Google Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 8

31 May 2024
How does Google's latest 'a' model compare to the regular Pixel 8.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • Jvg
  • 01 Jun 2024

RaviSS, 01 Jun 2024I agree with you that having good amount of storage availab... moreWow. Your post is amazing. What you're saying sounds great, but I'm sick of the 128GB storage and lack of a microSD slot. 7 years of software updates is something never seen before in the industry and I think it is better to be prepared and have at least 256GB of storage in 2024. The offers of the regular Pixel 8 with 128GB of storage are just a scam. They only want you to pay for Google cloud services. I would never pay for that because I prefer to spend all my money on video games.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • Jvg
    • 01 Jun 2024

    Pumpino, 01 Jun 2024I don't take many photos and videos, and when I do, I ... moreIn your original post you said "it's the best phone I've ever had." I just assumed you'd keep it for years. Personally I will hold onto mine like my life depends on it. I don't usually buy many cell phones.

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      • Vibe
      • xjH
      • 01 Jun 2024

      YourLocalPhoneCritic, 01 Jun 2024I'm one of Samsung's biggest critics... but I gen... moreYou mean smallest, as your name suggests, "local phone critic"

        Anonymous, 01 Jun 2024It's literally impossible not to need more storage spa... moreI agree with you that having good amount of storage available is important, but you don't really need to have all of it on-device, given the option of cloud storage. I have a Google One storage plan (I had gotten a 3-month 100GB trial with my Pixel 6a, and have since continued with it) and I think it is a very good alternative to spending more on higher storage plans.

        Of course, there would be certain limitations such as you would need internet to access your data, or if you are recording lots and lots of 4k videos, you might run out of storage before backing them up to cloud. But these disadvantages are more than compensated by the fact that you data is secure (i.e. if you don't have backup, you might lose all your data if your device goes kaput) and that you are able to access your data from your other devices as well. Not to mention you can share a part of your storage quota with your family members.

        Cloud storage makes financial sense too. Google charges $60 more for the additional 128GB storage. Alternatively, you can get a 100GB plan for $20 annually or a 200GB plan for $30 annually. So you can very well get the 100GB plan after a couple of years when you are close to running out of storage and then upgrade to 200GB plan if/when you run out again. The overall cost of the additional storage would be in the same ballpark.

        In India (where I live), the costs are even more in favour of cloud storage. The premium for the 256GB variant of Pixel 8 in India is INR 7000, whereas the 100GB and 200GB Google One storage plans cost INR 1300 and INR 2100 per year. I am planning to upgrade to Pixel 8, and when I do, I will go with the 128GB variant itself, and along with the 100GB plan I have, it should be sufficient for me for years, and if I do run out of storage, I will simply upgrade to the 200GB plan.

          Anonymous, 01 Jun 2024In short, you are the biggest Samsung fan. The Samsung A se... moreI'm one of Samsung's biggest critics... but I genuinely believe they didn't ship A55 to the US just to help Google take a cut out of Apple's market share with the Pixel 8a.

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • PZT
            • 01 Jun 2024

            Anonymous, 01 Jun 2024For the money you paid, you would have gotten 256GB on the ... moreOh don't worry, the Tensor processor will probably be unbearable within 2 years. If you want longevity best avoid tensor.

              Anonymous, 01 Jun 2024It's literally impossible not to need more storage spa... moreI don't take many photos and videos, and when I do, I move them to my computer. Also, who said I plan to keep my phone for 7 years?

