The Pixel 8a is here...but WHY?

The Google Pixel 8a is here...but why? The phone is so close to being a Pixel 8 and isn't much cheaper, especially with the Pixel 8 being on sale often. We go over what the Pixel 8a has compared to last year's Pixel 7a and why we think this phone might be the last of its kind.
Read more about the Pixel 8a here: andauth.co/GooglePixel8a
Catch up on our Pixel 9 coverage here: • First ever Pixel 9 Pro...
00:00 Pixel 8 is here, but why?
00:21 Design
01:18 Internals
01:45 Software
02:49 Camera
03:09 Pixel 8 or Pixel 8a?
04:30 It's not budget
05:27 The last A-series phone?
06:52 The future
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[@MarcWdives]

Screw the premium glass back, give me a light weight unbreakable plastic back.

[@nitishachar]

The 'a' series has heavily deviated from what it stood for! 4a user from India here. I was hoping to upgrade for 8a. Looking at the price to performance ratio, straight up ordered Samsung galaxy S23, which was under sale!

[@METAx55]

This phone exists to become $350 on discount, which is a killer price

[@remeark101]

In my Google Fi account I have an offer to buy this and receive a $200 credit .....so $300 for this phone.

[@xAlienWarfareGamingx]

@@remeark101 Mine is showing a $100 store credit plus $300 off if I go with Google Fi for two years which overall is a pretty damn good deal, def preordering this

[@charkswitlazers]

@@remeark101and that’s why I’m buying it

[@RJT80]

I will only ever buy a Pixel when on sale. When my Pixel 7 screen broke Google wanted $450 to fix it. The same price as a Pixel 8 on sale through the Fi store. I've had Pixels since the Pixel 4 and never paid over $500 and never will. My smartphone budget has always been $500 unless something truly revolutionary comes along. Really like that Pixel 8. Especially the size. I can't stand large phones. This is perfect.

[@mihaicraciun8678]

​@@remeark101 yeah but you re tied to spending 200 dollars on other google stuff. Maybe in a few years when you upgrade you won t want a google phone.

[@ilovetongmew]

You're comparing retail price to sale price. 8A will be even cheaper soon too.

[@W2he]

He mentions "on sale" the Pixel 8 is not that much more. But he doesn't say anything about 8a on sale

[@Salty_Biscuitz88]

Yeah man, it's dumb to compare RRP price to discounted street price. We all know the pixel 8a is going to come down to the $350 to $400 price eventually.

[@cresbonz5554]

It’s perfectly fine to compare the current pricing. For those that might be considering grabbing the 8a on release day, they just may reconsider knowing that the 8 can be had for pretty much the same price. We know that all phones will drop in price, but when and for how much? It’s all hypothetical.

[@Pike3916]

Pre-ordered an 8a for $299. 🤷‍♂️

[@W2he]

@@Pike3916 o-o where are you? I want one for 299 D:

[@sharvay]

video correction - Pixel 8 does not have LTPO display, only the Pixel 8 Pro does

[@young_n._older]

Oi

[@awaisahmed9418]

Bring back that £399 price tag then we talking.

[@mareksinister]

Companies raised the prices to see how people would react and guess what, people are buying phones now for 2k... Those prices are not coming down and it's people's fault.

[@amitbikram9031]

they will do that in holidays and call it offer

[@nsp932]

@@mareksinisterlet’s be real while some people might buy a phone for 2k I bet the vast majority of people won’t. The prices should absolutely come down.

[@asteriskwds7557]

Every black Friday.

[@iamaboozer]

I'm a current Google Fi customer and the 8a is only $299 for me.

[@jierenzheng7670]

I kinda wish my P8 has a plastic back instead of glass. It is harder to break the plastic back and easier to replace.

[@manueldelcaribe]

I already break my Pixel 7 after I drop it accidentally and I using a protector case but not matter is still broken so I will get the 8 a when get a good discount I don't like glass back I preferred plastic I don't care about " premium" feel I want durability over luxury...

