Google is back with another potential budget, but how does the Pixel 8a compare to last year’s equally solid Pixel 7a? Here’s everything you need to know.
This year, the lines between the base Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8a are blurrier than ever. If you’ve ever looked at a Pixel, the A series is eye-catching with a mix of some flagship specs. competent cameras and smooth software. All this is offered at a more accessible price, but what has changed compared to the previous generation?
Material
Design is the first point of difference. The Pixel 8a features a more refined look with smoother, rounded corners compared to the more blocky design of the Pixel 7a. This makes the Pixel 8a a little more comfortable to hold, as its bubbly aesthetic glides through your hands without making a dent.
Color options are another battleground. The 8a offers a wider selection with Obsidian (black), Porcelain (beige), Bay (dark blue) and Aloe (green), while the 7a comes in Arctic Blue, Carbon, Coral and Cotton. The phones are virtually the same weight this time around, as 5g makes little change to the overall mass. Plastic is used on the backplate, but the 8a has more recycled materials in its construction.
| GooglePixel 7a | GooglePixel 8a | |
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Dimensions | 152.4 x 72.9 x 9.0 mm (6.0 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) | 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm (6.00 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) |
| Display | 90 Hz / FHD+ / Gorilla Glass 3 / 2,400 x 1,080 pixels / 431ppi | 120 Hz / Gorilla Glass 3 / 2400 x 1080 pixels / 430 ppi |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G2 | Google Tensor G3 |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR5 | 8 GB DDR5 |
| Storage | 128 GB UFS 3.1 | 128/256 GB UFS 3.1 |
| Battery | 4,385mAh | 4,492mAh |
| Rear camera | 64MP wide / 13MP ultra-wide | 64MP wide / 13MP ultra-wide |
| Before facing the camera | 13MP | 13MP |
| Biometrics | In-screen fingerprint scanner | In-screen fingerprint scanner |
| Colors | Arctic Blue / Carbon / Coral / Cotton | Obsidian / Porcelain / Berry / Aloe |
| Weight | 193g | 188g |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP67 |
The display is another key differentiator. Both phones are expected to have a 6.1-inch display, but the 8a clearly takes the lead with its pOLED technology, offering a potentially smoother 120Hz refresh rate for a smoother user experience. It also offers a significantly higher peak brightness of 2,000 nits than the 7a’s 1,000 nits. Both phones use Gorilla Glass 3 for protection – so no improvement in screen sturdiness. I would say the Pixel 7a’s bezels are less “offensive” because they are bulky on the Pixel 8a.
The performance section reveals a clear advantage for the 8a. It features the latest Tensor G3 chip, potentially offering faster performance than the 7a’s Tensor G2. A side advantage also lies in the improved thermals. Both phones have 8GB of RAM and a base configuration of 128GB. Only the Pixel 8a offers a larger 256GB storage variant if you want to keep more files on the device.
Software
Despite the Pixel 8a’s cool new features, it’s important to remember that both phones share the core Android experience with Google’s Pixel-exclusive customizations. Here’s a look at what you can expect on both devices:
| GooglePixel 7a | GooglePixel 8a | |
| Software | Comes with Android 13 | Comes with Android 14 |
| Features | In-screen fingerprint scanner Face unlock Remove blur from photos Google A VPN |
In-screen fingerprint scanner Face unlock Google A VPN Gemini Nano AI Wallpapers |
Both devices offer a treasure trove of Pixel-exclusive features. These include Magic Eraser to remove unwanted objects from photos, Real Tone to capture realistic skin tones, Call Screen to filter unwanted calls, Direct My Call to get information about the companies you are calling, Hold for Me to put automatically on hold during calls and transcribe the waiting time. and Live Translate for real-time translation in all languages.
But it does not stop there. Gemini Nano will soon arrive on 8a. This will enable on-device processing, such as logger summaries, smart replies in Gboard, and much more. Although Face Unlock is present on both phones, you can make secure payments on the Pixel 8a thanks to the Tensor G3 processor.
One of the biggest differentiators of the Pixel 7a and 8a is the update lifecycle. Both will still be supported for some time. However, the Pixel 8a benefits from the 7-year full update promise that was given to the Pixel 8 series. This will be a big selling point that will make the 8a a viable option for many more people.
