@Knowstuff --nice to hear a techie person talking up the Pixel. I love my 2, will definitely stay with these whenever I have to upgrade, but it’s still got a ton of space and everything works fine. My S has the 3 and loves it. The 3a now seems like an incredible bargain! Also, like you say, their cameras are phenomenal. Also just upgraded to Android 10; didn’t see much difference but it was a seamless process.
@garland… Just having some fun. But lots of nice features in 10. I am a huge fan of dark mode. It really saves battery life and to me looks cool. The security features are nice. Whenever you upgrade to a new version like this read to see that’s new. The monthly is just security updates but this update is a system update with advanced features as… https://www.android.com/android-10/?gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoKzsBRC5ARIsAITcwXH4xbSdlKnBGKc6FqUxMQTwqtq4YaADe1vgTkCK-DG-KBtZlGeuzeoaAseCEALw_wcB
I usually go to settings and start going down the listing one by one. Lots of new feature in there. Have fun.
But note that the Pixel 3a does not have an IP rating for water resistance, and does not have wireless charging (the Pixel 3 has both). I have had previous phones fail due to the charge port no longer working, so the lack of wireless charging at least as a backup charging option can be a limitation on the lifetime of the phone.
A little tip. If you carry your phone in a pocket long enough, you will collect lint in the charge port. Use a sturdy toothpick to clean it out. Worked like a charm on Mr.'s iPhone 4 last August. 
Yup, iphone 4 - he had it for so long. Yup. It was still working. One Apple tech said Mr. needed a new phone. The tech’s boss got a paper clip out and cleaned the charge port.
Did that, did not work. Even tried scraping with paper clips in case it was corrosion, did not work.
Some complicate things. You can get a waterproof (or resistant) case and I’ve never used wireless charging, I can trade tech talk, but some of us love our technology to be simple and functional, not spiffy. That includes some person at the store loading it up for us and not too much weight from acronyms. Idon’t use the cloud, either.
Sure, I can google and I do.
I will def try the toothpick tip.
We’ve used the toothpick trick many times- primarily on phones that live in jeans pockets. I would get a chunk of lint out of S’s phone, then kept digging around and would get 3 or 4 more. Amazing just how much lint can get tightly packed in that tiny port.
@ucbalumnus… Now your starting to sound like everyone on the One Plus forum. I am 58… Never had an issue with rain on my phone… Ever… Plus I use a basic case and screen protector. More so just a habit.
Never needed or used wireless charging. These phones charge up super fast and have very long battery life. Only phones I ever had with port issues were some Samsung 3. They broke just looking at them… Lol…
Lint can be an issue and just pulled some out last week myself. It happens. I got the Pixel 3a for $299.00 since they had $100 off when it came out and Amazon made a mistake on my order and they gave another $100 credit so I actually got one (bought 2) for $199.00 which is crazy.
What you might not be getting that even at $399.00. The performance and camera etc rivals the phones at $800.00. That is why it’s such a value.Plus a real headphone jack. I really was waiting for the One Plus 7 Pro but then the price came out and I decided I didn’t need to spend that much on a phone anymore. Who do they compare the camera to? Yes… Pixel.
BTW - when it really rains… Put your phone away… Lol… ?
If your port isn’t working it can become separated from the mother board. Places like Ifixit can get it back working quickly if the phone is still worth it. And I reread your post. Yes the Pixel 3 has those 2 features. Most of the reviews state that but it comes down is it worth it to the end user? There is a large variance in price. The Pixel 4 is ready to launch and the predicted price is again like $800. When they came out with the pixel 3a they sold out almost immediately at $399. This struck a cord as a good price point /feature phone evidently. Apple is coming out in the spring with a new in theory smaller phone at… $399.00…I think the days of $1,000 phones is decreasing but there will be those that want it.
One of the main markets is not the US. It’s India and China. In India having a new phone is like a status symbol. Many get new phones like every 6 months… Have to have the latest features. Same as many young professionals here it seems… I tend to drive mine into the ground.
Gotta say, I love my Pixel. My original-generation one lasted me several years until I jumped in the pool with it in my pocket (oops) a few weeks ago. Replaced it with a 3a (only $399!) and got one for my H at the same time. Like OP, H is also VERY non-techie. He has taken to the Pixel 3a very easily and actually is “enjoying” his phone now!
Camera is great, love the size (still fits in my pocket). I’d highly recommend. We got ours at a Verizon store.
Great that you get to try your husband’s phone…it might help you make a decision about your own.
Are you saying your husband vetoed an IPhone for you? Why would he do that? It’s your phone…not his?
Well to stay on topic. One Plus just did a reveal of their two new phones https://www.oneplus.com/launch-event-livestream
@Knowsstuff , he doesn’t like Apple products. He pays, so he gets veto power, lol.
I took the phone to be fixed. It was a loose connector gizmo. They can’t fix it. I guess five years is a respectable amount of time for a phone, and the new one is on the way, as I said. Farewell Galaxy 5.
Hope you like your new phone!!
We went with Motorola Moto phones in the $200 range. Researched cellphones online-good brand, also went for slale prices. Check the specs (forget which website) and decide amenities/price. Recent (mine is Moto G5 plus) phones have more energy efficiency, capability, speed…
We mainly use our phones for their originl intent (calls, texts). But- good camera on recent ones. Favor Android.
Like Wis75, I am fond of Motorola. Just purchased a new Moto G7 Play two days ago from Ebay. Firstly, the sleek design is appealing. Not bulky at all. I’m interested in the basic functions. I hardly use the fancy functions (though my first experience with Google Voice was ‘wow, this is cool’). I wish I had ordered the 64GB version, but so far no “lag” problems with what I have (32GB). Like my previous purchases, I bought the “Global/International” version of the G7, which is one of Motorola’s mid-priced phones. I have used an MVNO for every smartphone I have owned and have experienced no problems. I read several reviews from trusted sources prior to the purchase. I am happy with Motorola. Their phones are very user friendly. If you intend to spend more, investigate phones from Xiomi, which some tech folks call “the Apple of China.” The Xiomi Redmi Note 7 Smartphone (GSM) gets enthusiastic reviews, comes fully loaded with 64GB (or more)and is available from Ebay for around $200.
Now your talking my language…
https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/test-centre/mobile-phone/best-chinese-phones-3616945/
Problem with it is their play store has had major issues in the past. But good phone over all
I do love my iphone 10. It is thin and I can hold it in one hand. I don’t think I have ever visited an Apple store because I didn’t know what to do with my phone. Everything is very intuitive to me. I am kind of a techie person, but not on the hardware side. I just like how all the Apple products are so integrated. I like it when I text people and I get a blue highlight rather than green. I usually have the latest phone, but I may wait a bit before I get an 11.
^This “I never visited an Apple store because I didn’t know what to do with my phone” is confusing to me. Is that an Apple user assumption that phones are complex and you might have to visit a store for instructions? Maybe it’s a mindset–there are no “Android” stores, but I can’t imagine why there’d be a reason to visit a store for phone instructions. I’m guessing Apple appeals to that reassurance?
Also interesting that you refer to the color-coded text bubbles. My students call it the “green bubble struggle” and how resentful they are when someone’s comments come up in green. I found it hilarious that Apple has built in a meaningless but apparently super-vital color difference so that Android users can be spotted and shamed.
I can make everyone’s text bubble any color I want on my Android, and Android doesn’t feel the need to mark the interlopers with a color of shame. Apple built-in snobbery is amazing.