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TheGoogle Pixel 8ais in my paw and will have been for a few days by the time you learn this . It ’s not long enough for me to give it our full in - depth reappraisal treatment , as the stamp battery has only just settle down into everyday life history and I ’m still experiment with the camera and feature .
But there are some thing I ’ve quickly discovered about the Pixel 8a that you should acknowledge about . So , while we work on the recapitulation , take a look at what has already piqued our interest in Google ’s newest , cheapest earpiece .
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You’re going to notice the bezels
The Pixel 8a has a 6.1 - inch sieve , which is quite modest by today ’s standards . And while it ’s colorful and burnished , it does have a ample expanse of bezels surrounding it . I ’ve follow to the Pixel 8a from theSamsung Galaxy A35andGalaxy A55 , where I recover the bezels did n’t distract me at all — which is likely to do with the bigger 6.5 - inch screens on those two phones . The Pixel 8a is much smaller in general , and I ’ve discover the bezels a lot more .
Are they a reason not to buy ? No , that would be cockamamy . But you will have to acceptthey are thereand get used to see them every time you call on on the sieve . I ’ve been using Google ’s stock subject for the phone , too , and it emphasizes them even more .
While we ’re on the subject field of the font , it ’s thesame dust attracter as before , but this metre , it provides almost no grasp and makes the phone surprisingly slippy . It ’s a vitrine to avoid if you ’re a bit clumsy , and there are plenty ofother Pixel 8a casesavailable that may fit you better .
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It doesn’t have Gemini Nano yet
Google will tell you the Pixel 8a is the only phone under $ 500 with its Gemini Nano artificial intelligence feature , but this is only part true at this phase . Gemini Nano is not on my review telephone set , and it wo n’t be uncommitted on the one you purchase either , as the feature is come in a next Feature Drop and not at launching .
When it does come , Nano will be optional , and you ’ll have to activate it in the developer options menu before anything work . After this , Nano will supply Smart Replies for selected message apps when you use the Gboard keyboard and the Summarize feature for Google ’s Recorder app .
Google has at least come out and said Nano features will come to the Pixel 8a , which is far good than how ithandled the Pixel 8 lately , but you ’ll need some patience before they get . you could useCircle to Searchstraightaway , though .
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It doesn’t feel too cheap
The Google Pixel 8a has an aluminum figure and a credit card back , while the Actua Display covert is extend in Gorilla Glass 3 . When the Samsung Galaxy A55 , which cost about the same as the Pixel 8a , has a spyglass back panel and a metal chassis , you may worry this is where Google has saved some cash and made its chinchy phone feel exactly like that .
There ’s good and risky news . The metal chassis makes the phone experience substantial in your mitt , and although it ’s quite a chunky matter , the low 188 - gm weight means it never feels burdensome . I ’ve slipped it into my pocket and quickly forgotten it ’s there . However , the plastic back is rather flimsy , and you may see it flex when you compress it down . It wo n’t fritter away anyone into thinking it ’s something other than charge card .
Prepare for a wait, and change the display settings
When I set the Pixel 8a up , I was n’t get up for a major software system update that need to be appliedbeforeI even sign up into my Google account . This may be because I ’m using the Pixel 8a in front of launching , and retail reading will already have the correct software installed . But if not , make certain you ’ve generate an hr to dispense with for it to download and set up the update . Then let the phone fix itself before you startle to set the phone up .
The Pixel 8a ’s screen has a 120Hz refresh charge per unit , but I was surprised to find it was work off by default option on my limited review model . Digging into the options menu after setting up the telephone set , I acknowledge the toggle for the Smooth Display feature was shift off , meaning it will stay at 60Hz all the time . The indorsement for the lineament says stamp battery aliveness will be worse using the 120Hz refresh rate , which may be the reason it ’s inactivate by nonpayment . However , I ’d commend plow it on to savour a smoother display experience and less eye straining .
The camera’s good, but may need an update
But it ’s not all near news . The camera seems to contend with exposure , contrast levels , and HDR in some lighting conditions , and you may see it across the main , spacious , and even 2x photos . The indoor photos I ’ve taken , some in lowlight , search great , so it ’s not an issue all the time , but as it has show up so early in my trial , I really observe it . Inconsistent camera execution is n’t uncommon on cheaper phones , but I do n’t expect it on a Pixel telephone set .
I ’ll lie with more when I ’ve taken extra photos with the Pixel 8a , and I am also cognisant I ’m using it ahead of its public release , so a software update may come before I complete my review . It ’s certainly not terrible , and I ’m not judging it at all just yet , but my expectations are always high ( just like I ’m sure yours are ) for a Pixel camera , and the Pixel 8a needs to live up to them . The gallery above gives you a full idea of what to expect .
Don’t buy the black one
When you go to purchase the Pixel 8a , there will be a pick of four colour . I ’ve been using the canonic Obsidian model , which is a grayish pitch blackness , as you may see in our photos , and there ’s a white theoretical account usable called Porcelain , too . But I hope most masses will opt either the beautiful Bay color , a amobarbital sodium also seen on thePixel 8andPixel 8 Pro , or the mark new Aloe version , which is a subtle , but very attractive lime light-green .
Why ? The Pixel 8a has a enceinte design . The dramatic curve ball at each turning point gives the phone a course pretty shape and is far more modern , friendly , and invoke than the squared - offPixel 7a . The camera bill sits majestic of the body by just a few millimeters , so it has the same alone style that get to the Pixel 8 serial await so nerveless . Make the most of it by get it in a undimmed coloring .
The Google Pixel 8a is usable to preorder now and will be resign on May 14 . It costs $ 499 and competes with theOnePlus 12R , theNothing Phone 2 , and the Samsung Galaxy A55 , among others .
Google Pixel 8a (left) and the Samsung Galaxy A35Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
bet out for our accomplished review very soon .
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2x zoomAndy Boxall / Digital Trends
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2x zoomAndy Boxall / Digital Trends
