Pixel 3a
Android 12 (API 32)
Google · Qualcomm SDM670
Codec maxima
HEVCverified120 Mbps
AVCverified100 Mbps
HEVC and AVC both verified at 3840×2160 @ 30fps on Rear
Bit depth
10-bit sensor → 8-bit encoder 😒
the encoder does 10-bit, but this Android version exposes no public HDR capture API, so the file is 8-bit
Storage write
1.6 Gbps (raw)
Cameras
| Lens | Facing | Focal length | Sensor size | Max res | Modes | HW level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear #0 | BACK | 27mm (4.44mm) | 5.64 × 4.23 mm | 3840×2160 | 24 | FULL |
| Front #1 | FRONT | 24mm (2.51mm) | 3.67 × 2.76 mm | 2592×1944 | 22 | FULL |
Focal lengths show the 35mm equivalent first; the sensor's native focal length is in parentheses. Only the equivalent is comparable between phones.
Max res is the largest frame this lens was proven to record: a real clip written to disk and read back with frames in it.
Encoder frame ceilings
| Codec | Largest frame | Macroblocks | Advertised max |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEVC | 4096×2160 | 34,560 | 4096 × 2160 |
| AVC | 4096×2160 | 34,560 | 4096 × 2160 |
One macroblock is 16×16 pixels. The macroblock count is the encoder's real ceiling — a budget every frame has to fit, landscape or portrait — and the largest frame beside it is simply the biggest shape that spends it.
Thermal Throttling Tests
The soak test records continuously from a cold start and tracks the frame rate as the device heats up — a phone that can't shed the heat starts dropping frames and throttling before the run is done.
Performance: HEVC 3840×2160
Sustained frame rate
30.1 fps
average across 60 clips · 100% of the 30fps target
Frames dropped
6 / 18037 total
against a steady 30fps
Peak temperature
29.8°C
battery sensor, during the run
Throttling reached
NONE
highest status the OS reported
Recorded for the full 10min — the time limit stopped it, nothing else — shedding only a handful of frames (under 1%) and holding rate throughout. This device has thermal headroom to spare.
Encoded with HEVC at this device's maximum hardware bitrate for it.
30.1 fps
0 fps
124 Mbps
0.0 Mbps
30.8°C
28°C
010min recorded10min
MODERATE
NONE
clip 110min 2sclip 60
Each point is one 10-second recording, in order, sampled as it began. Nothing was written to storage: the video was encoded and measured, never saved.
Diagnostics
93 checks — 41 supported · 3 partial · 9 unsupported · 40 informational
Camera 0 (BACK) — Rear 29 checks
Hardware
| Hardware Level | FULLGood — manual control + RAW likely available |
Capabilities
| Manual Sensor Control | YesRequired for manual ISO/exposure in log shooting |
| RAW Capture | YesEnables access to raw Bayer sensor data |
| Burst Capture | YesSustained high-framerate capture |
| Read Sensor Settings | YesPer-frame sensor metadata readback |
| Dynamic Range Profiles | NoNot available — may need API 33+ or device support |
Sensor
| Bit Depth | 10-bit (white level = 1023)Good — standard for mobile sensors |
| Sensitivity Range | ISO 55 – 7111Max analog ISO: 444 (digital gain above this) |
| Exposure Range | 54.4µs – 3.9sFastest: ~1/18367 |
| Bayer Pattern | BGGR |
| Physical Size | 5.64 × 4.23 mm (diag 7.06 mm)Larger sensor = more light = better DR for log |
| Pixel Array | 4032 × 3024 (12.2 MP) |
RAW Formats
| RAW_SENSOR | 4032×3024 @ 30.0 fpsVideo-rate RAW achievable! The HAL reports no stall, so the readout rate is the streaming rate. |
