The Google Pixel 8a: A Mid-Range Marvel with a Premium Twist
The Google Pixel 8a is here, and it’s stirring up mixed feelings in the tech world. With a starting price of ₹52,999 in India, it’s pushing the boundaries of what we expect from a mid-range smartphone. But does it offer enough to stand out against the competition?
Design and Display
Let’s start with the aesthetics because the Pixel 8a makes a solid impression in this department. The phone’s compact size is something many users will appreciate, and it’s quite a rare footprint in the Android world nowadays. The rounded corners on this phone add a touch of elegance, and the signature Pixel camera bar gives it a recognizable personality. The build quality is also commendable, and the soft matte finish provides a premium in-hand feel.
The Pixel 8a’s compact size and rounded corners make it a stylish addition to the mid-range market.
Now, I know that most of you are already frowning at those display bezels, and yes, these hold the design back from achieving a truly modern look. The Pixel 8a could have been the best-looking phone of this year, too bad Google gave it bezels like it’s from 2021.
Anyway, once you look past the bezels, you’ll see a high-quality OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. But just a heads up: the 120Hz is not turned on by default. You’ll need to switch it on in the settings, but once you do, you’re all set for smooth sailing.
The display supports HDR, giving you vivid colors and deep blacks that really enhance your viewing experience. Plus, the excellent viewing angles make watching content even better. Its peak brightness is 2000 nits, and in high brightness mode, the screen is bright enough to be usable even under direct sunlight.
AI Features and Performance
The Pixel 8a takes the AI buzzword quite seriously, and Google has integrated several signature AI photo editing features from the flagship Pixel 8 series into the Pixel 8a. Features like Best Take, Magic Editor, and Magic Eraser allow users to easily enhance and fix their photos, making editing both fun and efficient. The Audio Eraser feature is also quite useful as it eliminates distracting sounds from videos. Google’s hyped Circle to Search tool is also present here, providing quick access to Google searches without much effort.
The Pixel 8a’s AI features make photo editing a breeze, and the Circle to Search tool is a game-changer.
The Tensor G3 chip powering the Pixel 8a is technically a flagship-grade processor. However, it doesn’t quite match the performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in the similarly-priced iQOO 12. Sure, the Pixel 8a can handle demanding tasks like running Call of Duty at Ultra frame rates, but many games aren’t fully optimized for the Tensor chip. Plus, the chip tends to heat up quickly, which can impact gaming performance.
Battery Life and Charging
A quick note about the battery life. The 8a packs a 4495mAh battery and delivers good performance. With mixed use, you can expect a full day’s charge without worry. However, the charging speed is quite disappointing, with only 18W charging and no bundled charger. The charging time of around two hours is quite slow.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Nice rear design and in-hand feel
- High-quality display
- 7 years of OS updates
- Cool AI features
Cons
- Price at launch
- Thick display bezels
- Gets warm quickly
Buying Advice
Now let’s address the elephant in the room, shall we? At ₹52,999 in India, the 8a is quite overpriced for what it offers, there is no other way to put it. This is especially frustrating when you consider that the Pixel 8a costs $499 in the US, which is approximately ₹41,500.
Look, don’t get me wrong, the Pixel 8a definitely has some appeal. So, here’s my buying advice if you are all set on buying this phone. Going by Pixel A-series’ track record, the 8a’s price is likely to drop significantly during a major Flipkart sale. So, patiently waiting is quite important. If its price gets reduced to under ₹40,000, the Pixel 8a will become a good option for users seeking a stylish phone with clean software and cool AI features.
Wait for the price drop before making a purchase.
