Updates until 2031: Pixel 8a puts the high-end in the shade
With the Pixel 8a, Google trumps many a luxury smartphone. The manufacturer provides seven years of updates. Prices start at 550 euros.
(Bild: Google)
Google has unveiled its new Pixel 8a mid-range smartphone, putting many a high-end phone in the shade. Google guarantees seven years of updates for its most affordable smartphone – even in the high-end segment, such long update periods are still a rarity. However, the latest addition to the A series can no longer be considered a price tip, as the manufacturer is asking 549 euros for the version with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of fixed storage. Two years ago, entry into Google's premium range hardly cost any more. However, the 8a is hardly distinguishable from the high-end smartphone.
Visually, the 8a with its thick camera bar is clearly recognizable as a Pixel smartphone. The housing (152.1 × 72.7 × 8.9 mm, 188 g) made of aluminum and plastic is protected against water and dust in accordance with IP67. For the first time, a Pixel-a device has a 120 Hz screen. The high refresh rate ensures a smooth display of scrolling movements, for example. The panel has a resolution of 2400 × 1080 pixels, which results in a pixel density of 430 dpi on the 6.1-inch screen. According to Google, the panel achieves a maximum brightness of 2000 cd/m². Only a handful of devices such as the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Pixel 8 Pro have achieved such peak brightness on the c't test bench; we were at least able to tease out a similarly bright 1905 cd/m² from the latter (with 10 percent white content on the screen).
Camera with tricks
Google has hardly changed the camera hardware compared to its predecessor. Like the 7a, the 8a also shoots with a wide-angle 64-megapixel camera and an additional ultra-wide angle. There is a 13-megapixel selfie cam on the front display. According to Google, only the lenses have been redesigned. The camera on the predecessor was one of the best in its price class –, especially in low light conditions thanks to its very good night mode. As with its bigger siblings, Google has also taught the 8a's camera app all kinds of tricks: for example, the magic eraser deletes unwanted image elements from photos. The AI rescues blurred faces by sharpening them. For group photos, a function creates several individual images and combines them so that everyone is smiling and looking at the camera in the final shot. An editor can be used to move or resize entire image elements within the photos. The audio eraser removes unwanted noises such as wind from video recordings.
Updates until 2031
The 8a is equipped with the same SoC as the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, Google's Tensor G3. This consists of nine cores in three clusters. The spearhead is a Cortex X3 core with a clock frequency of 3 GHz. It is supported by a Cortex-A715 cluster with four cores and a clock frequency of 2.45 GHz. The power-saving unit has four cores (Cortex A510) with 2.15 GHz. Although the G3 is Google's fastest chip, the competition from Apple and Qualcomm clearly outperforms it in benchmarks – in terms of both computing and graphics performance. In addition to the 8/128 GB version, Google also sells the 8a with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of flash at an as yet undisclosed price. As usual with Pixels, there is no MicroSD slot.
The battery of the 8a has a capacity of 4492 mAh, Google promises runtimes of up to 24 hours. The 8a can also be charged wirelessly using a Qi charger. The 8a uses the Wi-Fi 6E standard and understands Bluetooth 5.3. Google delivers the 8a with the latest Android 14 and promises to provide monthly security patches and new Android versions for seven years – i.e. until spring 2031 –. During this period, Google also wants to add new functions to the device via Pixel-exclusive feature drops. The device is now available for pre-order and will be available on May 13.
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(rbr)
