Speakerphone (loudness, clarity) - Google Pixel 4a 5G Real Life Review

Proper etiquette aside (hint: don't use speakerphone while doing your "business" in a public bathroom), rate this thread to express how you think the Google Pixel 4a 5G's speakerphone performs. A higher rating indicates that you love it: it's loud and it's clear.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!

"The Pixel 4a 5G’s audio quality leaves a lot to be desired, though. With the top speaker clocking in at a maximum volume of 78dB and the bottom firing-speakers maxing out at 94dB, the phone has a boxy and unbalanced soundstage. Like most phones, bass is pretty much nonexistent, while mids are muddled at higher volumes." https://uk.pcmag.com/mobile-phones/129327/google-pixel-4a-5g
"While the Pixel 5 hides the ear speaker at the top of the display, the Pixel 4a 5G has a grille in the bezel, like the smaller Pixel 4a, which lets the sound out. That, combined with the main loud speaker on the bottom of the phone, makes for a much better audio experience than the more expensive Pixel 5. Calls sound better, the stereo effect is better, and the experience when watching video or playing games is better. It's a better solution overall, and that plays to this phone's positioning with a larger display for those more interested in watching video or gaming. " https://www.pocket-lint.com/phones/reviews/google/154245-google-pixel-4a-5g-review.amphtml

Returned my Pixel 5 due to the top speaker under the screen quality and now have the 4a 5g on order.

I got my 4a 5G yesterday and I really like the speakersound. Clear and loud enough. Lack of Bass, but thats physical. I like it...

Sounds good to me. But always willing to try any kind of better EQ setting if someone has anything good

I kept the 4a 5G and returned the 5 because of the top earpiece/speaker. The 5's sounded tiny and cheap which was annoying. The sound on the 4a 5G is ok.

At first, I thought that the speakers on my Pixel 4a with 5g were having issues. until I rralized that I still have the original plastic film on top of the top speaker and vibration was making the sound weird. that was until I removed the film on the top of the top speaker, and then... it was beautiful ;P

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Speakerphone (loudness, clarity)

