by Holly, Team Mozillion.
Does Google’s budget Pixel 8a hold it’s own versus the pricier 8 Pro?
The Pixel 8 Pro is the all-singing, all-dancing mega phone of the Google’s 8 series, but the 8a is newer, more affordable and has a lot of the same features. Which is right for you? Let’s dig in.
Introduction | Google Pixel 8a vs 8 Pro
First question – what do you use your phone for? If you want pro-level content creation, high resolution images and 8K video capture then the Pixel 8 Pro is probably for you.
The Pixel 8 Pro has SLR camera-style settings like adjustable shutter speed and ISO. Night Sight and Astrophotography are also included, which deliver impressive results when you’re taking photos during the day or at night.
The Google Pixel 8a has the same processor as the 8 Pro so is super powerful and shares a lot of the features of the 8 Pro and artificial intelligence but is more compact and costs less mainly due to the materials used and the differences in it’s camera setup.
You get very good value for money with the Pixel 8a considering the functionality and technology built into it, although it’s not what you’d call pro-grade when it comes to photos and video. Think of it as the all-rounder Google Pixel phone.
Build and Design | Google Pixel 8a vs 8 Pro
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is a large phone with a 6.7 inch display and a massive 5050mAh battery. Despite its size, it feels sleek and refined with a curved, polished aluminium frame and matt back glass that gives a very pleasing and premium finish.
The Pixel 8a has an attractive but plastic matte back, a 6.1 inch display and a 4,492 mAh battery so is more compact.
We tend to take our phones everywhere and in all weather conditions so durability is key. The Pixel 8 Pro has a slightly higher level of water resistance at IP68 versus IP67 for the Pixel 8a.
The 8 Pro also has a more advanced Gorilla Glass Victus covering the front and back of the phone. The Pixel 8a is still scratch resistant with Gorilla Glass 3 but not quite as resistant as the Pro.
For those that find the feature useful, it’s worth noting that the Pixel 8 Pro has a temperature sensor on the back that can measure anything from a baby bottle to a human. You won’t find this feature on the Pixel 8a.
Display | Google Pixel 8a vs 8 Pro
Both the Pixel 8a and the 8 Pro have the same 120Hz refresh rate which is impressive and means both models are up at the top end of refresh rates on phones. The refresh rate is important as the higher it is, the more realistic or smoother the motion is within a game or video, plus it is imperative for smooth scrolling through apps without too much screen blur.
For screen brightness you are looking at 2000 nits for the Pixel 8a which makes it more than capable of handling direct sunlight but a higher 2400 nits for the Pixel 8 Pro.
The screen on the Pixel 8 Pro is significantly larger at 6.7 inches versus 6.1 inches on the Pixel 8a. Depending on what you are using the phone for, this is an important difference – some people will want their phone screen as big as possible, whilst others will prefer the more pocket-friendly size of the 8a.
The display on the 8 Pro is a Super Actua OLED, whilst the Pixel 8a uses an Actua OLED display. A notable difference for a hardcore gamer, mobile movie fan or content creator but probably not for the average user.
Camera | Google Pixel 8a vs 8 Pro
So what can you expect from some of the incredible photography tricks available with the Pixel 8a and 8 Pro? Both have some impressive features from Google.
One of the most mind-blowing tools has to be Best Take. Whether your subjects are photogenic or not is no longer an issue as Best Take ensures you get the best shot by effectively blending a burst of photos into one perfect one.
Magic Editor is another game changer. For those of you that are familiar with Magic Eraser, Magic Editor takes it up a notch. You can manipulate reality by moving objects around in your photo to where you feel they really should have been in the first place. It even gives you suggestions on what to change like swapping a grey sky for a sunset.
There are extra photo and video tools on the Pro like Pro controls, a high-resolution photography option, a video boost feature, Night Sight Video and a macro shooting mode (for extreme close-up photos or video).
In the camera hardware of these phones you’ll find some more differences which give the Pro the edge when it comes to the best photo results.
There is a triple pro-level rear camera system on the Pixel 8 Pro versus two cameras on the Pixel 8a.
You get a 30x zoom on the Pixel 8 Pro and 8x on the Pixel 8a.
The main rear-facing camera of the Pixel 8 Pro boasts a 50MP resolution, whereas the Pixel 8a actually features a higher 64MP main rear camera (so more megapixels. However, the 8a lacks the multi-zone LDAF (laser detect autofocus sensor) which helps with getting sharp photos.
The Pixel 8 Pro also includes two additional rear cameras, each with a 48MP resolution, while the Pixel 8a has only one additional rear camera with a 13MP resolution.
For the front-facing camera, the Pixel 8 Pro is equipped with a 10.5MP Dual PD selfie camera with autofocus, whereas the Pixel 8a has a 13MP fixed-focus front camera.
In reality, this setup means most photos taken on the 8 Pro should look better compared to those taken on 8a – with the biggest one reason to go Pro probably being the better zoom capability.
Processor | Google Pixel 8a vs 8 Pro
The processor determines how powerful, fast and efficient a mobile phone is and all models in the Pixel 8 series have the best one Google currently has to offer – the Tensor G3. It is custom designed to use not just AI to improve the smart functionality and usage of the phone, but also the phone’s cutting edge photography and video features.
All models also have top security with the Titan M2 security co-processor and Google has committed to providing seven years worth of operating system, security and feature updates to all Pixel 8 phones.
Battery | Google Pixel 8a vs 8 Pro
Despite the Pixel 8 Pro battery being slightly bigger at 5,050mAh versus 4492mAh, both smartphones boast up to 24 hours of power before you have to plug it in.
The Pixel 8 Pro has one of the largest batteries on the market and you can even hope for up to 72 hours with Extreme Battery Saver mode.
Both model feature fast wireless charging and battery share. Battery share allows you to turn your phone into a wireless charger so you can charge other wireless-charging phones or accessories on the go.
Verdict | Google Pixel 8a vs 8 Pro
Despite the Google Pixel 8 Pro having a higher specification, it’s important to note that the Pixel 8a shares a lot of similar premium technology in a more compact, lower-cost package. Thanks to the artificial intelligence built in, 120Hz refresh rate and impressive camera set up, you are getting an extremely sophisticated piece of kit at a more affordable price point.
The Pixel 8 Pro is Google’s flagship model though which means it has the very best of everything that Google has in its bag. Its larger, brighter Super Actua OLED display, more advanced camera hardware and controls, plus a more premium build quality (aluminium versus plastic) makes it a powerhouse for content creation and consumption that you just may just favour for professional or personal use.