Google Pixel 4a

felixis

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Hi folks, a first time pixel user here, just got a 4a 5g after switching from Oneplus6. Upon receiving my 4a 5g it is obvious that it is a Japan set as there are Japanese wordings on the box, but it's definitely a legit set and the phone is working normally fine as it should.

My understanding is that the 5g doesn't work here locally which I'm totally fine, quite sufficient with 4g, so just want to know are there any other known restrictions that that an export 4a 5g has when using it here? And does our local warranty cover export sets?
 

Soulfly

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Hi folks, a first time pixel user here, just got a 4a 5g after switching from Oneplus6. Upon receiving my 4a 5g it is obvious that it is a Japan set as there are Japanese wordings on the box, but it's definitely a legit set and the phone is working normally fine as it should.

My understanding is that the 5g doesn't work here locally which I'm totally fine, quite sufficient with 4g, so just want to know are there any other known restrictions that that an export 4a 5g has when using it here? And does our local warranty cover export sets?
I don't think local warranty covers export sets. I could be wrong though but I had a Pixel 3a US set and our local warranty doesn't cover it. Other than 5G, your Japanese Pixel 4a 5G should work normally over here. One more thing, I think most likely you cannot switch off your camera shutter sound because in Japan, it's a Telco law to have the camera shutter sound on to prevent sickos from taking upskirt pictures. It's the same in South Korea too. In Previous Android versions, there is a workaround to switch off the camera shutter sound with apps. But on Android 11, it's a lot more difficult unless you root the phone...
 

felixis

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I don't think local warranty covers export sets. I could be wrong though but I had a Pixel 3a US set and our local warranty doesn't cover it. Other than 5G, your Japanese Pixel 4a 5G should work normally over here. One more thing, I think most likely you cannot switch off your camera shutter sound because in Japan, it's a Telco law to have the camera shutter sound on to prevent sickos from taking upskirt pictures. It's the same in South Korea too. In Previous Android versions, there is a workaround to switch off the camera shutter sound with apps. But on Android 11, it's a lot more difficult unless you root the phone...
Thanks for the reply! Interesting one on the camera shutter sound, not that it affects me anyways so I'm good with that. Another issue is that NFC is lacking a shortcut button which is quite an inconvenience, unless NFC is turned on permanently which I reckon could be a security concern? My understanding is that the phone needs to be really close to the terminal in order to register, so wonder what's a good work around for this..
 

Soulfly

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Thanks for the reply! Interesting one on the camera shutter sound, not that it affects me anyways so I'm good with that. Another issue is that NFC is lacking a shortcut button which is quite an inconvenience, unless NFC is turned on permanently which I reckon could be a security concern? My understanding is that the phone needs to be really close to the terminal in order to register, so wonder what's a good work around for this..
You're welcome. I don't normally use NFC. So I'm not so sure about it but my friends who do use NFC. Their phone's NFC is switched on all the time and I do feel it has security issues. As anyone could take their phone and make any form of payment. I think what you can try to do is edit the notification bar and add the NFC icon there. So whenever you need NFC. You just click on the icon? As for the camera shutter sound, it's no issue for me too. I've used a couple of phones from Japan. And the camera shutter sound is definitely switched on permanently. Hahahahaha...

*Edit*

I don't think you can set the NFC shortcut on the notification bar on a Pixel phone. You can read more about it over here :

 
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limmk

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Thanks for the reply! Interesting one on the camera shutter sound, not that it affects me anyways so I'm good with that. Another issue is that NFC is lacking a shortcut button which is quite an inconvenience, unless NFC is turned on permanently which I reckon could be a security concern? My understanding is that the phone needs to be really close to the terminal in order to register, so wonder what's a good work around for this..

Use gpay in quick settings to access nfc on/off
Qe3h79g.png
 

felixis

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You're welcome. I don't normally use NFC. So I'm not so sure about it but my friends who do use NFC. Their phone's NFC is switched on all the time and I do feel it has security issues. As anyone could take their phone and make any form of payment. I think what you can try to do is edit the notification bar and add the NFC icon there. So whenever you need NFC. You just click on the icon? As for the camera shutter sound, it's no issue for me too. I've used a couple of phones from Japan. And the camera shutter sound is definitely switched on permanently. Hahahahaha...
I see, yeah will try to play around with the settings as I haven't time to do so yet, but anyways just to share how I actually got the 4a 5g. I got it through an online platform and initially I wanted a 4a, so I found one with the lowest price with the most 5 stars buyer ratings and reviews, so I reckon this listing should be legit.

