[13] Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL ship with Android 9.0 Pie at launch and is upgradable to Android 12L with its last official software update released in September 2022,[14] though third-party operating systems such as Ubuntu Touch can be installed.

[17][18] That makes them the cheapest Pixel phones to date at the point of their release, with only the older Google Nexus series having cheaper models.

Tom's Guide gave the Pixel 3a an Editor's Choice award and a rating of 4.5/5, concluding that it "has far and away the best camera, software and display you could ever hope to get in a $400 phone".

[23] The Verge was similarly positive, giving both the 3a and the 3a XL an 8/10, stating that "[it] takes photos that are nearly indistinguishable from what you get out of a Pixel 3".

[13] The battery life and build quality were praised as well, while reviewers were critical of the slower processor and lack of wireless charging and water resistance.