Customer Ratings & Reviews

Amazed with phone performance and AI features! The user interface is super smooth. Awesome camera with motion stabilization which captures natural colors. The AI features are out of this world. Using it for a month and still discovering new features everyday. Google pixel offers things that none existing smart phones offer at this time. Future belongs to Pixel!! All in for any pixel smartphone!!!! Well done Google..

The Google Pixel 8A is an impressive smartphone, but whether it's the best depends on your needs. It features a high-resolution OLED display, a powerful Tensor G3 processor, and advanced AI capabilities for superior performance. The camera excels in various lighting conditions, offering sharp, vibrant photos with AI-enhanced editing. Regular software updates ensure security and access to the latest Android features. However, other flagship phones like the iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy S24 may offer different benefits, such as ecosystem integration or hardware features. Ultimately, the Pixel 8A stands out for its AI prowess and clean Android experience. All in all, I love it

I've been an iPhone user since the first iPhone. I occasionally kept an android as a burner. But I got so fed up with Apple because I hate when companies sell you something and still want ownership. If it's my phone, I should be able to do what I want. So yeah, that might include not paying for apps (sorry about it, not rich) but that was exactly why I started hating the iPhone. If you download 5 apps you're down 200$ a month + mandatory icloud and other fees. I can't believe I payed 5$ a month for a decade of my life just to play CHESS. I don't have that problem anymore with the Pixel 8A. Oh but you're gonna get a virus or malware?!?! That's why I run every APK through VirusTotal before installing it. Because of this, I'm no longer considered broke. It was fun being broke with an iPhone 13 Pro Max. But I got alot more power with a Pixel 8A and bank account not in the negative lol. Ever since getting the Pixel 8A, I've finally been able to start building up my finances again. I know that has nothing to do with how the phone works but if you're pocket careful, you'll learn a lot from this review. Tech Specs: Pros: - Google Call Assistant (I haven't had a spam call since) - Stock Android and the option to bump it up to 120hz - Wireless Charging (don't use much since i like rapid charging) - Gemini AI is amazing. Ask questions you always wanted to know answers to. You don't even need to type it while using Live Gemini AI. I'm a dork, I talk to Gemini when I'm driving in traffic so I don't fall asleep. I'm constantly learning something new, or asking Gemini to reply to explain emails, text messages, notifications to me. - The Blue Color is no doubt my favorite, I also like the green one but the blue fits me more. I like the pink one on the Pixel 9 though. - Can be used as a high definition webcam (cool in theory, execution needs a bit help) Cons: = YOU ONLY GET ONE NOTIFICATION SOUND. WTHECK? I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GETTING A TWEET, TEXT, EMAIL, ITS ALL THE SAME. GOOGLE NEEDS TO FIX THIS CAUSE ITS ANNOYING. IMAGINE ONE NOTIFICATION SOUND FOR EVERY NOTIFICATION INCLUDING TEXT MESSAGES? THAT'S JUST BLASPHEMY 2024. My i50 chirp chirp (2003) from Boost Mobile runs circles around the pixel's notification sound options. - Phone gets hot very easily. Sometimes I have to place it on a a small fan to cool it down. - Battery doesns't last a whole day unless you just don't use it. But even if you don't use it, it'll probably die in like 2-3 days. Recommend buying a small battery pack that clips on if you plan on using it during the day and needing it to last til you get home - Facial recognition is a joke. This is where I'll say the iPhone is better. This thing doesn't have the capabilities to facial unlock in the dark. You'll have to settle for a finger print +code unlock. but in the day time it works i guess or when there is sufficient lighting.

A compact phone for the masses. Takes good photos and easy to carry with rounded corners. Highly recommended

I bought the Pixel 8a in blue, and I really like it so far. I had the 7a before, and this one is similar but has some cool new features, like integrated AI and cool widgets. I use the translation features the most because I work with ELLs, and these are really great. However, one downside is that it doesn't have a headphone jack, so if you use wired headphones, you'll have to buy an adapter. You can find them in Amazon for like $10. So far the screen quality is good, the battery life lasts a while, and the sound quality is great. This is a great phone for the price.

Google continues to make AWESOME PHONES!! 4th pixel phone and each one just keeps getting better. And the details in the pictures this camera takes just keeps impressing.