So eventually I pulled the trigger during the 8.8 promotion for further discounts with free shipping, but to my dismay, seller pm me saying that 4a is OOS so he offered me to take up 4a 5g with a small amount to top up. To my surprise, the amount I paid for the 4a plus this top up in total is actually way lower than what a 4a 5g is originally priced and sold by this seller, in other words I've gotten a pretty sweet deal for a 4a 5g.

Not sure if it's me being lucky or just pure seller's remorse since I've picked 4a in first place, neither did I showed any displeasure nor wanted a refund back though. Funny thing is when the deal is all agreed and done, I went back to check the listing and 4a is still available to choose from among the 4a 5g variants... Could this be the seller's tactic to clear off his/her 4a 5g stocks? Perhaps..
 
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limmk

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I see, yeah will try to play around with the settings as I haven't time to do so yet, but anyways just to share how I actually got the 4a 5g. I got it through an online platform and initially I wanted a 4a, so I found one with the lowest price with the most 5 stars buyer ratings and reviews, so I reckon this listing should be legit.

So eventually I pulled the trigger during the 8.8 promotion for further discounts with free shipping, but to my dismay, seller pm me saying that 4a is OOS so he offered me to take up 4a 5g with a small amount to top up. To my surprise, the amount I paid for the 4a plus this top up in total is actually way lower than what a 4a 5g is originally priced and sold by this seller, in other words I've gotten a pretty sweet deal for a 4a 5g.

Not sure if it's me being lucky or just pure seller's remorse since I've picked 4a in first place, I didn't showed any displeasure or wanted a refund back though. Funny thing is when the deal is all agreed and done, I went back to check the listing and 4a is still available to choose from among the 4a 5g variants... Is this the seller's tactic to clear off his/her 4a 5g stocks? Perhaps..
Make sure the pull tabs are properly sealed. sometimes seller did not update as frequently. at least you have a faster soc and dual cam. enjoy your new pixel and welcome to #teampixel
 

felixis

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Make sure the pull tabs are properly sealed. sometimes seller did not update as frequently. at least you have a faster soc and dual cam. enjoy your new pixel and welcome to #teampixel
Yup, did prior checks before opening and the tabs are properly sealed with matching IMEI numbers and all, so overall it's good. Thanks and glad to join #teampixel as I'm always into clean OS with simple design, cheers! :)
 

Soulfly

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I see, yeah will try to play around with the settings as I haven't time to do so yet, but anyways just to share how I actually got the 4a 5g. I got it through an online platform and initially I wanted a 4a, so I found one with the lowest price with the most 5 stars buyer ratings and reviews, so I reckon this listing should be legit.

So eventually I pulled the trigger during the 8.8 promotion for further discounts with free shipping, but to my dismay, seller pm me saying that 4a is OOS so he offered me to take up 4a 5g with a small amount to top up. To my surprise, the amount I paid for the 4a plus this top up in total is actually way lower than what a 4a 5g is originally priced and sold by this seller, in other words I've gotten a pretty sweet deal for a 4a 5g.

Not sure if it's me being lucky or just pure seller's remorse since I've picked 4a in first place, neither did I showed any displeasure nor wanted a refund back though. Funny thing is when the deal is all agreed and done, I went back to check the listing and 4a is still available to choose from among the 4a 5g variants... Could this be the seller's tactic to clear off his/her 4a 5g stocks? Perhaps..
Thanks for sharing. It could be the seller's remorse or trying to clear the pixel 4a 5g stock. That we will never know so it's all based on our own assumption. Hahahaha. But most importantly, you got yourself a good phone and a good deal at that. Like you, I really like the clean stock Android feel the best. Pixel phones are known to have one of the best post processing when it comes to photos. Enjoy your phone. I'm sure you going to love it...
 
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capricino

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Btw, has anyone here encounter the DRM bug with their Pixel phone where it's showing as DRM L3 instead of L1, ie due to this Netflix will play at SD quality only? It's super annoying and been months in this state, so want to see if anyone figured out a fix for this somehow. I've tried resetting phone but it didn't help :(
 

Amuroraysg

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i am wondering about these Japan set, any drawback using them in SG? 5G really not working? NFC works?

can tap mrt? etc? i am looking at the white one...
 

firesong

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Btw, has anyone here encounter the DRM bug with their Pixel phone where it's showing as DRM L3 instead of L1, ie due to this Netflix will play at SD quality only? It's super annoying and been months in this state, so want to see if anyone figured out a fix for this somehow. I've tried resetting phone but it didn't help :(
Read about it on Reddit. I think you'll have to contact Google and see if they can exchange the phone for you.
 
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