Google Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 8

Google has the behavior of dropping an ‘a’ mannequin a while later than the common flagship duo and such is the case now with the Pixel 8a. Positive, if you have already got the Pixel 8, you do not must be considering a lot round this time, however for those who’re out there for a brand new Pixel, issues get extra sophisticated. So we figured we would put collectively a abstract of how the 8a is much like its extra esteemed stablemate and the way the 2 differ, probably serving to you determine for your self.

Desk of Contents:

For starters, you may examine the whole specs sheets or instantly proceed with our editor’s evaluation within the following textual content.

Dimension comparability

You would be forgiven for those who thought that the Pixel 8a is the extra compact machine of the 2 – in any case, its show has a 0.1-inch smaller diagonal. The truth is, nonetheless, the outsized black bezel round its panel makes it the bigger machine – the 1.6mm of additional top are negligible, however nearly 2mm of additional width are simpler to really feel. It is nonetheless a fairly compact smartphone, one of many extra compact handsets you may get in 2024, however the Pixel 8 correct will nonetheless prevent just a few cubic mm of pocket house. The 2 weigh basically the identical, in order that’s not a consideration.

From the rear, the 2 telephones look very a lot alike, however the resemblance is pores and skin deep. The Pixel 8 has a Gorilla Glass Victus panel, whereas the 8a’s again is plastic. The 8a is completed to a frosted impact, lots just like the Pixel 8 Professional, whereas the Pixel 8 is shiny.

On the entrance, the 8 will get one other sheet of Victus, whereas the 8a is utilizing Gorilla Glass 3, which is not precisely innovative in the case of shatter resistance, although it needs to be loads ok towards scratches.

The body is fabricated from aluminum on each handsets, and it is completed to a satin sheen – no distinction there.

Each telephones are rated for mud and water resistance, and each ought to have the ability to survive a dunk in a (clear) puddle. That mentioned, the puddle could be deeper for the Pixel 8 – it is bought an IP68 ranking (30mins, 1.5m), whereas the Pixel 8a will get an IP67 badge (30mins, 1.0m). Once more, we’re splitting hairs right here.

Show comparability

The 2 shows are in some ways related, although the one on the 8a is marginally smaller as we already identified, with a 6.1″ diagonal, in comparison with the 8’s 6.2″ panel. Each have a 1080p decision and a 120Hz most refresh fee with rudimentary adaptive conduct that lets them downswitch to 60Hz when idling. HDR10 and HDR10+ is supported on each, however not Dolby Imaginative and prescient. So not a complete lot to distinguish them to date until you depend the bezels. The black strip across the Pixel 8’s show is notably slimmer including for a extra fashionable look.

The Pixel 8 has considerably of a bonus in most brightness when working the slider manually – you may go as excessive as 1001nits on it, although the 755nits we measured on the 8a aren’t half unhealthy both. In adaptive brightness mode, each get a lift to roughly the identical stage – the 8a even has a small benefit (1508nits vs. 1446nits).

Battery life

The Pixel 8a is powered by a slightly smaller battery than the Pixel 8 (4,492mAh vs. 4,575mAh) and it has an ever so barely smaller show to gentle up (6.1″ vs. 6.2″). With the identical chipset inside each telephones, it is no shock then that each the 8a and the 8 return related numbers in our endurance testing. So it will not be the battery life that may make it easier to select between the 2.

Charging velocity

Pixels have by no means led the way in which in charging velocity exams, and that applies to the Pixel 8 as properly, however the ‘a’ sequence are significantly unhealthy at it. The Pixel 8a maxes out at 18W subsequent to the 27W functionality of the Pixel 8, and in apply the 8a can be lots slower than the 8 in each the early levels of the method in addition to the race to 100%.

Each telephones help wi-fi charging, however the 8a is rated for as much as 7.5W whereas the 8 has 18W listed in its spec sheet. That mentioned, the Pixel 8’s most ranking is barely achievable with the proprietary Pixel Stand (2nd gen), whereas generic Qi pads deliver the quantity all the way down to 12W. Plus, are you actually in a rush once you’re charging wirelessly? The purpose is that the distinction in wi-fi charging velocity is not fairly as essential as the truth that the Pixel 8a has the function within the first place.

Nonetheless, the 8a does not help reverse wi-fi charging, so you probably have any use for that, the 8 is the way in which to go.

Speaker check

Each Pixels take the identical strategy to audio system, with one backside firing unit and one other one up high that additionally serves earpiece responsibility. The 8a earned a ‘Good’ mark for loudness in our testing, whereas the 8 positioned within the ‘Very Good’ class, however the distinction is actually minimal. The Pixel 8a’s sound high quality is fairly nice already, however the 8 does take {that a} notch up with its richer treble.

Efficiency

Each the Pixel 8a and the Pixel 8 run on Google’s Tensor G3 chip, and include 8GB of LPDDR4X reminiscence and both 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. In order for you 12GB of RAM or extra storage, you may must look to the Pixel 8 Professional.

The Pixel 8a ships with the newest Android 14 out of the field. As with different latest Pixel launches, the Pixel 8a is claimed to get 7 years of software program updates from the day of its launch. Once more, each units needs to be on a stage enjoying area on this respect as properly.

Benchmark efficiency

The Tensor G3’s prime core is a wonderful performer, however the total multi-core CPU efficiency is mid-range stage. The GPU can be upper-tier mid-range, which isn’t unhealthy in any respect, simply less than the usual of the present Snapdragons. All of that applies equally to each telephones although, so it will not be the efficiency that may settle this bout.

