Let’s talk about value proposition, specifically for the Google Pixel 8a. The whole point of a mid-range version of an existing phone is that while there are sacrifices in some aspects, you are still getting the “flagship” user experience; all for a lower price of course.

Now, the Pixel 8a touts the exact same premise. It loses out on a few features from the Pixel 8, but ostensibly, users will get a similar phone at a more reasonable price. The question is, how much more value is it really offering?

Right now, the Pixel 8a is priced at S$300 less than the Pixel 8. Is that saved value worth going for the “lesser” version? It is a tricky question, but one that I hope to answer with my experience trying to phone.

Design and Build

Pixel 8a: Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8a Compairson — Pixel 8 (left) and Pixel 8a (right)

The Pixel 8’s Google-made design is unique, so it isn’t surprising that the Pixel 8a does not deviate from it. It still has a soap bar-like form factor, with a silver camera bar across the back, which contrasts against the colour.

But it isn’t all the same with the Pixel 8a. While we are on the subject of colours, the Pixel 8a offers different colour variations than the original Pixel 8, like the bright Bay option. It’s a wonderfully playful colour that was otherwise only available in the Pixel 8 Pro, but now you can get it without getting the most premium Pixel 8 series phone.

Another difference on the Pixel 8a is that it uses a plastic back, which is unsurprising considering it has to be made more affordable. But this isn’t a bad thing. The plastic back has a matte finish instead of the glossy Pixel 8, so fingerprint stains aren’t an issue if you are a bare phone user. Sure, it may feel a little cheaper, but I would actually prefer this implementation.

Build-wise, although it may be a budget-oriented device, Google has done well in ensuring that the phone still feels pretty good. The aluminium frame is sturdy, and the buttons have lovely clicky feedback. Also, it is lightweight in the hand, but that does not mean its durability is compromised. The phone retains an IP67 rating from its predecessor, making it completely dustproof and survive being dunked in water.

Overall, the Google Pixel 8a still feels like a higher-class device despite swapping materials—I didn’t feel as though I was handling a budget phone when I was using it.

Performance

Pixel 8a: UI — Classy UI on a classy screen

So the build didn’t bring any noticeable detriment with the use of different materials; what about its performance?

Thankfully, users also get most of the good features from the Pixel 8. The display is just a tiny bit smaller at 6.1 inches, but it still has the gorgeous OLED panel seen on the regular Pixel 8. The screen is 40% brighter than the Pixel 7a, so it makes for a much better experience watching stuff on the display.

And there’s another improvement made to the screen. Previously, the Pixel 7a only had a refresh rate of up to 90Hz, but Google has upped it to 120Hz here, aligning it with the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. It is a great update for the phone, as scrolling now through feels much smoother and more satisfying. Plus, it is a boon when gaming.

Pixel 8a: Display — Whether I was watching videos or gaming, I loved the display on the Pixel 8a

And while we are on that subject, helping the Pixel 8a with its gaming performance is the Tensor G3 processor. It’s Google’s most recent chip — featured on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro — and Pixel 8a gets all its benefits. Everything seems to run smoothly in terms of general performance; there isn’t lag with multiple apps in the background, and everything opens quickly. It is a similar experience for gaming. The Tensor G3 is typically capable enough to run games pretty well, though more intensive titles will not be able to take advantage of the 120Hz refresh rate.

Of course, the Tensor G3 isn’t a highlight because of its benchmark performance; it is because it offers noteworthy AI features. Admittedly, these features aren’t as attractive as they once were since more companies are implementing AI into their own smartphones, but that does not lessen their usability.

Things like Live Transcription and Audio Magic Eraser are present here, but so is the new Circle to Search feature that premiered on the Samsung Galaxy S24 series. It is the most useful AI tool I’ve used yet, so I’m glad that Google has also included it here. My only nitpick is that I can’t seem to get it to work unless I enable 3-button navigation.

That being said, it still lacks some big AI features that are already available. For instance, you still can’t get a summarised brief from a voice recording. It is teased that a future update will be made via Google’s Gemini Nano, and you can actually download the app right now through the Play Store. Still, it just doesn’t do anything markedly different from what Google Assistant can’t already do.

Camera

The Pixel 8a has the same rear camera setup as the Pixel 7a. The primary camera is a 64-megapixel camera, while the other is a 13-megapixel ultrawide. For a budget-centred smartphone, those are pretty good specs.

Pixel phones have always been renowned for their photos, and the Pixel 8a is no different. The distinct Pixel look is once again a highlight—lots of dynamic range and pleasingly contrasty visuals. The only slight against the Pixel 8a is that zoomed-in shots look particularly gnarly without a telephoto lens. This is more of a landscape photo camera.

Pixel 8a: Photography — Enjoy the aesthetic dynamic range featured on Google Pixel photos

As for low-light environments, Night Sight is again a very capable performer. It continues to amaze me how well-lit the images it produces are, and as a bonus, it takes these night shots fast, too.

Pixel 8a: Night Sight — Night Sight is once again a master at low-light

Pixel photos are already good, but with the help of AI, photography on the Pixel 8a is elevated. The Best Take and Magic Editor features let you do even more with your photos. Best Take is probably the most useful of the two — it lets you choose between different facial expressions and swaps them into your preferred group photo. It works well 90% of the time; occasionally, the cutout doesn’t quite come out right, but it isn’t a common occurrence.

Meanwhile, Magic Editor is really the Wild West. To explain it in simpler terms, it uses generative AI to alter a photo. You can remove an object or change the sky. The latter spits out particularly crazy results. For example, it rendered a hill in the background when I was playing around and changing the look of the sky.

Pixel 8a: Magic Editor — Magic Editor results range from the passable to the downright strange

Pixel 8a: Magic Editor 2 — Magic Editor results range from the passable to the downright strange

It is still early days for this type of AI functionality, and it will no doubt get better in the years to come, but for now, unless you are making relatively simple changes to your photo, Magic Editor is more of a fun tool to have if you’re bored.

Battery

The Pixel 8a gets a slightly larger 4,492 mAh battery capacity from the Pixel 7a. That doesn’t sound like a significant upgrade, especially considering that its predecessor had a relatively average battery life, but luckily, the Tensor G3’s power efficiency helps improve the performance.

While it won’t get the two-day duration offered by the flagship phones, the Pixel 8a comfortably lasts over a day. On our end, this included a mixture of web browsing, photography, and video streaming, with the brightness set to around 70%.

In addition to wired charging, the wireless charging capabilities of the Pixel 7a are also back here on the Pixel 8a, so there are a lot of options to go for when you need to power up your phone in a pinch.

Verdict

Now, back to the value proposition. For a saving of S$300 against the regular Pixel 8, the Pixel 8a is undoubtedly a better option if you want to get the Google smartphone experience while on a budget. It has all of the features of the Google ecosystem and AI tools, and the change in materials doesn’t detract too much from how you can enjoy the phone.

But here’s the kicker. If you’re a Shopee hound like me, you’ll know that Google phones often get discounts. In fact, I’m looking at an authorised retailer right now, and the price difference is just S$160. And by paying just that bit extra, you get better materials, a bigger battery, a brighter screen, and a higher IP68 rating. Now, the value proposition looks a little less certain.

I like the Pixel 8a very much, and if you are beholden to a specific budget, then the choice is easy. But if you can spare a little extra, perhaps the Pixel 8 might also be worth looking at.

The Google Pixel 8a is available for purchase on the Google Online Store. You can also find it on Google’s Official Store on Shopee.

Photos by Eshani N J of the DANAMIC Team.