Google Pixel 8a Review: Piggy in the Middle

At a look

Professional’s Ranking

Professionals

• Glorious software program expertise
• Strong cameras
• Enticing design
• Wi-fi charging

Cons

• Gradual charging
• Middling battery life
• Chunky bezel

Our Verdict

For the common cellphone purchaser – the goal market right here – the Pixel 8a ticks a lot of the bins and with longevity promised will make for a superb worth alternative over its lifespan. Take into account the Pixel 7a and eight first although and, for tech nerds, there are extra highly effective rivals on the market, usually obtainable for much less.

Worth When Reviewed

From $499

Greatest Costs Right now: Google Pixel 8a

$499

Google is again with one other version of its mid-range A-series smartphones and the Pixel 8a has been underneath the microscope for a lot of causes. 

For starters, Google pushed the value up by £50 to £499 within the UK (although it says at $499 within the US) which means it’s positioned nearer to the flagship Pixel 8. 

It’s one of many 4 causes I stated I’d discover it exhausting to suggest the Pixel 8a when it was introduced, additionally citing the brand new colors, a storage challenge and an absence of innovation within the charging division. 

Are these nonetheless issues now I’ve been testing the Pixel 8a as my day by day driver for a couple of weeks? Let’s discover out.

The Pixel 8a has to compete with the perfect mid-range telephones.

Design & Construct 

• New color 
• Lighter 
• Nonetheless IP67 

The design language of the Pixel telephones has stayed largely unchanged for a couple of years now and the 8a is not any exception. 

It’s a case of small tweaks right here and there, with the obvious being the extra rounded corners of the cellphone and Google’s newest colourway decisions. You continue to get that iconic digital camera bar throughout the again, which is a bit divisive, however I prefer it – even to cease the cellphone sliding off issues. 

And it’ll in case you go away it to its personal gadgets. It’s obtained a glossier end than most telephones which supplies a premium really feel but in addition makes it slippery. The official case helps (though I miss Google’s cloth ones of outdated), relying on what it comes into contact with.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

The 8a is a comparatively compact cellphone by trendy requirements and it’s been on a eating regimen, now simply 188g – 5.5g lighter than the Pixel 7a. Construct high quality is healthier than many rivals and although there’s a plastic rear cowl (comprised of 76% recycled supplies), its matt end makes it one of many nicest plastic-backed telephones I’ve tried.

The 100% recycled aluminium body is powerful but it surely’s curious that Google nonetheless places Gorilla Glass 3 on the entrance when that model is over 10 years outdated now. 

My assessment pattern in Bay blue matches the Pixel 7 Professional and alongside the traditional Obsidian black and Porcelain white choices is Aloe inexperienced. I believed this regarded horribly garish in inventory photos however in actual life, it’s reasonably fairly good. 

The cellphone continues to be IP67 waterproof making it absolutely dunkable.  

Display screen & Audio system 

• 6.1-inch OLED 
• 120Hz refresh charge 
• Stereo audio system 

General, not a lot has modified in regards to the display on the Pixel 8a from its predecessor. It’s nonetheless a tiny bit smaller than the common Pixel 8 at 6.1-inch, which as of late is fairly compact. 

You continue to get an OLED panel with an FHD+ decision in order that makes the pixel density marginally larger than the flagship, not that you would be able to discover the distinction. 

One key improve is that Google has bumped the refresh charge as much as 120Hz making it the primary A-series cellphone to transcend 90Hz (although the soar isn’t as large as 60- to 90Hz). It’s a welcome change for a smoother expertise however there’s no LPTO tech right here so the cellphone can solely change between 60- and 120Hz. 

The function (known as Clean Show) within the settings is switched off by default which feels barely odd. Google is attempting to avoid wasting battery life, but it surely feels pointless having premium options like this and never utilizing them. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

General the display is top of the range as soon as once more with punchy colors, good viewing angles, wonderful distinction and loads of brightness. Google charges it at 1400 nits for HDR and 2000 nits peak. I measured it as 812 nits with autobrightness turned off which is spectacular and I didn’t have any points utilizing it indoors or out. 

I simply want the display didn’t have fairly such a chunky bezel round it. A 2024 cellphone bezel shouldn’t be this large, particularly at this value. I did get used to it, however now and again I have a look at the 8a and assume ‘wow, this appears dated’. 

Inside the display particulars is a built-in fingerprint scanner which you’d anticipate, in fact. It really works effectively based mostly on my intensive testing, although not flawless and there’s additionally face unlock in case you choose which additionally works very effectively. Nevertheless, it’s much less safe and so can’t be used for the likes of Google Pay.  

On the audio aspect, the 8a has stereo audio system which punch out first rate high quality audio similar to the 7a did. There’s no headphone jack as standard. 

