The Google Pixel 8a is the cheapest Pixel you can buy, but is it too compromised to consider? Thankfully, no. Here’s why it’s a great purchase.
Rarely is there a more tempting phone than the cheapest Google Pixel model, and the Pixel 8a is the latest to be released.
It appears to be another great value you’d be mad not to consider, but before handing over the money in anticipation of using the ever-reliable camera and software, is it as good as we all hope — and have come to expect?Google Pixel 8a: design
The Google Pixel 8a looks so much more modern than the Pixel 7a, and it’s all due to the round corners, which soften the design and make it more comfortable to hold, too. It’s a compact phone compared to the massive Pixel 8 Pro, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra, with the 72mm width and 8.9mm thickness ensuring it is never a bother to use with one hand.
However, the metal frame and plastic rear panel provide little grip, so you’ll have to hold it tightly or put it in a case if you want to avoid any accidents. I’ve been using Google’s silicone case, and while it doesn’t attract as much fluff and dust as the Pixel 7a’s case, it doesn’t really up the grip factor much. As such, it may be worth looking for another Pixel 8a case if you’re prone to dropping your phone. The 188-gram weight is welcome, and I have not found it annoying in my pocket or bag.
Google’s trademark camera visor looks excellent and gives the back of the Pixel 8a presence and identity, and confirms it as one of the Pixel family. I’ve been using the Pixel 8a in the Obsidian color, which is very dull, but you can also get it in a beautiful Bay blue, a Porcelain white, or the new Aloe green. I’d suggest getting one of the brighter colors to really make the great overall design shine.
Even though the case doesn’t add much grip, it does cover up the slightly cheap-feeling plastic rear panel, which is smooth to the touch and has an unpleasant amount of flex when pressed down. It’s not as tactile as the Google Pixel 8’s glass or as fancy as the Samsung Galaxy A55’s glass, and even the plastic Galaxy A35 manages to improve on it. Corners had to be cut to get the price right, but otherwise, the Pixel 8a is a compact, manageable, and pretty phone; just don’t expect it to feel expensive.Google Pixel 8a: camera
I’m willing to bet one of the reasons you want a Pixel 8a is the camera, and rightly so, based on other models. But how does the cheapest model in the Pixel range perform? There are two cameras on the back: a 64-megapixel main camera with an f/1.89 aperture and both optical and electronic stabilization (OIS and EIS), plus a 13MP wide-angle camera with a 120-degree field of view. The selfie camera at the top of the screen has 13 megapixels and fixed focus.
When I first started with the Pixel 8a’s camera, I wasn’t quite sure about its performance. There seemed to be something a little off about its exposure and contrast in some situations. Since then, I’ve taken more than 120 additional photos, and for the most part, the problem has not continued to cause concern. However, in some circumstances — harsh lighting in particular — the Pixel 8a didn’t take the photos I expected. Was I expecting too much?
No. While the Pixel 8a’s camera isn’t perfect, it is really good, and you won’t regret getting it. Colors pop, images are filled with detail, and there’s wonderful consistency between the main and wide-angle cameras. I shot photos at an evening car event, and the Pixel 8a wasn’t fazed by the low sun and still managed to make the metal shine and the colors stand out. And it didn’t obscure detail in the shadows. At night, it takes sharp, bright photos with only a hint of blur when you crop the image.
There’s no optical zoom here, just like the Pixel 8, but the camera does have a 2x shortcut to tempt you. The photos it takes are quite soft and it doesn’t always focus as you’d expect. And although you can see what you’ve taken a photo of using the 8x Super-Res zoom mode, the digital enhancement is obvious. Creative opportunity comes from the editing suite in Google Photos more than the camera, and to change this, you’ll have to splurge for the Pixel 8 Pro. It had a shaky start, but I’ve warmed to the Pixel 8a’s camera a great deal.Google Pixel 8a: AI
The Google Pixel 8a will get some Gemini Nano AI capabilities in the future through a software update, but at the time of writing, these are not available. When it does arrive, it’ll have to be enabled in the developer options menu when other features like Summarize for Recorder and Smart Replies are activated. In the meantime, it has Circle to Search, Audio Emojis, and Call Assist. They likely aren’t features you’ll use all the time, but I’ve found Circle to Search and the Call Screening features handy, and they work well.