Digital camera comparability

One of many key variations between the 2 telephones is within the digicam division, the place the Pixel 8a is denied just a few niceties. The 8a’s digicam {hardware} is totally totally different, actually – all three modules have been carried over from the 7a, whereas the 8 has superior bits, technically talking.

Maybe most annoyingly, the ‘a’ mannequin does not have AF on its ultrawide digicam, which suggests no ‘macro’ mode closeups. There is not any laser for aiding AF on the primary digicam both – the Pixel 8 does have that.

With regards to the numbers, the Pixel 8a’s primary digicam has a smaller sensor (1/1.73″ vs. 1/1.31″) although it is a higher-res one (64MP vs. 50MP) – so you may be getting 16MP photographs from the 8a vs. 12.5MP ones from the 8.

The Pixel 8a’s ultrawide digicam could also be 13MP, however it outputs 16MP photographs to match the primary digicam’s decision, whereas the Pixel 8 sticks to 12.5MP.

The disparity continues on the entrance, the place the 8a has a 13MP selfie digicam and the Pixel 8’s is 10.5MP. Solely the 8 Professional has AF for selfies, so the 8a and eight are equally deprived in that respect.

Function-wise, nonetheless, the Pixel 8a has all of the lastest digicam options Google has to supply, so you aren’t getting any differentiation there.

Picture high quality

These of you with a eager eye for element will discover that the photographs and movies on this web page have been taken at totally different instances on the 2 telephones – we not have our Pixel 8 for side-by-side comparisons. Then once more, we do not anticipate main variations by way of international parameters – Google tends to be like Apple in that it tries to ship basically the identical look throughout all fashions, so cross-season comparisons are nonetheless acceptable, we reckon.

Each telephones seize nice pictures in broad daylight with their primary cameras – we’re speaking reliable white steadiness and full of life colours, excessive distinction and good dynamic vary, no noise to talk of. Nonetheless, in our expertise, the Pixel 8’s photographs are that additional bit sharper on a pixel stage.

Pixel 8a daylight picture samples, primary digicam, 1x

Pixel 8 daylight picture samples, primary digicam, 1x

That impression will get solidified at 2x zoom stage, the place the 8 has a slight edge as properly.

Pixel 8a daylight picture samples, primary digicam, 2x

Pixel 8 daylight picture samples, primary digicam, 2x

The ultrawides carry out fairly equally from a element perspective once you study their outcomes on a pixel stage. The 8a’s processing is wanting just a little nicer to our eyes although.

Pixel 8a daylight picture samples, ultrawide digicam

Pixel 8 daylight picture samples, ultrawide digicam

At nighttime, we’re truly seeing a minor benefit in sharpness and element for the Pixel 8a in the primary digicam pictures right here or there. It might be us rooting for the underdog that is influencing our judgment, however in any case, you will not be sacrificing low-light picture high quality on the primary digicam of the 8a, in comparison with the 8.

Pixel 8a low-light picture samples, primary digicam, 1x

Pixel 8 low-light picture samples, primary digicam, 1x

At 2x zoom stage, there’s equally nothing to be gained by getting the dearer of the 2 Pixels – the 8a is mostly pretty much as good because the 8.

Pixel 8a low-light picture samples, primary digicam, 2x

Pixel 8 low-light picture samples, primary digicam, 2x

With regards to the ultrawides, we would truly say with a bit extra confidence that the Pixel 8a does higher than the 8 in the dead of night – not dramatically higher, however nonetheless higher.

Pixel 8a low-light picture samples, ultrawide digicam

Pixel 8 low-light picture samples, ultrawide digicam

As for selfies, whereas the Pixel 8a does these admirably, we would nonetheless say that the Pixel 8 has a little bit of an edge in sharpness.

Selfie samples: Pixel 8a • Pixel 8

Video high quality

Video high quality is basically the identical between the 2 telephones when evaluating footage from the primary cameras, be it at their native zoom ranges, or at 2x. Within the battle of the ultrawides, alternatively, we would nonetheless give the nod to the Pixel 8a.

Pixel 8a daylight video samples: 0.5x • 1x • 2x

Pixel 8 daylight video samples: 0.5x • 1x • 2x

At nighttime, neither ultrawide produces significantly likable movies, however the clips from the Pixel 8 are a notch softer. Conversely, primary digicam footage from the 8 is wanting marginally sharper.

Pixel 8a low-light video samples: 0.5x • 1x

Pixel 8 low-light video samples: 0.5x • 1x

Verdict

The Pixel 8a’s launch worth might place it too near the present going charges for a ‘actual’ Pixel 8, however simply because the 8 will get discounted every so often, so too will the 8a – buying round and ready for subsequent week’s gross sales normally helps. We do assume the 8a will assume the place of a meaningfully cheaper choice within the roster in due time. It is smart for it to be the go-to reply for the folks who’re simply after the newest Pixel – it delivers all of the Pixel stuff (digicam and software program, basically), with out making a fuss about it.

After all, the Pixel 8 could have an edge in just a few areas and supply an additional function right here or there. Charging velocity on the 8a goes to be a dealbreaker for some individuals (lots of people?), and the 8 does notably higher there, plus it may well cost different units off its again not like the 8a. The Pixel 8 does have a nicer construct, and whereas IP68>IP67 and Victus>GG3, it is most likely the slimmer bezels on the eight that may rating it extra factors towards the oddly chunky 8a. The 8’s digicam superiority is considerably questionable usually use, although it does supply higher selfies and rear digicam portraits, plus its ultrawide’s AF functionality makes it extra versatile. It must be mentioned that the 8a pulls its personal weight admirably in the case of digicam efficiency.