The newest Pixel
The Google Pixel 8a is the newest mid-range Pixel accessible, and it has the identical Tensor G3 processor discovered on the high-end fashions. You get seven years of system and safety updates and a brighter display on this mannequin.
ForTensor G3 chipSeven years of updatesBetter camerasWireless chargingMore colour optionsBrighter screenAgainstSame 6.1-inch OLED displayNo charger within the boxNo headphone jack
The older Pixel
The Google Pixel 6a could also be two generations behind however it nonetheless presents an ideal battery and the identical 6.1-inch show and Corning Gorilla Glass safety because the Pixel 8a. It presents you a extra sq. design and Android 14.
For6.1-inch OLED show2400 x 108iGood batteryAlways-on functionality Corning Gorilla Glass 3AgainstNo wi-fi chargingNo headphone jack60Hz displayFewer updatesNo Face unlock
A comparability between Google Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 6a is critical when two generations have handed. You need to know if the newest mid-range Pixel is well worth the improve and the money. Every new mannequin presents one thing that the earlier mannequin would not, much more so with a two-model hole.Both Android telephones have a number of specs in frequent, however the Pixel 8a has extra to supply than the Pixel 6a. You might have skipped final 12 months’s mannequin as a result of there wasn’t a lot of a distinction, however that is not the case with these Pixels because the Tensor 3 processor brings some new options to the desk. Let’s see what the newer mannequin presents and uncover how a lot of a distinction there may be between them.Google Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 6a: Design(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)In some circumstances, you’ll be able to inform which Android telephone is a Pixel and which isn’t by wanting on the design. Even although these are two Pixel telephones and maintain the final aesthetic, you’ll be able to nonetheless inform them aside by wanting on the design. For instance, the Pixel 8a has extra rounded corners on the chassis, forsaking that sq. look. In the Google Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 6a comparability, you will additionally see you’ve got extra colours to select from. The Google Pixel 8a is available in Aloe (Green), Bay (Blue), Obsidian (Black), and Porcelain (White). The Pixel 8a comes with a matte-textured rear, which is a good anti-smudge addition.The Pixel 6a, then again, has sharper edges, giving it that sq. look. You get one much less colour choice with the older mid-range mannequin since you’ll be able to solely select from three: Black, White, and lighter inexperienced. Or like Google likes to name them Charcoal, Chalk, and Sage. Both telephones share an IP67 score and Gorilla Glass 3 safety.Google Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 6a: Display(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Both Pixel telephones share a 6.1-inch show with a 1080 x 2400 decision, NowPlaying, HDR assist, 20:9 facet ratio, Full 24-bit depth for 16 million colours, Always-on, Refresh charge, and brightness. For occasion, the Pixel 8a wins relating to its 120Hz adaptive (60Hz out of the field) refresh charge and a pair of,000 nits peak, due to the Actua show that the Pixel 8 additionally options. Both fashions might have Corning Gorilla Glass three, however the one on the Pixel 8a is scratch-resistant, whereas it isn’t on the older mannequin.The Google Pixel 6a lags with a 60Hz refresh charge and options 778 nits for brightness, making it a bit of tougher to see outside. Don’t let the 60Hz refresh charge make you discard this telephone since, in his evaluate of the Pixel 6a, Nicholas Sutrich mentions that this refresh charge is smoother than on different shows with the identical refresh charge. Google Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 6a: Hardware(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Regarding the chipset, the Google Pixel 8a is the winner with a Tensor G3. It’s not the quickest available on the market however will give customers extra processing energy. Both Pixel telephones have virtually the identical battery dimension, the 8a having a 4410mAh battery and the 6a having a 4492mAh one. Our Nicholas Sutrich mentions in his evaluate that the battery life isn’t very spectacular when you will need to at all times put the show at 100% brightness. But should you use the Pixel 8a at a 60Hz refresh charge and auto-brightness, you will get extra out of the battery. The digicam you noticed on the Pixel 7a makes a comeback within the 8a, with