| RAW10 | 4032×3024 @ 30.0 fpsVideo-rate RAW achievable! The HAL reports no stall, so the readout rate is the streaming rate. |
| RAW12 | Not supported |
| RAW_PRIVATE | 4032×3024 @ 30.0 fpsVideo-rate RAW achievable! The HAL reports no stall, so the readout rate is the streaming rate. |
Streams
| Max Simultaneous Outputs | RAW:1 Processed:3 Stalling:2Can capture RAW + encoded video simultaneously |
| YUV_420_888 Modes | 4032×3024 @ 30 fps 4000×3000 @ 30 fps 3840×2160 @ 30 fps 4000×2000 @ 30 fps 3264×2448 @ 30 fps … and 22 more |
HDR / 10-Bit
| Dynamic Range Profiles | Requires API 33+ (Android 13)Device is on API 32 |
| 10-Bit YUV (P010) | Not supportedEncoder may only receive 8-bit data even if Main10 is available |
Tonemap / ISP
| Tonemap Modes | CONTRAST_CURVE, FAST, HIGH_QUALITYCONTRAST_CURVE available — can define custom log curve (64 points max) |
| Max Curve Points | 64Plenty for smooth log curve |
| Noise Reduction | OFF, FAST, HIGH_QUALITY, MINIMALOFF available — can disable NR for clean log |
| Edge / Sharpening | FAST, HIGH_QUALITY, OFFOFF available — can disable sharpening |
| Hot Pixel Modes | OFF, FAST, HIGH_QUALITY |
| Lens Shading Correction | OFF, FAST, HIGH_QUALITYOFF available — raw vignetting preserved for manual correction |
| Chromatic Aberration Correction | OFF, FAST, HIGH_QUALITY |
Vendor Tags
| Count | 1 vendor tags foundOEM-specific extensions available |
| com.google (1) | com.google.nexus.experimental2018.faceLandmark.availableIds = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] |
Camera 1 (FRONT) — Front 29 checks
Hardware
| Hardware Level | FULLGood — manual control + RAW likely available |
Capabilities
| Manual Sensor Control | YesRequired for manual ISO/exposure in log shooting |
| RAW Capture | YesEnables access to raw Bayer sensor data |
| Burst Capture | YesSustained high-framerate capture |
| Read Sensor Settings | YesPer-frame sensor metadata readback |
| Dynamic Range Profiles | NoNot available — may need API 33+ or device support |
Sensor
| Bit Depth | 10-bit (white level = 1023)Good — standard for mobile sensors |
| Sensitivity Range | ISO 43 – 11130Max analog ISO: 695 (digital gain above this) |
| Exposure Range | 17.7µs – 0.8sFastest: ~1/56644 |
| Bayer Pattern | BGGR |
| Physical Size | 3.67 × 2.76 mm (diag 4.59 mm)Larger sensor = more light = better DR for log |
| Pixel Array | 3280 × 2464 (8.1 MP) |
RAW Formats
| RAW_SENSOR | 3280×2464 @ 30.0 fpsVideo-rate RAW achievable! The HAL reports no stall, so the readout rate is the streaming rate. |
| RAW10 | 3280×2464 @ 30.0 fpsVideo-rate RAW achievable! The HAL reports no stall, so the readout rate is the streaming rate. |
| RAW12 | Not supported |
| RAW_PRIVATE | 3280×2464 @ 30.0 fpsVideo-rate RAW achievable! The HAL reports no stall, so the readout rate is the streaming rate. |
Streams
| Max Simultaneous Outputs | RAW:1 Processed:3 Stalling:2Can capture RAW + encoded video simultaneously |
| YUV_420_888 Modes | 3264×2448 @ 30 fps 2592×1944 @ 30 fps 2688×1512 @ 30 fps 2688×1344 @ 30 fps 2048×1536 @ 30 fps … and 18 more |
HDR / 10-Bit
| Dynamic Range Profiles | Requires API 33+ (Android 13)Device is on API 32 |
| 10-Bit YUV (P010) | Not supportedEncoder may only receive 8-bit data even if Main10 is available |
Tonemap / ISP
| Tonemap Modes | CONTRAST_CURVE, FAST, HIGH_QUALITYCONTRAST_CURVE available — can define custom log curve (64 points max) |