[@jierenzheng7670]

@@manueldelcaribe I normally use a tough case with even a lip above the screen and camera because I work in mechanical spaces or mezzanines. Upgrading from a P4a. It was really value for money this time. Looking at the P8A which is so much closer in price. Google should have kinda saved money by using almost the exact same chassis except a plastic back so they can reuse other parts. Would have been cool if I can swap the back cover with my P8 for a plastic one. Though, it would be cooler if their USB-C port was a separate daughter board and a easier way to remove the back to access the battery to swap it as I intend to keep my P8 for a long time.

[@adventure9606]

Don’t panic, the 8a will be $100 off soon enough.

[@aspanger]

In Poland you can get it in preorder deals for around 420€/450USD

[@Vincent_Morrow]

Just got it $200 off straight after launch. $299 is an acceptable price.

[@arondyte318]

I’m actually digging that green color tbh

[@Silver01Son]

I like the blue one

[@sharvay]

the price of the pixel 8a probably hints at a much expensive overall pixel line-up in 2024 by the end of the year we'll probably have the pixel 9 grazing the $1000 mark, which will justify the pixel 8a's price

[@W2he]

I don't think so, probably base 9 at 800 max. Which I really hope not.

[@pedropires15]

In my country there is a pre-sale promotion for the Pixel 8a for €349 for the 256 GB version. Do you think it's worth it?

[@wek43]

Same position here, I guess I will go for that 128gb version for 300, upgrading from my pixel 4 xl...

[@guzombomutombo]

Which country? Totally worth it.

[@pedropires15]

@@guzombomutombo in portugal

[@chrisgg80]

dude it’s $500 bucks with constant discounts. I’m switching to this over my 14 Pro…

[@BatayaRulZ]

Just buy P8...

[@Mr.Zen_73]

In Australia I can get the 8 for $750, yet the 8a has launched at $849. WTF?!?

[@yashkadam_03]

It is not just the 50 dollars tho, 8a will also drop in price right!?

[@marco31]

Of course it will drop in price.

[@petermadach]

6,1" vs 6,7"... for some people that can be it. screw big phones.

[@WonderSausage]

Literally the moment the NDA expired, Google fixed the pricing loophole by raising the reseller cost of the Pixel 8, so it's currently $660-$699 on every retailer. Now they won't put the 8 on sale until they put the 8a on sale as well, probably at least 6 months away. So your advice doesn't really hold water.

[@TheHoHWBand]

you're comparing the 8A MSRP against the 8 sale prices, without mentioning that the 8A will almost definitely dip down to $350 at least once or twice on sale at some point

[@anetizen6404]

STFU 7A MSRP was 100$ less than the 7 and the 8A is repeating itself

[@friedricey]

Not holding my breathe.

[@mrbbc2011able]

People saying price should be 400 usd are delusional, device is literally better version of 7a which was praised last year, this negativity is absurd

[@gospelachuenu8873]

Which is fully understandable and kind of agree as the specs speak for themselves but why would Google do this when right now pixel 8 cost 549 should just go ahead and pay the extra 50 bucks tbh

[@carlosdabeca]

I ordered this phone for my wife through Vodafone in Portugal for only 216,90 euros with the points that I collect every month. Pretty chip deal! Here in Portugal starting price is 560 euros, so I guess it's a very good deal. Subscribed! ✌️

[@Manu83k.]

Vodafone Points?

[@carlosdabeca]

@@Manu83k. Yeah, 2 points = 1€uro. I have a plan with Vodafone, Internet, TV, sim card. And you get points for every bill. So in a 2 year contract you can collect something like 5000 points and you can use those points to help buy some devices.

[@bakerzinho]

250 euros + 1400 point Vodafone. In Portugal , is it worth it?

[@PixelSheep]

here in germany they have crazy trade in values - I can get this for 367€ when trading in my Pixel 2XL - do you think this is a good deal? :)

[@Manuel-rl6um]

Same in Spain, they give me 259€ for my 2 years old Pixel 6a, so Pixel 8a would cost me 290€. We didn't have trade-in in Spain before, not sure in Germany. They were available in the UK years ago. We also got the Pixel Tablet now, which I think was available there, in France and probably a couple more EU countries only. Seems like they are getting into more markets and expanding their offerings where they currently are.

