Pixel 8a
Google offers new smartphone
The Pixel 8a, along with three others, is offered in the eye-catching Aloe color.
Google is now offering the mid-range smartphone Pixel 8a. What’s in the device besides the AI chip Tensor.
The release of the Pixel 8a puts to rest the rumors that Google might discontinue the a series. Instead, it looks like it could stay around for a long time, because like its big siblings, the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, the 8a also receives a promise of updates for seven years. This applies to both Android updates and future feature drops that Google withholds from its Pixel devices.
Google Pixel 8a: Processor and display like a Pro device
Can the hardware do that too? This can be assumed, because on paper the Pixel 8a is hardly inferior to its larger siblings in this respect. As in the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, the heart is the “Tensor G3” processor, the “Titan M2″ security chip is also identical, the LPDDR5X RAM is at the same level as the Pixel 8 at 8 GB, the 6.1-inch ” Actua Display” can be adjusted between 1 and 120 Hz – apart from the size, it is also at the level of the flagships.
On paper, Google also makes few compromises when it comes to the built-in cameras. The 64 megapixels of the wide-angle camera on the back are even more than the 50 megapixels of the 8 and 8 Pro, but this is “Octa PD” technology, while the 8a uses “Quad PD”. There is also a 13 MP ultra-wide-angle camera, whose megapixel count is also just above the level of its larger siblings, but whose field of view of 120° is slightly smaller than that of the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro (approx. 125° each).
Camera and battery
The usual Pixel camera and photo functions are essentially on board, only the manual Pro settings are withheld from the 8 Pro. Additional functions can be found regularly on the Pixel 8a, which were part of the standard or even Pro devices at their respective launch. This primarily applies to software features such as the “Best Shot” function or “Circle to Search”, but also hardware features such as wireless charging.
The “battery sharing” function, which can also be used to provide power wirelessly, remains an exclusive flagship feature. Because the Pixel 8a already has a smaller battery (at least 4,404 milliamp hours) than the Pixel 8 (at least 4,485 mAh) and the 8 Pro (at least 4,950 mAh), this should be bearable. Most customers will also be able to get over the slightly lower water protection (IP67 certification instead of IP68 for the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro).
Preliminary conclusion
On paper, it almost looks as if Google is offering a kind of mini version of the Pixel 8 Pro with the Pixel 8a – and at half the price. You have to look very closely to find the differences to the flagship versions: the slightly larger battery or the additional camera as well as some (so far) exclusive software features. Otherwise, with the Pixel 8a, Google offers everything you would buy a Pixel smartphone for.
For the first time, you can choose between two memory configurations on an a version of a Pixel smartphone. With 128 GB of storage, the device costs 549 euros, and the 256 GB version costs 609 euros. For comparison: The Pixel 8 regularly starts at 799 euros, the 8 Pro at 1,099 euros. The Pixel 8a is available in Obsidian, Porcelain and Bay blue. The green tone aloe is also available in limited quantities.