The newly launched Google Pixel 8a has made its debut within the aggressive finances smartphone class, formally changing its predecessor, the Google Pixel 7a, which launched final yr. Regardless of the 2 telephones’ comparable appearances, the newest mannequin boasts vital enhancements below the hood, setting it aside as a significantly superior possibility.
With a view to make an knowledgeable determination about which cellphone most accurately fits your wants, it’s essential to know the variations between the Google Pixel 8a and the Pixel 7a. Subsequently, let’s delve deeper into these distinctions to find out which gadget aligns along with your preferences and necessities.
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: specs
| Google Pixel 8a | Google Pixel 7a | |
| Dimension | 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 depth mm (6.0 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches) | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 inches) |
| Weight | 188 g (6.8 ounces) | 193.5 grams (6.84 ounces) |
| Display measurement | 6.1 inch OLED | 6.1-inch OLED |
| Display decision | 2400 x 1080 pixels (430 pixels per inch), 120Hz. 2,000 nits peak brightness | 2400 x 1080 pixels (429 pixels per inch), 90Hz, 1,000 nits peak brightness |
| Working system and updates | Android 14 w/seven years of OS, safety, and Function Drop updates | Android 13 w/three years of OS updates, 5 years of safety and Function Drop updates |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB |
| MicroSD card slot | No | No |
| Processor | Google Tensor G3/Titan M2 safety coprocessor | Google Tensor G2/Titan M2 safety coprocessor |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Digital camera | Twin lens 64MP large, 13MP ultrawide rear, 13MP entrance | Twin lens 64MP large, 13MP ultrawide rear, 13MP entrance |
| Video | As much as 4K at 60 frames per second (fps) | As much as 4K at 60 frames per second (fps) |
| Bluetooth model | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| Fingerprint sensor | Sure, in-display | Sure, in-display |
| Water resistance | IP67 | IP67 |
| Battery | 4,492mAh
18W wired charging Wi-fi charging (Qi-certified) |
4,385mAh
18W wired charging Wi-fi charging (Qi-certified) |
| Colours | Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe |
Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Worth | From $499 | $499 |
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: design, show, and sturdiness
The design of the Pixel 8a is considerably much like its predecessor, the Pixel 7a, though there are just a few notable variations. The newer model has a extra fashionable look due to its rounded corners, which soften the design and make it barely simpler to carry. On the Pixel 7a, there are more-angular corners. Nonetheless, due to its steel body and plastic rear panel, which make the Pixel 8a a bit bit slippery, it’s nonetheless advisable to purchase a Pixel 8a case to keep away from unintended drops.
The Pixel 8a brings some vital upgrades to the show. Each telephones supply a 6.1-inch OLED panel with a 2400 by 1080 decision. Nonetheless, the Pixel 8a takes it a step additional with a 120Hz refresh fee and as much as 2,000 nits of peak brightness, in comparison with the 90Hz refresh fee and 1,000 nits of peak brightness of the Pixel 7a. These enhancements promise a smoother and brighter viewing expertise, and they need to be fairly noticeable in every day use.
Each telephones have Corning Gorilla Glass 3 cowl glass and IP67 mud and water resistance, guaranteeing sturdiness. Lastly, the place the Pixel 7a launched in Charcoal, Snow, Sea, and Coral, the Pixel 8a is accessible in Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, and Aloe.
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: efficiency, battery life, and charging
The Pixel 8a has seen a efficiency increase in comparison with the earlier model. It has an upgraded Google Tensor G3 chip with Google’s Titan M2 safety coprocessor. For context, the Google Tensor G3 chip can also be featured within the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional.
The brand new chip affords a 22% improve in CPU pace and helps 25% larger reminiscence bandwidth in comparison with the Tensor G2 chip within the Pixel 7a. It has 9 cores in comparison with the older mannequin’s eight cores. These developments purpose to boost multitasking capabilities and enhance the dealing with of resource-intensive functions. Google additionally asserts that the Tensor G3 chip homes a machine studying mannequin that’s 10 occasions extra intricate than that discovered on the Tensor G2 chip, which ought to enhance AI-driven functionalities like Google Assistant and picture recognition. The Tensor G3 chip is constructed on Samsung’s 4-nanometer fabrication processor; its predecessor was developed on Samsung’s 5nm course of.