This is one of the best budget phones out there. The Google Pixel 8a comes in a couple of fun colors like blue and green. The camera still remains to be one of the best cameras on the market and the price does not break the bank. The design still remains to be safe with no special quirks and features and I believe that’s what this phone is missing. Google should make the ASeries Pixels stand out by giving it a quirky design with some more outrageous colors to make the purchase more valuable. Overall, the Pixel 8a is a good phone with a great camera, and I highly recommend this phone when it’s sold at a discounted price. 4 out of 5 stars.

I upgraded to this from the Pixel 6a and I was not disappointed. Pros 120HZ screen makes the experience fluid and smooth. Text is easy to read while scrolling and makes the phone feel snappy Wireless charging - one of the main reasons why I purchased. The 6A does not have wireless charging which is pretty convenient while I work. Screen is brighter while in the sunlight The 8A is slightly shorter but slightly wider than the 6a but the overall size is around the same Back is made of plastic which is pretty durable. Has some texture so it does not slip. Camera is fantastic. Googles computational photography is on point and makes the photos come out great Cons It has a average battery life. I can surf reddit and listen to Spotify and use around 20 to 25% of the battery in one hour so I have to top up during the day This phone also has the same overheating issues as my 6a Overall it's a fantastic and love the upgrade

One of the best budget phones with great AI features

Love the OS, nice design, able to transfer my data from my old pixel quickly.

The Google Pixel 8a features a design that is quite comfortable in the hand with rounded edges and a matte finish on the back that improves friction/grip and does a good job hiding fingerprints. The display is a 6.1-inch Actua OLED screen with a 1080x2400 resolution. Images are sharp and crisp. Initially, the colors seemed to have an off-white to yellow cast regardless of screen brightness or the selected color profile (Natural vs Adaptive). After a couple days’ use, that difference is forgotten. Out of the box, the Pixel 8a screen refresh rate is set to 60Hz. Go into settings and enable Smooth Display 120Hz refresh rate. Not sure how it impacts battery life, but the quality of life improvements are huge. So much easier to look at while scrolling. Another change I made was to the navigation mode. The Pixel 8a is set to Gesture navigation by default, but for me the learning curve to become adept with the gestures is too steep. 3-Button navigation settings are available. Cameras: The Pixel 8a has two rear cameras: a 64-megapixel main lens and 13-megapixel ultrawide lens. The front-facing camera is 13-megapixel with a larger field of view than my previous Android phone. It is much easier to capture more of everything in my shots. Image editing: I think my favorite image tool is Google’s Magic Editor. It has an uncanny ability to remove objects from photos and leave results that, at a glance, look completely natural. It’s really cool and a little unsettling. Audio Magic Eraser can remove distracting sounds from videos. Other features include Super Res Zoom, Night Sight, and Photo Unblur. The Pixel 8a is powered by the Google Tensor G3 chip. It comes with 8 GB of RAM and is available with storage options of 128 GB or 256 GB. In apps and gaming, it is a pleasure to use and stays cool to the touch under demanding tasks. My first impression is that it’s perhaps not as fast as its Snapdragon competition. Gameplay seems slightly less fluid, but the difference is negligible. I need to keep in mind that this is a midrange phone and I should not expect flagship performance. Battery life has been impressive and seems to have improved with use. As of this writing, my phone has been off its wireless charger for about 7 hours and the Pixel 8a indicates that I have 1 day, 1 hr battery remaining! Wireless charging works seamlessly even in a protective case. Circle to Search is quickly becoming my favorite tool on my new Pixel 8a. I realize that functionality is available from other devices, but the implementation in the 8a is just so natural and easy to use. It’s great whether I’m shopping or identifying a plant in the yard. Documentation indicates that the included Titan M2 security chip makes this Pixel more resilient to attacks, and Google promises seven years of security updates for continued peace of mind over time. All in all, the Google Pixel 8a is a comfortable phone with an impressive combination of AI tools, durability, support, and affordability, all with very few compromises. Highly recommended!

My first google phone was pixel 6 pro -> pixel 7 -> pixel 7 pro and now is pixel 8a. Phone color is great and i love it. Phone runs smooth and battery last long to me.

I like the phone a lot. I like the size. It's easy to hold for my small hands.

