I’ve used the budget Pixel 8a model for three months, its quality cameras and snappy speeds mean I’m not fussed about upgrading after the ‘Made by Google’ launch
Not everyone can pay for the iPhone 15, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or the newest Galaxy Z Flip6, which is why budget models are becoming increasingly popular. As the lean on AI, social media, video and speed rises picking a cheaper model has to come with caution, as it simply may not cut it.
That can’t be said for Google’s budget Pixel 8a device, launched earlier this year as a cheaper alternative to its Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro handsets it costs hundreds of pounds less to buy. Ideal for those with less budget it doesn’t, however, scrimp on capability – a reason why I’d go as far as to say if you have it, you won’t need to look at Google’s upcoming Pixel 9 and 9Pro launch.
Best Pixel 8a deal
- iD Mobile is selling the 8a model for £17.99 per month on a £24 month plan
That’s what I’ve found as I switched from my iPhone to the middle-of-the-range £400 device. It may be branded as a cheap alternative but having made use of its 50MP camera vidoes and used its clever AI for photo editing the Pixle 8a couldn’t be further away from the ‘stripped-back’ name budget models often get.
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Packed with AI photo editing, modern cameras, and a speedy Tensor G3 chip Google’s put out all the stops for its so-called ‘budget’ phone a solid 24-hour battery life, an OLED screen, a speedy Tensor G3Chip and a handful of AI editing features its price may be budget but its specs certainly aren’t.
Pixel 8a deals I can’t ignore
- iD Mobile 24-month Pixel 8a plan, with £9 upfront, and a huge 100GB of data – Buy Here
- Amazon is selling the 128GB Pixel 8a for £419 upfront – Buy Here
- EE matches Amazon with £419 outright deal – Buy Here
Reasons why I rate the Pixel 8a after using it myself
So, how does it differ from its Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro siblings? There’s a fraction difference in screen size between the 6.1-inch 8a and the Pixel 8s’ 6.2-inch display. Design-wise, the model dons a rounded shell and smaller camera notch display – so up close it has a different look.
The Tensor G3 is the tiny spec that gives users better quality video as well as quicker processing speeds and is the brain behind any personalisation like photo editing. Another feature packed into the Pixel 8a is its cameras – a 64-megapixel main camera and 13-megapixel ultrawide camera and a front 13MP selfie camera.
With 128GB of storage, there is no scrimping in size compared to the standard Pixel 8 model, and the same can be said for its 50MP camera and Tensor G3 chip – it’s this that gives us better quality video as well as a speedier processing time. As well as its 50MP camera there’s a 64MP and 13MP ultrawide camera, these are crucial content creator features for me and they didn’t disappoint.
Another pro for me was its AI photo editing, and weekly I use the Magic Eraser tool to prep social posts, mainly cutting ugly things out of a background. It is as simple as circling and Google’s AI will do the work.
The biggest gripe, however, that I’ve noticed when using the phone is its screen brightness. The model has a 6.1-inch screen, a smooth display with 120HX (there’s certainly no lag) but it just doesn’t feel bright enough when using it, I feel as though I need to ramp up the brightness.
Upcoming ‘Made by Google’ Event
It’s that time of year where Google is getting ready to launch its newest Pixel devices, as all eyes point towards the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro devices. Yes, an upgrade from the current Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro devices.
As Google have officially teased ahead of the August 13 launch it announces the Pixel 9 Pro with a close up of a camera, a huge hint that we could be seeing another swanky update to our photography and videos yet again.
However, as someone who follows global tech launches the new Google Pixel devices will be ones to watch but the budget Pixel 8a proves you don’t have to spend hundreds grabbing the newest upgrade. Similar to Samsung’s Galaxy A55 5G and the Motorola Edge 50 there’s a lot to be had with cheaper models too.
