Google Pixel 8a – Review

Newly launched google pixel 8a, there is a lot of competition in the mid-range smartphone market, but Google has come up with a complete device in the form of Pixel 8a. Available for a price tag of just $499, it manages to tick plenty of boxes and does not sacrifice many features.

Design

The Pixel 8a is slightly smaller than Pixel 8 and has more curved and softer edges. Google has opted to use a small sensor array, which means the visor on the back is not that huge. The phone has a matte texture on the back rather than a glossy one, which means it is less likely to show smudges. The phone is smaller than the rest of the phones available in the mid-range Android market.

The size is undoubtedly appealing because you can use it with one hand easily and it is also light, which makes it comfortable to carry around. Google has also focused on durability during the phone’s construction and used recycled materials.

Screen

The Pixel 8a comes with a 6.1-inch screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400, which is not a deal-breaker, but certainly not the best in the category. It has thick bezels, which can be quite off-putting. The refresh rate can go as high as 120Hz, but it feels slower most of the time. It boasts the Actua Display tech, which makes the phone very bright, but its color accuracy could use some improvement.

Camera

For this device, Google has not changed the camera from the 7a. There is a main 64Mp sensor on the back with OIS and an f/1.9 lens. There is also a 13Mp ultrawide camera. The selfie camera on the front is also 13Mp. It supports 4K video of about 60fps on the back and 30fps on the front. While the array of sensors may not be the most exciting, but it still manages to take great pictures. It is consistently impressive in general daylight situations.

You can see balanced and nice colors and pictures have plenty of detail. Even when the lights get lower, Google’s processing and color science is helpful. The image quality of the phone is the same as its predecessor, but the software has been improved. There are several AI features that are quite helpful, such as Magic Editor and Magic Eraser.

Performance

The Pixel 8a comes with a Tensor G3 chipset and 8GB of RAM. The phone is able to offer smooth performance throughout and you will not experience a slowdown in apps, or even intensive games. Since the screen is relatively smaller, the frame rates remain quite stable during gaming. AI performance is the focus and you can do a lot, even without an internet connection.

There is support for Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 and dual SIM, with one being an eSIM. It offers excellent call quality and the stereo speakers are more than suitable for podcasts and alarms. Storage options are either 128GB or 256GB, with no expandable storage option.