Google Pixel 8a is available to buy now
Google has officially released its long-rumoured Pixel 8a smartphone today, Tuesday, May 14. The Google Pixel 8a is Digital Spy's favourite budget phone for 2024.
Features and Specifications
With rumors that it would be announced at Google's I/O event, the latest member of the Pixel smartphone family was launched on Google's official store on Tuesday (May 7). The Pixel 8a contains the same G3 Tensor chip featured in the Pixel 8 Pro handset.
Camera and AI Features
The Pixel 8a phones include Gemini, Google's AI assistant formerly known as Bard, in countries where the functionality is supported. The rear camera has a 64-megapixel main lens and a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens, and it features a 13-megapixel front-facing camera.
Additional Features
As well as its call-assistant features such as call screening, the Pixel 8a also features audio-enabled emoji – by tapping on an emoji, you can activate "an audio reaction and visual effect". Security features include Google's Family Link setup, allowing users to manage younger family members' screen time and privacy settings.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing starts at £499 for customers in the UK for a 128GB Pixel 8a handset. Customers can choose between four color options: Obsidian (off-black), Porcelain (off-white), Bay (pale blue) or Aloe (pale green). The Pixel 8a is available for purchase from various retailers including Amazon, Three, and EE.
Customers ordering a Pixel 8a from some major retailers in the UK may have the option to claim £150 in trade-in value "in addition to the value of the phone traded in" between now and June 3.
Further details on the trade-in incentive are available here, with a list of participating retailers here.
Conclusion
Pixel 8a owners will be able to count on seven years' worth of software support, "including security updates and iOS upgrades", as well as Google's Feature Drops when it rolls out new capabilities.