Proper etiquette aside (hint: don't use speakerphone while doing your "business" in a public bathroom), rate this thread to express how you think the Google Pixel 3 XL's speakerphone performs. A higher rating indicates that you love it: it's loud and it's clear.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
Speakers are horrible at low volume. Anything below 50% is muffled. When they are turned up they sound amazing.
Compared to my HTC U11 I replaced with the Pixel 3 XL, they sound terrible, the bass is non-existent and the clarity is terrible. They do get loud though, wish Google made them sound a little bit better.
I was just doing some testing/comparing with what I came from (Moto E4 Plus), and the XL blows it out of the water. I tested some music, and YouTube videos. So much louder, crisper, clearer, and has full body bass. The other thread about the vibration being so bad I can't agree with either. Yes I have some vibration, but at full volume on both phones, the XL has about doubled the vibration of the Moto, but it isn't a deal breaker. It's nothing I would complain about considering how much the sound is more like a home theater for me compared to the Moto.
Speakers are muffled, but louder then my Pixel 2 XL.
My top speaker is muffled and only about 10% of the total sound. Almost like there is hardly any sound coming out of the top speaker
dontbeweakvato said:
My top speaker is muffled and only about 10% of the total sound. Almost like there is hardly any sound coming out of the top speaker
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That's by design from Google. There's a bunch of articles on it, and I think even in some threads here. The top speaker is to compliment the bottom, not to be equal.
Makes sense. I do think I remember hearing something about that
The speakers are not that impressive, especially at low volume. Sound is muffled and there is distortion or white noise when watching YouTube reviewers like JerryRigEverything or LinusTechTips.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using XDA Labs
I am not to impressed with the audio volume on speaker phone as well. At least compared to my Galaxy S8+ that I would rate as "ok" . I would rate the Pixel 3XL as "poor" for a speaker phone. I wanted to love the Pixel after almost a week of use I am returning it back to Google today. It was hard to justify spending $950 on a phone and trading in a S8+ that is just about better at everything for what I use than the Pixel. Screen brightness in the sun was another issue I had against the Pixel.
My speakers sound good. I watched JerryRigEverything and I eventually did hear the distortion but I had the volume so low that I had to put it up to my ear and couldn't watch the video. I've played songs and at different volumes I don't hear any distortion.
I have the 3xl, and find the speakers at full volume sound better with the screen face down. I suspect the vibration of the phone backside makes full volume clarity worse on a hard surface.
I just got my Pixel 3 XL.
I also have the speaker problems.
First:
Watching YouTube Videos with Music or voices.
Absolutely not clear, it is distorted.
It is the bottom speaker.
Then I called Google service.
During call (I used normal phone function with top speaker) I could hear some sounds. Not very loud but frequently repeating. Something like vibration or a "cricket". Not easy to describe. Especially when the volume of conversation is not so high.
Now Google wants me to do some other solution possibilities and if it's still not working then I shall contact my provider/dealer.
I guess finally they wanna exchange the devices.
The wording sounded that they already know very good about that issue.
My notifications sounds are really wierd and there's distortion when I listening to podcasts ... That's was the deal breaker for me . I can't justify spending 1.5k on a phone with really bad speakers and hoping for a update. Sadly I was loving this phone besides of that issue.
can anyone report if the December update improved the speakers when listening to media?. Distortion might've been addressed in this update.
Marsh10 said:
can anyone report if the December update improved the speakers when listening to media?. Distortion might've been addressed in this update.
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So far, since installing the update I haven't had any at all. Some people on other threads are reporting the same. While some say there are still certain (really specific) use cases and frequencies where they are experiencing the buzzing/distortion.
I personally had muffled sound issues at low volumes, which for me is totally gone so far. It is crisp and clear now.
tyea said:
I have the 3xl, and find the speakers at full volume sound better with the screen face down. I suspect the vibration of the phone backside makes full volume clarity worse on a hard surface.
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I feel the same way about the phone's backside vibrating at high volumes, I also noticed that it can be affected by a case that has a little bit of play like mine does.
I came from a Samsung S7 and feel like it had a better quality sound specially, after a mixer path mod. Also had a scenario the other day when I made a phone call and it sounded like someone else was there like when you use a land line and someelse in your house trys to make a phone call not knowing you where using the phone. Also 2 different people told me they couldn't hear me but when I call them back they hear me fine.
Wow okay. Nice speaker. My phone have mx player and it's really nice too.

Speakerphone (loudness, clarity)

Proper etiquette aside (hint: don't use speakerphone while doing your "business" in a public bathroom), rate this thread to express how you think the 's speakerphone performs. A higher rating indicates that you love it: it's loud and it's clear.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
Loudness: Very loud and no real distortion. It sounds more pleasant at 50% though, I think the cabinet space is to small for such power.
Clarity: Very good
Immersion: Amazing, sometimes i hear sounds on the far left and right while there are no speakers on the side. The 4 speakers give u almost always good sound.
Bass: Unbelievable it's coming out from this thin thing. Sounds rich and full (for a tablet).
Mids: Very good but with volume to high it gets a little bit harsh.
Highs: Very good but with volume to high it gets a little bit harsh.
I don't think there is a better sounding tablet on the market.
I also got the Mediapad 3 Lite for a short while and i think it was a tad less subtle but maybe i just imagined. It could be since it has other case, plastic back.
InTheCage said:
Loudness: Very loud and no real distortion. It sounds more pleasant at 50% though, I think the cabinet space is to small for such power.
Clarity: Very good
Immersion: Amazing, sometimes i hear sounds on the far left and right while there are no speakers on the side. The 4 speakers give u almost always good sound.
Bass: Unbelievable it's coming out from this thin thing. Sounds rich and full (for a tablet).
Mids: Very good but with volume to high it gets a little bit harsh.
Highs: Very good but with volume to high it gets a little bit harsh.
I don't think there is a better sounding tablet on the market.
I also got the Mediapad 3 Lite for a short while and i think it was a tad less subtle but maybe i just imagined. It could be since it has other case, plastic back.
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aaa