The Google Pixel 8A…is it all that, or is it all hype? I suppose, when one decides to purchase an item, regardless of what it is, there is the underlying question of, “Why should I buy this instead of that?” And so it is with the Google Pixel 8A. When it is all said and done, what does the 8a bring to the table that would compel you to buy it over a competitor’s brand? After having had the opportunity to test this phone out for the past many days, I have come to the following reasons why it is a great choice when compared to the competition. The Pixel 8a is Google’s latest offering in Google’s world of mobile phones in the Pixel lineup. All in all there have been over 15 different iterations of the Pixel since its introduction, with each iteration attempting to compete with the other well-known brands, and to improve upon the previous versions of Pixel. We all know there are literally hundreds of different phones available for us to buy…each one offering their own version of “Me! Me! Me!” To begin with, a cell phone is a cell phone is a cell phone. The majority of all cell phone users make use of their cell phone to text, surf the web, and utilize the many various social media apps. Hand in hand with social media is the photograph…selfies, what you’re having for lunch, or whatever else you want to share with the world. The Pixel 8a offers an amazing camera setup with both front and rear lenses. The rear cameras consist of a 64MP Quad PD wide camera with an 80 field of view (and up to 8X zoom capability), and a 13MP ultrawide camera with a 120 field of view. The front-facing camera is a 13MP camera with a 96.5-degree field of view. In anybody’s book, this is an impressive setup. The Pixel 8a comes with an equally impressive array of onboard photo/video editing options such as Background Blur, Magic Eraser, Audio Eraser, Best Shot, and many others. The available options make it easy to quickly create and send photos to friends and family, social media sites, or to anywhere else you want. This is made especially easy with the Pixel’s “Share” functionality. As I went through the Share options, I noticed that there was no Facebook or Instagram options, but this might be because I have not installed these on the phone. I am including a few shots demonstrating the Magic Eraser function, as well as the Background Blur. In short, when it comes to ease of use, super-wide range of available functions, and photo resolution, the 8a is truly unbeatable. For the camera alone, you would be hard-pressed to find a stand-alone camera in this price range that would compete with the 8a. In fact, in my opinion, the camera alone is well worth the price of the Pixel 8a. Another great feature of the Pixel 8a is the Tensor G3 chip. As I did my research on the G3, I was impressed with the way it functions. Firstly, the chip is underclocked. I don’t want to delve into boring technical information, but I was curious why the Tensor G3 was purposely underclocked when it seems like the exact opposite would be more desirable. I learned that this is the magic behind the phenomenal battery life of the 8a. Google boasts a 24-hour battery life on this phone, and I for one believe it. I don’t stay on my cell phone all day, but I do use it quite a bit. I have gone over two days without having to recharge the Pixel. All thanks to the design of the Tensor 3G chip. There is absolutely no noticeable decline in speed when watching videos, playing games, or what-have-you. The Tensor G3 chip includes the Titan M2 security coprocessor. Like everyone else, I want my phone to be secure from hackers and other malicious attacks that would compromise my personal and sensitive data. Again, without getting all technical, the Tensor G3 coupled with the Titan M2 coprocessor, form an almost impenetrable barrier against anyone trying to pry sensitive data from the 8a. Because of the encryption and internal storage protocols on the Pixel, I know I don’t have to worry about compromised debit/credit card info, passwords, and the like. Included on the Pixel 8a is Gemini, a built-in AI personal assistant. It’s refreshing to be able to simply ask a question and get a quick answer. There was a time before AI when doing any kind of research at all was a tiresome ordeal…sorting through dozens (or hundreds) of search results, trying to come up with the best search terms, and trying to put it all together in a coherent manner. Gemini does an excellent job. And being able to use Gemini with voice makes web searches super simple and easy. Gemini is also a great chatbot. I have carried on several conversations and have been quite pleased with how Gemini interacts with me, even when discussing topics dealing with social issues and so on. I can’t say that Gemini outshines all the other AI assistants available today, but it certainly holds its own. I’m really looking forward to seeing future generations of Gemini. The Pixel 8a is roughly 6” tall and 3” wide. When I pick it up, it feels substantial, that is, it exudes the feeling of a quality build. It is well designed, and quite sleek. The back has a matte finish. I have the black finish. A neat concept in the design is the raised lens platform on the back of the phone that prevents the camera lenses from lying flat, which in turn helps to keep the lenses from getting scratched. Because it is so sleek, you will want to get a case for it, because it does have a tendency to try and slip from your fingers. I found that when I put it in my pocket, I tend to forget about it because of its size. Each of us has our own likes and dislikes when it comes to phones, and I am one of those who typically thinks bigger is better. But not in this case. The looks, the feel, the design all combine to give the 8a a superior advantage over all the others. What it may or may not lack in size, it more than compensates in its performance. Is it “perfect?” Perhaps not. There is some difficulty in utilizing the many camera functions. For example, as I stated toward the beginning of this review, the 8a comes with an ultrawide 120 camera lens. Due to the lack of clear user instructions, I was left to wonder how exactly do I know if I am actually USING the wide-angle functionality. Many of the other camera functions are also somewhat difficult to navigate through. But most importantly in my book, there is absolutely no online user manual one can access, nor is there an included user’s manual, so one is left to traverse the unknown completely on his/her own. Taken as a whole however, there is truly little in the way of true competition when it comes to the 8a. Its aesthetic design, its friendliness toward the environment by means of its recycled materials content, its ultra-superior onboard security measures, the crazy battery life…all of these features plus the many others, all combine to make the Pixel 8a the obvious choice when it comes to cell phones in this price range. This is a device I will be heartily recommending to ALL my friends and family!

