PSA: Pixel 3a and 3a XL photo and video backups are limited to high quality

Google's mid-range Pixels lose out on original quality photo and video backups to Google Photos.

A standout feature of all Pixels thus far has been the ability to upload upload original quality photos and videos to Google Photos for free. You could upload as many photos and videos as you'd want from a Pixel device to Photos, and it would never count against your quota. From the Pixel 2, Google started limiting unlimited uploads to just over three years from the launch of the device, and that's the case with the Pixel 3 series as well.

But that isn't the case on the Pixel 3a and 3a XL. Google's latest devices are its first products in the mid-range segment, and while they offer the same stellar camera as the Pixel 3 series, Google omitted a few features to get to that sub-$500 price point. Original quality photo and video backups is one of them, with the phones only offering unlimited high quality uploads, just like every other Android phone out there.

Google Photos does a fantastic job with compression, and more often than not I don't notice any loss in detail when comparing photos saved in high quality with the originals. If you shoot a lot of 4K video, know that it will be resized to 1080p, and the same for photos: anything over 16MP will be resized. But for the most part, the same level of detail is maintained even though the file sizes are drastically reduced.

You can always switch it to original quality uploads — just like on any other phone — but that will count against your storage quota. Google was upfront about the change in the Pixel 3a marketing materials, and it mentioned as such in the keynote. So if you want original quality photo and video backups, you'll have to spring for the Pixel 3 or the 3 XL.

Google Pixel 3a XL

480 at Google Store

The Pixel 3a XL has the same phenomenal camera as the Pixel 3 series at roughly half the price. You get the same great photos in daylight and low-light scenarios, and it's safe to say that there isn't a $500 phone today that comes close to the Pixel 3a XL in this regard.