Google Pixel 8a Review: Top Features at an Affordable Price

I’m a big fan of phones that offer great value, which is why my recent buys have all been under $500. Google’s Pixel A series has consistently been among the best budget phones each year and Pixel 8a continues that trend. While it has a slight design update, what really impresses me is its strong software package.

This year, phones like Nothing Phone 2a, OnePlus 12R and Samsung Galaxy A35 are strong competitors to the Pixel 8a. Google needs to prove that the Pixel 8a is the best budget phone. This could be the phone that sets the standard for midrange phones this year.

In my Google Pixel 8a review, I check out new Google AI features, some borrowed from Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, that help save time. I’m also excited to see improvements in Pixel 8a’s display, battery life and camera performance, making it a worthy upgrade from last year’s Pixel 7a.

Google Pixel 8a Specification

Feature	Details
💲 Price	$499 / £499 / AU$849
📱 Screen	6.1-inch OLED (2400 x 1080)
🔄 Refresh Rate	120Hz
⚙️ Processor	Tensor G3
🧠 RAM	8GB
💾 Storage	128GB, 256GB (No expansion)
📸 Rear Cameras	64MP main, 13MP ultra-wide
📷 Front Camera	13MP
🔋 Battery	4,492 mAh
🔌 Wired Charging	18W
⚡ Wireless Charging	Yes (7.5W)
📏 Size	6 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches
⚖️ Weight	6.8 ounces
🎨 Colors	Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe

Google Pixel 8a Price and availability

Pre-orders for Pixel 8a started on May 7, with general availability beginning on May 14 at Google Store and other retailers. Good news: U.S. price remains at $499, despite rumors of a potential increase. This price is for the 128GB model. If you need more storage, there’s a 256GB version for $559. In the UK, Pixel 8a costs £499, which is £50 more than Pixel 7a. In Australia, it starts at AU$849, up AU$100 from the previous model.

Pixel 8a comes in four colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay and Aloe. Aloe version is a deeper green compared to the mint color of the Pixel 8.

Currently, Pixel 7a is still priced at $499, but this may change soon. Right now, Pixel 8a deals make 7a less attractive, as you might find the Pixel 8a for free in some promotions.

Google Pixel 8a Design

Google Pixel 8a impresses with its design offering a look and feel reminiscent of Google’s higher-end flagship phones. As a mid-range device, it stands out with a charm that many competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy A35 and older iPhone SE (2022), can’t quite match.

Pixel 8a introduces a few design improvements over its predecessor, Pixel 7a. One notable change is the rounded corners which align Pixel 8a’s look with design language of Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. This subtle update gives phone a more modern and polished appearance.

Another enhancement is phone’s build quality. Pixel 8a now features a matte back and a polished aluminum frame. This new design not only feels more premium but also provides a better grip compared to the glossy finish of Pixel 7a. Matte surface is less likely to attract fingerprints and smudges so Pixel 8a looks clean and fresh even after extended use.

While Pixel 8a makes these positive changes, it retains some elements from Pixel 7a. For example, the rear horizontal bar housing the cameras, USB-C port and control buttons remains the same. One area where improvement could be made is the bezel around the display; it’s still a bit wider at the bottom, which might be noticeable to some users.

In terms of sustainability, Pixel 8a continues Google’s commitment to eco-friendly practices. It is constructed with recycled aluminum, glass & plastic and it maintains an IP67 rating for water & dust resistance. This combination of durability and environmental responsibility is impressive, making Pixel 8a a well-built and reliable choice.

Overall, Pixel 8a’s design enhancements and sustainable construction make it a standout option in the mid-range phone market, showing that it can hold its own against more expensive models and older designs.

Google Pixel 8a hands-on Display

Google isn’t the first or last phone maker to boast about screen brightness but Pixel 8a does deliver an improvement over Pixel 7a. Its 6.1-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2,400 x 1,800 pixels features the same Actua display technology as the Pixel 8. Google claims this display can reach up to 2,000 nits of brightness.

Pixel 8a achieves a peak brightness of around 1,378 nits and 1,350 nits with HDR content. This is close to Google’s claim of 1,400 nits, and a significant step up from Pixel 7a’s 931 nits. Even outside on a sunny day, I could still view 4K HDR videos without difficulty.

Pixel 8a also improves on refresh rate, moving from 90Hz on Pixel 7a to a smoother 120Hz. This change is noticeable with the Smooth Display mode turned on, making scrolling and animations look much smoother. Without this mode, there’s a bit of jitter when scrolling through web pages or apps.

