Google Pixel 8a review: The best Android smartphone to buy today ...
What do you want from a smartphone? After a decade and a half of iterative innovations, most smartphones today hardly have a differentiating edge. In such a market, as a user, all that you’d ideally want is a device that works for any task—be it gaming or photography. Of all the devices you can get your hands on, it is the Google Pixel 8a that strikes a balance of all features—along with a handful of cutting-edge smarts.
Affordable and Feature-Packed
The Pixel 8a is the most affordable and least jazzy smartphone from Google. It costs half as much as the Pixel 8 Pro, but when you look at it closely, you realise there’s next to nothing that you miss out on. At a pricing that is decidedly “affordable" in modern day terms—and you have what, prima facie, is the best Android smartphone in the market today.
Design and Display
At the heart of this is the Pixel 8a’s compact dimensions. The smartphone is nearly identical to the base version of Apple’s iPhone, with a 6.1-inch display that is big enough, but not unwieldy. With soft, rounded edges and a smooth rear panel, the smartphone feels every bit as premium to hold and use as devices that are twice as expensive. The Pixel 8a uses a 120Hz display, which is smooth and makes the menus look slick as you scroll through, while streaming video content is a great experience.
Longevity and AI Features
Google claims to offer seven years of security updates and feature upgrades on the Pixel 8a, which potentially gives it at least twice the lifespan as most competing devices from other brands. The smartphone extensively offers AI features such as Gemini Nano, Live Transcribe, and summaries in the Recorder app. Google’s AI innovations on the Pixel 8a feel less gimmicky and more practical in a neat, compact form factor.
Camera, Battery, and Performance
Beyond the AI and its dimensions, the Pixel 8a packs in all the essentials. The 64-megapixel main camera takes excellent photographs, significantly thanks to Google’s underlying AI rendering the photos. The battery stamina is not the best, but can nearly last an entire workday—perhaps with a quick, 15-minute charge towards the end of the day. You get a clean, unfettered Android experience on this note and can be assured of getting Android and security upgrades before anyone else.
Pricing and Conclusion
Despite a slightly higher price tag compared to its predecessor, the Google Pixel 8a offers great value for its features. The smartphone stands out in the market for its affordability, AI capabilities, and overall performance. While Pixel smartphones have had historical hardware issues, the Pixel 8a seems to have addressed many concerns. It is indeed one of the best Android smartphones available today.