a 64MP main digicam and a 13MP selfie digicam to seize all of the enjoyable. Both Pixel 8a and 6a telephones share Stereo audio system and two microphones. The Pixel 8a has wi-fi charging, a characteristic you will not discover on the 6a, however will probably be on the gradual aspect with 7.5W. Both telephones share a USB Type-C port.With the Google Pixel 6a, you get a chipset two generations behind with a Tensor G1. The battery on the 6a is not all that dangerous since it might probably final all day and perhaps not even dip beneath 30%, as Nicholas Sutrich mentioned in his evaluate of the older Pixel mannequin. The peak brightness on the 6a isn’t as excessive as the newest mannequin, coming in at 778 nits.The Pixel 6a has two 12MP rear cameras, one important and the opposite ultrawide. However, it solely has an 8MP digicam for selfies.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryGoogle Pixel 8aGoogle Pixel 6aOSAndroid 14, seven OS and safety updatesAndroid 12, updates to Android 14, three years of OS and 5 of safety updatesDisplay6.1-inch, 120Hz OLED, 2400×1080, HDR10+, 2000 nits, Gorilla Glass 36.1-inch, 60Hz OLED, 2400×1080, HDR10+, 778 nits, Gorilla Glass 3ChipsetGoogle Tensor G3Google Tensor G1RAM8GB6GBStorage128GB/256GB UFS 3.1, no expandable storage128GB, UFS 3.1, no expandable storageCameras64MP/13MP important with OIS, 13MP front-facing, HDR12MP/12MP important with OIS, 8MP front-facing, HDRIngres protectionIP67mud and water resistanceIP67 mud and water resistanceConnectivity5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.35G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2Battery4,492mAh, 18W wired charging, 7.5 wi-fi charging4,410mAh, 18W wired charging, no wi-fi chargingDimensions152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9mm152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9mmWeight188g178gColorsAloe, Bay, Obsidian, PorcelainCharcoal, Chalk, SageGoogle Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 6a: Software(Image credit score: Google)While each Pixel telephones have AI options, because the Pixel 8a has a extra highly effective processor, it is clear that you will get extra on the Pixel 8a. For instance, the newest mid-range Pixel mannequin options Best Take, Magic Editor, Circle to Search, Gemini Nano, Live Translate, and Audio Magic eraser. Other useful options allow you to display calls, Photo Unblu, and navigate telephone bushes. There is an unlimited distinction within the years customers will get system and safety updates. For instance, the 8a will get seven years of system and safety updates, and it does ship with Android 14 out of the field. And since Pixels at all times get the updates first, you will benefit from the secure model of Android 15 when it turns into accessible later this 12 months.The Pixel 6a nonetheless has some AI options up its sleeve, such because the Magic Eraser device and Live Translate. However, relating to updates, the 6a solely will get three years of OS updates and 5 years of safety updates. So, 6a followers may get the newest replace, which brings the Android 15 model. The Pixel 6a shipped with Android 12 however may be upgraded to Android 14. Unfortunately, it seems to be like Android 15 would be the final improve it will get. So, upgrading is a should if you wish to maintain getting OS and safety updates for a lot of extra years.Google Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 6a: Who wins?(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The Google Pixel 8a is a transparent improve from the 6a, however what issues most to you’ll decide whether or not you improve or not. If you stick with the older mannequin, you are solely another system replace earlier than it is caught at that model, however you get seven extra years with the newest mid-range mannequin.The Pixel 8a additionally provides you extra AI options to play with and extra highly effective cameras. If you solely use your telephones for staple items and you are not a heavy consumer, the Pixel 6a will just do high quality. But since most of us use them for every thing today, the improve seems to be very tempting.
The extra highly effective choice
The Google Pixel 8a presents extra AI options to take pleasure in and 7 years of system and safety updates. You’ll love the Actua show and the extra highly effective cameras for higher footage.
The older Pixel
The Google Pixel 6a is 2 generations behind, however nonetheless has quite a bit to supply reminiscent of one final updates to Android 15 and the identical dimension show because the 8a. It can last as long as 72 on Extreme Battery Saver.