The Pixel 4a 5G is not yet available for pre-order. But we already know that Verizon is going to charge more for it.
Verizon is going to charge $599 for their version of the Pixel 4a 5G. Also known as the Pixel 4a 5G UW. That’s $100 more than the unlocked model that Google will be selling, which will work on other carriers – but the jury is still out on Verizon compatibility, due to mmWave.
The Pixel 4a 5G is also not launching for quite some time. It’s launching a full month after the regular Pixel 5. Coming in on November 19 with pre-orders starting on October 29.
This isn’t the first time Verizon has charged more for phones
Verizon has done this before, with Pixel smartphones even. It sold the Pixel 3 XL for $100 more than Google. And that was before 5G. Basically, because it could.
Carriers like to squeeze as much money out of all of us as they can. And that’s not a big surprise really, considering they are public companies. But one has to wonder, why would anyone buy a Pixel 4a 5G from Verizon when they can get the same phone cheaper from Google. And Google also does financing, at 0%. So there’s really no reason not to get it from Google over Verizon.
The only question is whether the Google unlocked version will support Verizon’s 5G network. Because Verizon is using mmWave for 5G over Sub-6 (that everyone else is doing), the unlocked model may not support Verizon 5G. And that is likely why this is a separate model and costs more.
We should find out more soon though.
Other carriers are carrying the Pixel 4a 5G
AT&T has confirmed to use that it will be carrying the Pixel 4a 5G. But it has not shared any information on pre-order and release dates just yet. It’s likely similar to the Verizon pre-order date though. AT&T has also not announced pricing, so fingers crossed that it is still $499, and not $100 more like the Pixel 5.
T-Mobile will likely carry it as well, though we have not heard anything from the magenta carrier about it being available there. That is likely coming in the very near future.
The Pixel 4a 5G is launching quite a bit later than the Pixel 5. And that is likely due to the manufacturing constraints that COVID-19 has provided Google with. As there are very limited units of both phones this year.