The recipe for Google's A-series Pixels is incredibly straightforward: combine high-end cameras with a vivid display and then cram it all into a tried-and-tested design for a reasonable price. But with the addition of the Tensor G3 chip, the 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 looking at not only the top midrange Android handset on the market, but possibly one of the best values of any phone on sale today.
Design and display
Apart from a new Aloe Color option – which is the best in my opinion – the Pixel 8a is almost identical to the standard Pixel 8. However, there are some subtle differences that become more noticeable when the two are viewed side by side. The most obvious are the slightly larger bezels on the sides, which also affect the size of the Pixel 8's screen. Instead of a 6.2-inch display as on its pricier sibling, the Pixel 8a tops out at 6.1 inches. That said, you still get a vibrant OLED panel that produces deep blacks and rich colors, as well as a slightly faster 120Hz refresh rate compared to the 90Hz on last year's Pixel 7a.
Engadget
With the addition of Google's Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8a offers a beautiful 120Hz OLED screen, excellent cameras and simple AI features with above-average battery life for just $499.
- Color 120Hz OLED display
- Strong battery life
- Best cameras
- High value
- Slow wireless charging
- Thick bezels
$499 on Google
The phone's frame is still made of aluminum, which looks great, while the metal camera bar on the back is actually a millimeter or two thinner, resulting in an ever-so-slightly sleeker device. Google also swapped out the Pixel 8's rear glass panel for plastic. But thanks to a new matte finish that's supposed to mimic the texture of cashmere, it certainly doesn't feel cheap. And while its IP67 rating for dust and water resistance is a step below the mainline Pixel 8, it's still good enough to withstand a dunk up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. not bad.
performance
The biggest knock against Google's Tensor chips is that they don't offer the same level of raw performance you'd get from rival Apple or Qualcomm silicon. And while that's still true of the G3, when we're talking about powering a phone that costs $499, I'm far less worried. In normal use, the Pixel 8a feels sharp and snappy, even during gaming. such as titles Marvel Snap And TMNT: Shredder's Revenge seemed smooth. The only time I noticed significant hiccups or lag was when playing games like more demanding shooters. Call of Duty: Mobile.
Of course, the other part of the performance equation is all the on-device AI features that the Tensor G3 unlocks, such as Audio Magic Eraser, Best Tech and Magic Editor, which you can use as much as you want instead of 10. Photo cap which free users are subject to Google Photos.
Cameras
The Pixel 8a has the same 64MP main and 13MP ultra-wide sensors used in last year's P7a. But that's okay, because Google's affordable phones punch well above their weight. So instead of comparing it to similarly priced rivals, I decided to challenge the Pixel 8a against the Samsung 24 Ultra. And yet, it still largely persists.
In bright light, I'd argue that the Pixel 8a might be the better shooter, as it captured more accurate colors and better detail than the warm tones and often more saturated colors from the Samsung. This was especially noticeable when shooting a single yellow rose. The S24 Ultra made the center of the flower appear orange and highly contrasty, which looks great in space but doesn't reflect what I saw in real life.
However, at night the S24 Ultra's massive 200MP main sensor lags behind, producing images that are generally sharper and more well-exposed. That said, thanks to Google's powerful Night Sight mode, the Pixel 8a wasn't far behind, an impressive feat for a phone that costs less than $800.
Finally, while the Pixel 8a doesn't have any hardware tricks other than a solid 13MP selfie camera, Google's AI is here to take your photos even further. Best Take allows you to capture multiple group shots and then change people's reactions with various options. It's easy to use and lets you create a mix where everyone is smiling, which feels like a win-win scenario. Then there's the Magic Editor, a fun and powerful way to remove annoying elements or move articles around as you like. It's the kind of thing you might not use every day, but every now and then it will save a shot you might have otherwise deleted. So even if you don't care about AI or how it works, Google is finding a way to add value with machine learning.
Battery life and charging
While the Pixel 8a's 4,492 mAh battery is a touch smaller than the one you'll find on the standard model (4,575 mAh), it actually has slightly better battery life, likely due to its much smaller screen. On our video rundown test, the 8a lasted a solid 20 hours and 29 minutes, barely beating the regular Pixel 8's time of 20:16.
Meanwhile, when it comes to recharging, both wired and Qi wireless speeds have been similar. That means you get up to 18 watts when using the cable, but a slower rate of 7.5 watts if you tap it to an induction pad. This may not be a big deal if you only use wireless charging overnight or to easily top up the phone while you do something else. But if you need some juice in an instant, you better grab a cord.
wrap up
Google isn't breaking new ground with the Pixel 8a. But the simple formula of class-leading cameras, a great display, strong battery life and a sleek design will never go out of style – especially when you get it all for just $499. And with the addition of AI features previously only available on Google's flagship phones, the Pixel 8a is a midrange smartphone that's truly smarter than all of its competitors. To top it all off, there's a configuration with 256GB of storage for the first time on any A-series handset (though only on the Obsidian model), along with seven years of Android and security updates. Even better support.
The wrinkle is that the deciding factor comes down to how much his siblings are worth. If you go by their default price, the $499 Pixel 8a offers incredible savings over the standard $799 Pixel 8. However, before the 8a was announced, we saw deals that brought the Pixel 8 down to $549, at which point you could spend an extra $50 to get the full flagship experience.
But for those who don't like waiting for a discount or maybe don't care about details like slow wireless charging speeds, in addition to being the best midrange Android phone, the Pixel 8a is a great deal.