Selfie quality

You're beautiful and everyone knows it. That's why you take selfies. Rate this thread to express how the front-facing camera of the Realme 3 Pro performs. A higher rating indicates that the front camera produces fantastic results consistently.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
I don't really into selfies, in fact I'd love to have a phone with no front camera altogether (Zenfone 6 2019 is perfect, but the price tag is above my budget).
With that being said, I still tried the front camera of R3Pro, and its just not up to today's standard.
Quality is fine, detail is fine, but the emulated bokeh is horrible, even in outdoor. Hair edges get smudged is okay since its too thin, but the software also softens ear tips & top of your shoulder sometimes. You have to find the perfect distance to get a good shot.
Compared to Xiaomi's software (even on cheaper phone like Redmi S2), the Realme's front camera portrait mode feels like an unfinished product.

Speakerphone (loudness, clarity)

Proper etiquette aside (hint: don't use speakerphone while doing your "business" in a public bathroom), rate this thread to express how you think the Google Pixel 5's speakerphone performs. A higher rating indicates that you love it: it's loud and it's clear.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
Pixel 5 has an 'under display speaker' earpiece, but the Pixel 4a/4a5G have a classical earpiece.
Video "Speaker comparison Pixel 5 vs. 4a" https://youtu.be/D5WP3HqJD9s
"Speaker quality? It’s honestly not the best, the one under the glass is clearly not as strong so you get an asymmetrical listening experience." https://youtu.be/ghYLxw6BKV0
https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/j4wb4o/comment/g7nnrdr
"This is definitely the weakest point of the phone. It’s not quiet but there’s no bass at all unfortunately, for phone calls on speaker it will be fine, watching movies without headphones..... not so much. This is all subjective though as I’m using an 11 pro max and the speakers are great."
https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/j4wb4o/comment/g7own2l
"Just had a go on some demo models in store and compared Pixel 5, Pixel 4a5G and OP5T (my current phone). I would say that there is tangible difference in sound quality between the 5 and 4a5G (and even my current OP5T). The sound is more 'twangy' and harsher than the the 4a5g, which does sound more balanced overall."
https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/j5h654/comment/g7s9fph
"The P5 does sound more tinny and raspy than the 4A5G which has a nicer more rounded sound. I would say there is a noticeable difference between the two. I am not an audiophile or anywhere near but even I could notice a difference."
Ahhh why Google?, they always have to screw something up. Speakers are high on my list, i really wanted to get this phone but I guess I will have to wait another year to see what other shortcoming they will come up with.
Hopefully by then true bezel-less phones would have caught on.
Thx for the review.
Rashad83 said:
Speakers are high on my list.
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Pixel 5 has an 'under display speaker' earpiece, but the Pixel 4a/4a5G have a classical earpiece. I will buy the 4a 5G instead!
Video "Speaker comparison Pixel 5 vs. 4a" https://youtu.be/D5WP3HqJD9s
SGH-i200 said:
Pixel 5 has an 'under display speaker' earpiece, but the Pixel 4a/4a5G have a classical earpiece. I will buy the 4a 5G instead!
Video "Speaker comparison Pixel 5 vs. 4a"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx for the link, but the 4a is a no go for me with that bottom chin.
Apologies if this is a stupid question, but might the speaker quality be improved by software updates down the line, or are their perceived limitations all hardware-related?
Shouldn't really be an issue so long as it doesn't effect the volume or clarity while making calls.
Tiny phone speakers, as good as they may sound, are not how you should listen to music or videos.
bigbamboo5 said:
might the speaker quality be improved by software updates down the line, or are their perceived limitations all hardware-related?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One speaker is behind glass and the other is not. They don't sound the same (stereo balance is bad). Surely Google can not trick the physics!
"Speaker quality? It’s honestly not the best, the one under the glass is clearly not as strong so you get an asymmetrical listening experience." https://youtu.be/ghYLxw6BKV0
Rashad83 said:
