After Google I/O unveiled the Pixel 6a in 2022 and the Pixel 7a in 2023, it was inevitable that Google would release the Pixel 8a for Google I/O 2024. Thankfully, Google didn’t disappoint anyone.
The Pixel 8a is the mid-range edition of the Pixel 8 family and offers Pixel features at a mid-range price.
Google has heavily touted the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro as “the first AI smartphones,” and the Pixel 8a will be no different. Notably, the same set of apps that use AI as a component of the code is provided in the Pixel. 8a with very few changes. You still have photo editing equipment, such as the magic eraser to remove parts of the symbol and the Best Shot option to merge parts of symbols into a single photo (the example used is an organization photo for the most productivity). expression of five-person Americans). or six strokes). It also has Circle To Search, which allows you to capture parts of your program and search for data based on that area.
While the specs of the Pixel 8a are lower than the Pixel 8 Pro, the basic specs are those of the entry-level Pixel 8, i. e. the Tensor G3 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB or 256GB of storage. That 8GB of RAM may simply be a challenge in the long run in terms of headroom for memory-hungry AI routines. I wonder if long-term software updates could force more cloud AI features to be introduced to the Pixel 8a compared to the higher-spec Pixels.
There are a few minor tweaks along the way. The Pixel 8a’s display is smaller at 6. 1-inches, but it still runs at 120Hz with similar peak and sustained brightness levels. What has replaced the Pixel 7a is that the colors on the screen are brighter. And the viewing angles are excellent. Google has given this demo the same Actua branding as the Pixel 8, and it shows.
What’s also shown are the glasses. When switching to 8a from a more beloved flagship, you get yelled at for the first few hours before disappearing from your active perception, especially if you’re a dark subject. We still use them, especially when watching full-screen videos, once again. It’s not a flagship product; This points to the mid-range.
The camera generation arguably seems to give the Pixel 8a an edge, with more megapixels in the rear and front cameras. Still, the Pixel 8a’s smaller, less tactile sensor is a step below the Pixel 8. It matches the camera generation of last year’s Pixel 7a, and the use of those older parts is helping to narrow down the nomenclature. The camera has other minor tweaks, such as the lack of 24fps capture; The Pixel 8a supports 30fps and 60fps.
The Pixel 7a’s camera was best-in-class at the moment, so integrating the same hardware into the Pixel 8a wasn’t a complicated decision. I’m sure the design team would realize that AI-based software has a positive advantage. an effect on photos, either when they are taken and especially when they are edited.
Google ruled in October with its artificial intelligence software. Since then, brands have not only introduced their own AI teams with similar goals, but have also followed some of the same teams as Pixel phones thanks to their inclusion in several Android updates. The 8a may not be the only one with those options.
GooglePixel 8a
Battery life is a strong point of the Pixel 8a. It’s a little smaller than the 7a but offers a little more resistance (potentially thanks to the slightly smaller display). What’s low is the load. You can charge at a relatively slow speed of 18W via a rugged cable and at an even slower speed of 7. 5W using wireless charging. It’s great for charging on the job site or overnight, but without fast charging, you want to make sure you won’t be without a long day of use.
A feature that matches the Pixel 8 is welcome. Like the other phones in the Pixel 8 family, the Pixel 8a will receive seven years of software and security updates. That’s an incredibly long window for a mid-range phone; There’s no doubt that the similarity in design and specs within the Pixel 8 family contributes to this, but it’s a welcome one.
GooglePixel 8a
From a design standpoint, there’s not much to say here. Although it carries the camera bar on the back of the phone that has become Google’s “this is a pixel” design touch, it doesn’t look flashy or modern. The matte surface of the back doesn’t look reasonable or eye-catching, but it’s not as tactile as other materials. Put a case on it and you can have it as slippery or secure in your hand as you want, but naked, you’ll want to stay a little grip on it.
But it’s a comfortable grip, as the curved edges provide more surface dominance on the side and the extra rounded corners make it easy to place in the palm of your hand.
The physical sizes of the two phones are within millimeters of each other. There’s a slight gradient here, though, with Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3 used instead of Gorilla Glass Victus as protective glass on the screen.
I’d say it’s a capable phone. It offers the right specifications at a competitive price. There’s a broader question about how this cannibalizes the Pixel 8, as many things are similar. The differences that the average customer will encounter are minimal, and the price difference between the two is attractive.
The list price of $499 is $200 less than the Pixel 8’s $699, but since Google has a lot of promotions on the Pixel 8, it’s possible to find it at $499, which is the same price as the Pixel 8. However, if Google starts offering similar discounts on the Pixel 8a, it’s possible that it could drop to $400, which would require a loan.
When it comes to mid-range phones in 2024, it’s hard not to like the Pixel 8a. It has almost the same features as the larger Pixel 8 Pro. It fits the Pixel 8 just enough that the $200 difference is almost natural. savings and, more importantly, you get seven years of software and support.
Now, the latest smartphone headlines in Forbes’ weekly Android Circuit news roundup. . .
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