TheGoogle Pixel 8ahas just launch , and it comes with many upgrade that Pixel rooter have been trust for . These include some attractive raw figure flourishes , beefed - up ironware , a longer - survive battery , and a higher - end show . You also get all the software feature that make the Pixel serial so appealing , including seven days of OS and security measures updates and Gemini Nano for more AI feature .
But how does all of this comparison to the already great Pixel 7a ? Here ’s a breakdown of the Google Pixel 8a ’s six biggest upgrades over the Pixel 7a . For a closer looking at all of the divergence between the two phone , see ourPixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a comparison .
The Tensor G3 chip
TheTensor G3 chipis the self-aggrandizing selling point for most Pixel fans . This is the cow chip that launched earlier on theGoogle Pixel 8andPixel 8 professional . It ’s based on Samsung ’s 4 - nanometer ( 4 nm ) fabrication operation , relieve oneself it more efficient than the 5 nm G2 . This will bear dividends in king efficiency , rut , and battery animation . In testing , we institute that the Tensor G3 ran coolheaded than previous generations , though it did n’t quite rival the benchmark of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Apple ’s A17 Pro poker chip , which practice a 3 nm design . That said , the veridical benefit of the Tensor G3 add up from the improvements to barrage animation , camera potentiality , and AI feature article , which we ’ll talk over more below .
Other specs are fairly standard , with 128 GB of repositing in the al-Qa’ida model and 8 GB Aries , match the Pixel 7a . But you also get a 256 GB storage variant , which is a gracious pick for those who do a lot of downloading and gaming on their phone .
There ’s also everything we enjoy about the previous models , with first-class camera capabilities , include a 64 - megapixel primary , 13MP ultrawide , and 13MP front - facing camera . The main sensor comes with Super Res Zoom up to 8x and a variety of television camera features like Night Sight , Magic Eraser , Portrait Mode , and more . The only thing you ’re really missing is the Pro controls you get on the Pixel 8 Pro .
Longer battery life
The Pixel 8a come with a 4,492mAh battery , up from the 4,385mAh jail cell on the 7a . The increment in battery mental ability , combined with the more power - effective Tensor G3 and software system optimizations , should result in a 15 % increase in bombardment living compare to the Pixel 7a .
This is a particularly welcome modification because , as note in ourPixel 7a review , “ If this were my primary phone , I definitely do n’t see it lasting more than a day with leaden manipulation . Even when I was just out learn photos with the Pixel 7a , the barrage fire would drain quicker than I ’d like , and it also be given to get warm . It does n’t come out that the Tensor G2 chip did a lot of improving on the power efficiency front , unfortunately . ”
A 15 % improvement in runtime could mean an 60 minutes or more of additional usage , though we ’ll need to put the Pixel 8a through real - world testing to roll in the hay for sure . It also come with 18W wired charging andQi wireless chargingat 7.5W , both of which are unchanged from the 7a , where we found the wireless charging was a courteous feature , but it was dense to charge even compare to the Pixel 7 .
Feast your eyes on this screen
We ’re most activated about the betterment to the Pixel 8a screen door . It come with a 6.1 - in 2400 - by-1080 OLED panel with a frizzly 430 pel per inch ( ppi ) . The resolution is the same as the Pixel 7a , but the Pixel 8a has a 120Hz refresh rate , making it notably smoother and more reactive - feeling than the 90Hz you receive with the last genesis .
It ’s also worth noting that this is a gOLED display rather than the pOLED display you get on the Pixel 8 . Despite being slightly different , the Pixel 8a should give you the slow , inky-black blackness and fertile , vivid colors that OLED is screw for while using less power .
Among other features , you get much higher cleverness , with the Pixel 8a capable of strike 1,400 nits at high luminosity ( for HDR content ) and 2,000 nit at efflorescence brightness level , giving it a 40 % high-pitched peak light than the Pixel 7a . You should never have a problem regard this screen in verbatim sunshine . The instrument panel is also protect by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 , the same as the Pixel 7a .
Gemini Nano for more AI features
We ’ve talk a deal about computer hardware , but one of the things we ’re most excited about is what ’s buy the farm on under the hood . The Pixel 8a is the only phone under $ 500 that arrive withGemini Nano , Google ’s on - gadget AI that first came to the Pixel 8 Pro and Galaxy S24 series beforerolling out to the Pixel 8 .
In short , Gemini Nano will admit the Pixel 8a to run certain AI feature entirely on - equipment , allowing for faster AI functioning without the need for an internet / information connection . Some examples of AI feature it improves are Gboard smart reply and conversation summary from recording in the Google Recorder app .
Speaking of smarts , the Pixel 8a has a lot of them . You get great safety features like car clank sleuthing , crisis alerts , and safety tick , which are all things we ’ve seen axial rotation out to Apple and Samsung devices .
7 years of updates
Last but by no mean least , we have an underrated but improbably compelling variety — the Pixel 8a now provides seven years of OS and surety update , includingFeature Dropupdates . This is a big jump from the three years of major Android update and five years of software sustain the Pixel 7a render . you may fairly use the Pixel 8a for the better part of a decade without worrying that your gimmick is compromised .
For the more security - witting , several nice feature are bundled into the machine . You get a VPN by Google One at no additional monetary value , end - to - close security , and the multiyear computer hardware protection that come from the Titan M2 conscientious objector - processor .
A matter of taste
The Pixel 8a is n’t a striking departure from its predecessor in conception , coming with the same visor for the television camera bump made out of aluminum and overall footprint , but it does come with several design flourishes Pixel rooter might like .
For one , the Pixel 8a has a more rounded shape compare to the more angular Pixel 7a , so it may be slightly easier to transfix with one deal . More significantly , the high-pitched gloss charge plate back is gone in party favor of a matte finish and satin aluminium frame . Ideally , that should make it less of a fingermark attraction when you ’re using it without a casing .
measure are n’t much different , though , with the 8a measuring 6.0 by 2.9 by 0.4 inches ( HWD ) and matter 6.8 apothecaries' ounce , basically very to the 7a . However , there ’s an eye - catch fresh Aloe color option that looks kind of like a brilliant mint green . This is in addition to the standard Obsidian , Porcelain , and Bay colors .
Other features includeIP67 water and rubble resistance , putting the Pixel 8a just a notch below the IP68 Pixel 8 and 8 Pro .
The Pixel 8a is available for preorder now on the Google Store and through third - political party retailers for $ 499 . It will be useable as soon as Tuesday , May 14 .
