The recipe for Google’s A-series Pixel is extremely simple: combine high-end cameras with a vibrating screen, then integrate it all into a proven design at a reasonable price. With the addition of the Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8A now supports the same powerful AI capabilities as Google’s flagship phones. So if you consider that all this is available, you will not only see the best mid-range Android phone on the market, but perhaps one of the best values of all the phones on sale today.
Design and display
Apart from a new Aloe color option–which I think is the best – the Pixel 8A is almost identical to the Standard Pixel 8. however, there are some subtle differences that become more apparent when the two are seen side by side. The most obvious are the slightly larger frames, which also affects the screen size of the Pixel 8. Instead of a 6.2-inch screen like its more expensive brother, the Pixel 8A is at 6.1 inches. That said, you still get a vibrant OLED panel that produces deep blacks and rich colors, as well as a slightly faster refresh rate of 120 Hz compared to the 90 Hz of last year’s Pixel 7a.
Pixel8a
The best mid-range Android phone
With the addition of Google’s Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8A offers practical AI features alongside a beautiful 120 Hz OLED display, excellent cameras and a battery life well above average.
The phone’s frame is still made of aluminum, which is pleasant to the touch, while the metal camera mounts on the back are actually a millimeter or two thinner, resulting in a slightly slimmer device. Google has also replaced the rear glass of the Pixel 8 with plastic. But thanks to a new matte finish intended to imitate the texture of cashmere, it certainly doesn’t look inexpensive. And although the IP67 protection rating for dust and water resistance is a notch below that of the main pixel 8, it is still enough to withstand Dunks up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Not bad.
Performance
One of the biggest disadvantages of Google’s Tensor chips is that they do not offer the same performance as those of competing silicon Apple or Qualcomm. And while this is still true for the G3, it bothers me a lot less when we’re talking about powering a phone. In normal use, the Pixel 8A is fast and lively, just like games. Titles like Marvel Snap and TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge seemed slick. The only time I noticed significant hiccups or delays was when I was playing more sophisticated shooter games like Call of Duty: Mobile.
The other part of the power equation, of course, is all the AI features of the device that the Tensor G3 unlocks, such as Audio Magic Eraser, Best Take And Magic Editor, which you can use instead of the 10-frame cap as you wish.free users are subject to Google Photos.
Camera
The Pixel 8A has the same 64mp main and 13MP Ultra-wide sensors that were used in last year’s P7a. But that’s okay, because Google’s affordable phones far exceed their weight. Rather than comparing it to a similar price rival, I decided to really challenge the Pixel 8A by placing it against the Samsung 24 Ultra. And even then, he still largely followed.
Examples of Pixel 8A cameras
An example of the Pixel 8A’s camera compared to a similar photo from the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
In bright light, I would say that the Pixel 8A could be the superior shooter, as it captures more precise colors and excellent details compared to Samsung’s warmer tones and often oversaturated hues. This was especially noticeable during the filming of a single Yellow Rose. The S24 Ultra has made the center of the flower orange and super contrasting, which looks great in a vacuum but does not reflect what I have seen in real life.
However, at night, the massive 200MP main sensor of the S24 Ultra retracted forward, producing generally sharper and better exposed images. However, thanks to Google’s powerful night vision mode, the Pixel 8A was not far behind, an impressive feat for a phone that costs less.
