Google wants more people to use Pixel devices and the Pixel 8a is the latest version of its affordable offerings. Starting at $499, the Pixel 8a is expertly crafted with plenty of tricks under the hood. In some ways, it is reminiscent of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE ($599.99). The promise of the Google “A” series and the Samsung “FE” editions is to give people the most popular features of their top phones at a much lower price. Does it work with the 8a? Here are some early impressions of Google’s latest phone ahead of our full review.Appearance: A Polished PixelThe Google Pixel 8a is finely constructed with glass and aluminum components flowing into each other elegantly. Measuring 6.0 by 2.9 by 0.4 inches (HWD) and weighing 6.8 ounces, the Pixel 8a fits comfortably in my hand. The rounded corners nestle securely in my palm. The matte rear material feels smooth to the touch and is similar to the finish of the Pixel 8 Pro ($999). Generally, the Pixel 8a looks a lot like the Pixel 8 ($699) with some minor variations. The Pixel 8, which measures 5.9 by 2.8 by 0.4 inches and 6.6 ounces, is a bit smaller and lighter. The 8 also has a glossy back. But the family resemblance is still clear.
Left to right: Google Pixel 8, Google Pixel 8a (Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)
The phone’s face is dominated by the 6.1-inch OLED display which has a resolution of 2,400 by 1,080 pixels and an adaptive refresh rate of 120Hz with a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits (1,400 nits HDR). The 8a has a thicker bezel around the screen compared to the thinner ones on the other Pixels. On the 8a, the bezel is uniform on three sides but it widens a bit at the base of the display. Considering the Pixel 8a’s construction and looks, the relatively wide bezel is one of the few external signs that this is not a premium device.
Left to right: Google Pixel 8, Google Pixel 8a (Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)
Animations that run across the screen are fluid, fine text is sharply rendered, and the screen provides bright, beautiful imagery. Maxing out the brightness indoors is jarring because the screen gets so bright; this is a good problem to have. I look forward to testing the display on a sunny day.For durability, the front is covered in Gorilla Glass 3, which is several generations removed from the latest Corning glass options. However, it does provide a measure of scratch and damage protection. The Pixel 8a is IP67 rated, which means it can withstand dust and be submerged in fresh water for a short time. The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro have hardier IP68 ratings. I would have liked to see more recent glass and an IP rating that matches the other Pixels, but that may be a nitpick.Performance: Fast at First BlushI had a limited time to test the Pixel 8a, but at first blush, it is quick. Scrolling through the app drawer is silky smooth, which gives an impression of speed. Launching and switching between apps works without delay and every interaction with the device seems effortless for the Pixel 8a.
Recommended by Our Editors
Google Pixel 8a (Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)
The Pixel 8a is powered by a Google Tensor G3 system on a chip (SoC), the same processor found in the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. This SoC is tuned to handle machine learning more than dominate via raw power, which helps the Pixel devices accomplish AI tasks. Google’s Audio Magic Eraser is available on the Pixel 8a; it lets you quickly remix the audio in a video to remove background noise or other unwanted sounds. In a quick test, the Audio Magic Eraser feature on the Pixel 8a seems to work as well as it does on the more expensive Pixel devices, which is promising. For connectivity, the Pixel 8a supports sub-6GHz 5G, including C-band, as well as the faster mmWave flavor of 5G that is available from some carriers. Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC are also on board for connectivity.A Lot More Coming UpGoogle touts the Pixel 8a as having a “best-in-class camera.” We will be scrutinizing its image quality to see how it fares when stacked up to the competition. There are also plenty of AI features to put through their paces, formal benchmarking, battery tests, and more. We will have an in-depth breakdown of all the Pixerk 8a’s features and performance in our full review, which is coming soon.
Like What You’re Reading?
Sign up for Fully Mobilized newsletter to get our top mobile tech stories delivered right to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
