I tested the new Pixel 8a and it’s Google’s best budget phone thanks to three blockbuster updates, including camera

GOOGLE’s Pixel line of phones has been around for over ten years and the company continues to make a budget version as well.

The Pixel 8a brings several top-notch AI features seen on flagship Pixel phones, further blurring the lines between them.

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Smartphones really aren’t cheap these days, so a starting price of £499/$499 is very tempting – but there are cheaper ones out there.

And the Pixel still has a pretty low market share compared to other Android devices.

Will the Pixel 8a win over people?

Find out in The Sun’s full review below.

Google Pixel 8a: appearance

There really are no surprises when it comes to the Pixel 8a’s design, and you’ll have a hard time telling it apart from the previous 7a.

This is a good thing, as the Pixel’s overall design is quite simple and easy on the eyes.

The commitment to providing seven years of updates is a big win for anyone who doesn’t want to buy a new device very often.

We are testing the beautiful “bay” blue color.

It has a plastic back with a matte finish that doesn’t look cheap and unpleasant, providing a good extra grip and also not leaving unsightly stains on your palm.

The frame is blue metal, as is the bar on the back that houses the camera – which fortunately is not very robust or imposing.

With a 6.1-inch screen, the Pixel 8a fits nicely and comfortably in the hand, helped further by it being quite light, weighing in at 193g (although it’s a little heavier than the flagship Pixel 8).

But the bezel — the black border around the screen — is a little thicker for my taste.

Pixel 8a: performance and features

The Pixel 8a uses the exact same chip as the Pixel 8, which is Google’s Tensor G3.

In real terms, this results in a very smooth experience, allowing applications to load quickly and smoothly, including games.

It uses Android 14, and as Google’s operating system, you get the purest version of Android out there, with all of Google’s top apps out of the box.

Google also has one of the best software update commitments, pledging to offer seven years of updates, so your phone will be safe to use for quite a while and you’ll also get lots of new features for years to come.

Who offers free updates the longest?

The more updates you receive, the longer you can continue using your smartphone safely – with the latest features included for free.

Samsung
For the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung said it would provide at least seven generations of operating system updates and seven years of security updates.

OnePlus
At the launch of the OnePlus 12, OnePlus committed to at least four years of Android updates and five years of security updates.

Anything
Nada only offers three years of major Android updates and four years of security updates.

Google
For the Pixel 8 phones, Google said the devices would receive at least seven years of support.

The 8a comes with an under-screen fingerprint sensor that unlocks quickly, with the option of facial recognition if you prefer.

Now, features are where Google went crazy this year, deciding to introduce pretty much all of its cutting-edge AI perks in 8a.

This includes things like Circle to Search, spam filtering, AI-generated backgrounds, and live translation.

There are also some AI photography tricks, which we’ll delve into below.

Pixel 8a: camera

The 8a’s camera technically has less of a punch compared to its older sisters, but you’d have to be observant to notice – and most people won’t be that bothered.

That’s because the 8a takes stunning photos in just about any environment you use it in.

The 64-megapixel main camera and the 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera practically absorb colors with a high level of detail.

Not to mention the host of AI photography features at your fingertips.

Magic Editor allows you to remove unwanted objects from the photo or increase (or decrease) some elements.

Then there’s Best Take, so you can instantly change awkward smiles in a group photo.

See some examples of photos we took below.

Pixel 8a: battery

The Pixel 8a has a 4,492mAh battery – a small upgrade over last year’s 7a.

This will help you get through a good day of use without any problems.

But recharging is a bit of a hassle, taking about an hour and a half to reach a full charge.

There is support for wireless charging for those who prefer it.

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GOOGLE PIXEL 8A: VERDICT

Verdict from tester Jamie Harris, senior technology and science reporter at The Sun

The Pixel has always stood out in photography and the 8a is no exception.

AI features like Magic Editor and Best Take are far ahead of anything currently available on a more expensive iPhone.

Samsung is the next best option for these types of tools – except they might not be free forever, unlike Google.

I also love the simple but elegant design of the 8a.

And the commitment to providing seven years of updates is a big win for those who don’t want to buy a new device very often.

The only real downside is the battery, with many similarly priced rivals going a little further in capacity and charging time.

Still, this is Google’s best budget smartphone yet.