[@lars5288]

⁠@@Manuel-rl6umi also get 259€ for my 6a in germany, so maybe this is the trade in offer in whole europe. I am thinking if i will do this, 290€ is a good deal for 7 years updates and I won't do much with it other than browsing, calls, email, messenger, some pictures and streaming every once in awhile. I really don't care anymore if a phone is top notch, as long as it does the average things and gets security updates i am fine. And is there any other phone giving you 7 years updates for 290€? Hard to beat i think.

[@Manuel-rl6um]

@@lars5288 my exact same thoughts

[@thennk9714]

​@@Manuel-rl6umBro, todos los dueños del pixel 6a nos estamos dando cuenta de la ofertaza, es que literalmente en ningún lado vamos a poder vender nuestros Pixel 6a por 260€ la oferta es muy buena, yo lo estoy considerando seriamente, les pregunté al soporte de Google si los 150€ están incluidos en los 260€ o si son extra. Tu qué vas a hacer?

[@Aericane]

Same in the Netherlands, They're giving 200 for a damaged iPhone X, plus there is a trick where you buy a plan that you can cancel monthly, so you pay 400 for the phone, 14 for the plan, which you cancel after the 1st month, then I get 200 back for my old iPhone X...

[@hungrydavo]

Im getting this for my parents. They are rocking a 4a and they are getting long in the tooth. They take tons of photos of my kids, and keep their phones for a long time, so camera quality and longevity of support is key for me. In Australia here the Pixel 8 is $1199 and the 8A is $849 with $280 store credit.

[@akshay_arona]

What about the charging speed?

[@PazhamporiAfterSex]

from other reviews, they said 18W

[@guzombomutombo]

I agree... if you were to buy it at standard price. Here in Germany, my first Pixel was the 3a, and since then Google has been buying my old phone AND giving me a big discount whenever a new series A phone shows up. I also get 10% store credit for every purchase, which means that upgrading from the 7a to the 8a will cost me a ridiculous 90€!!!

[@p_mcg]

Looks like a decent upgrade but nothing major for someone like myself with the 7a. Maybe coming from a 5a it's worth it

[@user-yv7dt5je1l]

Does it have Qualcomm wifi or Broadcom wifi?

[@oladrolahola]

Worse, exynoss

[@alexdenton6586]

Or even better , wait for the Pixel 9 Pro XL released in a few months

[@WrexBF]

That's such a nice size, why are the bezels so damn huge? I don't like how tall the pixel 8 is so, I'll stick with my Pixel 5 for another year or two.

[@stormense]

In Sweden is nearly $200 difference between 8 and 8a. Plus for 8a is the plastic back.

[@desertraider8628]

Whats the refresh rate on the 8a ?

[@katinasoutherland7693]

120

[@Gnostic777]

GSMarena is your friend

[@Rover-gg8jj]

​@@Gnostic777 just answer his question

[@awaisahmed01]

You can get Pixel 8 and 8 Pro's for around the same price or cheaper if you look hard enough. With how quick Pixel's go on offer and drop in value, this device is pointless

[@phillipperez3358]

What about battery share? Is that available ok the 8A?

[@timoehlmann9203]

With Trade In Bonus 8 (my old Pixel 6 Pro), i bought one for 280 EUR inkl. VAT, getting it on 14th May.

[@sayeekishan5013]

Google Pixel 8A has text call?

[@user-cs5fv6qw3d]

I can't wait to get one

[@D3st670]

Already preorder it to replace my S21 finally something worth upgrading to.

[@kierenkd]

You may miss a lot of oneUI features and stability in the move. Time will tell

[@BatayaRulZ]

Pixel 7a has 500 nits brightness in manual mode. ...And about 1100 nits in auto mode. You are comparing 7a's max manuel brightness with 8a's max theorethical when in auto mode. But in reality, 8a will have about 1400 nits, just like Pixel 8.

