Google Previews 5G Phones for Fall, Starts Preorders for $349 Pixel 4a

Google put a priority on price for its new smartphone, the Pixel 4a, which went on preorder Monday at the Google Store and on Google Fi for $349. The 5.8-inch device is due in stores Aug. 20, bringing back camera features from the 4, including HDR+ with dual exposure controls, portrait mode, top shot, fused video stabilization and night sight with astrophotography, blogged the company. A Recorder feature can connect to Google Docs to save and share transcriptions and recordings. The phone’s Personal Safety app enables real-time emergency notifications and has car crash detection, it said. Live Caption provides real-time captioning for video and audio content, including voice and video calls. Google’s first 5G phones, the 4a (5G) and 5 are due in fall starting at $499.