Overall, 6.1-inch Actua display on Pixel 8a performs well. Its OLED panel offers wide viewing angles and vibrant colors, making it great for watching videos like trailers for “Furiosa.”

Google Pixel 8a Cameras

Pixel 8a continues Google’s tradition of offering great camera value in budget phones, following Pixel 7a’s lead.

Camera Setup:

• Rear Cameras: 64MP main camera + 13MP ultrawide
• Front Camera: 13MP selfie camera with a slightly wider 96.5-degree field of view

Performance:
Pixel 8a takes high-quality photos, similar to Pixel 7a. While it doesn’t show major improvements, it delivers excellent results for its price. For instance- it captures fine details well and provides realistic colors.

Comparison with iPhone SE (2022):
Pixel 8a’s camera is crisper and has better color accuracy than the iPhone SE. However, the iPhone SE’s photos are more saturated.

Low Light Performance:
Pixel 8a does better in low light than iPhone SE, revealing more details in dark conditions. Although it didn’t surpass Pixel 7a significantly, it remains strong for nighttime shots.

Video Recording:
Pixel 8a records video at 4K 60 fps, offering good detail but sometimes boosting shadows at expense of highlights.

Pixel 8a’s camera is solid, though not a huge leap from Pixel 7a. It competes well against other budget phones and stands out for its photo quality and performance.

Google Pixel 8a Performance

Pixel 8a features same Tensor G3 chip as Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, making it a strong performer for its price.

Speed and Efficiency:

• Chip: Tensor G3
• Performance: Pixel 8a feels fast, thanks to the new chip and a 120Hz refresh rate.
• Benchmark Scores: It scores 1,581 in single-core and 4,093 in multi-core on Geekbench 6 which is better than Pixel 7a’s scores of 1,018 and 3,065.

Daily Use:

• Pixel 8a handles everyday tasks like email and social media smoothly similar to Pixel 7a.

Gaming:

• Smooth Experience: 120Hz refresh rate helps games run smoothly. Games like Age of Origins maintain a steady frame rate, even during intense scenes.
• Benchmark: It achieves 53.7 fps in 3DMark’s Wild Life Unlimited test, compared to Pixel 7a’s 41.1 fps.

Video Editing:

• Adobe Premiere Rush: Pixel 8a has the same video rendering time (56 seconds) as Pixel 7a.

Pixel 8a is fast and efficient offering a smooth experience for both daily tasks and gaming, with the added benefit of a 120Hz refresh rate.

Google Pixel 8a Battery

Pixel 8a comes with a larger 4,492 mAh battery compared to Pixel 7a’s 4,386 mAh. This helps it last longer, with up to 11 hours & 21 minutes of use on a full charge, beating Pixel 7a’s 10 hours and 5 minutes. It’s good for a full day of normal use but not as impressive as some other phones with extended battery life.

Charging Time:

• Recharging: Pixel 8a charges slower than Pixel 7a. Using a 30W charger, it took 15 minutes to reach 16% and 30 minutes to reach 33%. This is slower than Pixel 7a, likely due to the larger battery & same 18W wired charging speed.

Google Pixel 8a AI and Software

Pixel 8a focuses heavily on software and AI, similar to Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro but with some differences.

AI Features:

• Best Take, Magic Editor, Audio Magic Eraser, Gemini, Circle to Search, Live Translate and Call Assist: These tools help save time and are practical. For example- Circle to Search lets you search directly from any app and Magic Editor makes photo editing easier.
• Call Assist: Google Assistant can handle calls and provide message options, acting like a personal assistant.
• Gemini: AI chatbot available on the Pixel 8a for instant help like finding ticket prices.

Software Updates:

• Support: Pixel 8a will receive seven years of software and security updates, a significant upgrade from Pixel 7a’s three years.

Operating System:

• Android 14: Comes pre-installed and offers the same features as Pixel 8 Pro, with added benefits from AI tools.

Pros👍 and Cons👎

👍Pros	👎Cons
💵 Price unchanged from Pixel 7a	📸 Very minor camera improvements
🔒 7 years of software & security updates	🔋 Slower charging speed
🤖 Useful AI features	👎
🎨 Matte finish design	👎
🌟 Brighter screen	👎

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Conclusion

I love flagship phones, but their high prices can be out of reach for many. That’s why I’ve always liked midrange phones, which offer great value without breaking the bank. The Pixel 8a is a perfect example of what I’m looking for.

While the camera improvements aren’t huge compared to previous models, the Pixel 8a shines in other areas. It stands out with its useful AI features, seven years of software support, brighter screen, longer battery life, and stylish design. These upgrades come without raising the price, making it a fantastic value.