The Pixel 8a is Excellent! The Pixel 8a is Google’s latest mid-level Pixel model, once again released mid-year. The Pixel 8a is my third Pixel phone. I have been using Pixel phones since 2019 when I obtained a Pixel 4XL. I subsequently added a Pixel 6. I have the Pixel 8a variant with 128 GB of storage, in Obsidian (jet black). All of my experience using Pixel phones has been good overall. My Pixel phones all proved to be good smartphones with excellent cameras. Among my strong motivations for continuing to select Google Pixel phones is the belief that it is advantageous to have phones which run “pure”, unadulterated Android, and which will receive the latest software updates, including full version upgrades much sooner than other phones. A notable attribute of the Pixel 8a is that it will receive seven (7) years of Android OS updates as well as seven years of feature drop updates and security updates from Google. This is the same as the flagship phone models. The “a” series Pixel phones represent the “value” or “budget” models of the lineup, and typically have had slightly lesser hardware and slightly lower specifications, and have also included less premium materials. The “stripped-down” models have consistently received good reviews from “professional” reviewers, and most recently the prior, Pixel 7a model received high praise. Many publications tout the Pixel ”a” series phones as being the best of the budget Androids. Rumors are already circulating about the anticipated next Pixel flagship phone, the Pixel 9, even as this new Pixel 8a is just being released. The Pixel 8a specifications are excellent, albeit only slightly lower than the Pixel 8 and there being a more substantial difference from the flagship Pixel 8 Pro model. Although the case of the Pixel 8a is actually 1/10” taller and wider than the Pixel 8 (6”Hx2.9W”x0.4”D), the Google Actua OLED display on the 8a is slightly smaller at 6.1”, rather than 6.2”. Both screens have rounded corners. The bezels are not terribly wide, but neither are they almost invisible. The Pixel 8a shares the same 2400 x 1080p resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate, 24-bit color depth, >1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and bright, 1400 nits HDR support (2000 nits peak brightness). The panel is protected by Gorilla Glass 3, rather than the Gorilla Glass Victus of the Pixel 8. The Pixel 8a is the first “a” series model to support a 120 Hz refresh rate. The phone weighs only 187 grams (6.5 oz). I am enjoying that this screen is bright and clear. The display is smooth without any lags. There is a “Smooth Display” switch in the Settings. When the feature is activated the Pixel 8a will automatically increase the refresh rate from 60 Hz to 120 Hz for some content, at the expense of some additional battery drain. The phone ships set to the default 60 Hz refresh rate. The touchscreen is sensitive and responsive, and of course the sensitivity can be increased with the “Screen Protector Mode”, if needed or desired. The only anomaly experienced thus far, is that with “Adaptive Brightness” active, the screen brightness level has changed unexpectedly without any external stimulus such as a variation of the ambient light. The back of the Pixel 8a is plastic, rather than the more “upscale” Gorilla Glass back of the Pixel 8 and other flagship phones. Since I always keep my phones in a protective case, I never see or touch the back of the phone once encased. Nevertheless, the plastic back is actually a nice matte black plastic that very closely resembles the matte black anodized aluminum frame of the Pixel 8a. It does not look or feel cheap at all. The rectangular camera bump-out on the back only protrudes about 1.5 mm (approximately 1/16”). Google claims the same battery performance for both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a, however the 8a has a slightly smaller 4492 mAh battery, as compared to the 4575 mAh battery in the Pixel 8. Wireless charging is supported. No charger is included with any of the Pixel phones (and has not been included since the Pixel 5a model). In the few days that I have been using my Pixel 8a, I have been very satisfied with the battery performance. Even with the relatively heavy usage that my phone receives, I have been getting more than 24 hours between charges, which is much better than my Pixel 6. It appears that the Pixel 8a has the same 18 watt charging rate as the Pixel 8, and is capable of fast charging and wireless charging. Nevertheless, charging is rather slow. The Pixel 8a is ingress protection certified to IP67, while the Pixel 8 has better water ingress protection meeting IP68. The Pixel 8a shares the same Google Tensor G3 CPU, and Titan M2 security coprocessor in common with the 8 and 8 Pro models. The Pixel 8a has 8 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, just like the Pixel 8. The phone has only felt hot when being used for Google Maps navigation. The phone is not mounted near the