[@im2yz4u17]

I agree with the argment....but. Just ordered mine from Google Fi. $549 for 256G model obsidian. $200 instant rebate. $90 Trade In for Pixel 5. $259 net price. I also was supposed to get an additional $100 coupon for the prior discontinued Pixel subscription program; have to go to support to get them to apply that. With no trade-in I am happy with the phone at $349 for 256G memory. Reason I upgraded was that I only wanted the (up to) 120 Hz refresh and the upgraded chip. I could care less about the camera. If I cared about the camera I would have ordered the 8 instead of 8A.

[@StreamTeknology]

Did you literally spend half the video talking about how the 8A doesn't provide a value proposition by comparing the announced list price of $499 of the brand new camera to the now discounted street price of the soon to be replaced phones? Really? Compare list price to list price. or 6 month old street price to 6 month old street price, which you can't do because the 8a is brand new. Why does it exist? Because, like the 8 you compared it to, in a couple months, it'll be discounted off that $499 price, maybe $450, or less, with a set of earbuds or something tossed in. And the jump from $450 new, to $550 or $600 is big enough, especially when, as you admit, the 8a offers nearly everything the 8 has, for what might soon be $100 to $150 off.

[@andrzejkorab]

What about pwm? Still exists? 😄

[@ucheucheuche]

Unfortunately, my Pixel 3a is trooping along so well, and the camera is great, that upgrades are a hard sell.. so far.

[@e3vL1]

They should make a pixel fold a series

[@Silver01Son]

That would be interesting...

[@IDrawToothpicks]

Fold phones are no good.

[@theunknown21329]

Once its discounted, it's a GOAT no brainer considering the camera and software support. Let's see!

[@gregandersen8475]

Why? They are only $299 with $200 pre-order discounts for existing Google Fi members. Mid-range phone with 7 years of updates. I'll keep my 8 pro, but my mother will love the upgrade from her 4a.

[@s.g.1969]

In Poland with price point make big difference, maybe not in America ❤🎉😊

[@craigward26]

Currently in the UK you can get the Pixel 8 for £499

[@hugovilar]

Bought a Pixel 8A, there's a great campaign from a carrier here in Portugal. Bought the 256GB Obsidian version for just 260€! 🤯 For this price it's quite a bargain

[@farmerj1]

Just got an 8A for $299 less $90 trade in on a Pixel 5. I couldn't see any reason to purchase the 8. I don't need the faster charging in the 8, and paying $150 more didn't seem worth it.

[@fromabove422]

To my understanding, the a versions are a pool into the next version. Pixel 8a looks more like pixel 9 more than pixel 8/pro

[@Goldmanknight]

the green aloe is really nice i wish it did have a telephoto but you can't get everything for 500$ overall i think this was slightly worse than last pixel 7a

[@beautynblunts]

Explain the bonnet sir 😂😂😂

[@IDrawToothpicks]

It's a beanie 😂😂😂

[@Technosquid]

Just like the Pixel 8 rarely sells for $699, this will rarely sell for $499. Those in the U.S. preordering the 8a get $100 in Google store credit. By the time that offer has expired the phone will be $399 or less.

[@cliang001]

Pre-ordered this through google fi, got 200 dollars off instantly, Phone was 300 bux + a pixel 6a trade in made it 235. Wayyyy worth it in this way.

[@ReynaldoRoman]

I got the Pixel 8 for $400 during the new year, and I will say that I was very heart broken to experience heat issues with the phone much like the pixel 6 pro. I’m not sure what goes on with their thermals, but it’s not fun when all you’re doing is watching KZbin. Might come in handy during winter to keep you warm though 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@IDrawToothpicks]

I don't think that happens with every pixel 8 or every one pixel phone though I never had that issue with the 5a. But it did die from a different reason

[@Svenlaa]

Don't worry, I already preordered the Pixel 8a for less than $200

[@slavaukrania]

Pixel 8 does not come with LTPO display.

[@PauloMealha]

Why?? I just ordered one for 214 Euros, with exchange of loyalty points. Vodafone Portugal

[@Aericane]

Why would anyone buy a 8a? Well, right now where I live, the cheapest I can get a Pixel 8 for is 595, while the Pixel 8a is available for around 300. That's a massive price difference, and I guess for that price it's a steal.

