistance rating, but that’s an easier omission to come to terms with when they’re $50 to $100 cheaper.