The Pixel 8a, Google’s more affordable smartphone, is expected to hit the market soon. No major changes on the horizon, but small welcome improvements compared to a very good Pixel 7a.
The suspense is not very great, but we are never safe from a surprise. Logically, the Google Pixel 8a should arrive here next May. This would be the sequel to the Pixel 7a, namely the cheaper version of the Pixel 8, with technical concessions compared to the Pixel 8 Pro in particular. We expect a rather compact smartphone, with the best photo quality for the price, namely a little more than around 500 euros.
We know the Pixel 8a exists, since Google recently accidentally confirmed it. So here is everything we expect from this phone.
We would already have the date of the arrival of the Pixel 8a
Traditionally, versions “ has » of Google’s smartphones are presented during Google I/O, Google’s annual conference for developers. This is where we see the new version of Android arriving as well as very often technical demonstrations around artificial intelligence for example.
We already have the date for Google I/O 2024: it will be Tuesday May 14. We expect a slew of announcements around AI, but also the arrival of the Pixel 8a.
At what price is the Pixel 8a expected?
Regarding the price, it is difficult to have information on that. As a reminder, the Pixel 7a was released last year for 509 euros. We can nevertheless expect an increasing price for its successor. The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro have seen a big increase compared to the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro from late 2022.
German mediaWinFuturespecified in March that it had gotten its hands on a price list for the Pixel 8a. It would be marketed above 550 euros in Europe, depending on the configurations. Around 570 euros for the 128 GB version and up to around 630 euros for the 256 GB version. This would therefore represent an increase of 60 euros compared to the 7a and would almost take this smartphone out of the mid-range.
Design: the recipe should not change (too much)
For now, we’ve only had 3D renders released by OnLeaks to anticipate what the Pixel 8a will look like. It would stand out strongly from the Pixel 7a to look more like the Pixel 8, with completely rounded corners and a pill for photo lenses. Speaking of the photo block, it would be significantly less protruding than that of the other Pixel 8s. Color-wise, it seems that light coral is in order.
OnLeaks also puts forward the dimensions of this future smartphone: 152.1 x 72.6 x 8.9 mm. Enough to make it a very slightly more compact model than the Pixel 7a. A chassis that would accommodate a screen whose diagonal would not change. It would be pierced to accommodate the punch selfie photo sensor and its glass would be slightly curved on all sides, in 2.5D.
A screen with a nice improvement in the program
Just like its predecessor, the Pixel 8a should accommodate a panel with a diagonal of 6.1 inches, which would make it a rather compact smartphone, with a screen smaller than that of the Pixel 8 by 0.1 inch. Aside from this size difference, the screen would remain the same.
This would be a panel with a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz. This would also be one of the main developments compared to the Pixel 7a, limited to 90 Hz. The maximum brightness would be 1400 cd/m² and its definition would be 2400 by 1080 pixels (FHD+). And to connect the smartphone to an external screen, we would find DisplayPort compatibility at its USB-C port. For the moment, Google has not made any announcement related to this accounting on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. Google I/O could very well be an opportunity to find out what it could be used for.
We were pleasantly surprised by the Pixel 8 screen, which offers everything you would technically want on a high-end model screen, including good color coverage. Let’s hope the same happens with the Pixel 8a.
Performance: a chip (a little) at a discount
Google would include in the version “has» of the Pixel 8 the same SoC, namely the Google Tensor G3. However, some technical differences would make it a less powerful version, with the aim of reducing manufacturing costs. Its manufacturing could in particular be less optimized for heat dissipation, thus potentially reducing the performance of the chip. However, we expect a performance gap compared to Tensor G2.
Two storage configurations would be offered for this model: one with 128 GB, the other with 256 GB. A real evolution since until now, the “has» were limited to a single storage configuration. A quick word on connectivity: the device would be Wi-Fi 6E compatible.
Android 14 would be there
Naturally, Google makes a point of taking care of the software part of its smartphones, with its famous Pixel Experience which adds its share of features exclusive to Android. Logically, the Pixel 8a should come with Android 14.
What everyone wants is what Google brought to its Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, namely a long software follow-up. These two models will run until 2030 on Android 21 a priori, if we are to believe Google’s promises. What we hope is that the Pixel 8a benefits from this too. However, questions remain: after seven years, the battery will surely have to be replaced, but will there still be one? Pixels are also not known for their performance: will they be able to run Android 21 and applications correctly? Moreover, the Pixel 8a being a version a priori less powerful than its big brothers, will it hold up? Google could absolutely choose to limit the number of updates. For comparison, the Pixel 7a will be updated until 2025 (Android 16).
Likewise, expect features found on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro to be unavailable on the Pixel 8a. We are thinking in particular of functions based on artificial intelligence using the resources of these models: the Pixel 8a will be less efficient, which is why Google could choose to remove certain features. It’s also a way to segment your smartphone range: if you want more features, then you have to buy a more expensive model.
The Pixel 8a is expected around the corner in the photo
This is Google’s selling point for all its Pixel smartphones: the photo. And on models like the Pixel 7a, the manufacturer reigns supreme in the latter’s price range. This is why the Pixel 8a is really expected in the photo section. According to rumors, it would be equipped with a 64 Mpx Sony IMX787 main sensor, namely the one already found on the Pixel 7a. We can also expect that the ultra-wide-angle sensor (a 13 Mpx Sony IMX712) and that of the selfie camera (the same) will not change.
Where Google’s know-how takes precedence is above all in software processing rather than in the choice of sensors that it integrates into its models. With a Tensor G3, we potentially expect better software processing. In any case, this would be the card that Google would like to play to improve the photo quality between the two models.has“, if he wishes.
Towards better autonomy for the Pixel 8a: good news
One of the big flaws of the Pixel 7a was its too limited autonomy. Google would have heard the criticism and would have resolved the problem thanks to a 4942 mAh battery that we would find in the Pixel 8a. A detail spotted in a certification of a Google smartphone not yet named. For comparison, the Pixel 7a has a battery with a capacity of 4385 mAh. This would represent a capacity increase of 12.7%.
If we can hope that this will provide better autonomy, this will not necessarily be the case: the screen and the chip could consume more, which would mean that the Pixel 8a would be just as durable as the 7a. It remains to be seen what autonomy will be announced by the manufacturers and its complete test which will certainly be published in our columns.
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