The Google Pixel 8a delivers impressive performance for its price range, offering an outstanding camera experience enhanced by Google’s AI-driven Magic Editor. It also boasts an exceptional 7 years of software updates. Despite being a more affordable option, the Pixel 8a provides an experience that closely rivals flagship phones.

The Pixel 8a carries forward the distinctive design of the Pixel series, starting with the Pixel 6, featuring a signature camera bar across the rear. It comes in four colors—Aloe, Bay, Obsidian, and Porcelain—with a color-matched aluminum frame uniting the glass front and plastic back. The device has softly curved corners and edges, making it comfortable to hold. The rear has a matte finish, and the screen is protected by Google’s Actua display, which uses Gorilla Glass 3.

The bezels on the Pixel 8a are wider than desired, which Google seems to use as a differentiating factor from the Pixel 8. Interestingly, the Pixel 8a is slightly larger than the Pixel 8, despite having a 0.1mm smaller display, primarily due to the bezel.

The Pixel 8A closely mirrors the design of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Google has rounded the edges, giving it a softer feel compared to the Pixel 7A. The back features a premium matte finish, which is less prone to fingerprint smudges than the glossy finishes of the Pixel 7A and Pixel 8.

The Pixel 8A comes in four colors: Aloe (green), Bay (light blue), Obsidian (black), and Porcelain (white). I’ve been using the Aloe green variant and really enjoy its bright, bold mint shade.

However, if you need more storage, you’ll have to choose the Obsidian color, as it’s the only option available with 256GB. Otherwise, you’ll be limited to 128GB, as the Pixel 8A doesn’t support expandable storage. This is a feature that sets the $400 Samsung Galaxy A35 5G apart, as it supports expandable storage up to 1TB.

The Pixel 8A has noticeably larger bezels than the Pixel 8, but this is only apparent when comparing the two side by side. In everyday use, the bezels are not distracting and are smaller than the forehead and chin on Apple’s $429 iPhone SE.

Google has increased the Pixel 8A’s display brightness compared to last year’s Pixel 7A, which is a welcome improvement. While I still find myself increasing the brightness outdoors, it’s not as problematic as with previous Pixel devices.

At a glance, distinguishing the Pixel 8a from its Pixel 8 siblings can be challenging, mainly due to the similar camera array. The camera bar, although prone to dust collection, prevents the phone from wobbling when placed on a flat surface.

Google Pixel 8a Display

Google has enhanced the brightness of its displays, with the Pixel 8a peaking at 2,000 nits, slightly lower than the Pixel 8 Pro’s 2,400 nits. This brightness is sufficient to enhance HDR visuals and improve the viewing experience for photos and movies. The Pixel 8a features a 6.1-inch AMOLED panel with a 2,400 x 1,080 pixel resolution, offering a sharp 430ppi. The display performance is comparable to the Pixel 8, and it includes a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling and improved battery life.

Camera

The camera setup is a highlight of the Pixel 8a, making it one of the best smartphone cameras in its price range. It retains the hardware from the Pixel 7a, with a 64-megapixel main camera and a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera. While it lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, Google’s software-driven Super Res Zoom provides decent 2x zoom, though the 8x zoom is less effective. The main camera performs exceptionally well, even in low light, often rivaling some flagship phones.

Performance

Powered by the Google Tensor G3, the same chip found in the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 8a offers solid performance. Although it doesn’t match the raw power of devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it handles everyday tasks smoothly. Over a month of use, the Pixel 8a consistently delivered reliable performance.

Battery Life and Charging

The Pixel 8a features a 4,492mAh battery, promising over 24 hours of usage. During testing, the battery life proved sufficient for a full day of intensive use. However, the 18W charging speed is modest by modern standards, and while it supports wireless charging, it lacks the reverse charging feature of the Pixel 8 Pro.

Pros

• Exceptional camera performance
• 7 years of bloat-free Android updates
• Great performance for the price

Cons

• Discounted Pixel 8 presents strong competition
• Bezels are somewhat wide
• Charging speeds are modest

  

The Google Pixel 8a is a compelling mid-range smartphone that excels in several areas. Its 7-year software support adds long-term value, and its camera performance is on par with flagship models. Although it has some drawbacks like wider bezels and slower charging speeds, these are minor compared to the overall value it offers. The biggest challenge for the Pixel 8a is the competition from the discounted Pixel 8, which offers slightly more premium features. However, the Pixel 8a remains an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality smartphone at a more affordable price. (Retail price: $499)