| Max Curve Points | 64Plenty for smooth log curve |
| Noise Reduction | OFF, FAST, HIGH_QUALITY, MINIMALOFF available — can disable NR for clean log |
| Edge / Sharpening | FAST, HIGH_QUALITY, OFFOFF available — can disable sharpening |
| Hot Pixel Modes | OFF, FAST, HIGH_QUALITY |
| Lens Shading Correction | OFF, FAST, HIGH_QUALITYOFF available — raw vignetting preserved for manual correction |
| Chromatic Aberration Correction | OFF, FAST, HIGH_QUALITY |
Vendor Tags
| Count | 1 vendor tags foundOEM-specific extensions available |
| com.google (1) | com.google.nexus.experimental2018.faceLandmark.availableIds = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] |
Concurrent Cameras 1 checks
Concurrent Cameras
| Concurrent Camera Sets | NoneDevice advertises no camera combination that can stream concurrently |
Startup Ramp 2 checks
Startup Ramp
| First Frame Latency | 215 msCamera start → first encoded frame, at 3840×2160 HEVC — the dead time between pressing record and the first frame of video existing. 3 runs: 272 / 203 / 215 ms |
| Frames Dropped at Startup | 24 framesFrames the camera produced but the encoder dropped while warming up (rate control and 3A settling) — the cost of starting a recording, not throttling. 3 runs: 24 / 24 / 24 |
Video Encoders 28 checks
Encoders
| HEVC (H.265) — c2.qti.hevc.encoder | Max bitrate: 120 MbpsExcellent — high enough for quality log |
| HEVC (H.265) Max Resolution | 4096 × 2160 |
| HEVC (H.265) Max Macroblocks/Frame | 34,560 MB — largest frame 4096×2160Frame-area budget at 16×16 macroblocks; any shape must fit inside it |
| HEVC (H.265) Dimension Alignment | width ×2 height ×2Any even size accepted |
| HEVC (H.265) 10-Bit Profiles | Main1010-bit encoding supported |
| HEVC (H.265) Bitrate Modes | CBR:Yes VBR:Yes CQ:YesCQ (constant quality) available — ideal for log footage |
| HEVC (H.265) Color Formats | 0x7f000789 AndroidOpaque (opaque buffer — OMX_COLOR_FormatAndroidOpaque) 0x7f420888 YUV420Flexible (COLOR_FormatYUV420Flexible — framework maps to NV12) 0x00000013 YUV420Planar (I420) 0x00000015 YUV420SemiPlanar (NV12) 0x00000014 YUV420PackedPlanar 0x00000027 (vendor-specific / unknown) |
| HEVC (H.265) — OMX.qcom.video.encoder.hevc | Max bitrate: 120 MbpsExcellent — high enough for quality log |
| HEVC (H.265) Max Resolution | 4096 × 2160 |
| HEVC (H.265) Max Macroblocks/Frame | 34,560 MB — largest frame 4096×2160Frame-area budget at 16×16 macroblocks; any shape must fit inside it |
| HEVC (H.265) Dimension Alignment | width ×2 height ×2Any even size accepted |
| HEVC (H.265) 10-Bit Profiles | Main1010-bit encoding supported |
| HEVC (H.265) Bitrate Modes | CBR:Yes VBR:Yes CQ:YesCQ (constant quality) available — ideal for log footage |
| HEVC (H.265) Color Formats | 0x7f000789 AndroidOpaque (opaque buffer — OMX_COLOR_FormatAndroidOpaque) 0x7f420888 YUV420Flexible (COLOR_FormatYUV420Flexible — framework maps to NV12) 0x00000013 YUV420Planar (I420) 0x00000015 YUV420SemiPlanar (NV12) 0x00000014 YUV420PackedPlanar 0x00000027 (vendor-specific / unknown) |
| AVC (H.264) — c2.qti.avc.encoder | Max bitrate: 100 MbpsExcellent — high enough for quality log |
| AVC (H.264) Max Resolution | 4096 × 2160 |
| AVC (H.264) Max Macroblocks/Frame | 34,560 MB — largest frame 4096×2160Frame-area budget at 16×16 macroblocks; any shape must fit inside it |
