Google Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 8 : major deviations that were anticipated

With Google I/O 2024 just around the corner, we are getting closer and closer to the introduction of the Pixel 8a that is anticipated. It is almost certain that a comparison between the Google Pixel 8a and the Pixel 8 will be made when Google eventually unveils its most recent, more affordable smartphone.

When everything is said and done, if you are contemplating purchasing one of the more affordable phones in the A Series from Google, it is important to be aware of the ways in which it varies from the standard flagships from the Pixel brand. Even though the Pixel 8a will have a lot of similarities with the Pixel 8, there will still be some significant distinctions between the two. These changes will enable Google to charge a lower price for its midrange device.

Google Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 8

It is not until we get a glimpse of the Pixel 8a straight from Google that we will be able to formally determine what those changes will be. However, there are several rumors being circulated that may provide us with a sense of the possible differences between the Google Pixel 8a and the Pixel 8, as well as whether or not the Pixel 8a provides sufficient features to make it an attractive alternative to the more expensive flagship phone.

Google Pixel 8A vs. Pixel 8 Specifications

The starting price of the Pixel 8 is $699, while the starting price of the Pixel 7a is $499. There is now a difference of $200 between the two. On the other hand, if all went according to plan, we would see that continue after the Pixel 8a is released. Pricing speculations for the Pixel 8a, on the other hand, indicate that this won’t be the case.

According to sources on European pricing, the price of the Pixel 8a is expected to climb by sixty euros in comparison to the price of the Pixel 7a. The Pixel 8a would have a starting price of €569 for the 128GB model, which is much lower than the pricing of the Pixel 8 in that region of the globe, which is €799 for the Pixel 8.

Although it is not always the case that price rises in one location follow those in another, it is true that the costs of mobile phones have been on the rise in recent times. As a consequence of this, word has gotten around that the Pixel 8a may be priced at $549 in the United States.

If Google were to reduce the price difference between the A Series device and the flagship, it would not be an unusual move on the company’s part. For example, when the Pixel 7a was released for $499, which was a $50 rise from the price of the 7a, there was a difference of $100 between the pricing of the 7a and the price of the Pixel 7. In the event that the price of the Pixel 8a is increased, Google will be required to provide an explanation as to why its more affordable phone is still excellent value in comparison to the Pixel 8.

In a short amount of time, we ought to learn the prices. During Google I/O, it is anticipated that a preview of the Pixel 8a will be shown. Beginning on May 14th, that developer conference will get started.

GOOGLE PIXEL 8A VS. PIXEL 8 DESIGN AND DISPLAY

Although the A Series device has a tendency to have more visible bezels, there are often relatively few design variations between the A Series and the Pixel flagship that it is imitating. In fact, photographs that have been leaked and purportedly show off the Pixel 8a indicate that this will be the case once again this year.

In any other case, it will be difficult for you to identify any visual distinctions between the Pixel 8a and the Pixel 8. It is expected that both phones will include the vertical camera bar that has become a standard feature on Google’s mobile devices. It is quite possible that the Pixel 8a will include a greater amount of plastic into its design in order to save costs; nonetheless, this is the extent of the design alterations that will be implemented.

Color is without a doubt going to be the most noticeable shift in how things seem. Rose, Hazel, Obsidian, and Mint are the colors that are available for the Pixel 8; to you and me, these colors are equivalent to pink, gray, black, and light green. It has been speculated that the new Pixel 8a would be available in a variety of colors, including porcelain, obsidian, bay, and mint. The shades of white and blue will take the place of the pink and gray selections.

Similar to its predecessor, the Pixel 8a is expected to be equipped with a display measuring 6.1 inches, which would be a quarter of an inch smaller than the 6.2-inch screen seen on the Pixel 8. According to speculations, the new phone will have a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which is an upgrade above the 90 Hz rate that the display of the Pixel 7a has. However, the Pixel 8a may provide an improvement over the Pixel 7a. The Pixel 8a would therefore be on par with the Pixel 8 if this were to occur.

Possibly, this is not the only display characteristic that both of these phones have in common. According to rumors, the display on the Pixel 8a will have the same peak brightness of 1,400 nits as the display on the Pixel 10, which is now available.

GOOGLE PIXEL 8A VS. PIXEL 8 CAMERAS

A comparison of the cameras on the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 7a would still be appropriate since we do not anticipate a significant amount of change to the camera hardware with the Pixel 8a.

The Pixel 8a, much like the Pixel 7a that came before it, is expected to include a primary camera with 64 megapixels, in addition to an ultrawide camera with 13 megapixels. This is in contrast to the Pixel 8’s rear camera, which has a resolution of 50 megapixels and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera.

Do not bother hunting for a telephoto lens that is specifically designed for use with either the Pixel 8a or the Pixel 8. Additionally, this functionality continues to be the defining characteristic of the Pixel 8 Pro.

