Google’s Pixel A collection smartphones have at all times been the go-to mid-range units for dependable smartphone images and never a lot about efficiency. They’ve additionally been the go-to units for individuals who have needed a vanilla Android software program expertise, as they’ve at all times supplied the cleanest and most up to date Android software program expertise (together with dependable replace timelines) in comparison with all different manufacturers at this worth level. Briefly, Google’s Pixel A collection was a beautiful selection for the common client, regardless that these weren’t one of the best units for gaming or battery life. Nonetheless, Google needed to improve it with the instances; it needed to cram in additional options to compete with different manufacturers, and so we had a really fascinating and feature-packed Pixel 7a, which was launched at Rs. 43,999 (similar to the Pixel 6a).
Occasions are altering, and Google has raised the value of this sensible little smartphone as soon as once more to a beginning worth of Rs. 52,999. Its premium price ticket will see this principally reasonably priced providing from Google competing with some actually fascinating smartphones from Chinese language manufacturers and Samsung. Whereas Google has upgraded its A-series’ AI smarts by going with the Tensor G3 this yr (nearly bringing it on par with its Pixel 8). It is fascinating to see how these options add up towards a sea of units that supply higher uncooked efficiency at this worth level. I have been utilizing the Pixel 8a for just a few weeks, and here is why I imagine there is a small likelihood it could possibly be your subsequent premium smartphone.
Google Pixel 8a Evaluate: Value in India
The Google Pixel 8a is the primary A-series smartphone in India to be supplied in a couple of storage variant. The bottom 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant is priced at Rs. 52,999, whereas the brand new 256GB storage variant is priced at Rs 59,999. Whereas it looks like a no brainer to spend a bit extra and get the 256GB storage variant (it is at all times higher to have extra storage), you’ll change your thoughts after you have a have a look at what the competitors provides at this very worth level in our verdict.
Within the field, Google, as regular, provides a Sort-C to Sort-C USB cable for charging and information transfers, a USB Sort-A adapter for information transfers and a SIM ejector device.
Google Pixel 8a Evaluate: Design
The Google Pixel 8a certainly has a really engaging design, particularly within the new Aloe and Bay finishes, that are unique to this mannequin. The cellphone has graduated from the principally squared design with corners to a extra rounded look that has a really comfy handfeel. Given its compact general dimensions, additionally it is fairly manageable with one hand.
The Google Pixel 8a’s rear panels are nonetheless created from polycarbonate however have a premium frosted end
We obtained the Bay end for overview. It has a frosted matte polycarbonate rear panel cut up by the long-lasting visor-like digital camera stripe. The flat digital camera module and barely rounded sides of the cellphone’s body are colour-matched and make for a really stylish and vibrant design that appears focused in direction of the youth. The rear panel, regardless of being fabricated from polycarbonate, doesn’t appeal to mud or fingerprints and feels very premium.
The standard points I observed in my overview of the Pixel 7a have additionally been taken care of. Aside from its IP67 certification (it may be immersed in 1 metre of water), the match and end of this cellphone are wonderful, which is becoming given its new premium price ticket.
The one element I completely didn’t dig concerning the Pixel 8a’s design is its show. It has noticeably thick bezels, which are sometimes seen on entry-level smartphones, and jogged my memory of the iPhone XR from 2018. The thick black bezel (thickest on the backside) additionally eats into the show space, which is crucial on such a compact smartphone. Samsung’s Galaxy S24, which was launched final yr and retails at the same worth, has a razor-thin bezel in comparison with the Pixel 8a.
The Google Pixel 8a’s show provides good daylight legibility however has a extremely thick bezel
Google Pixel 8a Evaluate: Specs and Software program
{Hardware} specs or bragging rights aren’t precisely the Pixel 8a’s highlights, however there’s some fascinating stuff baked into it, maintaining its worth in thoughts. For starters, there’s the Tensor G3 SoC, which allows a ton of AI options (some onboard, others not) which might not be potential with the Tensor G2 at the moment contained in the Pixel 7a. The processor can be accompanied by Google’s Titan M2 coprocessor for higher safety. The Tensor G3 additionally allows the brand new and safe Face Unlock function, which debuted with the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Professional. Throughout the overview interval, it labored flawlessly, supplied there was sufficient gentle for my face to be clearly seen to the selfie digital camera. If not, I had to make use of the fingerprint reader which additionally labored flawlessly.
The Tensor G3 additionally brings the common-or-garden Pixel 8a on par with its extra premium Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional on the subject of communication requirements. There’s Wi-Fi 6 for strong information connectivity at dwelling or workplace and Bluetooth 5.3, which must be greater than sufficient for connecting to each Pixel equipment and third-party equipment as properly. Additionally included is NFC and Google Solid functionality, together with assist for the standard international positioning programs. You continue to get a bodily SIM slot plus an eSIM with twin standby and assist for a number of 5G bands.
