Is newer necassarily better? In case you are eyeing the new Google Pixel 8a, you are probably wondering why the extra few bucks for a seemingly similar to.
In case you are eyeing the new Google Pixel 8a, you are probably wondering why the extra few bucks for a seemingly similar to last year’s Pixel 7a phone. After all, they are both touted as perhaps the best cameraphones in their respective price ranges. And we agree for the most part.
By examining the specs sheets alone, it’s quite evident that the upgrades this year are rather modest. But there’s more than meets the eye, as is almost always the case. Stick around to see if the €100 price difference is justified by the newer model.Table of Contents:
For starters, you can compare the complete specs sheets or directly continue with our editor’s assessment in the following text.Size comparison
The newer Pixel 8a is almost identical to the Pixel 7a size-wise. And it’s no surprise – the two handsets share the same screen diagonal and mostly the same hardware and design language.
However, the Pixel 8a’s chassis is now more rounded. Gone are the sharp corners from the Pixel 7a. We believe the former’s design makes it more comfortable to hold. The rounded corners provide a more secure and comfortable grip. Display comparison
Although the specs sheet suggests minimal changes in the display, the newer 8a has a far superior OLED panel.
Two of the most notable improvements are 120Hz refresh rate (up from 90Hz) and brightness. The 8a can boost up to 1,500 nits, which is a flagship-worthy score, while the 7a settles for just around 1,000 nits.
Clearly, the Pixel 8a has the better panel – it’s faster and brighter at the same time, no doubt about that.Battery life
Since we reviewed the Pixel 7a before implementing our new battery life testing routine, we would have to rely on our legacy battery tests for this side-by-side comparison.
