It ’s that time of year once again — time for a new Google Pixel phone . Google officially announced the Pixel 8a this calendar week , and the phone is exactly as the rumors predicted . It has a somewhat refined design , a newfangled chipset , and an improved video display .
At first coup d’oeil , theGoogle Pixel 8amight do off as a bit slow . It ’s a budget smartphone that ’s technically inferior to its Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro siblings from 2023 , and compare to the Pixel 7a , it ’s notall thatdifferent . It can be easy to dissolve the Pixel 8a , but when you consider all of its specs , features , and unaltered price , I do n’t think there ’s anything deadening about it . In fact , I think it ’s pretty bloody exciting .
Subtle (but important) upgrades
The Pixel 8a is not a revolution for Google ’s budget smartphone scheme . Much of the Pixel 8a was carried over directly from thePixel 7a , and it shows . However , the upgrades Googledidmake are — in my opinion — critically significant .
The big of these is the Pixel 8a ’s chipset . Powering the telephone is Google ’s Tensor G3 cow chip — the same one launch in thePixel 8andPixel 8 professional . For consultation , last yr ’s Pixel 7a was powered by the Tensor G2 . In my experience , Google ’s Tensor G2 is abadchip .
Although I never used the Pixel 7a , I did habituate the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro . I had nothing but a bad experience with both of them — and I chalk it all up to the Tensor G2 . From app crash to user user interface bugs to wretched battery animation to rampant overheating , neither sound was one I could rely on . Other people had far just times with Google ’s second - multiplication chipset , but I was never quite so golden .
Comparatively , the Tensor G3 is a much more reliable chipset . It ’s certainly not sodding , and it trails behind contend chip from Qualcomm and Apple , but it ’s conference more safe than the late G2 chip . I ’ve used the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Proa lotsince their acquittance in October , and they ’ve been perfectly reliable smartphones — offer good performance with infrequent bugs , lilliputian - to - no crashes , and much less worrisome overheating . Bringing that enhance stability to the Pixel 8a is a massive win , and it make me far more comfortable recommending the sound than I was with its predecessor .
I ’m also happy to see Google has upgraded the Pixel 8a ’s exhibit . Last year , Google went from a 60Hz refresh pace on the Pixel 6a to a 90Hz one on the Pixel 7a . This twelvemonth , Google has give usanotherrefresh rate melioration , with the Pixel 8a offer a 120Hz display . It ’s the same refresh rate come up on the more expensive Pixel 8 example , and combined with the more reliable Tensor G3 chip , that should translate to a much smoother overall experience .
There are other welcome upgrade , too . Between the larger 4,492 mAh battery and more efficient chipset , Google ’s forecast a 15 % improvement in barrage fire aliveness compare to the Pixel 7a . The showing is also quite a spot bright this prison term , put up up to 2,000 nits of peak luminosity instead of 1,000 nits . As far as software updates are concerned , the seven years of promised Android upgrades , security patches , and Feature Drops are just as just as Google and Samsung ’s flagship phones .
When you put it like that , the Pixel 8a does n’t sound so boring after all , does it ?
If it ain’t broke
To be clear , there are plenty of other areas where Googledidn’timprove the Pixel 8a compared to the Pixel 7a . But the aspects of the phone Google left unchanged do n’t sense particularly worrisome .
Take the camera , for illustration . Just like last yr , the Pixel 8a has the same 64 - megapixel main camera , 13MP ultrawide photographic camera , and 13MP selfie photographic camera . Those are n’t jaw - throw specifications , but as a reminder , the Pixel 7a already take middling unbelievable photos . Another year of alike image quality — paired with some new AI photo - redaction instrument — does n’t sound bad at all . The IP67 rating is also unchanged , and while not as strong as the IP68 military rating on more expensive phones , it ’s unmanageable to get genuinely disordered about it .
I also do n’t detest that the commit choice have n’t changed , even if 18W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging are far from merry . And compared to the 80W wired charging offered by theOnePlus 12R , there ’s no doubt Google had way for melioration here . However , if this was one of the sacrifices that had to be made for a newer chip and a faster / brighter screen , I ’m hunky-dory with that — especially because of the next affair we have to peach about : the price .
The wow factor
Despite the better chip , nice display , self-aggrandizing battery , and longsighted commitment to software update , the Google Pixel 8a still costs the same as the Pixel 7a . It ’s $ 499 for the 128 GB reposition model , and if you ask more room , there ’s now a 256 GB pick available for $ 559 . lead up to the Pixel 8a ’s release , there was a peck of discussion about a possible price gain . But that did n’t happen , and give all of the ascent Google has hand over , it ’s frankly pretty incredible .
The Google Pixel 7a was a safe foundation for a midrange smartphone . The Pixel 8a has taken that foundation and fixed what necessitate work ( the chipset , show , barrage life , and software package updates ) , restrain what did n’t need changing ( the cameras and charging options ) , and did all of that without increasing the damage . If you ask me , this all has the potential for the Google Pixel 8a to be one of 2024 ’s in force smartphone value .
So , no — I do n’t think the Google Pixel 8a is a slow smartphone . Does it visually look very similar to last year ’s Pixels ? It sure enough does . Are its eyeglasses an curious mishmash between the Pixel 7a and Pixel 8 ? Undoubtedly . Does all of that speech sound like the makings of an unbelievable $ 500 smartphone ? I certainly think so . Google is often at its best when it ’s making a phone within a certain damage restraint , and give what we ’ve seen of the Pixel 8a so far , it wait like the Pixel phone I ’ve been waiting for — one that ’s low-priced , authentic , and packed with solid specifications . If you ask me , that ’s worth pay back excited about .