The Pixel 8a is powered by Google’s Pixel UI, which is predicated on Android 14. Like with its Pixel 8 and eight Professional units, Google additionally gives 7 years of OS, safety, and Characteristic Drop updates, which is one thing few smartphone manufacturers can match as much as, each at and above this worth level. Whereas it stays to be seen if the brand new Tensor G3 processor can correctly energy Google’s future Android experiences, such commitments do converse volumes a few model on the subject of software program assist (no, I didn’t state after-sales assist).
The Android software program expertise of the Google Pixel 8a is top-notch and is jam-packed with AI-enabled options
As for the Pixel UI, it is similar to what now we have seen on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional units launched late final yr. There have been just a few additions since then. I completely love the enjoyable widgets (which completely match the system theme and accents) like the brand new Particular person contact widget with a photograph within the background together with name and message buttons up entrance.
Additionally new is the Snapshot widget, which turns your own home display right into a board for snapping and pinning pictures. It has its personal digital camera button for immediately snapping and pinning a picture to the house display, and it additionally works as a reminder each time you unlock the gadget.
Then there’s the plethora of AI-enabled options from the premium Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional, like Audio Eraser (which may erase undesirable sounds in any given video), Magic Editor (which may take away, transfer topics, and enhance pictures), and Greatest Take (which helps you to select one other facial features), which make it right here. All of them work impressively and have reached the purpose the place they are not gimmicks however strong function add-ons, supplied you want them.
Google Pixel 8a Evaluate: Efficiency
The Tensor G3 processor, whereas designed with Google’s synthetic intelligence and machine studying necessities in thoughts, isn’t any slouch on the subject of operating day-to-day apps and informal video games. So, most informal customers who use their telephones for social media apps and calls each day will not actually discover any issues associated to the identical. Nonetheless, fireplace up a sport or the digital camera and it turns into fairly apparent that this cellphone wasn’t designed to tug off both.
Charging the Google Pixel 8a takes 2 hours, which is kind of sluggish in comparison with the competitors
Beginning off with artificial benchmarks, the cellphone managed decrease than regular scores, delivering 8,69,163 factors in AnTuTu whereas managing a extra tolerable 1,580 and three,558 factors in Geekbench’s single and multi-core checks. Going by these scores, it performs on par with the mid-range Poco F6 (priced at Rs. 30,999) however is under no circumstances similar to units just like the iQoo 12, which is provided with the most recent Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, is priced equally and managed an AnTuTu rating of 1,98,3471 (in our unbiased testing), which is greater than double of the Pixel 8a.
Fireplace up a sport, and that is when one begins to expertise the restrictions of the Tensor G3. Name of Obligation: Cellular was playable at Extremely graphics and even at Very Excessive graphics however was not as responsive as most smartphones out there at and under this worth level, with a number of skipped frames whereas gaming. The cellphone additionally warms up fairly a bit whereas enjoying 3D video games. Video games apart, I skilled some extra real-world issues when utilizing the cellphone’s cameras. Fireplace up the digital camera app and the cellphone barely takes 5 minutes to warmth up after which continues heating up in the event you begin capturing video (4K and even 1080p). In about 10 minutes within the afternoon solar, the cellphone turned too scorching to carry, however then I observed different underlying points.
Aside from the show mechanically dimming to the purpose that it is barely seen to chop down on heating (it will get laborious to inform what’s within the viewfinder), the cellphone’s guide controls additionally disappear. Along with the standard White Stability, Shadow, and Brightness controls, the Shadow management disappears after which reappears as soon as the cellphone has cooled down.
As soon as good and toasty (takes about 10 minutes of blended digital camera utilization), the cellphone will warn you that it’s “too scorching”, that “recording might finish all of a sudden”, and that “video high quality shall be decreased” to compensate for the overheating. Clearly, that is right down to the shortage of a cooling system, which Google has at all times refused to incorporate in any of its telephones, choosing “software program optimisations” as an alternative, which, as you may clearly inform from the above messages, do not work.
A screenshot exhibiting the heating points when utilizing the digital camera app on a sunny day
These points spoil the digital camera expertise. However it is a bit unusual that such heating points weren’t a giant deal on the Pixel 8 Professional. My finest guess is that it is right down to the Pixel 8a’s compact dimension. Similar to the Pixel 8 Professional, the Pixel 8a additionally has the identical subject in Portrait mode, the place the cellphone greys out the shutter button after clicking a number of Portrait pictures in succession (because of a full buffer), which may result in a number of missed moments. Certainly, the Pixel 8a is best suited to work in colder climates for optimum efficiency and so isn’t the cellphone to hold in your subsequent summer time trip.
