Pre order from Amazon US. Free delivery for prime members. Save $62.32
Mod edit 24/8: Price from $538.68 to $544.85 (likely to change continually, mostly currency fluctuations).
CamelCamelCamel.
Especially Amazon US
I know Amazon is unlike most others, but I'd still not give up that hassle for such a tiny saving.
Hate to be the guy defending Amazon, but the best warranty and service I have ever gotten has always been from Amazon, even Amazon US. Plenty of times I've had to return things in warranty and Amazon are always easy to deal with. Never have to talk to idiots in a shop who already want to deny your claim the moment you walk in. They're also very generous with returns.
FWIW, I'd much rather buy from Amazon US than most local retailers who may not even be around in 6 months time, and who treat their customers with contempt. Amazon figured out that the best customer service is just to stay out of the way.
I know there are arguments regarding statutory warranty and how that may apply if you purchase locally, but let's be serious, what are you going to do, take Harvey Norman to court?
Don't get me wrong, I know Amazon is great in that regard.
But $60…. You'd need a bigger discount, and as below, unsure if all bands are supported too.
There's something to be said about being able to take it back to your local store as opposed to sending it overseas…
There's something to be said about being able to take it back to your local store as opposed to sending it overseas…
I'd much rather send it away than have to go into a local store and deal with people who already want to deny my claim before hearing my story.
I've bought PC parts from Amazon US. Have had things turn up DOA or die a few months later. A few button clicks, sometimes a message or two to their chat and off it goes with the courier.
Bought a Nintendo Switch from Harvey Norman that had a fault (its fan was always spinning 100%), took it in store. Spoke to some incompetent moron who said it "looks like it's working normally", before being passed to another rep who said "yeah, the fan has to spin up so it doesn't overheat", before speaking with a manager who had to verify by turning on a display model that this was abnormal behaviour. After that was still trying to justify that he wasn't sure if this was a fault. All in all, took me almost an hour to sort it out.
I'd actually be willing to pay more to not have to deal with that level of incompetence.
Ultimately Amazon is a well-oiled machine, they've figured out that cutting costs and keeping the customer happy is the best strategy (and tbh, they're quite successful). If you want to come into a local retailer to just have a chat to the staff and browse the shelves, fair enough, but I would never buy anything from brick-and-mortar stores.
Even whitegoods, online stores are so much better with warranty and service.
@p1 ama: We all know harvey norman is shit, and I won't be buying from amazon US
First Amazon (especially amazon us) is a shit company to both employee and its "business partners". Because of their monopoly they can provide what seems like an awesome shopping experience at the exploitation of its employee.
Second, I have had countless good experience about a warranty claim with local stock. Bought a wireless headphone two years ago, all the eartips did not fit me well, took it to the store and got a refund straightaway.
First Amazon (especially amazon us) is a shit company to both employee and its "business partners". Because of their monopoly they can provide what seems like an awesome shopping experience at the exploitation of its employee.
That's fine. There are plenty of reasons to not want to purchase from Amazon. I respect that, but it's also a red herring as the discussion is about warranty claims, not about the ethics of Amazon.
@Masterfrog233: Wow so noble boycotting amazon due to their monopoly. Do you boycott woolworths too due to their monopoly or are you playing double standards? What about apple? What about nestle?
You only avoid amazon because it’s easy for you and doesn’t effect your every day life but you claim it as a noble cause
@sauce2k6: Yeah, why look at the ethics of the company as long as they can provide the cheapest stuff possible. In the US, amazon literally provide the shittest delivery experience possible because it is more expensive to pay their staff properly, then just sending you another one.
As for WW and apple, they are hardly monopoly at all. If you really wanna use another company, google of microsoft make much more sense
@Masterfrog233: I suppose you are also boycotting google? Including the search engine? The company is threatening to shut their entire australian operation just because a draft law targeting their monopoly on data will supposedly erode its market power
@Masterfrog233: Funny that you can’t express disapproval of big business ethics without a bunch of hailcorporate wackos coming out of the woodwork to argue that you are in the wrong, because poor business ethics are everywhere.
Amazing level of irony
@p1 ama: Officeworks, my phone had an issue and they didn't even check. Just gave me a full refund.
Harvey Norman <> all brick and mortar retailers.
Harvey Norman <> all brick and mortar retailers.
