The recipe for Google’s A-series Pixels is incredibly simple: combine high-end cameras with a brilliant display, and then pack it all into a tried-and-tested design at an affordable price. But with the addition of the Tensor G3 chip Pixel 8a now supports the same powerful AI features as Google’s flagship phones. So when you consider that all of this comes in at just $499, you’re not only looking at the best mid-range Android phone on the market, but perhaps one of the best values of any phone on sale today.
Design and display
Apart from the new aloe color option – the best of the bunch in my opinion – the Pixel 8a is pretty much the same. standard Pixel 8. However, there are a few subtle differences that become more noticeable when the two are viewed side-by-side. The most obvious are the slightly larger bezels, which also affect the Pixel 8’s screen size. Instead of a 6.2-inch display like its more expensive sibling, the Pixel 8a tops out at 6.1 inches. However, you still get a vibrant OLED panel that produces deep blacks and rich colors, plus a slightly faster 120Hz refresh rate compared to last year’s 90Hz. Pixel 7a.
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With the addition of Google’s Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8a packs a nice 120Hz OLED display, great cameras, and decent AI features along with above-average battery life for just $499.
- Color 120Hz OLED display
- Strong battery life
- Great cameras
- Great value
- Slow wireless charging
- Thick frames
The phone’s frame is still made of aluminum, which feels great, while the metal camera bar on the back is actually a millimeter or two thinner, resulting in a slightly sleeker device. Google also swapped out the Pixel 8’s back glass panel for plastic. But thanks to a new matte finish that’s supposed to mimic the texture of cashmere, it doesn’t necessarily feel cheap. While the IP67 rating for dust and water resistance is a notch lower than the base Pixel 8, it’s still good enough to withstand drops of up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Not bad.
Performance
One of the biggest knocks against Google’s Tensor chips is that they don’t offer the same level of raw performance you get from rival Apple or Qualcomm silicon. And while that’s still true of the G3, it worries me less when we’re talking about powering a phone that costs $499. In normal use, the Pixel 8a feels fast and snappy, even when playing games. titles like Marvel Snap and TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge it looked smooth. The only time I noticed significant hiccups or lag was when playing more demanding shooters Call of Duty: Mobile.
Of course, the other part of the performance equation is all the AI features Tensor G3 unlocks, such as Audio Magic Eraser, Best Take and Magic Editor, which you can use as many times as you like instead of 10. photo overlay that free users apply in Google Photos.
Cameras
The Pixel 8a has the same 64MP primary and 13MP ultra-wide sensors used in last year’s P7a. But that’s okay, because Google’s affordable phones punch way above their weight. So instead of comparing it to a similarly priced competitor, I decided to really challenge the Pixel 8a by comparing it to the Samsung 24 Ultra. And yet, it still largely went on.
In bright light, I’d argue that the Pixel 8a might be the superior shooter, as it captured more accurate colors and excellent detail compared to the Samsung’s warm tones and often oversaturated hues. This was especially noticeable when drawing a yellow rose. The S24 Ultra made the center of the flower orange and super contrasty, which while it looks great in a vacuum, doesn’t reflect what I saw in real life.
At night, however, the S24 Ultra’s massive 200MP main sensor stepped back, producing generally sharper and better-exposed images. However, thanks to Google’s powerful Night Sight mode, the Pixel 8a was no slouch, an impressive feat for a sub-$800 phone.
Finally, while the Pixel 8a doesn’t have any technical tricks other than a solid 13MP selfie camera, Google’s AI is here to take your photos even further. Best Take allows you to take multiple group shots and then change people’s reactions from different options. It’s easy to use and allows you to create a composition that feels like a win-win scenario where everyone is smiling. Then there’s the Magic Editor, a fun and powerful way to remove distractions or move subjects around the way you want. It’s something you won’t use every day, but every now and then it will save a shot you’d otherwise write off. So even if you don’t care about AI or how it works, Google finds a way to add value with machine learning.
Battery life and charging
The Pixel 8a’s 4,492mAh battery is a touch smaller than what you get in the standard model (4,575mAh), but it has slightly better battery life, perhaps thanks to its smaller screen. In our video summary test, the 8a lasted 20 hours and 29 minutes, barely beating the regular Pixel 8’s 20:16.
Meanwhile, when it comes to charging, both wired and Qi wireless speeds remained the same. This means that you get up to 18 watts when using the cable, but if you plug it into an induction pad, you get a rather lethargic 7.5 watts. If you only use wireless charging overnight or use it to conveniently charge the phone while you’re doing something else, this might not be too much of a problem. But if you need juice at a moment’s notice, you’d better get a cord.
Collection
Google isn’t breaking new ground with the Pixel 8a. But the class-leading cameras’ simple formula, great display, strong battery life, and sleek design will never go out of style—especially when you get it all for just $499. With the addition of AI features previously only available on Google’s flagship phones, the Pixel 8a is truly a mid-range smartphone that’s smarter than all of its competitors. To top it all off, there’s a 256GB storage configuration for the first time on any A-series phone (albeit only the Obsidian model), and even better support with seven years of Android and security updates.
One wrinkle to this is that the deciding factor is how expensive its siblings are. If you go for their standard price, the $499 Pixel 8a offers incredible savings compared to the standard $799 Pixel 8. But before the 8a’s announcement, we saw deals that brought the Pixel 8 down to $549. can spend an extra $50 to get the full flagship experience.
But for those who don’t want to wait for a discount or don’t care about details like slower wireless charging speeds, the Pixel 8a is simply a good deal, in addition to being the best mid-range Android phone.
