The 5 Key Differences Between the Google Pixel 8a and Pixel 8

The Pixel 8a features a better display than the Pixel 7a. But it's not as good as the Pixel 8's 6.2-inch screen, even if the specs sheet suggests otherwise.

The Pixel 8a's 6.1-inch panel has a 120Hz refresh rate, up from the Pixel 7a's 90Hz panel. Plus, it carries the Actua branding as the Pixel 8, meaning it can hit a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. However, Google's mid-range Pixel has chunkier bezels, giving it a less premium look.

With a smaller 6.1-inch screen, you'd expect the Pixel 8a to be more compact than its expensive sibling. But that's not the case, as the phone is taller, wider, and heavier than the Pixel 8. Plus, it uses Gorilla Glass 3, while the Pixel 8 features Gorilla Glass Victus.

2 The Pixel 8a Has a Plastic Back

The Pixel 8a might look similar to the Pixel 8, but it has an inferior build quality. Google's mid-range Pixel features an aluminum frame with a "matte composite back," which is a fancy way of saying plastic with a specialized rubber coating.

The Pixel 8, though, has glass panels on the front and back, giving it a more premium in-hand feel. Since it has slimmer bezels, it also looks a lot more modern.

3 The Pixel 8 Has Superior Cameras

You might think the Pixel 8a's 64MP primary shooter and 13MP ultrawide are better than the Pixel 8's 50MP primary and 12MP ultrawide because of their higher resolution. But that's not the case.

The Pixel 8 has a bigger 50MP 1/1.31-inch camera sensor with a wider f/1.68 aperture, allowing it to capture more light. Plus, the pixels themselves are bigger, so they are more sensitive to light. For comparison, the Pixel 8a's 64MP shooter is physically smaller at 1/1.73" and has an f/1.89 aperture.

Google claims the Pixel 8's 2x zoom shots provide "optical quality." That's not the case with the Pixel 8a due to its smaller sensor. The same is true for the ultrawide camera. While the Pixel 8's 12MP shooter features 1.25μm pixels, the Pixel 8a's 13MP ultrawide has smaller 1.12μm pixels. The latter's field of view is also narrower at 120 degrees vs. the Pixel 8's 125.8 degrees.

More importantly, the Pixel 8a's ultrawide camera lacks Macro Focus functionality, meaning you can't focus on nearby subjects to click macro photos like with the Pixel 8.

Similarly, the Pixel 8a has an inferior 13MP front camera with 1.12μm pixels. In comparison, the Pixel 8's 10.5MP f/2.2 selfie shooter will capture better pictures thanks to a 1.22μm pixel width. From a software standpoint, there's no difference, and you get access to all AI-powered features like Magic Eraser, Magic Editor, and Best Take.

As noted in our Pixel 8 review, it delivers impressive camera performance. While the Pixel 8a should also capture impressive pictures, it won't be close to that of the Pixel 8.

4 The Pixel 8a Has Slow Charging Speeds

The Pixel 8 and 8a have near-identical battery capacities; the former packs a 4,575mAh battery, whereas the latter has a 4,492mAh unit. Google even claims the two phones can last over 24 hours, with Extreme Battery Saver pushing the runtime to 72 hours. But there's a big difference in the charging speeds of the two phones.

The Pixel 8 supports 27W fast wired charging and 18W wireless charging with the Pixel Stand (2nd gen). On a Qi charging pad, the phone will top up its battery wirelessly at 12W. In comparison, the Pixel 8a charges considerably slower, both wired and wirelessly. Over a USB-C connection, it supports 18W, while wireless charging limits you to just 7.5W.

Sadly, neither of the phones supports the newer Qi2 wireless charging standard. It's also worth noting that you don't get reverse wireless charging on the Pixel 8a. This feature can be handy for charging accessories like wireless earbuds when you're out and about.

5 The $200 Price Difference

For all the compromises the Pixel 8a makes, it comes with a lower price tag to justify them. You can get the mid-range Pixel 8a for $499 on the Google Store, with the 256GB variant costing $60 more at $559. The Pixel 8 costs $699, making it $200 more expensive than its mid-range sibling.

That's a lot of money, but the hardware differences justify the gap. For the additional money, you get a phone with a bigger display, better build quality, better cameras, and faster charging. All these improvements add up and are easily noticeable in daily life.

Considering the Pixel 8 came out in 2023, you may find it at a discount on Amazon. Google also offers attractive offers for the Pixel 8 from time to time. With a good deal, you can snag the phone at a far lower price than its MSRP, making it a better deal than the Pixel 8a.

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