Which is exactly my point. You never know with B&M retailers. I've had plenty of good experiences at Harvey Norman, plenty of bad experiences at Harvey Norman and same can be said for almost every other retailer. It's because they don't seem to have any coherent policy on a lot of these things and it's all up to which rep you speak to and who the manager on duty on any given day is.
I've had issues at a product I bought from JB HiFi. Had to deal with an unhelpful/difficult rep the first time I came in, just couldn't be bothered. Came back the next day and spoke to another guy who resolved my issue within 15 minutes. That's the issue with B&M. It's not that all stores and all customer service reps are bad, it's that it can be a runaround which is a waste of time.
There are a lot of things I don't like about Amazon, but one of the things I do like is that all of this has become automated. Instead of having to drive around, speak to multiple reps…etc. not knowing whether I'll be able to get the outcome I want, I just have to click a few buttons on their website and I'm done. Amazon knows the role of a retailer is to stay out of people's faces, they don't need large showrooms and staff walking around doing nothing.
This is not an endorsement of Amazon as much as it is an indictment of the way that B&M stores do business. There's no more money in B&M retail anymore, instead of being able to hire specialists who know the products they sell, they hire uni kids for pennies who are there for pocket money to pay the rent and have little incentive to actually learn the products their selling. Not to mention poor middle management and unrealistic targets that really don't promote any sort of development of their staff. I know what it's like, as with most people, I worked these sorts of jobs when I was in uni as well.
I'd have to agree. If you have access to JB-HiFi gift cards at 5% discount then I'm thinking you'd be able to pre-order locally for $570, making the saving even smaller still.
Bought a pixel 1 refurbished on FB market early last year. Had not been unwrapped by owner. Turns out the refurbished unit was faulty. Contacted google and they sent me a RMA and swapped the phone. Not sure whether I'd have had the same outcome with Amazon without a tax invoice.
They did the same thing for me a years back but with the Google Pixel C tablet. They even gave me the 64GB version instead of the 32GB.
Yep, when it comes to pixels, you want to make sure you have perfect warranty
bought from FB market
They absolutely did not have service your phone. Sounds like you either hoodwinked the service agent or you were extremely lucky and they made an exception
Take your point but what's the warranty? In US i heard 12 months is the norm.
Tbh I'd rather have statutory warranty than an easier return in the unlikely event the phone doesn't last 12 months
With Google the device has to be sent back to where the stock originated from. I had a Nexus 5X that was from Singapore and although Google accepted to fix the phone i had to send the phone back to Singapore rather than just sending it to an authorised repairer in my area. It would most likely apply with this Pixel 4a if you had to claim warranty for it.
@bogak: That sucks.
Still, my key point is in Australia you'd get 2 years (3 if lucky) warranty under ACL.
In America the norm is 1 year. The product page didn't seem to say. There is no minimum warranty period in US either. I'm not sure if ACL applies when someone overseas sells to an Australian but it'd be impossible to enforce.
Not really related but I had a Pixel 2 XL for some time (from the Telstra deal here) and it was riddled with issues, I had to RMA the phone3 seperate times. Switched to a Samsung S10 5G and have never looked back. The only thing I must say is the image processing on Pixels is outstanding, the single camera was and is still better than the quad cameras on the S10.
Yeah my Mothers and my oldest sisters Pixel 2 XLs were swapped, supposedly for new devices, several times during that famous 24 month JB Deal not long after launch.
And they are still having hassles, blank screen, no charging, poor reception, calls dropping….
Terrible.
Great when they work….. but yeah never had this issue with any other phone. I am of the impression that newer models aren't as bad (but the 3 was so fugly and the 4 was overpriced.
Yeah the pixel 2 was a train wreck. I had two in two years, last one just died 6mo after warranty expired. Should have insisted on a refund after the first one died after 12mo!
I'll be going for nokias from now on. Not as well engineered, but also a lot cheaper.
My pixel 2 is nearing 3 years and is not showing any signs of wanting to die on me. I just want an excuse to get a new phone. :(
@Munki: Me and my sister's Pixel 2's are humming along perfectly as well. I think their manufacturing was a bit inconsistent in the early days, but it's improved a lot since then (Pixel 3 didn't have the same display issues, for example).
@Munki: Same, my pixel 2 got through some Telstra deal back on release when it was basically free on their $65 plan for 24 months, had it on Circlez 100gb for $18 for the last year and it seen fine.
Worst thing is the battery only lasts a day but I guess that what you expect nowadays for a 3 year old phone?
