Google has launched the Pixel 8a, a trimmed-down version of the Pixel 8 and the most affordable smartphone in the Pixel 8 series. Compared to the Pixel 8, the Pixel 8a has a smaller display, inferior cameras at the front and rear, a smaller battery, and build quality that’s less rugged. Let’s take a look at what the latest phone from Google offers.
Pixel 8a features
The Pixel 8a has a 6.1-inch OLED display with a Full HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. In comparison, the Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch display with the same resolution and refresh rate but features the superior Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection. So, not much of a downgrade there.
The phone features the Tensor G3 chipset, the same SoC that Google offers in the other two, phones in the lineup, the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro. The company is offering it in two memory configurations: 8GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage. As you might have guessed, the phone runs on Android 14.
On the imaging front, you get a dual-camera setup at the rear with wide-angle and ultrawide-angle cameras. The wide-angle sensor has a 64MP resolution and features optical image stabilization (OIS). It misses out on the dual-pixel PDAF and laser AF that Pixel 8’s primary camera offers. As for the ultra-wide angle sensor, it has a 13MP resolution. Unfortunately, it lacks the autofocus that Pixel 8’s ultrawide-angle camera has. For selfies, you get a 13MP sensor.
The Pixel 8a packs a 4,500mAh battery and supports Qi wireless charging (there’s no info on charging speed yet). Connectivity options include 5G, Wi-FI 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB 3.2 Type-C port. The phone features stereo speakers and an under-display fingerprint scanner. It has an aluminum frame with a matte finish and features an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. Google is offering the Pixel 8a in four color options: Aloe, Aloe, Obsidian, and Porcelain.
What does Pixel 8a mean for Galaxy S23 FE?
In the United States, the Pixel 8a costs USD 499 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant and USD 549 for the 8GB RAM + 256GB model. In the United Kingdom, the 8GB+128GB version costs GBP 499, and the 8GB+256GB variant costs GBP 549.
That means in the UK, the Pixel 8a competes directly with the Galaxy S23 FE, which also costs GBP 499 for the base variant. Considering only specs, the Pixel 8a lacks behind the Galaxy S23 FE, as it has a smaller display and one less camera. So, in the UK, it makes more sense for you to go with the Galaxy S23 FE.
It is a totally different story in the United States though. The Galaxy S23 FE costs USD 649 there, which is much higher than what the Pixel 8a costs in the country. So, if you don’t want a larger display or a telephoto camera, the one from Google is a great choice for you. If not, look no further than the Galaxy S23 FE.
Google has started taking pre-orders for the Pixel 8a in the US and it will start selling and shipping the phone from 14 May 2024 in the country. If you pre-order the phone before 14 May 2024 from Best Buy, you will get a USD 100 gift card on the platform.
