8 things the Pixel 8a can learn from the Nothing Phone 2a

For years, Google’s Pixel A-series has supplied an unbelievable worth that is supplied unmatchable digital camera high quality, supplied extra updates than different telephones in its class, and infrequently outperformed every thing on the sub-$500 value vary due to its Google Tensor processor.But then the Nothing Phone 2a got here round. At $350, it is $150 lower than the Pixel 7a (and certain the Pixel 8a), all whereas providing flagship design, a greater show than something in its value vary, and battery life and charging velocity that’ll make anybody glad.With the Pixel 8a’s doubtless launch simply on the horizon — most probably to be introduced at Google I/O 2024 on May 14 — there are some things Google might do to maintain Nothing from significantly consuming into its hard-earned Pixel A-series market share. Doubtless, it will be the perfect price range cellphone in its value vary when it releases as long as Google retains up with the Joneses, however listed here are some issues the Pixel 8a can take away from the Nothing Phone 2a.Price(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The Google Pixel 8a is predicted to debut on the identical $499 value because the Pixel 7a. That’s a $50 value hike over earlier Pixel A-series generations however the 7a improved the general expertise by together with a greater show, higher fingerprint sensor, wi-fi charging, and even a digital camera improve.While all of these issues had been necessary, it is extra necessary that Google does not improve the value but once more this 12 months to make sure it stays beneath the magic $500 price ticket.The apparent downside is that the Nothing Phone 2a is $150 cheaper than that, and it is doubtless going to be troublesome to say that the Pixel 8a can be value a lot greater than Nothing’s first budget-focused cellphone.Design(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Google’s Pixel design has been nothing in need of unbelievable for the previous few years, and it could be a disgrace to see Google wreck that now. The newest Pixel 9 leaks look fairly darn ugly, however fortunately, Pixel 8a leaks make it look much more just like the Pixel 8.Get the most recent information from Android Central, your trusted companion on the planet of AndroidWhile Nothing’s Glyph Interface and related clear design are nice, the digital camera island on the again of the Phone 2a does not look significantly engaging. On the brilliant facet, it is instantly identifiable as a Nothing Phone due to these distinctive design points.Similarly, Google’s iconic digital camera bar design is straight away recognizable even with a case on the cellphone. It’s an excellent design that appears improbable, and we would hate to see Google do something too totally different. At the least, do not make it appear to be the Phone 2a’s bizarre digital camera hump.Display(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Last 12 months, Google upgraded the Pixel 7a with a 90Hz show — an necessary bounce over the sluggish 60Hz on the Pixel 6a. However, the Nothing Phone 2a upped the ante in a number of necessary methods, beginning with a vibrant 120Hz OLED show. It can hit 1,300 nits of brightness — 300 greater than the Pixel 7a — and the 120Hz show can transfer between 30Hz and 120Hz relying on the content material. The Pixel 7a can solely swap between 60 and 90Hz.The Pixel 8a might enhance on this by matching most of those specs, together with the brightness degree, which we have seen ramp up considerably lately.Beyond that, the Nothing Phone 2a show does one thing much better than any Pixel show, together with the high-end ones: it does not flicker at a sluggish fee. PWM-sensitive customers like myself have a tough time utilizing Pixel telephones as a result of they historically flicker at a 240Hz fee. The Pixel 7a makes use of a 360Hz fee, however that is nonetheless not excessive sufficient for delicate customers.Meanwhile, the Nothing Phone 2a’s show does not flicker in any respect above 50% brightness, whereas it switches to PWM dimming at 1920Hz beneath 50% brightness. Google must ramp up its PWM fee to match what’s shortly changing into an trade norm, serving to each delicate customers and stopping customers from changing into delicate by observing a slowly flickering show.Battery life(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)If the Pixel 6a and Pixel 7a have any particular weak spot, it is battery life. The Tensor G2 contained in the Pixel 7a was extra battery environment friendly than the Tensor G1 contained in the Pixel 6a, and as we noticed from the Pixel 8, the Tensor G3 that ought to be contained in the Pixel 8a is much more battery environment friendly.However, Tensor’s battery effectivity pales compared to the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro contained in the Nothing Phone 2a, which positively sips battery all day lengthy. We commonly bought two days of battery life out of a single cost on the Nothing Phone 2a.While we’re