Google Pixel 8a smartphone review

Google Pixel 8a Smartphone Review: Google phones always bring something new to the table and the company launched the Google Pixel 8a as a new Pixel phone. However, there are a lot of things going wrong with this phone, which we cover in the following review. There is no denying that in recent years, Google has presented its A series phone as a mini version of its flagship phone. But, over the years, there has been a drastic decline in core features.

For example, the phone offers standard charging support, an average display and the list can go on and on. Still, there are plenty of interesting things about the new Pixel 8a phone, whether you look at software performance or the Android update. On the same note, the phone still offers decent photo quality, while 8k video recording may be lacking to some extent. However, don’t judge the phone by first impression. Let’s dive into the next Pixel 8a review.

Google Pixel 8a smartphone review

Reflexes

1. The Google Pixel 8a consists of a 6.1-inch OLED panel with a standard 120Hz and 2,000 nits refresh rate.
2. As for the software design, you will get Android 14 without any bloatware apps or software.
3. As for the hardware configuration, the phone will be powered by the Google Tensor G3 chipset.
4. A decent 64MP dual camera will appear on the back panel, while a 13MP selfie lens on the front.
5. Under the hood, the device will bring a 4492 mAh battery accompanied by wired charging support.

Design and display

The previous Pixel 7a phone had a box-shaped design, while the new Google Pixel 8a had curved corners and a slightly thick side panel compared to its predecessor. Unlike other brands, Google features different paint jobs so users can choose the perfect color variety with ease. Currently, the company offers this phone in Obsidian, Porcelain, Bahia and Aloe. They all feature impressive build quality and IP rating protection.

Google often tries to make its A series phones compact compared to its flagship options. With the Google Pixel 8a, you will receive a 6.1-inch OLED display with QHD resolution support. But the thick bezels covering the screen look a bit dated. They may not look so bad. But phones at the same price offer curved LTPO OLED displays with stunning colors. Still, it’s good to see that the company offers an in-display fingerprint scanner.

Anyway, the overall viewing experience won’t be disappointing as the phone equips a bright 2000 nits display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR control support. All of those factors combined can lead to sharp content consumption. Additionally, higher brightness nits ensure that users can view screen content outdoors without worry. Not to forget, the display has a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 coating with complimentary always-on features.

Memory and internal

The hardware department of the Google Pixel 8a is something you can rely on as you get the Google Tensor G3 chipset. This coreless processor can easily surpass most of the flagship’s performance, while the phone reaches a stealth speed of up to 1×3.0 GHz. But the performance benchmarks of this phone are relatively low.

However, overclocking the CPU will not cause any problems as the hardware receives a decent cooling system. As for the software interface, the device will get Android 14 customization and special attributes including search circle features. Additionally, the device will receive up to seven years of Android updates, so you won’t miss out on new privileges for years to come.

The Google Pixel 8a is not a gaming-focused phone and slight lags are noticeable when playing top games. You can choose this phone with 128GB to 256GB of UFS 3.1 space accompanied by 8GB of RAM. These are standard settings, but they will work if you don’t store as many apps and media.

Camera

The Google Pixel 8a shares a 64MP main camera with a 13MP ultra-wide-angle camera and a 13MP selfie camera on the front. However, from the outside it may look like a pretty standard setup. However, Google’s camera software and native camera app push the limits of camera quality to a whole new level. Colors are usually not as accurate if you click photos in low light and there is a lot of noise and grain.

However, the image quality is exceptionally improved if you use HDR, night light, and other modes. For example, portrait images can capture precise details and blur background areas correctly. Additionally, the camera uses well-refined AI to differentiate between an object and a person or animal. Not forgetting that the main camera offers optical image stabilization, which helps to take stable photographs. The vibrant colors look quite natural.

When it comes to video recording, the main camera can record videos up to 4k and up to 60fps, giving sharp colors and precise depth to photos. However, ultra-wide-angle videos feel a little slow, but the overall selfie camera video recording results are presentable. In terms of video quality, Google improves compared to last year’s variant.

Battery and others

The Google Pixel 8a houses a 4492 mAh Li-Po battery under the hood. Generally, the A-line phone comes with a compact build, which eventually makes the company reduce the battery size. However, you can efficiently take advantage of up to four hours of screen time when the phone is up to 90% charged.

However, you may need to purchase the charging brick additionally, while the phone also offers 7.5W wireless charging. The battery setup may be one thing, but the device doesn’t even include the latest Bluetooth sensor. But you can expect support for NFC and 5G connectivity. It was paired with a decent stereo speaker at the bottom. Lastly, the Google Pixel 8a will cost around $499 (Rs 41,690 in India) approximately for the initial variant.

Pros and cons of Google Pixel 8a

Google Pixel 8a specifications detail

Below you can see the Google Pixel 8a Smartphone Full Specifications.

Conclusion

The Google Pixel 8a may not look like a normal affordable smartphone when smartphone makers have significantly abandoned the other Pixel 8 series phones. Still, the Pixel 8a offers a compact body, incredible camera capabilities, and a decent screen. All those factors work in favor of this phone. But at the same time, we won’t overlook the shortcomings like slow charging, huge performance throttling, and thick bezels.

Instead, you can choose a phone like the Samsung Galaxy S24 if you’re looking for a complete package of dynamic display, higher brightness, and performance-driven hardware. The Samsung Galaxy S24 is priced higher than the Pixel 8a. But it’s a good option if you’re looking for a versatile and customizable software experience at a high price. On the other hand, we will continue to recommend the Google Pixel 8a due to the appearance of the original interface. All you need to do is wait until the price drops. However, if you are looking for a phone, consider reviewing your requirements to choose the best options based on your budget.