Ahhh why Google?, they always have to screw something up. Speakers are high on my list, i really wanted to get this phone but I guess I will have to wait another year to see what other shortcoming they will come up with.
Hopefully by then true bezel-less phones would have caught on.
Thx for the review.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could get the 4A 5G then. Bigger screen, pretty much identical, costs less, and 6GB of RAM instead of 8GB. Pretty good trade-off is say.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
xRogerxC said:
You could get the 4A 5G then. Bigger screen, pretty much identical, costs less, and 6GB of RAM instead of 8GB. Pretty good trade-off is say.
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Click to collapse
Rashad83 said:
Thx for the link, but the 4a is a no go for me with that bottom chin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx, but I already have replied to the suggestion.
The trade off I noticed in the videos is the 4a5g has a dimmer screen than the pixel 5 while the pixel 5 has a tiny speaker.
Personally I'll take a tiny speaker because most times I don't listen to speaker music unless I'm in he shower and even then it's a waterproof phone
xRogerxC said:
You could get the 4A 5G then. Bigger screen, pretty much identical, costs less, and 6GB of RAM instead of 8GB. Pretty good trade-off is say.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also 90hz the pixel4a?..
60hz is a no go...phone is lagging like it still running kitkat...
Rashad83 said:
Ahhh why Google?
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Waterproofing.
MrBelter said:
Waterproofing.
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The new Xperia 5 II is waterproof and has front-firing stereo speakers, like the Pixel 2/3 sported.
Pixel 5 sound quality: "I upgraded from an OG Pixel and while my initial impressions of the Pixel 5 are that it feels superior in almost all areas, the speaker performance is very disappointing. The sound output feels muted and tinny compared to the OG Pixel." https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/jb3o3q/enabling_mono_audio_on_the_pixel_5_improves/
sounds from the device is pretty good on speaker phone calls.
Watching youtube or listening to music it is ok, not fantastic. Not a deal breaker for me but may bother some
There is a reason that home speakers have grills instead of glass. No software can fix this.
How many actually take phone calls without bluetooth or a wired headset?
i'd think putting a screen protector on this would deaden the sound even more.
Mdizzle1 said:
sounds from the device is pretty good on speaker phone calls.
Watching youtube or listening to music it is ok, not fantastic. Not a deal breaker for me but may bother some
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Click to collapse
Agreed - its loud and clear for speakerphone calls and casual listening (and i have a tempered glass protector applied)
If you want to annoy people on trains or in parks with your bangin' bass tunes the look elsewhere - or do what most sane people do and use headphones :laugh:
wilbur-force said:
Agreed - its loud and clear for speakerphone calls and casual listening (and i have a tempered glass protector applied)
If you want to annoy people on trains or in parks with your bangin' bass tunes the look elsewhere - or do what most sane people do and use headphones :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it's a non issue unless you cover the bottom firing speaker.

Quality feel (use of materials)

Rate this thread to express how you think the Micromax IN 1B feels in terms of quality. A higher rating indicates that it feels premium and high-quality (attention to detail is high, manufacturing defects don't exist, etc).
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
This is a 1st day review for the 4GB/64GB variant, so hold on a bit for more updates!
Let's talk about Quality!
The phone is pretty big considering the ₹8000 price range. Sits well with the hand though!
When it comes to the body, I would say it's okish as it has one minor design flaw! I noticed one: The sim tray goes a bit deeper than the actual body which isn't visually noticable!
Other than that it feels pretty fine with the (gradient variant) back design language.
The build material seems solid too, being a single back panel which extends to the sides (making it more rigid)!
The speaker placement is odd for me, but good for gamers who play in landscape mode eventually blocking the sound if it were a down firing one!

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