When Google launched its Pixel 7a final 12 months, it turned out to be a really attention-grabbing providing and one of the crucial feature-packed Pixel A-series units ever, at the very least from a {hardware} standpoint. The Pixel 7a added options like wi-fi charging and an IP67 ranking for mud and water resistance. This, coupled with its usually “Pixel” nonetheless imaging high quality, made it a really engaging providing, protecting its Rs. 43,999 price ticket in thoughts, which remains to be on the increased finish of the mid-range phase.
This 12 months, we’ve not gotten something considerably new other than the brand new Tensor G3 processor and a 120Hz refresh price show, as just about a lot of the inside {hardware} stays equivalent to the Pixel 7a. Like Samsung, Google is banking on AI options (enabled by the Tensor G3) to persuade customers to improve to the most recent mannequin. So, what precisely do you get with the brand new Pixel 8a? Let me clarify.
The Google Pixel 8a has a well-recognized design however with rounded corners and retains its IP67 certification
Other than the not-so-obvious modifications I discussed above, the Pixel 8a does include one massive improve over the Pixel 7a, and that is storage. Sure, customers in India will lastly have the choice to select between the 128GB storage variant (accessible at Rs. 52,999) and the brand new 256GB variant, which is accessible at Rs. 59,999. Whereas it could appear to be a pretty choice, it’s a must to remember the fact that the OnePlus 12 (which will get you a much better telephone general) is priced at Rs. 64,999 (for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant) in India. RAM remains to be capped at 8GB, like on the Pixel 7a and even the premium Pixel 8.
The Pixel 8a’s design is the largest and most noticeable visible change. There are two new colors – Bay and Aloe – to select from, they usually each stand out. I acquired the Bay end, which jogs my memory of clear blue skies on a sunny summer time day.
The telephone’s general design has gone from a rectangle with sharp corners to rounded corners. The rear panel remains to be fabricated from polycarbonate however has a pleasant frosted matte end. It feels fairly completely different in comparison with what’s accessible on the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Professional launched final 12 months. There’s a flatter visor-like digicam module, which barely protrudes from the remainder of the rear panel. The sides of the rear panel and the digicam seamlessly merge with the facet body, nonetheless providing that IP67 ranking for mud and water resistance.
The Google Pixel 8a’s new 6.1-inch Actua show is flat however with a noticeably thick bezel
Whereas the Pixel 7a switched to a 90Hz show (from the 60Hz show on the Pixel 6a), Google has now upgraded the Pixel 8a’s show to a 120Hz unit and given it its Actua branding. The 6.1-inch unit is correctly flat with barely curved edges on its protecting glass on all 4 sides. What’s unmissable are these chunky bezels. Its thickest facet is on the backside, and the thick bezels someway jogged my memory of the iPhone XR from 2018.
On the within, Google went with the anticipated candidate, its Tensor G3 processor. It is no efficiency workhorse, as we all know from the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional, however it does carry a number of new AI-enabled options to the Pixel 8a or the A-series. There’s the brand new Magic Editor, Audio Eraser and lots of extra options, together with a safer Face Unlock expertise, which first appeared on the Pixel 8 and eight Professional final 12 months.
The cameras stay the identical as final 12 months. There is a 64-megapixel main digicam that now guarantees SuperRes Zoom pictures as much as 8X. It’s accompanied by the identical 13-megapixel ultrawide digicam as on the Pixel 7a. Additionally, the identical is the 13-megapixel selfie digicam on the entrance.
The Pixel 8’s battery has grown greater from the 4,385mAh unit on the Pixel 7a to a barely bigger 4,492mAh capability. What has remained the identical is the 18W wired charging and the identical Qi-standard wi-fi charging.
The Pixel 8a’s digicam system has not seen any upgrades over final 12 months’s Pixel 7a
Whereas the Pixel 8a appears refreshingly new (particularly in its two new finishes), Google appears to be principally taking part in round with the identical {hardware} beneath. This reminds us of what Samsung has managed with its Galaxy S24 this 12 months.
In the meantime, consumers will get to mess around with some new AI options, however it’s onerous to justify its new worth, which has now climbed and settled within the premium phase, closing the hole between itself and the premium Pixel 8. Whereas the efficiency was by no means the spotlight of the Pixel A sequence, the Pixel 8a will now be competing with some high-end premium heavyweights from Chinese language manufacturers and Samsung, which simply provide extra versatile and succesful digicam {hardware}.
Can Google’s experience in AI nonetheless make the Pixel 8a related and worthwhile in 2024? How a lot of an improve is the Pixel 8a over the Pixel 7a? And the way a lot nearer is it to the Pixel 8 when it comes to worth? Discover the solutions to the above questions and extra in our full evaluation, which will probably be out quickly.