When it comes to camera phones, Google has traditionally focused more on software capabilities and computational photography than anything else. We believe that the same Tensor-powered functionality will be available on the new phone, given that the Pixel 8a will be receiving a version of the Tensor G3 chipset that is featured in the Pixel 8 (more on that in a bit). When referring to the editing of photographs, this refers to the capability of resizing and moving items around. Add to the attractiveness of the Pixel 8a the fact that you will be able to make use of these features on a smartphone that is more affordable than the Pixel 8.

GOOGLE PIXEL 8A VS. PIXEL 8 PERFORMANCE AND SPECIAL FEATURES

As was said before, the Tensor G3 that is included in the Pixel 8 looks to be planned to be included in the Pixel 8a. (Google has done the same thing with prior A Series phones, turning to silicon from the flagship release, which occurred in the autumn of the preceding year.) According to benchmarks that have been said to have been leaked, the Pixel 8a is using a version of the Tensor G3 that has been underclocked, which means that its performance may be somewhat inferior to that of the Pixel 8. (There is also the possibility that the chipset of the Pixel 8a that will be sent to customers may be improved via optimization.)

On the other hand, performance is not something that tensor silicon is primarily concerned with. On the contrary, the neural engine that is included inside the system-on-chip is the one that is accountable for the many one-of-a-kind features that we have come to anticipate from Google phones. In the case of the Pixel 8, this translates to enhanced call screening with an assistant that has a more genuine-sounding voice, as well as web page summaries and a button that is built into the keyboard for proofreading. Our guess is that such functions will eventually be included on the Pixel 8a.

You can anticipate that the Pixel 8a will also be able to take advantage of the Audio Magic Eraser capabilities that were released with the Pixel 8 phones. This is in addition to the generative picture editing options that were stated before. By using this function, you are able to eliminate potentially distracting noise from video footage, ensuring that the edited movie only emphasizes the sound that you want.

There is a possibility that the Video Boost function, which is designed to enhance the visual quality of films, will not be included in the Pixel 8a. We would not anticipate seeing it on the Pixel 8a, which is priced more affordably, since it is not even accessible on the normal Pixel 8. This is because it is a feature that is specific to the Pixel 8 Pro.

GOOGLE PIXEL 8A VS. PIXEL 8 BATTERY LIFE AND CHARGING

We haven’t heard much in the way of speculations about the battery for the Pixel 8a, which is fairly unexpected considering that this is one area in which Google phones often perform worse than their competitors. Despite the fact that the Pixel 7a is powered by a battery with a capacity of 4,385 milliampere-hours (mAh), it was only after we deactivated the faster refresh rate on the phone’s display that it was able to achieve a result that was comparable to that of a typical smartphone.

With a battery capacity of 4,575 milliampere-hours (mAh), the Pixel 8 performed somewhat less than average in our battery test when compared to other smartphones. When we put our phones through a test in which they browse the internet until they run out of juice, we normally find that they last for around ten hours. Since there is a great deal of space for development in this area, we will see whether the Pixel 8a is capable of meeting the challenge. If the rumored specifications for the Pixel 8a suggest that the new phone will have a battery with a capacity of 4,500 mAh, then maybe there is a reason to hope for a smartphone that will have a longer lifespan.

GOOGLE PIXEL 8A VS. PIXEL 8 SOFTWARE

There is one more piece of software that you should keep a watch on in addition to the tensor-powered software capabilities that are anticipated to be included with the Pixel 8a. A more liberal update strategy was adopted by Google with the release of the Pixel 8, which means that the phone will get software and security support for the next seven years.

Due to the fact that the Pixel 8a is equipped with the same processor as the Pixel 8, we are keen to verify whether or not it will also get the same level of support. It is also conceivable that Google comes to the conclusion that its midrange phone does not deserve the extended care that flagship phones get and decides to remain with the policy of the Pixel 7a, which includes three years of software updates and five years of security support.

Both the Pixel 8a and the Pixel 8 should be able to run the forthcoming Android 15 software, which is presently in the public beta phase. However, it is very probable that the final version will not be released until the latter part of the summer.

GOOGLE PIXEL 8A VS. PIXEL 8 OUTLOOK

There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered before we can build a comparison between the Google Pixel 8a and the Pixel 8 that is that much more informed. In order to determine how these Google phones compare to one another, it will be important to learn more about the battery that is planned for the Pixel 8a and to understand how the camera performance compares to that of previous Google phones.

The purchase price of the Pixel 8a and how it compares to the price of $699 that Google charges for the Pixel 8 continues to be the most significant unknown factor. The difference in pricing will play a significant role in deciding whether or not the Pixel 8a is a more advantageous purchase price compared to the more costly flagship that served as its inspiration.