Pixel 3a Black Friday
Is a Pixel 3a Black Friday deal still worth it?
Let’s be real for a second: it is 2026. We are currently living in the era of the Pixel 10 and the iPhone 17 Pro. So, seeing a "Pixel 3a Black Friday" deal pop up on your feed feels a bit like finding a pristine iPod Nano at a garage sale. It’s nostalgic, it’s charming, but does it actually work?
If you’re hunting for a sub-$70 phone this shopping season, the 3a is likely screaming your name from a refurbished listing. But before you hit "Add to Cart," let’s look at the reality of owning this "vintage" Google slab.
The $60 Price Tag: Why is it so cheap?
During the recent Black Friday 2025 and the January 2026 Winter Sales, we saw unlocked, "Good Condition" Pixel 3a units dipping as low as $62 on Swappa and Amazon Renewed.
For the price of a decent steak dinner, you’re getting:
- That legendary 12.2MP Camera: Honestly? It still takes better still photos than most brand-new $200 budget phones today. Google’s HDR+ is basically witchcraft.
- The Headphone Jack: A moment of silence for our fallen hero. It’s still here. It still works.
- The Size: In a world of "Pro Max" bricks that stretch your pockets to the breaking point, the 3a is delightfully tiny.
The "Elephant in the Room": Security
Here is the mild contradiction: I love this phone, but I probably shouldn't tell you to put your banking app on it.
The Pixel 3a officially hit its "End of Life" (EOL) for security updates back in 2022. While some hardcore fans are keeping them alive using Custom ROMs like LineageOS to get modern Android patches, the "average Joe" is flying blind. Without those monthly security bulletins, you’re essentially leaving your front door unlocked in a neighborhood that’s getting rowdier every year.
Who is this actually for?
I actually picked one up last year as a "distraction-free" device. I took it on a hiking trip because I didn't want to risk my $1,200 flagship falling off a cliff.
- The "First Phone" for Kids: If they drop it in the toilet (and they will), you aren't out a month's rent.
- The Dedicated Music Player: Plug in those wired IEMs and use it as a glorified Spotify station.
- The "Light" User: If your Grandma just wants to send a WhatsApp message and check the weather, she doesn't need a Tensor G5 processor.
A Brief Tangential Thought
Is it just me, or was the "Two-Tone" purple-ish colorway on the 3a the peak of Google design? Modern Pixels look like they’re wearing high-tech visors. The 3a looked like it was made by people who actually enjoyed fun colors.
Final Verdict: Steal or Skip?
If you find a Pixel 3a Black Friday deal for under $55, and you need a secondary "rugged/burner" phone or a cheap camera for your kid, buy it.
But if you’re looking for a primary phone to last you through 2027? Skip it. You’re much better off looking for a Pixel 6a or 7a deal, which still has some gas left in the security update tank.
