The Google Pixel 8a ( left ) and Pixel 6aDigital Trends
in front ofGoogle I / O 2024 , Google revealed the latest entry in the Pixel lineup : theGoogle Pixel 8a . This budget - favorable Pixel option is packed with plenty of young characteristic , include a newfangled design and colors , the Tensor G3 buffalo chip , more depot , and a crop of newfangled AI - powered tools .
But what if you still have aGoogle Pixel 6a ? Are all of these unexampled feature deserving an rise ? Let ’s canvas both phones to help oneself you make an informed decision .
Google Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 6a: specs
18W wire charging
7,5W wireless charging ( Qi - certified )
No wireless charging
Chalk , Charcoal , Sage
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 6a: design, display, durability
Since the Google Pixel 6 series , the Pixel card has retain the same overall aesthetic , with a few underage tweaks in innovation .
Both the Pixel 6a and Pixel 8a have the same cosmopolitan visual aspect , but when you look closer , there are definite changes in conception . The Pixel 8a features much more rounded and delicate corners on the chassis , whereas the Pixel 6a has more traditional straightforward corners . The camera barroom on the back of the Pixel 8a is also aluminum now , or else of charge plate like on the Pixel 6a , so it looks more lifelike when extending into the aluminum frame .
A large difference is the finish of the back outside . The Pixel 6a had a lustrous back , which was prone to fingerprints and smudges . The Pixel 8a has a new lustrelessness cease back that wo n’t show fingerprints or smudges very easily , and that make it more comfy to moderate .
The Pixel 8a also offers more color alternative : Aloe ( green ) , Bay ( blue ) , Obsidian ( black ) , and Porcelain ( white ) . The Pixel 6a only comes in three colors : deoxyephedrine , charcoal grey , and Sage .
Both the Pixel 6a and Pixel 8a have a 6.1 - inch OLED display with 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution , 430 pixels - per - in density , and always - on capabilities .
However , the Pixel 8a has double the refresh pace at 120Hz compared to the Pixel 6a ’s measly 60Hz . This intend much smoother scrolling , better animations and transitions , and an overall ameliorate app experience . In our tests with the Pixel 8a , we live no lag or stammer in normal use . The Pixel 8a exhibit will also reach up to 2,000 nits of peak smartness , which is much better than the Pixel 6a ’s maximum of about 876 nits . This higher acme brightness makes the Pixel 8a well-heeled to use outdoors in sunlight .
In terminus of durability , both the Pixel 6a and Pixel 8a use Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and have an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance .
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 6a: performance, battery life, and charging
When you ’re considering a new smartphone , it ’s always crucial to take a look at how they perform . In the case of the Pixel 8a and Pixel 6a , there ’s a pretty big remainder here .
The Pixel 8a uses the newest Google Tensor G3 check with Google ’s Titan M2 security coprocessor , the same one that you ’ll also line up in the mainlinePixel 8andPixel 8 Pro . The Pixel 6a utilize the first - generation Google Tensor G1 chipping , which is n’t a bad silicon chip , but it is a minute dated compared to the fresh G3 .
The Pixel 6a also only had one memory board pick : 128 GB with 6 GB RAM . The Pixel 8a has two : 128 GB or 256 GB , and both options have 8 GB RAM . The extra RAM twosome nicely with the improved performance and efficiency of the G3 flake .
The batteries on the Pixel 6a and Pixel 8a are similar , at 4,410mAh and 4,492mAh , severally . So , you do get a big battery with the Pixel 8a , and with the performance and top executive efficiency of the new G3 chip , that should also mean more barrage life .
In fact , Google claim that you should be able to get an norm of “ 24 summation hours ” of shelling biography from a single charge on the Pixel 8a . But in our testing , we found that getting that event really depends on your usage . In our review , we stated that we had about three or four hour of screen time per day with motley use of goods and services and typically saw 25 % battery stay by the end of the night . That ’s not function to get you the 24 - plus - hour claim that Google lay claim . But if you ’re all right with a phone that you ’ll have to charge at the end of the day anyway , then the Pixel 8a is fine .
regrettably , charging has remained unchanged . The Pixel 8a still only has 18 - W wired charging like the Pixel 6a . However , the Pixel 8a does defend 7.5W wireless charging , while the Pixel 6a lacks wireless reenforcement totally . ( The Pixel 7a was the first Pixel A - series phone to have wireless blame support . )
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 6a: cameras
Google Pixel phones have a solid reputation for taking right photos , but the ironware still matters . And the difference between the Pixel 6a and Pixel 8a is quite pregnant .
The Pixel 6a just has a 12.2MP master tv camera with a 12MP ultrawide lens , as well as an 8MP selfie camera . But the Pixel 8a boast a big jumping up to 64MP main camera with a 13MP ultrawide lens , and the selfie camera is 13MP .
Though the Pixel 6a still take good photos , the Pixel 8a definitely has well specs that will result in evenbetterphotos . With a massive jump in megapixels for the chief television camera , your stab will have much more resolution and detail , which is better if you ever plan to print out your photos .
Though the Pixel 8a is not perfect , it still takes very good photos . Colors toss off with brightness , there ’s a lot of item , and the result photos are consistent . It does not have a telephoto lens system , but it can do 2x digital zoom , which is n’t too bad .
But the Pixel 6a is n’t without some AI magic of its own . The Pixel 6a still has the Magic Eraser tool , which lets you get free of unwanted objects in a photo .
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 6a: software and support
Another crucial thing to consider when getting a unexampled speech sound is how long the hardware and software package will be fend for . After all , not everyone buy a raw earpiece every year , good ?
The Pixel 6a come out in 2022 and ship with Android 12 . At the clip , Google predict three years of Android OS upgrades and five years of surety updates . This mean that the Pixel 6a will last through Android 15 , which should number out later this class .
The Google Pixel 8a ship with Android 14 , and Google has upped the ante with seven years of support across the board , just like with the master Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro . So , the Pixel 8a will last through Android 21 . This is also the first Android phone that will have Gemini Nano AI capabilities for under $ 500 , but those characteristic will be come subsequently .
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 6a: price and availability
Since the Google Pixel 6a is an old telephone , you ca n’t buy it from the Google Store anymore . However , retailers like Amazon still seem to have some neckcloth left , with prices under $ 300 . While this may sound like a beneficial pot , remember that it wo n’t be supported for much longer at this detail .
The Pixel 8a is available now , starting at $ 499 for the 128 GB version and $ 559 for the 256 GB model . you may also save up some money on a Pixel 8a by looking for peculiar trade - in deals and other sales .
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 6a: is it worth upgrading?
It ’s pretty clear that the Pixel 8a is a big upgrade over the Pixel 6a . Considering that the Pixel 6a is getting closelipped to the ending of its life at this point , it would be a good time to kick upstairs , and the Pixel 8a is a grotesque choice .
The Pixel 8a has a new design and colors , and the 120Hz refresh pace on the 6.1 - inch OLED display provide a much better experience than the 60Hz on the 6a . With a maximal luminance of up to 2,000 nits , the Pixel 8a is also much easier to use alfresco in bright sunlight .
The Tensor G3 is also much improve over the first two loop of the chip and even has less disposition to overheat . The slimly larger battery will get you through the solar day considerably , and you even have wireless charging . The Google Pixel 8a come with Android 14 and will be supported through seven years of Android update , so this telephone set will definitely last a while .
The Pixel 8a is well one of the best note value budget handsets this yr . If you ’re still holding on to your Pixel 6a , you should emphatically deal upgrade this year . That said , you may also want to view going for a Pixel 8 , thanks toGoogle ’s fluctuating pricing .