Retaining in thoughts its larger battery, the Pixel 8a’s battery life sadly didn’t final any longer than what we managed with the Pixel 7a. The cellphone barely lasted 12 hours and quarter-hour in our video loop battery take a look at which isn’t nice by any customary, and this might primarily be right down to using a 120Hz show versus the 90Hz show on the Pixel 7a. With informal use (sans digital camera or gaming), it’s potential to make the cellphone final greater than a day, however you’ll have to plug it in by the tip of the day with simply round 20 % left within the tank. With heavy utilization (loads of calls), this cellphone will not final a complete day, and it’s possible you’ll must carry out a top-up cost earlier than you allow your workplace on the way in which dwelling.
The Google Pixel 8a makes use of the identical cameras as final yr’s Pixel 7a
Google Pixel 8a Evaluate: Cameras
The Google Pixel 8a additionally inherits the newer digital camera interface which has been rolled out to different current Pixel fashions (sans Professional Controls) as properly. There’s nothing totally different out right here, and one will get entry to the fundamental White Stability, Shadows and Brightness sliders after tapping on the settings icon close to the highest left nook. What has not modified are the cameras. Google has retained the rear and entrance cameras from the Pixel 7a, and because of this we might even see some minor enhancements primarily due to the brand new processor.
Google Pixel 8a daylight digital camera samples. High to backside: Ultrawide, major and 2X digital zoom crop (faucet pictures to broaden)
Pictures captured from the first digital camera showcase pure colors with good dynamic vary, nonetheless, it was simple to identify some blown highlights in some pictures, particularly these with contrasted lighting. The pictures, in contrast to the Pixel 8 Professional, showcase the usually cooler color tones that Pixel cameras have had for some time. Fortunately, there’s a white steadiness slider which can allow you to right this whereas capturing. The noise is properly managed open air and when capturing indoors or in low or dim settings as properly. Outcomes from the digital 2X zoom focal size are good in daylight however showcase noticeably much less element in low gentle, so it is best averted in dim lighting.
Portraits captured utilizing the rear digital camera present good element and edge detection however present loads of noise, particularly when capturing topics below synthetic lighting or low gentle. Certainly, the 2X zoom is finest averted in Portrait mode, and most customers will discover the 1.7X default in Portrait mode sufficient to eliminate any undesirable distortion. Selfies pack loads of element however have barely aggressive edge detection, which can’t detect edges evenly, resulting in noticeable borders across the topic. Pores and skin tones seem fairly pure, however I observed that the selfie digital camera can’t deal with brilliant background lighting, leading to blown-out backgrounds.
Google Pixel 8a’s daylight selfies do not need correct edge detection and likewise showcases blown out backgrounds (faucet picture to broaden)
Google Pixel 8a’s major digital camera provides spectacular low-light efficiency (faucet picture to broaden)
The ultrawide digital camera captures spectacular pictures with wonderful element and good dynamic vary and manages to usher in much more into the body in comparison with the first digital camera. It is also good to see how Google has completely matched the color tones of each rear cameras, which continues to be a rarity at this worth level.
Video high quality is a little bit of a success or a miss relying on how a lot the cellphone heats up because it mechanically scales down the standard. Nonetheless, I managed to get loads of samples, and the 4K 30fps video appears to hit the candy spot for this cellphone, managing good high quality and distinction. However the digital camera, for some cause, doesn’t keep focus whereas panning, making issues seem a bit smooth when doing so. Low gentle video recordings aren’t all that nice for a smartphone at this worth level, with footage showcasing some noise and textures showing a bit smooth general.
Google Pixel 8a Evaluate: Verdict
Google’s Pixel 8a positive seems to be a strong contender on the backside finish of the premium phase. However the cellphone additionally has fairly just a few issues going towards it. The Tensor G3 processor handles every day duties simply positive however will get a bit too scorching when confused. Battery life is not one of the best in school, whereas wired charging is extraordinarily sluggish in comparison with competing units at this worth level. There’s additionally the plain undeniable fact that it has a smaller show in comparison with most smartphones at this worth level. And this makes it very laborious to suggest except a compact type issue, together with well timed updates are all you want out of your subsequent premium smartphone.
The Pixel 8a’s beginning worth of Rs. 52,999 (8GB + 128GB) is making issues worse. Quite a few units from competing manufacturers can be found in India at lower cost factors.
If a compact type issue is what you search, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 (Evaluate whereas a yr outdated, is a much better possibility and even provides Qualcomm silicon (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC), which has gone lacking from this yr’s fashions. AI options from the most recent S24 collection have additionally made it to the S23, so you’ll not be lacking out on a lot when it comes to options both. The S23 additionally provides a extra versatile digital camera setup with a correct 3X telephoto digital camera. It additionally has a vapour chamber cooling system to handle warmth and will not decelerate or get scorching when confused.
The iQoo 12 (Evaluate), which retails at the very same worth, provides a much bigger show, far superior efficiency, good cameras, and quick wired charging. And if you’re prepared to spend a bit extra, the OnePlus 12 (Evaluate) isn’t too distant at Rs. 64,999 (12GB + 256GB) and is an all-rounder of types on this worth vary.
