When I tried it earlier this year, the Google Pixel 8A It surprised me for one key reason: It’s just a phone. What it lacks in fancy AI features or camera tricks, it makes up for by hitting the core reasons you want a phone.
The Pixel 8A continues the tradition Google established in 2019 with the Pixel 3A, its first A-series device. These phones are barebones, less expensive alternatives to Google’s flagship Pixel phones, often compromising slightly on power, camera quality, software features and wireless charging speeds to get that lower price.
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In my experience, however, the extras you get with Google’s step-up model don’t make much of a difference. This has only become more true in recent years, as Google began putting its own Tensor chips into its Pixel phones, providing more consistency in features and performance across the lineup.
However, if you can find the Pixel 9 at a discount that brings it to the same price or less than the Pixel 8A, grab Google’s newest phone instead. Since it has a newer processor, it will likely support more new features in the future.
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The Pixel 8A has the right set of features for the price
The Pixel 8A may not have all of Google’s latest AI features or its latest processor, but with a 6.1-inch screen that can boost the refresh rate for smoother scrolling, a battery nearly as large as the Pixel’s 9 is a capable camera system that composed of prime and ultrawide lenses, meets all the needs that most people are looking for. This is why it’s CNET’s pick for the best Google Pixel phone for most people.
While testing the Pixel 8A, I found that it took photos with vibrant, accurate colors that didn’t look too exaggerated or washed out, as sometimes happens with photos taken on budget Samsung phones. But you won’t get macro mode or Add Me, a new feature that debuted on the Pixel 9. This shooting mode uses augmented reality to help you capture a group photo with everyone in the frame, even when one person in the party has taken a I step outside to take the photo. It’s a nice trick, but not something worth buying the Pixel 9 for.
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The Pixel 8A’s battery life was more than enough to get me through a full day in my testing, with 66% left after about 16 hours of use. But battery life will always depend on how you use the device, as well as factors like screen brightness and whether you’re recording a lot of video. I saw similar results with the Pixel 9 on a relatively slow day (64% after 16 hours), though the battery dropped to 38% after the same amount of time on a busy day that involved taking a lot of photos and boosting screen brightness.
Suffice it to say, it doesn’t seem like you’re losing much in the way of battery life by choosing the Pixel 8A over the Pixel 9.
You also won’t get some of Google’s new AI features, like Pixel Studio, which lets you generate images on the fly simply by typing a message. But like Add Me, this is another tool that I don’t think is necessary. After the novelty wore off, I found myself barely using it on the Pixel 9.
If you want more storage, your color choices are limited
Even though the Pixel 8A is great value for money, there are some downsides you should be aware of. First, the 256GB storage option is strangely only available on the black version of the device, which is a shame because the Pixel 8A’s colorful green and blue hues are part of what makes it stand out. Additionally, the Pixel 8A isn’t ideal for zoomed-in photography, so if you take a lot of photos at concerts and remote events, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere.
But overall, the Pixel 8A seems like the ideal budget phone. Considering that Google increased the price of its base Pixel flagship by $100 with the Pixel 9 over the Pixel 8, there’s an even more compelling case for the cheaper Pixel 8A.
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