Google has finally launched the Pixel 8a for several markets worldwide, marking the arrival of its latest addition to its smartphone range. Being an A-series model, the Pixel 8a is arguably more affordable than its premium-priced siblings from last year, and it does boast some key upgrades (albeit not that many) over the Pixel 7a, bringing it toe-to-toe with the base model Pixel 8. With that in mind, what does it come with? Let’s take a look!
What’s New
Let’s start with the upgrades – perhaps one of the biggest changes with the Pixel 8a is the display. Sure, it’s still a 6.1-inch OLED panel with Gorilla Glass 3 (sorry Gorilla Glass Victus fans), but Google has equipped the 8a with its Actua display technology, and it now comes with a much smoother refresh rate at 120Hz, and maxes out at 2,000 nits of peak brightness. It’s undoubtedly a better display compared to previous A-series Pixels, such as the 7a from last year.
Of course it also comes with the new Tensor G3 chipset, which is unsurprising given that the A-series phones (starting from the 6a) have always used the current Tensor chips. This year, Google is also offering a 256GB storage option with the Obsidian variant, which should satisfy the needs of users who want more space to save their media; Battery capacity has likewise increased with an ever-so-slight 4,492 mAh capacity cell inside.
Another new element to the 8a is the matte finish on the rear panel, a throwback to the Pixel 4a series and a much more scratch-resistant finish compared to the glossy paint jobs on recent Pixel models.
What’s Not
Of course as an A-series phone, the Pixel 8a does cut corners with some specifications. One example is the camera setup on the phone, which uses the same resolution sensors and setup from the 7a, consisting of a 64MP main sensor and 13MP ultra wide sensor, with the same 13MP camera in front. The phone also retains the slower 18W charging speeds of its predecessors, which is a bit of a downer given the much faster speeds on the base model Pixel 8.
The phone also sticks to 8GB of RAM, so users after more memory will want to go for the Pixel 8 Pro, which offers a more generous 12GB RAM serving. Of course this is unsurprising given the 8a’s designation as a budget Pixel handset. In terms of price, Google has thankfully kept things the same – the Pixel 8a starts at £499, similar to last year’s Pixel 7a. The 256GB option though will set you back £550, at which point you should just go and get the flagship-grade Pixel 8, which is priced rather closely these days.
The Pixel 8a is available now via several retailers in the UK, including Google’s own online store. The phone comes in several colours including Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, and a new “Aloe” variant.