Deeper future integration with Gemini could also mean the Pixel 8a becomes more capable as Google adds and improves existing features with Pixel Feature Drops, app updates, and Android improvements with each release . Although the core experience will be retained on both phones, this could change drastically in the coming years.
Battery
Since the Pixel 8a has a slightly smaller footprint, you may be surprised to learn that it actually has a larger internal cell than the Pixel 7a. The jump isn’t huge, but it can be useful if you want to run the screen at the full 120Hz refresh rate. Setting the screen to the highest refresh rate is a surefire way to reduce the duration of daily life despite the advantages of the experience.
| GooglePixel 7a | GooglePixel 8a | |
| Battery size | 4,385mAh | 4,492mAh |
| Charging speed | 18W wired 7.5W Qi wireless |
18W wired 7.5W Qi wireless |
Regarding battery life, the 8a has a slightly larger 4,492 mAh battery compared to the 7a’s 4,300 mAh capacity. Both phones claim over 24 hours of battery life, but actual usage may vary. The 8a sticks to the slower 7.5W wireless charging, just like the 7a. It also retains the somewhat slow 18W wired charging.
Camera
Both phones share the same camera hardware: a 64 MP main sensor and a 13 MP ultra-wide sensor. This means that in most scenarios, images and videos should look the same as the Pixel 8a and 7a. Unfortunately, there is no telephoto lens on the two phones that use digital zoom, which can cause some loss of quality when zooming in on distant objects.
| GooglePixel 7a | GooglePixel 8a | |
| Main sensor | SonyIMX787 64MP aperture f1.9 |
SonyIMX787 64MP aperture f1.9 |
| Secondary sensor | SonyIMX712 13MP ultra wide angle aperture f2.2 120° field of view |
SonyIMX712 13MP ultra wide angle aperture f2.2 120° field of view |
| Front sensor | SonyIMX712 13MP f/2.2 |
SonyIMX712 13MP f/2.2 |
| Camera hardware specifications | OIS EIA PDAF |
OIS EIA PDAF |
| Camera software features | 8x zoom Guided framework 4K UHD 60fps 4K UHD 30 fps (selfie and wide angle) 10-bit HDR10 video Real tone 2.0 |
8x zoom Guided framework 4K UHD 60fps 4K UHD 30 fps (selfie and wide angle) 10-bit HDR10 video Real tone 2.0 Magic Editor Best catch Magic Eraser Remove blur from photos Audio Magic Eraser |
The core feature set of the Pixel 7a and 8a is identical. Where the Pixel 8a starts to win is in the suite of post-processing features. Some of the biggest selling points of the Pixel 8 series are available on the 8a, including Magic Editor, Best Take, Magic Eraser, and Audio Magic Eraser. None of these are available on the Pixel 7a through official means.
As we note, there’s little that really separates the hardware of the Pixel 7a and 8a cameras. Just choose the set of software features that seem “essential” to you and you will be very happy.
Pixel 7a vs Pixel 8a: which should I choose?
About Upgrading: 9to5Google often gives specific product recommendations. Sometimes we may suggest not upgrade, for various reasons, including: increased cost of the device, negligible performance gains, or environmental impact. The decision to upgrade or not is always your choice, but our goal is to help you make as informed a decision as possible.
The Pixel 7a remaining in the lineup means the entry-level Pixel still gives you value for money. Where the Pixel 8a shows its power is in new AI-driven features and the industry’s most advanced update schedule. Even though it’s priced at $499, Google has promised updates through 2031. If you used the 8a for its entire lifespan, it would only cost $70 per year.
It’s unlikely many people will make the 8a last that long. That said, you now have the option. The Pixel 7a is now more affordable than ever. If you don’t care about the longer update schedule, it will still be supported for four more years. Most of the core hardware is the same as the 8a: except the SoC and display.
Ultimately, the Pixel 8a offers a compelling package that has blurred the lines between the A series and the standard Pixel 8 lineup more than ever. This is both a blessing and a curse, but if you’re still using an unsupported, older Pixel, then the 8a is a great upgrade option.
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