A less expensive various
For those that have been ready for a less expensive various to the Google Pixel 8 Pro and Google Pixel 8, the Google Pixel 8a is the reply. Like the Google Pixel 7a, it’s a step down however nonetheless a feature-rich telephone that gives a stable expertise for a price worth. Rather than downgrade to the Google Pixel 7 to economize, you will get the most recent within the line for the same worth level.
ForCheaperGreat battery life7 years of OS and safety updatesHas AI featuresAgainstNot as sturdyScreen is not as brightDoesn’t have as a lot RAMTaps out at 256GB storage
Still the highest of the road
If you’ve gotten the additional {dollars} to spare, the Google Pixel 8 Pro remains to be the top-line system within the Pixel line-up. It has all of the bells and whistles, together with tons of nice AI integration function. The display is gorgeous and shiny, the end and supplies elegant and classy, and it has loads of RAM and as much as 1TB storage to maintain up together with your each day wants. But you’ll pay extra for it.
ForUnbelievable and shiny displayPowerful cameras and AI enhancing optionsPowerful processor, RAMSeven years of OS and safety updatesAgainstExpensiveNo expandable storageG3 processor is not but splendid for gaming
Now that you already know the Google Pixel 8a exists, the choice comes all the way down to the Google Pixel 8a vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro. On the one hand, you lower your expenses and nonetheless get a brand new system with the Google Pixel 8a. On the opposite, you aren’t getting probably the most premium expertise. Which means do you have to go? We’re right here to assist with this detailed comparability of the 2 Pixel telephones.Google Pixel 8a vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: The look and fundamentals(Image credit score: Google)The Google Pixel 8a is Google’s “budget” entry possibility within the newest 8 line. Prior to its launch, should you wished a step down from the Google Pixel 8, the best choice can be the Google Pixel 7 and even the Google Pixel 7a. This system presents upgraded specs in comparison with these telephones whereas nonetheless holding the value down for a present system. The Google Pixel 8a has a 6.1-inch Actua OLED show that boasts 1,080 x 2,400 decision and as much as 120Hz refresh fee. You get a good as much as 1,400 nits brightness in HDR or as much as 2,000 nits peak brightness, which is nice for viewing outside. It isn’t fairly as shiny and exquisite because the display on the Google Pixel 8 Pro, however Google says it’s 40 % brighter than the Pixel 7a display. The always-on display is roofed with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 with a fingerprint-resistant coating, and it’s constituted of a matte composite with a matte aluminum body. So, it isn’t as sturdy, however contemplating you’ll be utilizing a protecting case, this may not matter a lot for normal on a regular basis use. It is available in Obsidian and Porcelain and, for the primary time with an A-series system, Bay, together with a brand-new restricted version Aloe end. The Google Pixel 8a can be IP67 water- and dust-resistant, so barely much less rugged on this respect than the Pixel 8 Pro. For the primary time with an A-series mannequin, you may select from 128 GB or 256GB storage. This isn’t expandable, although, as with the Google Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel 8a runs Android 14 and guarantees seven years of OS and safety updates in addition to frequent Feature Drops. So, like with different new Pixel units, you might be assured that this telephone will final you a very long time. Speaking of lasting, it has a 4,492mAh battery that Google says lasts for greater than a day and might lengthen to as much as 72 hours utilizing the Extreme Battery Saver mode. It additionally helps each quick and wi-fi charging, the latter with Qi-certified chargers. The Google Pixel 8a contains face and fingerprint unlock similar to its greater sisters together with stereo audio system with two mics and noise suppression, although you received’t get help for Spatial Audio. There’s no headphone jack, as is typical with most telephones these days.(Image credit score: Android Central)How does this examine to the Google Pixel 8 Pro? The flagship has a bigger 6.7-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED show that boasts the next decision at 1,344 x 2992. It’s additionally brighter at 1,600 nits with a peak brightness as much as 2,400 nits, so should you use your telephone rather a lot outside in shiny daylight, this may matter to you. The refresh fee is adaptive as effectively at 1-120Hz, so it will possibly sustain with demanding duties. The display employs Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which is extra sturdy and resistant in opposition to scratches and fingerprints. But once more, with a protecting case, which is really helpful for any telephone, in addition to a display protector, this may not be a dealbreaker. This telephone additionally has the next IP68 water- and dust-resistant ranking. The Google Pixel 8 Pro is available in three finishes, Porcelain, Bay, and Obsidian, and also you get the choice for 512GB and 1TB capacities in addition to 128GB and 256GB. If you propose to obtain a whole lot of apps and retailer tons of images and different content material and don’t need to depend on cloud storage, this telephone is the higher possibility since you will get tons extra onboard storage. Of course, you’re additionally paying extra for it. Keep in thoughts that the Google Pixel 8 Pro comes with a six-month trial in comparison with Google One Premium, which incorporates 2TB cloud storage. The Google Pixel 8 Pro runs on Android 14 as effectively, with the identical promise of seven years of OS and safety updates. It has a bigger 5,500mAh battery that may additionally final for as much as 24 hours or longer, as much as 72 hours, with the Extreme Battery Saver mode. This telephone additionally helps quick charging and quick wi-fi charging, together with Battery Share for recharging suitable units like Pixel Buds with the telephone. Along with the identical fingerprint and face unlock, you get stereo audio system, three mics with noise suppression, and help for Spatial Audio. So, you’ll take pleasure in a greater audio expertise with this telephone. This system additionally doesn’t have a headphone jack.Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. Google Pixel Fold: The specificationsLet’s break issues down by specs to color a clearer image of how these two Google Pixel telephones examine and distinction with each other.Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0 Google PIxel 8aGoogle Pixel 8 ProOSAndroid 14Android 14ColoursObsidian, Porcelain, Bay, AloeObsidian, Porcelain, BayScreen Size6.1 inches6.7 inchesScreen Resolution1,080 x 2,4001,344 x 2,992Refresh Charge120Hz120HzProcessorGoogle Tensor G3Google Tensor G3RAM8GB12GBStorage128GB, 256GB (not expandable)128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB (not expandable)Cameras64MP, 13MP ultra-wide, 13MP ultra-wide entrance50MP fundamental, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto, 10.5MP ultra-wide entranceSpeakersStereo SpeakersStereo Speakers, Spatial AudioBattery4,492mAh5,050mAhWireless ChargingYesYes (Battery Share as effectively)Bluetooth5.35.3Water ResistantIP67IP68Cellular5G5GSize6 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches6.4 x 3.01 x 0.35 inchesWeight188 grams213 gramsIt’s apparent from these specs that the Google Pixel 8a is a step down from the Google Pixel 8 Pro in a number of methods. But it’s all a matter of worth and what you want and worth probably the most.Google Pixel 8a vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: Power and processing(Image credit score: Google)Not surprisingly, the Google Pixel 8a is a much less highly effective system than the Google Pixel 8 Pro. As famous, they each come loaded with Android 14, and each additionally embrace the Google Tensor G3 chip. You get much less RAM with the Google Pixel 8a at simply 8GB, however that is nonetheless respectable: you may count on the telephone to satisfy your each day wants. From a safety perspective, you get VPN by Google One included with a purchase order of the telephone together with Google’s normal end-to-end safety, which comes with each Pixel system. There’s additionally the Tensor safety core, Titan M2 safety chip, and anti-malware and phishing safety, all of that are par for the course with Pixel units. Using Family Link, you may handle privateness settings, set up display deadlines, and share location, helpful for folks getting this system for teenagers. Interestingly, the Google Pixel 8a has all the identical AI goodies as its greater sister, like Circle to Search for simply trying to find a topic or object by circling or scribbling over it, and Google’s Gemini. With the Gemini built-in AI assistant, when you allow extensions, simply maintain the facility button to ask Gemini to do issues like summarize an e-mail, assist you brainstorm concepts, write a thanks word, and even plan a trip. There’s additionally Pixel Call Assist, Call Screen, Direct My Call, Hold for Me, Clear Calling, and different options. A enjoyable new function, presumably that can even be accessible within the Google Pixel 8 Pro, is known as Audio Emoji. Effectively, you may create your personal soundtrack on a name, enjoying audio “emoji” like applause or laughing as a part of the dialog.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The Google Pixel 8 Pro has all that and extra. Along with the Google Tensor G3 chip and Google AI, it has extra RAM at 12GB. Note, nevertheless, that Android Central’s Nicholas Sutrich says he didn’t discover a lot of a distinction when gaming with the Pixel 8 Pro over earlier era units with the Google Tensor G2 chip. So, hold this in thoughts should you plan to do a whole lot of cellular gaming. The Google Pixel 8 Pro remains to be the higher possibility between the 2 on this respect, although. It will likely be snappier and higher for gaming, multi-tasking, and different high-resource apps. Along with options like Call Screen to robotically display and filter out spam calls, you may take pleasure in AI features like Live Translate and an improved Google Assistant expertise that may summarize internet pages, even translate them, assist you compose messages, and extra. It has the identical safety features, together with VPN by Google One and the Titan M2 chip, and provides others like disaster alerts and automobile crash detection. While the built-in temperature sensor within the Google Pixel 8 Pro is a nice-to-have function, there’s nonetheless some work to do with it, so it isn’t a deal-breaking function. For health of us, the Google Pixel 8 Pro comes with a six-month Fitbit Premium trial in addition to three months of YouTube Premium should you love to observe movies on the system. This is a pleasant incentive that might sway you within the course of this telephone, too, particularly should you personal a Google Pixel Watch 2 or one other suitable Fitbit system.Google Pixel 8a vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: The cameras(Image credit score: Google / Android Central)Taking images out of your cellular system is necessary. For some, the truth is, the cameras might be the deciding issue between two telephones. The Google Pixel 8a comes out of the gate with a fundamental digital camera that has a bigger 64MP quad PD large digital camera