[@PetrosB-ky2ru]

For 50$ difference yes I agree, but with the price in Greece today pixel 8 for 610 euros the 100 difference does it make sense

[@orian-x]

Remember that the A phone also go on discount. Not everyone will buy it at day one. I don't see why it's doesn't make sense 🤔 and apple still have the se and they will have es 4 this year

[@izalyusuf]

It's Sgd$800 in Singapore. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@bernielomax4702]

Why does the 8a exist? Because since the 3a all people have done is complain that the a phones weren’t carbon copies of the flagship only cheaper for….reasons. Now that’s what they’ve done and it’s bitching about that.

[@Nick-tq4tt]

I just got this phone in the netherlands for 408 euro's - 220 euro's discount for giving back my old p30 pro to the provider. So i basicly got this phone for 188 euro's

[@LTEAndroid]

Not sure why you are using the pricing logic vs pixel 8 when pixel 8a will be $449 or even $399 in like 1 month...

[@pictograph]

You're exaggerating a bit with that price comparison, even the Pixel 8a will cost $350-$400 maximum in a few months when it arrives on all markets. They are always a little more expensive in the beginning, but their price quickly drops to the real price.

[@topsajd]

Pixel 8 doesn't have a LTPO display

[@SuperHacker0007]

Pixel 8 doesn't have LTPO either, only the Pro.

[@hsimpson1152]

Is this really better than the Samsung "A" series?

[@japyoo2248]

Yes

[@GeorgeeeGXG]

Because it will replace the pixel 8 for a half a year after the release of pixel 9 that I think will be more expensive

[@zackaryaustin4185]

They always do an A version for the pixel tf you mean why

[@madmann6723]

I think the 7 year update pledge is a nice gesture and thats all it really is, no one keeps a phone 7 years most people are trading up at 3 years or whenever their respective finance obligations end. Not like anyone would consider a 5 or 6 year old phone on the used market because its got more software shelf life...these OEMs know what they're doing and some influencers are selling it hard for them 😂.

[@Andrew-it7fb]

Gee, maybe the reason people upgrade is because their phone isn't supported. My s20 fe came out in 2020 and still runs great. And not everyone get their phone right when they're launched. Now if you buy one in a few years, it's still supported.

[@W2he]

Although i kinda disagree because the 8a will probably go on sale. But you gotta appreciate the thumbnail

[@Wujin88]

7a and 8a are made in Vietnam which doesn't scale as well in terms of cost. It lacks the vertical supply chain and skills versus the past manufacturers.

[@iamaboozer]

The 8a is only $299 for Google Fi customers... so the price is just fine.

[@whh_t]

can someone please explain the thumbnail LOL

[@e3vL1]

Why get pixel 8a when you can get pixel 8 for around the same price most retailers, unless they put in bonuses like free pixel bud or watch

[@thennk9714]

Bro, there is something called Offers, in exchange for my pixel 6a I can have the 8a for €290 with the normal 8 they won't let me. Have an 8a for 290 since the 6a cost me 299? I'm literally only putting in €40 extra, meaning I can Buy the 8a for €330. What €300 phone can compete here?

[@georgythomas8451]

The pixel 8a will be soon available for discount just like the Flagship Pixel 8. Then, it will make a lot of sense.

[@GroteGeer]

As Pixel 6a owner - for me the size matter. The Pixel 8a has much better brightness + rounded bezels + 3rd gen chipset + 7 years support. And I found a trade sale ! I trade in my Pixel 6a for the Pixel 8a. I had to pay €294,- ! 🥰 #online #belsimpel

[@jamiljohnson9766]

The bigger question is why Google keep given out discount for pixel 8 and 8 pro if they knew they were going to launch 8a plus this midrange phone is for fans with pixel 3a or 4a or 5 or 6 going to upgrade must I go on plus pixel 8a will be available for 10 months while pixel 8 series only out for 4 months then will kill off by pixel 9 series why wait guys

[@matthewrichards88]

Dam. Im atill using ny 128gb pixel 3xl!

