New Pixel A-series smartphones are typically announced at Google I/O. Unfortunately, that means this affordable device sometimes gets buried among all the other news during the company's annual developer conference. So for 2024, Google has sped things up a bit to give the new Pixel 8a some extra attention. After trying it out, I found out why. It combines pretty much everything I love about the regular Pixel 8, but at a lower price point of $499.
Right off the bat, you'll see a very familiar design. Compared to the standard Pixel 8, which has a 6.2-inch screen, the 8a has a slightly smaller 6.1-inch OLED display with noticeably larger bezels. But other than that, the Pixel 8 and 8a are about the same size. Google says the material covering the display is made of Gorilla Glass, so it should be pretty durable, but it doesn't specify the exact type (Gorilla Glass 6, Victus, etc.).
Other changes include an increased refresh rate to 120Hz (up from 90Hz in the previous model), a more streamlined camera bar, and a new matte finish on the plastic back that Google claims mimics the texture of cashmere. Examples include. I don't think I would go that far now, but it felt surprisingly luxurious. The 8a has plenty of water resistance thanks to its IP67 rating, although it's slightly less than the regular Pixel 8's IP68 certification. The battery is also a bit smaller at 4,492 mAh instead of 4,575 mAh. That said, Google says the new model should run longer than previous models due to improved power efficiency.
In terms of new features, the most important addition is that in addition to the base model with 128 GB of storage, Google now offers a 256 GB version. This is a first for A-series Pixels. And following last year's flagship model, the Pixel 8a will also receive his seven years of software and security updates. This is a huge jump from his 3 years of Android patches and his 5 years of security in 7a last year. Finally, the Pixel 8a has a partially updated color selection that includes laurel, porcelain, obsidian, and a new aloe shade. It's similar to the mint version of his Pixel 8 from earlier this year, but even brighter and more saturated. Even though I've only played with it a little bit, I have to say it's definitely the best looking of the bunch.
One thing that hasn't changed, however, is the Pixel 8a's photography hardware. The main camera and ultra-wide camera use the same 64-megapixel and 13MP sensors. However, the Pixel 7a offered the best image quality of any phone in its price range, so it's hard to get too mad about that. And since it's powered by a Tensor G3 chip, it supports almost all the AI ​​features that Google introduced in the regular Pixel 8 last fall, including Best Take, Audio Magic Eraser, Circle to Search, and Live Translate. I am. Additionally, Google will give everyone access to the Magic Editor within Google Photos later this month, although free users are limited to 10 saves per month, but with the Pixel 8s and now the 8a. There is no limit to the number of users.
However, there are some features available on the flagship Pixel that are not available on the 8a. The biggest omission is the lack of professional camera controls, so you can't manually adjust photo settings like shutter speed, ISO, and white balance. Also, Google hasn't upgraded his 8a's Qi wireless charging speed, so it's limited to just 7.5 watts instead of up to 18 watts. Finally, the phone has digital zoom, but no dedicated telephoto lens like the Pixel 8 Pro.
But getting a device that offers 90% of the features offered in Google's top-tier smartphones for just $499, $200 less than the Pixel 8's regular starting price, isn't a bad trade-off. And if you like the Pixel 8a but aren't too keen on AI, the Pixel 7a will still be available at a discounted price of $349. However, we don't know how long the supply will last, so if you want one of these, we recommend getting it soon.
As of this writing, the standard Pixel 8 is discounted to $549, which is just $50 more than the Pixel 8a. So unless an additional Ulysses S. Grant is something that will sway your budget, I'd probably go for it. Still, the Pixel 8a doesn't come with many surprises, but like its predecessor, it's once again shaping up to be the mid-range Android smartphone to beat.
Pre-orders begin today, and official sales will begin next week on May 14th.