windshield or in direct sunlight when driving, therefore it appears that the heat is generated by the phone itself. The dual rear cameras on the Pixel 8a include a rear “wide” camera which is a 64 MP Quad PD camera with f/1.89 aperture, compared to the 50 MP Octa PD wide camera of the Pixel 8. The “ultrawide” camera is a 13 MP, f/2.2 sensor with a 120° field of view. The Pixel 8a rear cameras lack the laser detect autofocus of the Pixel 8 version, but do share the optical and electronic image stabilization feature. The front “selfie” camera is a 13 MP f/2.2 fixed focus camera without the Dual PD technology of the Pixel 8. Video capabilities on the Pixel 8a include 4K and 1080p at 30 FPS and 60 FPS, while the Pixel 8 also has 24 FPS in both resolutions. A notable difference between the Pixel 8a and the Pixel 8 is that the Pixel 8a does not have Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) like the Pixel 8, and is limited to Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). Since Wi-Fi 7 routers and Wi-Fi 7 devices are becoming more commonplace, it seems odd that this is where Google economized. I have always liked the Face Unlock feature on my Pixel 4, and the optical, under-screen fingerprint sensor on my Pixel 6 has often been the bane of my existence. The Pixel 8a offers both Facial Recognition and Fingerprint Unlock, as well as the conventional authentication methods of Pattern, PIN number or Password. Prior to installing a tempered glass screen protector both Face Unlock and Fingerprint Unlock worked very reliably on my Pixel 8a. Facial Recognition is almost instantaneous. It works effectively even in subdued light; however, it does not work in extremely dim or dark locations. Evidently, there are no IR emitters, and the Face Unlock functionality relies upon a visible light spectrum sensor. Since installing a screen protector I have found that Fingerprint Unlock does not function with the same high level of reliability, even after activating the “Screen Protector Mode”. The Pixel 8a shares the lengthy list of outstanding and powerful AI camera features of the Pixel 8, with the exception of Macro Focus. For the purposes of professional level photography and videography, most people will not rely upon smartphones. They are not substitutes for high quality mirrorless cameras, DSLRs and action cameras. However, like most people, my smartphone is always with me, and resultantly I use my smartphone camera a great deal. The excellent quality of Pixel phone cameras has always been important to me. The Pixel 8a is very well equipped for excellent smartphone photography and videos. In addition to having very good camera specifications, the Pixel 8a is packed with powerful AI camera features. Many of the AI camera features in the Pixel 8a, including new features such as “Best Take”, “Magic Editor”, and the Upgraded version of “Magic Eraser” join some existing and always enjoyed features including “Photo Unblur”, “Super Res Zoom”, and “Night Sight + Astrophotography”. The powerful and innovative AI features are really impressive and can accomplish some interesting on-device photo-editing feats. The Pixel 8a is also capable of using Google’s latest, experimental AI Assistant, named, “Gemini”. It appears that Gemini promises to be a great productivity enhancement tool. The relatively new “Circle to Search” functionality, which only recently also landed on my Pixel 6 is also present. This feature really improves searches, making them easier and more convenient than ever before. Setting up the Pixel 8a was a relatively easy and straightforward process. I normally set up new phones manually including installing all of the apps, adding all of my accounts, configuring the many features and customizable settings and transferring photos and files from my old phone. On this occasion, I decided to use Android’s wireless transfer process. Some customization did not transfer as it should have, and there was a problem with the transfer of the SIM data (the issue was almost certainly with the cellular carrier), nevertheless, overall I probably saved about two hours of hands-on work setting up the phone. The Pixel 8a is very easy to like. It is a great smartphone, and a reliable, user-friendly cellular device with excellent call quality including audio quality. It appears to have excellent RF sensitivity. The Pixel 8a is packed with great, powerful features and functionality inclusive of a robust collection of AI features. I believe that the Pixel 8a is very likely the best smartphone in its price range. Its specifications are excellent, and it shares many specifications with its older sibling the Pixel 8. Where there are differences in specifications, they are genuinely insignificant differences in my estimation. The hardware is very nice, including a great display, and the software package is extremely impressive. The Pixel 8a is really excellent! I am really enjoying it, and I am pleased that I selected it as my new smartphone!