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • Jvg
                • 01 Jun 2024

                Pumpino, 01 Jun 2024Except many sources have suggested that the 8a is the last ... moreWhat are those sources? Anyway, the rumor seems a little far-fetched. Google had already launched XL devices years ago and there was also a Pixel 3a XL. It is still too early to draw conclusions. But the Pixel 'a' series is great and I bet Google won't kill it. I'm sure Google also loves the Pixel 'a' series and that's why it releases exclusive colors for those devices. Samsung is more likely to eliminate its FE series or Apple its SE series.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • Jvg
                  • 01 Jun 2024

                  Pumpino, 01 Jun 2024I don't need much storage space, so wipe the egg off y... moreIt's literally impossible not to need more storage space, especially since there's no microSD slot. But I guarantee that for your next Pixel you won't just want 128GB of storage. I plan to keep mine for 7 years until 2031 or maybe even longer, so I think good storage is important.

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                    • Mozes
                    • p4h
                    • 01 Jun 2024

                    RaviSS, 31 May 2024In the end, it all comes down to "value for money"... moreNot to mention that in this very moment,in the Netherlands the 8 is cheaper than the 8a

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                      • Mozes
                      • p4h
                      • 01 Jun 2024

                      Anonymous, 01 Jun 2024Both devices are extraordinarily cool. It really comes down... moreRight now,in Netherlands the pixel 8 is cheaper than the 8a :))

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                        • Mozes
                        • p4h
                        • 01 Jun 2024

                        Is absolutely lame to see rn in Netherlands the pixel 8 being CHEAPER than the 8a :))

                          Anonymous, 01 Jun 2024Both devices are extraordinarily cool. It really comes down... moreExcept many sources have suggested that the 8a is the last in the A series and that three models will be released in unison in October - the Pixel 9, 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL. The vanilla Pixel 9 will basically be the 9a.

                            Anonymous, 01 Jun 2024For the money you paid, you would have gotten 256GB on the ... moreI don't need much storage space, so wipe the egg off your face.

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • Jvg
                              • 01 Jun 2024

                              Both devices are extraordinarily cool. It really comes down to price and the Pixel 8a with 256GB and a price tag of $559 is the clear winner. 128GB storage is not ideal if you want to take advantage of 7 years of software updates. The bezels aren't really a problem and give it a "retro" look, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The Pixel 'a' series isn't going away and is still the best of the amazing #TeamPixel

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • Jvg
                                • 01 Jun 2024

                                YourLocalPhoneCritic, 31 May 2024Long story short: - NOW: 8 ---> because it has better v... moreIn short, you are the biggest Samsung fan. The Samsung A series is horrible and complete garbage. If you want a device that is also literally a brick with mediocre cameras and software, then the Samsung Galaxy is what you need.

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • Jvg
                                  • 01 Jun 2024

                                  Pumpino, 31 May 2024It did for sure. It has a smaller screen but larger dimensi... moreFor the money you paid, you would have gotten 256GB on the Pixel 8a. When you run out of storage space in less than 7 years you will realize that you once again made the wrong decision by trying to save money on a device that is significantly more expensive.

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • JHk
                                    • 01 Jun 2024

                                    It's crazy that Google is using a worse demosaicing algorithm at 2x for the Pixel 8a. Otherwise, the Pixel 8a likely would be better than the Pixel 8 at 2x in good light conditions due to the higher resolution and higher equivalent focal length. So Google just used a worse algorithm in order to produce more demosaicing artifacts and subsequently less detail.

                                      • ?
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • 35%
                                      • 01 Jun 2024

                                      I'd buy the Pixel 8 for the slimmer bezels alone, not to mention the absolutely terrible rounded corners on the Pixel 8a display. It just looks bad when in use, since plenty of buttons in apps will be cutoff.

                                        In the end, it all comes down to "value for money" and in my view, the VFM factor is roughly similar for both the phones at their MSRP. So, my recommendation would be:

                                        - If the 8a is selling at more than 3/4th of the price of 8, better get the 8.
                                        - If the 8a is selling between 2/3rd and 3/4th of the price of 8, then 8a can be considered, provided you can live with the bigger bezels and slow charging. If either of these is a dealbreaker, then 8 would be a better choice.
                                        - If 8a is selling less than 2/3rd of 8, 8a is a better deal (though this is not going to happen anytime soon, if ever).

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