Along with benchmarks, our personal testing has additionally confirmed the Tensor G3 to be a greater general chip in comparison with the G2. It runs cooler, is extra steady, and is a little more power-efficient. It gained’t dethrone the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 any time quickly, however in comparison with the Tensor G2, the Tensor G3 is a really strong improve.
There have additionally been just a few battery modifications between the Pixel 7a and Pixel 8a fashions. The Pixel 8a has a barely bigger battery (4,492mAh in comparison with 4,385mAh), which ends up in a 15% enchancment in battery life in comparison with the Pixel 7a. Each fashions promise a minimal of 24 hours of battery life with common use, and with Google’s Excessive Battery Saver, the battery life will be prolonged as much as 72 hours.
The charging capabilities of each telephones have remained unchanged. This implies they nonetheless assist as much as 18-watt wired charging and as much as 7.5W Qi wi-fi charging. The wired charging characteristic permits for sooner charging occasions, whereas the wi-fi charging characteristic gives comfort for individuals who choose a cable-free charging expertise. General, these charging capabilities make sure that customers can preserve their gadgets powered up and able to use, regardless of the place they’re.
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: cameras
Google has determined to stay with the identical digital camera setup because the Pixel 7a for the brand new Pixel 8a. The newer cellphone options the identical 64-megapixel important digital camera and 13MP ultrawide digital camera because the Pixel 7a, plus the identical 13MP entrance digital camera for selfies and video calls. Whereas some customers might have hoped for an improve within the digital camera division, it didn’t occur this time.
Nonetheless, the digital camera software program has modified. The Pixel 8a now consists of options beforehand accessible solely on the remainder of the Pixel 8 collection, akin to Greatest Take and Magic Editor. The Greatest Take characteristic permits you to take a number of photographs shortly after which choose the most effective one from amongst them. The Magic Editor characteristic is one other notable addition that permits you to edit your footage with numerous filters and results.
The older Pixel 7a doesn’t have these options. Nonetheless, the Pixel 7a consists of some comparatively new digital camera options discovered on different Pixel telephones, together with the Pixel 8a, like Magic Eraser and Photograph Unblur. The Magic Eraser characteristic can take away undesirable objects out of your photographs, whereas the Photograph Unblur characteristic helps make blurry photos clearer.
As famous in our Pixel 8a assessment, the digital camera system isn’t flawless, however it’s spectacular. Colours are vibrant, photos are detailed, and there’s nice consistency between the primary and wide-angle cameras.
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: software program and assist
The Pixel 7a comes with Android 13 and affords three years of OS upgrades in addition to 5 years of safety and Function Drop updates.
In distinction, the Pixel 8a is provided with Android 14 and affords seven years of software program assist throughout the board. This can be a vital enchancment over its predecessor and brings the Pixel 8a consistent with the software program assist stage of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional.
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: worth and availability
The Pixel 8a is now accessible with two storage choices — 128GB and 256GB — priced at $499 and $559, respectively. Beforehand, the Pixel 7a was solely accessible with 128GB storage, priced at $499. You may anticipate the Pixel 7a to be accessible at a reduced worth within the upcoming months.
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: is it price upgrading?
If you happen to’re already rocking a Google Pixel 7a, must you rush out and improve to the Pixel 8a? In case your Pixel 7a continues to be serving you effectively and never inflicting any points, go forward and preserve utilizing it for an additional yr or two — and revel in it!
But when it’s beginning to act up — and you’ve got the cash to spare — the Google Pixel 8a is a tempting improve. The improved stability and effectivity of the Tensor G3 chip needs to be pretty substantial, so in case you’re experiencing plenty of bugs along with your Pixel 7a, the Pixel 8a could possibly be the reply to your issues. Plus, with the smoother refresh fee, brighter display, additional AI options, and plenty of extra years of software program updates, you’re getting a a lot nicer general smartphone.
What in case you don’t have both cellphone? It’s nonetheless too early to find out the extent to which the value of the Pixel 7a might drop after the launch of the Pixel 8a. The drop, if vital, could possibly be sufficient to sway these on a good finances to pick out the Pixel 7a over the Pixel 8a.
Nonetheless, for most people, the Pixel 8a is a greater possibility. It affords an improved chipset and show, an even bigger battery, a barely extra sturdy design, and extra software program assist. It additionally is available in recent colours which might be positive to show some heads. It shouldn’t come as any shock that the newer cellphone is the higher general selection, however Google actually delivered on the upgrades this yr — making the Pixel 8a one among 2024’s most interesting finances handsets.
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