Google has taken the wraps off its latest mid-tier phone, and much like everything else, you'll pay more for an A-series Pixel this year. The Pixel 8a will sell for $849 outright, up from $749 for the Pixel 7a last year. A Google spokesperson said the pricing increase was "primarily driven by exchange rates". Pre-orders will kick off today, ahead of a May 14 release date.
The key change is a new processor; much like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 8a is powered by Google's Tensor G3 processor. While Google doesn't really talk about year-on-year performance, the chipset is instead focused on efficiency and "facilitating helpful experiences". These include AI camera features, such as Magic Editor and Best Take, which are both available on the Pixel 8a. The Pixel 8a also benefits from Audio Eraser, which can remove unwanted background noise from videos.
Just like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 8a will get seven years of major operating system updates, seven years of feature drops, and seven years of security updates. That's best in class for any device, let alone a mid-tier phone. Last year's Pixel 7a only promised three years of operating system updates and five years of security. Samsung promises four years of operating system updates and five years of security for its Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55.
Other upgrades over last year's model include a more refined design with a matte glass back, a 120Hz refresh rate display (up from 90Hz), and a slightly larger battery. The Pixel 8a will also be available in a 256GB configuration, marking the first time Google has sold two storage variants of an A-series Pixel. The 256GB model will set you back $949 outright.
Full specifications for the Pixel 8a include a 1080p+ 6.2-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Tensor G3 processor, 8GB of RAM, up to 256GB of storage, and a 4,492mAh battery. In terms of photography, there's a 64MP primary lens, 13MP ultra-wide lens, and 13MP selfie camera. The Pixel 8a features IP67 water resistance, eSIM support, and wireless charging.
Locally, the Pixel 8a is available in three colours: blue, white, and black. Australia misses out on the green variant being sold in some international markets.
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Alex Choros
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