The worst phone heats up quickly and slows down the performance.

The Pixel 8a is the second Pixel I’ve owned ( the other being a Pixel 4xl) and I’ve had yet another pleasant experience from a Google phone. Inside the box came the phone, a USB C to USB C cable and adapter, and the usual paperwork. Right out of the box it was easy to setup, whether you wanted to transfer from an IPhone or another Android device. When it comes to design, the Pixel 8a takes a minimalist approach, with a sleek build that feels more than just comfortable in hand, it feels great. It has a smooth finish and feels slick in the hand. The corners are rounded and this gives it somewhat a modern design and look. The Pixel 8a also feels light in the hand while also feeling robust, according to Google it is made from recycled glass, aluminum, and plastics. Another point i’d like to make is that it can be easily operated with just one hand, which is always appreciated in a world where the Pros, and Ultras have taken over. One of the standout features of the Pixel 8a is its camera. The Pixel 8a ships with a dual camera system on the rear that consists of a 64MP main camera paired with a 13MP ultrawide lens. On the front there is a 13MP selfie camera. When it comes to taking photos the images are crisp and clear no matter the situation, whether in high or low light conditions. I’m sure this a result of the good combination between the hardware and Google’s image-processing software. At this price point, you can’t go wrong with this phone as it takes great photos and videos. Performance-wise, the Pixel 8a doesn't leave you lacking. It’s quite snappy when moving around, navigating through menus, and switching through multiple apps. This comes as no surprise given that the 8a is powered by the same Tensor G3 processor that powers the Pixel 8/ 8 Pro. When gaming (I usually play Cod Mobile) the 8a delivered smooth performance without any lag. It was also great when streaming HD videos from YouTube or any of the popular streaming services. When it comes to battery life, this was another area the 8a performed well. From the few days I’ve had the 8a I was able to get a full day’s worth of heavy use without needing to charge until the end of the day. And when it was time to charge up, I was able to get the 8a fully recharged from 15% in under an hour and a half. Software is where Google and the Pixel 8a truly shine. Running on pure Android with Google's intuitive UI enhancements, and AI features pushes the 8a as a phone with great user experience. These AI features also allow you to be more efficient as they save you a lot of time. Some of them are, Circle to Search which allows you to instantly search Google by circling something on your screen, Magic Editor, which allows you to quickly edit your photos in various ways to get the best image possible and finally my favorite Pixel Call Assist. Pixel Call Assist really stands out for me as it offers a slew of features surrounding phone calls. It automatically prevents many spam calls, has call screening that allows you to quickly find out who is calling, and suggests context-appropriate responses to send if you aren't able to take the call in that very moment. Other notable mentions are Gemini,( think Google Assistant on steroids) and Live Translate which translates your spoken word to another language of your choosing in real time. Overall, the Google Pixel 8a is a great mid-range smartphone that excels in many areas. It has good cameras and image processing, a great AI-powered software experience, an ok battery, and the promise of 7 years of security, OS, and feature updates. If you're in the market for a dependable feature-packed smartphone that will last for quite a while, the Pixel 8a is the phone for you.