[@151mcx]

I think the 8a has a lot of wiggle room in the price. I'm betting seeing sale prices of 300 or less in months to come. 299...

[@Andrew-it7fb]

It's being sold on Google fi for $299 for pre-order

[@Nachi009]

Pixel 8a price hints that pixel 9 series price is really high compare to previous year pixels 😡

[@demongokul]

And the thicc bezels?

[@Visionary4787]

I just bought the pixel 8PRO it was 400 bucks off i had to do it

[@jettnerona]

Meanwhile I'm still using Pixel 4 as my main phone

[@doomnationalist]

Bro has a shower cap in the thumbnail when he has no hair 😅

[@Pike3916]

The criticism is the same in every review. Why buy an 8a at full price when you can get the Pixel 8 on sale? This criticism doesn't account for the fact that the 8a can also be bought on sale. I pre-ordered one for just $299. 🤷‍♂️

[@Manuel-rl6um]

You're compering discounted Pixel 8 price vs Pixel 8a release price. Wait for when you have the Pixel 8a discounted for around $400, and the A series will make sense, like always have been.

[@slenkhar]

bad take: I ordered the 256GB pixel 8a for £375 after trading in my entry level G7 Power to get back a whopping £184 back from Google. If I want a Pixel 8, cheapest right now is £559. The 8a is awesome because of the rebate bonus trade in of old phones.

[@aaronamar6244]

They can't even beat the price of Nothing Phone(2a) which is $349 for 256gb variant :/

[@Manuel-rl6um]

Pixel 8a has: - Much better camera - Many more years of updates - Receive updates earlier - Better chip

[@steve9377]

The Nothing Phone 2a isn't even designed for US networks

[@Andrew-it7fb]

The 8a is selling for $299 on Google fi

[@oThDeth]

Cauz it's smaller. And everyone wants smaller phones PLEASEEE pixel a series is most wanted cauz is SMALL (still to big)

[@ZackEhlers]

You can’t get the Pixel 8 on sale for just $50 more today though. So that whole segment you did about it being close to the price of a Pixel 8 is invalid my dude.

[@subediraju8552]

I never used any pixel phones. I'm still using OnePlus 8T+. 8T saying like 8A. OnePlus is way smoother & cheaper over pixel or over any other phones.

[@UnboxIQ]

Battery heating issue is solved or not?

[@PauloGoncalvesGuimaraes]

Are you talking for what audience?US people? If that's the case, it's ok. But for the rest of the world, you're ignorant. For example, in my country I can pre order a pixel 8A 256gb for 250€. Pixel 8 is more than double..... I'll go for 8A for less than half price.

[@Dwayne3007]

Wait 2 months and it wiil be on sale

[@unclebobl]

I would like them to address the battery overheating and shutting down once it gets over 33c. I use my camera extensively and it becomes useless in Asia after 5 min of use as it overheats

[@allendavid4139]

4 Yrs of software updates ,no AI ,I’ll take the 120 hz and brighter screen and perhaps a less intense version of the chip and I’ll willingly pay $350 to $399 for my version of a 8a

[@Techfanatic73]

It should be 399. You can get the normal 8 for literally $50 more. Google constantly shows they don't know the market and have zero direction. Sundar is by far one of the worst tech CEOs there is.

[@sib1212]

Wait it's all bcz they had cheaper pixel 8 flagship device than s24 or iphone 15 price. This will change this year cuz Pixel 9 comes with same like Samsung & Apple devices prices with 3 flagship soo basic pixel 9 get a same price like s24 & iphone 15 lauch price & they keep that Pixel 9a with $500 too so the price gap is $300 or $250.

[@Andrew-it7fb]

You're comparing sale price to on sale price. 🙄

[@orlovszki]

7 years for a camera with so low storage? In 3 years it will be useless due to lack of memory. Remember: windows 3.1 came on 6x1mb floppy disks

[@sirgreen2792]

The 8a will get updates longer then 8 and 8 pro

[@sharvay]

by like 6 months, not worth it

[@sirgreen2792]

@@sharvay agreed but I was just trying to see bright side but it's still kinda dull😂. The 8 is still the better buy