| AVC (H.264) Dimension Alignment | width ×2 height ×2Any even size accepted |
| AVC (H.264) Bitrate Modes | CBR:Yes VBR:Yes CQ:NoCQ not available — use VBR with high target bitrate |
| AVC (H.264) Color Formats | 0x7f000789 AndroidOpaque (opaque buffer — OMX_COLOR_FormatAndroidOpaque) 0x7f420888 YUV420Flexible (COLOR_FormatYUV420Flexible — framework maps to NV12) 0x00000013 YUV420Planar (I420) 0x00000015 YUV420SemiPlanar (NV12) 0x00000014 YUV420PackedPlanar 0x00000027 (vendor-specific / unknown) |
| AVC (H.264) — OMX.qcom.video.encoder.avc | Max bitrate: 100 MbpsExcellent — high enough for quality log |
| AVC (H.264) Max Resolution | 4096 × 2160 |
| AVC (H.264) Max Macroblocks/Frame | 34,560 MB — largest frame 4096×2160Frame-area budget at 16×16 macroblocks; any shape must fit inside it |
| AVC (H.264) Dimension Alignment | width ×2 height ×2Any even size accepted |
| AVC (H.264) Bitrate Modes | CBR:Yes VBR:Yes CQ:NoCQ not available — use VBR with high target bitrate |
| AVC (H.264) Color Formats | 0x7f000789 AndroidOpaque (opaque buffer — OMX_COLOR_FormatAndroidOpaque) 0x7f420888 YUV420Flexible (COLOR_FormatYUV420Flexible — framework maps to NV12) 0x00000013 YUV420Planar (I420) 0x00000015 YUV420SemiPlanar (NV12) 0x00000014 YUV420PackedPlanar 0x00000027 (vendor-specific / unknown) |
HDR / 10-Bit
| 10-Bit Encode (measured) | No — advertised onlyAn encoder advertises Main 10 but accepts no 10-bit input by any route — it can only emit a Main10 bitstream from 8-bit pixels, gaining no precision |
| 10-Bit Display (measured) | Yes — verified on screenA 10-bit (RGBA_1010102) surface rendered and read back correctly; display reports HDR10, HLG |
Native Camera Libraries 4 checks
Native Libs
| Camera HAL (/vendor/lib64/hw/) | android.hardware.camera.provider@2.4-impl.so com.qti.chi.override.so camera.sdm710.soCamera-related native libraries found |
| Camera plugins (/vendor/lib64/camera/) | com.qti.sensormodule.primax_imx355_s.bin com.qti.sensor.imx355.so com.qti.sensor.imx355_s.so com.qti.sensor.imx363.so com.google.tuned.b4s4_imx363.bin com.qti.sensormodule.metric_imx363.bin com.google.tuned.b4s4_imx355.bin com.qti.sensormodule.primax_imx355.bin com.google.tuned.b4s4_imx355_s.binCamera-related native libraries found |
| Vendor libs (/vendor/lib64/) | android.hardware.camera.common@1.0.so android.hardware.camera.device@1.0.so android.hardware.camera.device@3.2.so android.hardware.camera.device@3.3.so android.hardware.camera.device@3.4.so android.hardware.camera.device@3.5.so android.hardware.camera.device@3.6.so android.hardware.camera.provider@2.4-external.so android.hardware.camera.provider@2.4-legacy.so android.hardware.camera.provider@2.4.so camera camera.device@1.0-impl.so camera.device@3.2-impl.so camera.device@3.3-impl.so camera.device@3.4-external-impl.so camera.device@3.4-impl.so camera.device@3.5-external-impl.so camera.device@3.5-impl.so camera.device@3.6-external-impl.so libOpenCL-pixel.so lib_camera_sensors.so libcamxfdalgov7.so libcamxfdengine.so libcamxstatscore.so libcamxtintlessalgo.so libcom.qti.chinodeutils.so libdisppower-pixel.so libgcam.so libgcam_ae.so libgcam_frsdk.so libgoog_pdaf_core_imx363.so libpixelhealth.so libpixelstats.so pixel-power-ext-V1-ndk_platform.so pixelatoms-cpp.so pixelpowerstats_provider_aidl_interface-cpp.soCamera-related native libraries found |
| Detected Platform | Qualcomm SDM670 (sdm710)CamX/Chi HAL likely available |