Mobile technologies have upgraded enormously; one of the main developments is the development of 4G technology. It’s a word that you’ve surely encountered in your daily life, but what is 4G? And is Google Pixel 3a 4G capable? We will answer these and other questions related to Google Pixel 3a 4G technology in the following article.
is the Google Pixel 3a4G-compatible phone?
Absolutely, Google Pixel 3a has the required hardware and software to support 4G bands.
How can I know whether Google Pixel 3a is able to use 4G or not?
It’s not a big deal to figure out whether your phone is 4G-enabled, but it’s still vital to know how to do it. Because you don’t want to be left over with a phone lacking an essential technology nowadays.
You can check the information directly by googling the phone name or model number, and checking on the official website of the manufacturer or any other credible website. If you are a classic person, you can check the manual or the device box.
Another easy way is checking the signal bar while the cellular data is on, if the Google Pixel 3a 4G data is activated, then you will see a 4G or LTE symbol there. If it’s not mentioned then you should consider another way.
Another way is to check the settings: Go to your settings and look for network mode, usually as follows: Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) > Cellular Data Options (or Mobile Data Options). If your phone is 4G-enabled you will find a 4G or an LTE option. If you don’t see either of them, then your smartphone isn’t 4G-enabled.
How to switch to 4G on Google Pixel 3a?
If you intend to turn on your Google Pixel 3a 4G network, then follow the instructions (it might vary a bit from the settings on your own device):
1- From Home screen, select Apps.
2- Choose Settings.
3- Tap Network & internet.
4- Select Mobile network.
5- Select Advanced.
6- Choose Preferred network type.
7- Select 4G or LTE option.
Note: If you would like to turn off 4G then choose an inferior network type (e.g. 3G).
Introduction to 4G technology on Google Pixel 3a
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the entity that defined 4G in the first place, 4G is the fourth generation of wireless technologies. It comes just after 3G and preceding 5G.
4G has very high internet uploading/downloading speeds, ten times more than 3G, Which is enormous. It also has 50ms latency, much less than 3G.
4G is not just one technology, but a set of technologies compatible with ITU specifications. It includes LTE, LTE+, and HSPA+.
Advantages of 4G on Google Pixel 3a
4G outruns the former generation in terms of speed and latency. It provides 10 times better downloading and uploading internet speeds. The average 3G speed is around 5 Mbit/s, and the average 4G speed is about 50 Mbit/s.
In terms of latency, 3G provides a 100 ms latency, while 4G has half of that, meaning 50 ms, which is preferable because latency is a time delay between the sender and the receiver. Although the difference is only 0.05 seconds, it presents a huge advantage in live interactions, like gaming experiences and live broadcasting.
VoLTE is a protocol that gave 4G a boost. It allows users to make improved voice calls and surf the internet while talking on the cellphone. These advantages make Google Pixel 3a 4G technology a great tool in your hand.
Get to know 4G bands in your Google Pixel 3a
Before talking about 4G bands, you should find out what the frequency is. Frequency is the repetition of an event, and it is quantified in radio communication by hertz (Hz).
Since radio waves are utilized for different reasons besides 4G (radio broadcasting and Aeronautics as examples), it is vital to identify which frequencies must be used for what purpose. Otherwise, radio waves will contradict, and it would be a mess.
Governments and ITU allocated each range of frequencies (called bands) to certain uses.
What you should consider as a user of Google Pixel 3a, is whether it supports the bands present in your area by your local carrier or not. The Google Pixel 3a4G-enabled bands are :
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71;.