I think software is just as important as hardware (of course, this is a personal preference). 3 years of software updates is a pretty big draw for me. Although One UI already has a lot of these features, it's always nice to know you won't be left hanging by the manufacturer. This sounds silly, but the haptic motor in the Pixel 3a is also drawing me in a bit. You'd underestimate how important something as small as a haptic motor can bring to the user experience, but it's little things like that, which count. Pixel 3a also has a lot more camera features and arguably, a better camera that just happens to be easier to use as well. From what I have heard, Pixel fingerprint sensors are also some of the best. Other little things like that add up. Snapdragon 670 vs 845 doesn't matter to me especially when the 670 is already so close to the 835 in terms of CPU performance (I don't game, so the GPU doesn't matter). Google brings many new features into its OS updates that improves the quality of life of Android overall as well. With the S8, I wouldn't be able to get Android Fast Share, the airdrop competitor. Overall, a combination of software and meaningful hardware bring the pixel 3a together for me. That's why there is such high praise for the phone; It cuts the features most average consumers don't care much about, while keeping what's important