Design and Build

The Google Pixel 8a is an affordable handset with a not-so-low-quality design that is built of aluminum, the front part of the phone is protected by Gorilla Glass 3, and the back is plastic. The size of the device is 6.0 x 2.9 x 0.35 inches (152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm), and the weight is 6.6 ounces (188g), which makes it fantastic for using with one hand as it is light and easy to hold. It is released in four elegant colors, such as Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, and Aloe, and it has an under-display fingerprint sensor that cannot be opened with a face.

• Aluminum frame
• Gorilla Glass 3 front, plastic back
• IP67 rating (water and dust resistance up to 1 meter for 30 minutes)
• Under-display fingerprint sensor (no face unlock)
• USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 port for charging and data transfer
• Physical nano-SIM + eSIM

Pixel 8a Display

Google Pixel 8a is a 6.1-inch OLED screen with a 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution (430 PPI), HDR10+ support, and a 120Hz refresh rate. While the display is not going to be faster with LTPO technology (note that lower-end models will follow), the system is still capable of delivering a 120Hz refresh rate. It has the maximum brightness of 2000 nits, which is good enough for use outdoors, and the material is visible, but the display is less vivid than the Pixel 9's 2700 nits. On the other hand, the design has reduced the thickness of the bezels at the bottom and also at the top, but there is no super advanced Always-On Display feature like those in flagship competitors.

• 6.1-inch OLED
• 1080 x 2400 resolution, 430 PPI
• HDR10+ support
• 2000 nits (peak)
• Gorilla Glass 3 protection
• 120Hz refresh rate (no LTPO or advanced Always-On Display)

Performance and Software

The Google Tensor G3 chip (4nm) is the heart of the Pixel 8a, equipped with a 9-core CPU, Immortalis-G715 GPU, and AI accelerators. It is a chipset capable of carrying out Google’s Gemini Assistant duties at the level of a flagship device. The device is not only equipped with 8GB LPDDR5X RAM but also has a 12GB RAM variant, which assures high-quality performance for different task,s including multitasking. Users have two storage options which are 128GB (for $499) and 256GB (for $559), with no additional storage. The phone boots on Android 14 and the latest OS upgradeable is Android 15; it will receive 7 additional years of OS and security updates, giving the support lifecycle to 2031. LTPO's absence rationale is lower efficiency during showing any content.

• Google Tensor G3 chip with 9-core CPU, Immortalis-G715 GPU, AI accelerators
• 8GB LPDDR5X RAM
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB
• Android 14 (upgradable to Android 15, 7 years of updates)
• Optimized for AI, photography, and daily tasks

The Tensor G3 offers excellent performance for its price, matching the Pixel 8, but the 8GB RAM and base 128GB storage limit its appeal for heavy users. Reviewers praise its software and camera but note the plastic back feels less premium.

Camera System

Google Pixel 8a's double back camera is made up of a 64MP main lens (f/1.89, 26mm, OIS) and a 13MP ultra-wide one (f/2.2, 120° FOV). The unit's omission of a telephoto lens is a strategic move as this feature is reserved for Pro models only. A 13MP front camera (f/2.2) that lacks focusing is put on. The computational photography in other words the system where the processor uses complex mathematical algorithms to calculate and produces an image that comprises enhanced characteristics of the co-energies (such as edges) does ensure the sharpness and brightness of pictures at a very good level, although still slightly lower than the pictures taken with a 50MP sensor of the Pixel 9.

• Rear: 64MP Main (26mm, f/1.89, OIS), 13MP Ultra-wide (f/2.2)
• Front: 13MP (f/2.2)
• Video: 4K 60 fps
• Modes: Night Sight, Magic Eraser, Portrait
• LED flash

Battery and Charging

The battery has a capacity of 4492mAh and sometimes it is capable of running for approximately 12 hours of video playback or for 10-12 hours under normal use. It still supports 18W wired charging that can get the battery 50% charged in just 30 minutes but the disadvantage is that it removes the wireless charging feature seen in Pixel 8. Apart from a USB-C cable, users will not get a charger with it. The battery performance can be seen as good enough for a battery of that size, but the absence of wireless charging and the fact that the wired charging is slower is a disadvantage especially taking into account the price of the phone.

• 4492mAh battery
• Up to 12 hours video playback, ~10–12 hours real-world
• 18W wired charging (50% in 30 min)
• No wireless charging
• No charger included (USB-C cable only)

Connectivity

The Pixel 8a comes with a 5G modem that is compatible with sub-6GHz bands, allowing users to get fast speeds in supported areas, but it is without mmWave for ultra-high-speed connectivity. To ensure strong and fast wireless performance, the phone features Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3. For carrier, the device supports both nano-SIM and eSIM but it does not have the UWB for the precision tracking of location. There is no emergency SOS through the satellite. GPS is very reliable as the phone supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and the Japanese QZSS system.

• 5G modem (sub-6GHz)
• Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Physical nano-SIM + eSIM
• No UWB chip
• No satellite connectivity
• GPS: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS

Pricing and Availability

The Pixel 8a starts at a price of $499 for 128GB, the 256GB model is being offered at $559. The date of the launch was May 7, 2024, for pre-orders, and it will be on sale from May 14, 2024, through the Google Store, carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile), and retailers like Best Buy. Google still is offering its budget-friendly alternative, which, among other things, makes use of various trade-in programs to reduce costs. There is a plethora of people who back it, but the expected release of the Pixel 9a might be enough to make it obsolete.