The Pixel 8a is the latest iteration to Google’s ‘A’ series phone, building upon its past success to bring feature rich functions and added security at a budget conscious price. I’m no power user; I’m just your average joe who likes to use the phone for emails, taking photos and videos of family and friends, and streaming content. The Pixel 8a fits the bill for me and here are the reasons why: +It’s the perfect size for one-handed use. The 6.1” size is perfect for someone like me with smaller hands. The phone is well balanced and I’m able to reach anywhere along the display with my thumb when using it with one hand. Plus, being a smaller sized phone, it fits easily in my pockets. This is great since I, much like many of us these days, have to carry two phones with me (company phone and personal phone…lol). +Smooth swipes, fast performance. Without getting into any specs, just on qualitative feel alone, swipes on the Pixel 8a are silky smooth, instantaneous responsiveness, and just plain fast. +Fantastic camera and great built-in photo editor. Great vivid, colorful, and bright photos. It can pick the best shots from a group of photos, reduce photo blur, and take night and low-light photos with the really cool ‘night sight’ function. And if you’re into astrophotography, you can get some awesome star filled skies using the astrophotography setting. No need to drag expensive camera gear around. Google already has a set of built-in photo editing features, my favorite of which is the Magic Eraser that can delete unwanted objects in your photos. With the Pixel 8a, Google is also adding a new tool called Magic Editor that lets you select objects in a photo and manipulate them like resizing the object or moving it around within the picture. Finally, a new feature that I find handy on the Pixel 8a is the Audio Magic Eraser that reduces distracting sounds from a video such as wind, construction, or vehicular noises. +All day battery power. The Pixel 8a has kept up with me so far in terms of needing it to last throughout my busy workday. The specs list the battery as having 4,492mAh of juice. Plenty for what I need, but of course it will depend on how you use your phone. +Worry Free Operating Software Updates. Google plans to keep updating the Pixel 8a for seven years from the date the phone first became available on the Google Store. Lots of laugh here. Most of us won’t even keep the phone for seven years to see all the updates. We would have already upgraded to the next latest and greatest phone. Even so, the battery will be long dead, rendering the phone unusable, before the seven years is up. +Plenty of Security Features. I feel protected. I don’t have an iota of knowledge about phone security, but I am glad Google is touting this as having the highest-rated security features with Google Tensor G3 and Titan M2 security chip. Do I recommend the Pixel 8a? Google packs a lot of features and function into the Pixel 8a, too many to list here. The pixel inherits all the useful features from its predecessors and brings new ones to the table. If you have last year’s Pixel 7a, you’ll have a harder time deciding if it is worth the upgrade. But if you need a new phone now, then the Pixel 8a is hard to beat especially with the guaranteed seven years of updates and the pure android experience.

My first exposure to the Google Pixel line was with the Pixel 2 in 2017. That model’s camera was the main attraction, and it never disappointed. But I was always fascinated by the middle of the line because it represented good value and retained the camera performance that drew me into the fold in the first place. I have since owned several Pixel “A” models: The 3A, 4A, and the 6A. Each new model saw incremental improvements in both the camera and the device. The 8A is a truly a beauty to behold. I love the frosted look on the case. No, it’s not glass or metal, but it looks great. It’s actually hard to get a shot of it that conveys its attractiveness. If you are interested in this phone, I urge you to go look at one and hold it in your hand. I like the size and the weight and the way it fits in my hand an in my pocket. The camera is just fine in full sunlight, cloudy conditions, indoors or in no light at all. Where the hardware reaches it limits, the software makes up the difference with processing. Stills and videos are excellent. I do not believe this smartphone’s photographic skills are significantly exceeded for general use by any current smartphone. I use my Pixels on Google Fi. The transition from the 6A to the 8A was swift and absolutely seamless. During the set-up process, all the apps and settings that you select to be copied are duplicated on the new phone while it is connected wirelessly to the old one it replaced. Then the new phone is activated on Google Fi with a downloaded Fi eSIM. I never even thought about cracking the SIM drawer open. The activation was handled completely in the Fi app, and the process could not have been any simpler. Battery life after several days use is just fine. I think it is somewhat improved over the 6A. The RAM is bumped up from 6 to 8GB, and the main camera is bumped up to 64Mp. As stated, performance has been excellent in my usage. The fingerprint sensor is quite sensitive and an improvement over the last model. Face recognition is now available and was most appreciated in my use. I seldom had to resort to entering a PIN to get into the phone after inactivity. The new phone has a 120Hz refresh rate as opposed to the old’s 60Hz. You have to dig into the phone’s settings to turn it on, and it does effect battery life. I turned it on and enjoyed the increased refresh rate for scrolling. For the price, it is difficult to see how the features of the Pixel 8A can be bettered, and with this model, you get 7 years of updates to the uncluttered pure Android software that the Pixel line offers. Highly recommended.

Typical pixel phone good quality build but touch screen won't read every touch if you are not holding in in your hands