Specs & Efficiency 

• Tensor G3 chip 
• 8GB RAM 
• Now in 256GB 

In relation to smartphone parts and efficiency you most likely fall into certainly one of two classes: you simply need the cellphone to work easily and also you don’t care the way it occurs, otherwise you wish to dive into the small print in what I wish to name smartphone High Trumps. 

If you happen to’re within the former camp, then there’s nothing to fret about. Throughout my a number of weeks with the Pixel 8a, the cellphone has run completely easily. One or two tiny hiccups have been app associated and due to this fact not inherent to the cellphone. 

For these within the latter camp, the Pixel 8a isn’t the quickest or most fun cellphone within the mid-range class. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Positive, it has the Tensor G3 chip discovered within the flagship fashions, even the Pixel 8 Professional. It’s a stable chip however in comparison with some rivals and factoring within the primary 8GB of RAM, yow will discover higher elsewhere in case you store round. 

Benchmarks present it’s behind some others in CPU and graphics checks so energy customers would possibly need to think about going elsewhere. Nevertheless, the goal marketplace for the Pixel 8a should not have any issues and outpaces big-name opponents just like the Samsung Galaxy A55.

Pixel 8a benchmarks

The principle factor to level out to anybody is that there’s now a 256GB storage capability reasonably than simply the usual 128GB. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to solely get this within the Obsidian black colourway.

By way of different specs, the Pixel 8a has all of the belongings you’d anticipate from an nearly flagship handset in 2024 together with Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, GPS, Bluetooth 5.3 and 5G. It’s a dual-SIM cellphone, albeit with one nano-SIM slot and assist for eSIM, reasonably than two bodily playing cards.

Cameras 

• 64Mp predominant digital camera 
• 13Mp ultrawide 
• 13Mp selfie 

Digicam tech hasn’t modified from the Pixel 7a, however that’s not inherently a foul factor. That cellphone obtained a reworked setup constructed from the bottom up, that includes a better decision 64Mp predominant sensor.

The rear is accomplished with a 13Mp ultrawide as standard and whereas there’s no telephoto (to be anticipated), it’s refreshing to see Google not try to bump the variety of cameras up with one thing like a 2Mp macro.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Photographs from all three cameras are unsurprisingly wonderful. The Pixel 8a is a good cellphone for point-and-shoot conditions, with loads of totally different modes to mess around with if you want. It doesn’t have any sort of Professional mode, although.

It is best to anticipate first rate outcomes from nearly any cellphone this value in daylight, however Google pulls forward of the pack when circumstances get trickier. The principle sensor being bigger helps but it surely’s Google’s software program which is solely extra superior. 

Night time Sight continues to be the perfect night time mode I’ve used and offers you confidence to take pictures as soon as it will get darkish, reasonably than leaving your cellphone in your pocket as a result of you realize there’s no level taking pictures. 

You’ll need to stick with the principle digital camera actually, however the others are nonetheless above common on this respect. 

The opposite benefit of getting a Pixel cellphone is getting Google’s newest enhancing magic at your fingertips with the likes of Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, Photograph Unblur and extra. You may get these on different telephones – even iPhone – by way of Google Photographs however you’ll want a Premium Google One subscription to entry some. 

The Pixel 8a additionally has prowess once you change to video recording. All three cameras can file as much as 4K decision (with 60fps on the principle digital camera), although I used to be comfortable sufficient with the outcomes at Full HD. 

Battery Life & Charging 

• 4492mAh 
• 18W wired charging 
• 7.5W wi-fi charging 

Sadly, there’s not a lot enchancment or innovation on the subject of the battery aspect of issues. Regardless of a barely bigger 4492mAh battery and improve to the Tensor G3 (with its improved energy effectivity), there’s no important enchancment in comparison with the Pixel 7a.

It can final a day however until you’re having a very mild day the place it’s principally sat on a desk or in a pocket not doing a lot (like most of my workdays), it gained’t go additional.

Regardless of this, the 8a lasted a powerful 15 hours and two minutes in our standard PCMark battery check. Based mostly on this check alone, it’d be among the best battery life telephones you should buy, although real-world utilization doesn’t replicate that.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Regardless of inexpensive telephones with 67-, 90- and even 100+W charging being available, this seems to be one thing Google is unwilling to improve. You continue to get primary 18W wired charging and there may be, for higher or worse, no adapter within the field. 

Utilizing a 30W Google charger, I noticed the cellphone cost from lifeless to 41% in 30-minutes. 

Wi-fi charging is sluggish at 7.5W however I can stay with it since this function continues to be uncommon on mid-range smartphones and paired with a charger like Google’s Pixel Stand 2 makes for a pleasant desktop or bedside setup. 