not hopeful that we’ll see the identical sort of battery life out of the Pixel 8a, any type of enchancment over the Pixel 6a and 7a’s battery life can be a welcome enchancment.Charging velocity(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Google added wi-fi charging on the Pixel 7a — a primary for a Pixel A-series cellphone — however it’s comparatively ineffective at simply 5W charging velocity. It’s comprehensible that Google has to chop corners someplace to maintain the cellphone beneath $500, however it’s virtually worse when an necessary characteristic will get added solely to have it not work very nicely.If the Pixel 8a contains wi-fi charging, it must be a minimum of 10W. The Pixel 8 collection helps 15W wi-fi charging, so this may really feel like an inexpensive value concession whereas nonetheless providing one thing helpful. The Nothing Phone 2a does not help wi-fi charging in any respect, which might give Google a notable benefit over Nothing’s price range cellphone.However, Google Pixel telephones have by no means supported 45W quick charging just like the Nothing Phone 2a, and I discover that way more beneficial than any wi-fi charging technique. Faster general charging would assist remedy the battery life difficulty within the above part, making topping up midway via a day no huge deal. The present 18W charging velocity of the Pixel A-series simply is not sufficient.Sustained efficiency(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The Google Pixel 6a and 7a supply the perfect peak efficiency of any cellphone in its class, however Tensor has a nasty status for overheating and slowing down quite a bit when working something that requires quick processing. As you’ll be able to see from the gray chart above, the Pixel 7a loses a considerable quantity of efficiency very quickly flat.Meanwhile, the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro within the Nothing Phone 2a does a a lot, significantly better job of conserving efficiency excessive even after 30 minutes or longer of heavy processing. If you are a cellular gamer, this metric is especially necessary for you.Google might enhance this with higher thermal administration within the Pixel 8a and it could assist the cellphone really feel sooner if it might hold its high-performance capabilities intact for greater than only a few minutes, on the most.Camera high quality and options(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)To at the present time, no cellphone beneath $500 takes photos in addition to the Pixel 7a. The competitors, together with the Nothing Phone 2a, merely does not stand an opportunity. We have little doubts that the Pixel 8a will differ from this in any respect — rumors and leaks counsel Google is not altering something significant in regards to the digital camera {hardware} — however Google might stand to enhance some components of the digital camera software program.Nothing provides a correct handbook mode on its cellphone, regardless of missing another options Google’s digital camera provides, and it makes the Nothing Phone 2a’s capabilities appear larger regardless of the alternative being true. If Google might convey over the wonderful handbook digital camera mode from the Pixel 8 Pro, it could be an enormous benefit over different firms on this section.Software updatesAside from the digital camera, among the finest causes to get a Pixel is the help from Google. Google has lengthy supplied a few years of software program updates greater than different Android cellphone producers, and the Pixel 8 collection pushed this additional than ever with seven years of assured main software program updates.Plus, with the Pixel 8 getting Gemini Nano, it looks as if there’s by no means been a greater purpose to get a Pixel cellphone with its glorious help. But Google’s updates have not been significantly dependable lately, and that is the actual elephant within the room.The Nothing Phone 2a is barely scheduled to get three main OS updates and 4 years of safety updates, however Nothing has already delivered three updates for the cellphone since launch and has, traditionally, been glorious about high quality updates. Google might definitely study a factor or two from Nothing on this regard, and that might definitely begin with a brand-new cellphone.It’s coming quickly(Image credit score: SmartPrix)While there’s been no official announcement, we’re extraordinarily sure that the Google Pixel 8a can be introduced at Google I/O 2024 on May 14. Our Pixel 8a rumor roundup covers every thing that is been leaked or rumored to this point, and the main points are fairly juicy.All in all, it seems like Google goes to ship one other winner this 12 months, however a few of that success hinges on Google adapting to adjustments all through the remainder of the trade. The Nothing Phone 2a is a superb instance of the way to ship an excellent price range cellphone with out a lot compromise, and Google’s extra mid-range value ought to supply up even higher specs with longer software program help.