with Super Res Zoom as much as 8x. It has a 13MP ultra-wide digital camera, splendid for getting group of panoramic scenic pictures. This is complemented by the first rate 13MP entrance digital camera, which has an ultra-wide field-of-view so you will get everybody within the photograph and is definitely greater decision than the entrance digital camera within the Google Pixel 8 Pro. You can take pleasure in all the standard Google Pixel photograph enhancing and seize options like Magic Editor for repositioning and resizing objects and utilizing preset backgrounds, Best Take for adjusting facial expressions for every individual in a photograph to get the very best one (Sutrich says it really works flawlessly), Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Real Tone, Face Unblur, Night Sight, Portrait Mode, and extra. There’s additionally Audio Magic Eraser for movies, which removes distracting background noises. So, you’re getting all the identical nice options, however the cameras themselves aren’t the identical. With that stated, we haven’t but put the cameras on this telephone by way of their paces, so we will’t examine head-to-head. But based mostly on specs alone, and the expectation that the Google Pixel 8 Pro gives a superior expertise, hold this in thoughts. Also take into account that the Google Pixel 8 and even the Google Pixel 7a take great images, so that you seemingly received’t be dissatisfied with the cameras within the Google Pixel 8a. (Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)In phrases of specs, the Google Pixel 8 Pro has a 50MP fundamental digital camera, 48MP telephoto digital camera, 48MP ultra-wide digital camera with improved Macro focus, and 10.5MP entrance digital camera, so its entrance digital camera is definitely decrease decision than the Google Pixel 8a. The Super Res Zoom is superior, nevertheless, going as much as 30x. You get those self same photograph enhancing options like Photo Unblur, Magic Eraser, Face Unblur, Real Tone, Night Sight, and Best Take, in addition to Astrophotography and, after all, Portrait mode. There are some professional-level digital camera controls price mentioning with the Google Pixel 8 Pro, together with superior digital camera settings for shutter pace, ISO, and extra. There’s additionally Audio Magic Eraser for movies, which, as talked about, you get within the Google Pixel 8a as effectively. Sutrich says it really works “unbelievably well.”Google Pixel 8a vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: Which do you have to purchase?(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Now, it’s choice time. Which do you have to purchase between the Google Pixel 8a vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro? It actually comes all the way down to funds and wishes. If you simply desire a easy system for an inexpensive worth, go together with the Google Pixel 8a, which can simply rank among the many finest low cost Android telephones. You’ll save a ton whereas additionally nonetheless popping out with premium options which can be sometimes solely reserved for higher-end fashions just like the Google Pixel 8 Pro and Google Pixel 8. These vary from photograph enhancing instruments to a beautiful main and even selfie digital camera, quick processor, and many AI goodies. If you need the very best of the very best, go together with the Google Pixel 8 Pro. It is extra highly effective total, has a extra elegant and sturdy construct, extra RAM, bigger storage choices, and extra cameras. All the Google AI goodies will come in useful, and you could use them greater than you assume you’ll. The good Goldilocks possibility, should you can’t determine, is the Google Pixel 8, which sits neatly between these two units. It has lots of the identical options with a number of step-ups in design, construct, and specs in comparison with the Pixel 8a, however with a smaller display and a few concessions in comparison with the Google Pixel 8 Pro. See our comparability between the Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. Google Pixel 8 to determine which one would swimsuit you higher should you assume the Google Pixel 8a is just too entry-level for you. But as a wonderful first telephone, secondary telephone, or perhaps a system for a teen or tween, the Google Pixel 8a is obtainable at an ideal worth with tons of options to rival even some higher-end telephones. If you favor the smaller display measurement, that may be sufficient to sway you in direction of this telephone. For common, on a regular basis use, good images, and even the choice to mess around with AI options, the Google Pixel 8a is price contemplating. The backside line: regardless of which of the Pixel 8 units you select, you may relaxation assured that it’ll sustain with demanding duties, take nice images, and supply an intuitive and pleasurable expertise. The better part is that with seven years of updates promised for all three, you may simply promote or trade-in one and improve if wanted, and the telephone will retain its worth for years to return.
Save some dough
If you’re on the lookout for a premium Android system that’s new and can final a very long time, the Google Pixel 8a presents an ideal answer at an inexpensive worth. While it doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles of the Google Pixel 8 Pro, it’s additionally extra compact and may swimsuit some customers simply tremendous.
Still among the many finest
For the very best of the very best not solely Google has to supply, however amongst Android telephones of all manufacturers normally, save up and go together with the Google Pixel 8 Pro. It’s a stable telephone that excels in digital each division, from the appear and feel to the cameras, processing energy, battery life, and AI.