Software program & Apps 

• Android 14 
• Google AI options 
• 7 12 months software program promise 

Being the maker of Android, the Pixel telephones ought to provide the top on the subject of software program and for a lot of customers that’s the case.  

In fact, a few of it’s subjective and though, for instance, Xiaomi’s HyperOS (previously MIUI) has grown on me loads not too long ago, it’s a reduction to modify again to inventory Android the place issues are a comparative oasis of calm, freed from bloatware and distractions. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

The Android 14 interface isn’t massively totally different from the earlier model so it’s AI options which are inflicting a buzz this 12 months, in fact. And Google has seemingly stuffed the Pixel 8a with AI methods, regardless that a whole lot of them have been round for some time, similar to Magic Eraser (take away objects from the background of any picture) and Stay Translate (for real-time conversations in a number of languages).

My favorite new function is Circle to Search the place a protracted press on the navigation bar permits you to circle any a part of the display to seek for no matter it’s your highlighting. This may very well be some meals you desire a recipe for, a landmark you need to go to or some sneakers you need to purchase. 

There are a lot extra options to find and a few are really helpful like Maintain for Me the place the cellphone sits in a cellphone queue for you and allows you to know once you’re up subsequent. There are additionally security measures similar to a free VPN as a part of a Google One. 

In a world the place so many merchandise, together with telephones, launch with half of the principle options coming at a ‘later date’ the Pixel 8a bucks the pattern with its able to go AI portfolio and you realize you’ll get updates first.

Listed below are 8 hidden Pixel 8a options and methods to allow them.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Talking of which, among the best issues about shopping for a Pixel cellphone is the market-leading software program assist (which solely Samsung flagships can match). You get a whopping seven years of each safety and OS updates, so that you’ll get all the way in which to Android 21 in idea. 

Whether or not you need to preserve a cellphone that lengthy, or how effectively it’ll run that model in 2031 (or if Google does certainly preserve that promise) isn’t simple to reply but it surely’s the perfect out the appropriate now and offers you extra flexibility than many rivals. 

Worth & Availability 

The Pixel 8a is available in at £499/$499, which means it’s the identical value as its predecessor within the US however has acquired a £50 value hike within the UK.

This may get you 128GB of storage however now you can soar to 256GB for £559/$559 in case you choose – so long as you might be pleased with the Obsidian black colourway that’s.

You should buy it from the official retailer (the place you will get good trade-in costs) in addition to the likes of Amazon/Amazon US. You can too see the perfect contract offers for the Pixel 8a within the UK beneath.

It places it in competitors with a number of nice smartphones together with the Samsung Galaxy A55, Nothing Telephone (2a), Poco X6 Professional, OnePlus Nord 3 and extra. A lot of that are cheaper choices. 

Check out our greatest mid-range telephones round-up for our prime suggestions. 

Must you purchase the Google Pixel 8a? 

Usually, the Pixel telephones, notably the A-series, are a no brainer advice however I’m discovering the 8a tougher to get my head round.

In isolation, that is one other first rate cellphone from Google and I’d be fairly comfortable on the entire to hold on utilizing it as my predominant cellphone. It’s obtained a pleasant design, a beautiful display (bezel apart), clean sufficient efficiency, above-average cameras, there’s wi-fi charging and Google’s top-notch software program expertise – together with AI options obtainable out of the field. 

Nevertheless, the cellphone is caught in a barely odd place this 12 months – notably with the value bump within the UK. It signifies that it is best to critically think about splashing a little bit additional to get the flagship Pixel 8 now it’s discounted at loads of retailers or final 12 months’s Pixel 7a which can nonetheless be supported as much as 2026 for OS updates and 2028 for safety. 

Then there are many nice rivals from the likes of Samsung, Xiaomi and Motorola which have issues like higher uncooked efficiency, longer battery life and quicker charging.

Observe that it’s extra of a no brainer within the US the place there may be much less competitors on this value class.  

Specs

• Android 14
• 6.1in, FHD+, 120Hz OLED
• Google Tensor G3 chipset 
• Google Titan M2 safety chip 
• 8GB RAM 
• 128/256GB storage 
• Cameras:
  • 64Mp, f/1.9 predominant digital camera 
  • 13Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide 
  • 13Mp, f/2.2 selfie digital camera 
• 4492mAh battery
• USB Kind-C 3.2 
• 18W wired charging 
• 7.5W wi-fi charging 
• IP67 score
• 5G
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Wi-Fi 6E
• NFC
• Nano-SIM
• eSIM 
• Stereo audio system
• Fingerprint scanner
• Face unlock
• 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9mm 
• 188g 
• Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe