The Pixel 8A is now officially available and there aren’t many surprises in store as it has been leaked to everyone over the past few weeks – as is always the case with Google hardware. The 8A gets Google’s latest processor, adds some new AI features, and US prices still start at $499. But the best news is that the 8A benefits from seven years of Pixel 8 and 8 Pro software support, which is simply unheard of in a mid-range phone.
The 8A retains the same overall shape and size as its predecessor. However, its 6.1-inch screen gets some significant updates: the top refresh rate is now 120Hz instead of 90Hz, and the panel gets up to 40 percent brighter, up to 2,000 nits in peak brightness mode. These are important improvements, especially since the 8A’s main competition in the US, the OnePlus 12R, has an excellent display.
Aloe and laurel color options for those who don’t want another black rectangle. Photo: Vjeran Pavic / The Verge
This is the year of AI On Things, and Pixel 8A is no exception. It includes the same AI-powered photo and video generation features that made a splash on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, including Best Take, Magic Editor, and Audio Magic Eraser. Circle to Search is also available, and the 8A will be able to run Google’s mobile-optimized Gemini Nano on-device artificial intelligence model. As with the Pixel 8, this will be a developer option made available by removing a feature.
The remaining specifications remain unchanged or slightly improved compared to the previous generation. There’s still 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, though there’s now a 256GB option. The camera hardware remains unchanged from the 7A, including a stabilized 64-megapixel primary sensor. It has an IP67 rating, 7A compliant, and the battery capacity is slightly higher at 4,492 mAh compared to 4,385 mAh. Wireless charging is available via Qi 1.3 at up to 7.5W – no Qi2 here.
The Pixel 8A finds itself in a strange situation this year, where its biggest competition may come from Google itself. Right now, it appears that the mid-range Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is bypassing the US, leaving the way open for the Pixel 8A. The aforementioned OnePlus 12R is also an option, but it’s not sold through the major wireless carriers and that’s how most people in the US buy their phones. This simply puts it up against the standard Pixel 8, which is often on sale. We’ve even seen it match the $499 8A.
Credit : www.theverge.com