@Munki: My pixel 2 also running great. I am set in my ways and need 2 things on a phone. Rear fingerprint and front notification led (that can be programmed to different colors dependent on what notification it is). It seems the Pixel 2 was the last to have both….don't know what to get next when the time comes. FML. Why does Google delete things?…you're supposed to add not delete features.
front notification led
Lol, was about to chime in with "my pixel 2 still going strong" and I learn something totally new - thanks!
Just bought a new case actually - I'm going to push this phone as long as I can.
@Munki: Same here, still on pixel 2xl and it's going strong. Seeing how the pixel 5 will go but loving the unlimited Google photos storage on original resolution still. I've had call mic issues but after getting the free Telstra Samsung ear buds with their rewards, they've work well and no more mic issues
Went the way around from Samsung to pixel. At least with pixel you get 3 major updates of Android. Samsung support isn't good enough.
Samsung S10 onwards get 3 years of security and os updates mate. Samsung has local stores and local stock, no need to ship to Hong Kong etc.
samsung matched that update schedule btw as of the s10
Must say I have had all type of phones and Samsung phones are really bulletproof, now all my family has Samsung s series phones. I have had s8, s9, s10, s10 lite and now a s10e, out of all these phones, only one phone broke (s10) because I dropped the phone in water and then put it on charging, it was the only time the phone didn't show the water inside port notification, so I thought it must be dry. minutes later, smoke started coming out of the port, but phone still worked, just had to charge it wirelessly. I wash phones a lot of times and have even managed to drop them in sea water, but they keeps working. I had a xiaomi which stopped working after being in rain lol. I would easily pay 2 or even 3x the price for samsung phones over other brands. After the s10 broke, I got a s10 lite but it was not waterproof so got a s10e.
So you’ve gone through 5 samsung phones in 3 years. That doesn’t sound very economical. My 4-year-old iPhone 7 has survived around 20 falls onto concrete from hip or chest height. It still works, and it’s still fast. Camera is still amazing, although not quite as good as the Samsung S7 Edge. Unfortunately my S7 Edge’s screen died after a single drop from less than hip height. Not only did the screen shatter, but it also stopped working.
Yes, its not. Technically I have only gone through 3 phones, I was going to keep the s10 but the charging port fried and needed to use it in car for navigation for when I am going on trips and the wireless charging was very slow. I am sure if you put water inside the port and shortcircuit the iphone, it is also not going to come out working fine. I could keep the s8 for 3 years too but I like to upgrade every year.
No issues with my wife’s pixel 2 XL .. got it from the same deal
Yeah there have been quite a few horror stories re: Google hardware support. You'd think that years later (and all the other kit they flog) they'd have it figured out but apparently not.
The only worry for me is the battery size but they said 24hour battery life.
There is a good Android police article on battery life it sounds fantastic
Let me check only 3140mAh.
Looking at battery capacity without considering other parts is misleading.
As Draco posted, 6+ hours of screen time is pretty decent. Most people wouldnt have the phone's screen active that long each day,
Wouldn't this be a us model for us frequencies? Or are all pixels one SKU?
Yup US model going by part num
GA02099-US
It looks to be all one SKU GSM arena reports all usual Australian bands.
It's said Australian version have a set of earbuds while US version don't have it.
that's true and a good point. only two regions get the earbuds and Australia is one of em.
Whose the other?
I remember hearing it's required in Australia, forgotten the reason, possibly something as strange as why Pickles are supposedly in Cheeseburgers lol
The other country that requires earphones to be included with a phone is France.
I'd assume it's an equality legislation thing for blind people. They'll need to hear the screen reader function, and there's times where they would require headphones to do so appropriately
@scottySK: Don't blind people have headphones/earphones anyway, probably better quality too. If it's a legislation thing all it does is add unnecessary cost and e-waste.
The only info I can find is that this phone was to be released on 20th of August. But it looks like pre orders through JB hi-fi for example is for end of September? And this link to Amazon says October?
What's the best/quickest way to get my hand on this phone? I'm confused. I'm happy to pay the full $599.
Directly from Google store.
Google store says 15th of October…
My preorder said 10th September.
So I cancelled it and bought a used 4xl for the same price.
Remember when our dollar was equal to USD? I wish that was now
rememer when AUD$0.69 was one USD$1.
My best buy then was a TwoBrother exhaust for my motobike.
Australian dollar has never been that strong against USD. 🤔
Pretty sure the $AUD was pretty high against $USD in early 80s - 90s. That was before we float the currency.
In 2011 it was buying 1.10 USD.
"The highest valuation of the Australian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar was during the period of the peg to the U.S. dollar. On 9 September 1973, the peg was adjusted to US$1.4875, the fluctuation limits being changed to US$1.485–US$1.490;[25] on both 7 December 1973 and 10 December 1973, …"
It was worth way over double in the 80's. Then came Hawke…
@payless69: It's funny how people think the main measure of prosperity is the exchange rate, when in fact the resulting three decades of unbroken real economic growth saw the currency dip.
I'm confused, it's never been that high as far as I know. It peaked at not much more than 1AUD = 1.10~USD.
We had parity in 2010
This only 1yr warranty compared for 2yr Australia stock?
Read before you post.
Yes
How is people excited of 4a hardware in this day and age? I for one found it very underwhelming.
The camera.
I think it's not the hardware (except the camera), but the software that makes pixel phones appealing
I’m mainly interested in the Google software tweaks. If you’ve ever typed on a Pixel 3 or 4, you would understand. The haptic feedback is more precise and pleasant than other phones, which makes typing more enjoyable and possibly more accurate. I have to type in Japanese a lot, and the Google Pixel Japanese keyboards are just better than all other phones, including Apple. I’ve used the Gboard on non-google phones and it’s just not the same. Haptic feedback is different, Japanese input is different, predictive text is worse or non-existent on some phones. I only know this from using my friends’ Google pixels and the phones in store, but even 5 minutes is enough to realise how more advanced Google’s keyboard is. So I plan to get the 4a this time. Camera is a bonus.
SwiftKey is light years ahead of GBoard on a Samsung phone imo
Still doesn’t compare to Google’s native keyboard on pixels.
Isn't that just the keyboard learning from them typing? Assuming that you meant comparing your friend's Google Pixels and the phones which are in store which aren't Google Pixels
I'm talking mainly about the haptics. Secondly about Japanese input. I've used Apple and Samsung phones, and my friend's Google Pixel 3, and a few Google Pixel phones in store. The Google Pixels have the best haptics by far. Similarly, Google's Japanese input is the best, followed by Apple.
Comes up as $542.50 now.
Sounds like this thing does not even worth 360 let alone 560 if reliability is such a huge issue….
Sold my pixel 4, great phone for Its photos and it’s solid built . Sold because there is no wide camera … and There is Still nine for 4a, Shame
I guess that's not surprising, since the 4a is meant to be a more budget version of the 4, so you wouldn't expect its camera system to carry a feature that the Pixel 4 didn't
Perhaps you might want to wait for more details to be released on the Pixel 5, which is planned for launch later this year.
Android Central reports that it will have a dual camera setup (standard plus ultrawide) and also wireless charging and a 90hz screen: https://www.androidcentral.com/google-pixel-5-will-have-snap…
Now it's only a matter of time before this becomes available for < $500 as local stock. What's everyone's bet where and when that will happen?
I reckon JB will do it, about 6 weeks after release.
True that around the ramp up to Xmas specials. Hopefully they resurrect the $65 plan 12 month @jbhifi
Then canx and get this phone for 390! But can only dream haha
If you purchase via AU website then you are covered under AU legislation RE warranty? You may not get the 2y but are covered under ACL.
I bought a CPU from Amazon AU shipped from the US and this was at the bottom:
"Warranty & Support
Amazon.com.au Return Policy: You may return for a full refund for the price you paid within 30 days of delivery any new computer purchased from Amazon that is "dead on arrival", arrives in damaged condition or is still in unopened boxes. Amazon may test or inspect returns. If Amazon finds a customer has misrepresented the condition of a return, Amazon may impose a fee equal to up to 15 percent of the merchandise sales price. Any returned computer that is damaged through customer misuse, missing parts, or in unsellable condition due to customer tampering may result in the customer being charged a restocking fee based on the condition of the computer. This policy does not restrict or alter any non-excludable statutory consumer protections or rights you may have, including under the Australian Consumer Law. To view full returns terms including return instructions, merchandise-specific requirements and exclusions see our ${hash-get returnsPolicyAnchor}Returns Policy Page. New, used, and refurbished products purchased from Marketplace vendors are subject to the returns policy of the individual vendor."
If you think saving $60 and losing warranty on all things, a Pixel, is a good idea….
I know Amazon is unlike most others, but I'd still not give up that hassle for such a tiny saving.