Google’s Pixel 8a has proven to be an impressive and affordable option, following the success of the Pixel 7a. It brings a range of new hardware features that were previously missing in the A-series devices. With Google’s upcoming software announcements on May 14, 2024, the company has now unveiled the Pixel 8a as the successor to the Pixel 7a. The Pixel 8a boasts a refreshed design, the Tensor G3 SoC, and incorporates all the AI capabilities previously exclusive to the premium Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones.
In terms of availability, the Pixel 8a will be offered in both 128GB and 256GB storage options worldwide. Google continues to provide 8GB of RAM for both variants. In India, the 128GB variant is priced at Rs. 52,999, while the 256GB version is priced at Rs. 59,999. The phone will be available in four color options: Aloe, Bay, Obsidian, and Porcelain. Pre-orders are currently open on Flipkart, with sales starting at 6:30AM on May 14. Google is also offering bank offers of Rs. 4,000 and a 12-month no-cost EMI option on select bank cards. Additionally, those who pre-order the Pixel 8a can purchase the Pixel Buds A-series for just Rs. 999.
Moving on to specifications, the Pixel 8a features a refreshed design with a glass screen, polycarbonate rear panels, and an aluminum frame. It maintains the IP67 certification from the Pixel 7a, giving it water and dust resistance. The dimensions of the handset are 152.1mm x 72.7mm x 8.9mm, and it weighs 188 grams.
The new design showcases a flat 6.1-inch Super Actua display, making it the first A-series device to have one. The OLED panel now offers a 120Hz refresh rate, an improvement from the 90Hz on the Pixel 7a. The display is protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3, similar to its predecessor.
Google has also upgraded the Pixel 8a’s SoC, following the trend from the previous year.
The phone comes with various communication standards such as Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, a USB Type-C port, and support for GPS navigation systems. It has space for one physical SIM card and one virtual eSIM. You can secure the phone using either the in-display fingerprint reader or face unlock.
It has a 4,492mAh battery and supports 18W wired fast charging. Similar to the Pixel 7a, the Pixel 8a also offers wireless charging, but at a slightly slower rate of 7.5W (Qi charging standard).
In terms of cameras, Google has kept everything the same as the previous model. There’s a 64-megapixel primary camera with an aperture of f/1.89, as well as a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera with an aperture of f/2.2 at the back. For selfies, there’s a 13-megapixel front-facing camera.
The Pixel 8a runs on Android 14 with the usual Pixel user experience. Google promises to provide seven years of software and security updates, including quarterly Pixel Feature Drops that introduce new software features.
