The Google Pixel 8a is here, and it is stirring up mixed feelings in the tech world.
You see, the 'a' in Pixel a-series generally means 'affordable', but this time around, a starting price of ₹52,999 in India pushes it into the flagship killer category.
So, let's see what makes the Pixel 8a likeable, and where it misses the mark.
Google Pixel 8a pros
Let’s start with the aesthetics because the Pixel 8a marks a solid impression in this department.
The phone's compact size is something many users will appreciate, and it is quite a rare footprint in the Android world nowadays.
The rounded corners on this phone add a touch of elegance to it, and the signature Pixel camera bar gives it a recognisable personality.
The build quality is also commendable, and the soft matte finish provides a premium in-hand feel
Now, I know that most of you are already frowning at those display bezels, and yes, these hold the design back from achieving a truly modern look.
The Pixel 8a could have been the best-looking phone of this year, too bad Google gave it bezels like it's from 2021.
Anyway, once you look past the bezels, you’ll see a high-quality OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
But just a heads up: the 120Hz is not turned on by default. You’ll need to switch it on in the settings, but once you do, you’re all set for smooth sailing.
The display supports HDR, giving you vivid colours and deep blacks that really enhance your viewing experience. Plus, the excellent viewing angles make watching content even better.
Its peak brightness is 2000 nits, and in high brightness mode, the screen is bright enough to be usable even under direct sunlight.
By the way, the phone comes with a good pair of stereo speakers. While they might not have the deepest bass, they get plenty loud.
The Pixel 8a also takes the AI buzzword quite seriously and Google has integrated several signature AI photo editing features from the flagship Pixel 8 series into the Pixel 8a.
Features like Best Take, Magic Editor, and Magic Eraser allow users to easily enhance and fix their photos, making editing both fun and efficient.
The Audio Eraser feature is also quite useful as it eliminates distracting sounds from videos.
Google’s hyped Circle to Search tool is also present here, providing quick access to Google searches without much effort.
A quick note about the battery life. The 8a packs a 4495mAh battery and delivers good performance. With mixed use, you can expect a full day's charge without worry.
As always, one of the standout features of the Pixel 8a remains its support cycle. Google promises seven years of Android updates, making it the best-supported smartphone on the market.
This commitment to long-term updates is a significant advantage, especially when compared to other brands in this price range, which typically offer only three or four major Android updates.
Google Pixel 8a cons
Let's start with the cameras, which are good, but don't quite reach the quality some might associate with the Pixel brand name.
Please watch the video to see camera samples.
The 64MP main sensor takes good photos and stable videos in optimal lighting conditions. However, its performance in low light is less impressive, with noticeable noise and reduced clarity.
The portrait mode also has its shortcomings, often artificially brightening faces and exhibiting mediocre edge detection.
Similarly, the 13MP selfie camera is adequate but falls short in challenging lighting, often resulting in overly brightened faces.
Another thing to talk about is the Pixel 8a's tendency to heat up quickly.
While it doesn't get toasty, the device becomes warm quite fast, even in air-conditioned environments.
This is very evident when you use the camera app or play games, and this will be annoying for users who frequently engage in resource-intensive activities.
The Tensor G3 chip powering the Pixel 8a is technically a flagship-grade processor. However, it doesn't quite match the performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in the similarly-priced iQOO 12.
Sure, the Pixel 8a can handle demanding tasks like running Call of Duty at Ultra frame rates, but many games aren't fully optimised for the Tensor chip. Plus, the chip tends to heat up quickly, which can impact gaming performance.
Also, despite Google's marketing of the Tensor G3 as an AI-focused chip, most of the AI processing occurs on the cloud rather than locally on the device.
Anyway, one of the most significant drawbacks of the Pixel 8a is its slow charging speed.
Supporting only 18W charging and lacking a bundled charger, it is the slowest charging phone around, yes even slower than iPhones.
Its charging time of around two hours is quite disappointing to be honest.
Google Pixel 8a buying advice
Now let's address the elephant in the room, shall we?
At ₹52,999 in India, the 8a is quite overpriced for what it offers, there is no other way to put it.
This is especially frustrating when you consider that the Pixel 8a costs $499 in the US, which is approximately ₹41,500.
Interestingly, the iQOO 12, which is one of the best phones of 2024, also starts at ₹52,999. And if you are fixated on compact phones, the Galaxy S23’s price also very often drops to around the same level.
Look, don't get me wrong, the Pixel 8a definitely has some appeal. So, here's my buying advice if you are all set on buying this phone.
Going by Pixel A-series’ track record, the 8a's price is likely to drop significantly during a major Flipkart sale. So, patiently waiting is quite important.
If its price gets reduced to under ₹40,000, the Pixel 8a will become a good option for users seeking a stylish phone with clean software and cool AI features.
Also watch: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 review
