Here’s a detailed comparison between the Google Pixel 8a and the Google Pixel 8.
Table of Contents
- 📏 Size Comparison
- 🖥️ Display Comparison
- 🔋 Battery Life
- ⚡ Charging Speed
- 🔊 Speaker Test
- 🚀 Performance
- 📊 Benchmark Performance
- 📸 Camera Comparison
- 🎥 Video Quality
- 🏆 Overall Verdict
📏 Size Comparison
| Feature | Google Pixel 8a | Google Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 152.4 x 72.9 x 8.9 mm | 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm |
| Weight | ~190g | 187g |
| Display Size | 6.1 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Display Type | OLED, 90Hz refresh rate | OLED, 120Hz refresh rate |
| Screen-to-Body Ratio | ~85% | ~84% |
| Bezel Size | Slightly thicker bezels | Slim bezels |
| Build Material | Plastic back with aluminum frame | Glass back with aluminum frame |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Button Placement | Power button and volume rocker on the right side | Power button and volume rocker on the right side |
| Color Options | Limited | Multiple options (Obsidian, Hazel, Rose) |
🖥️ Display Comparison
| Feature | Google Pixel 8a | Google Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.1 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Display Type | OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) | FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz (adaptive) |
| Brightness | Up to 1000 nits (typical), 1400 nits (HDR peak) | Up to 1400 nits (typical), 2000 nits (HDR peak) |
| HDR Support | Yes (HDR10+) | Yes (HDR10+) |
| Aspect Ratio | 20:9 | 20:9 |
| Pixel Density | ~429 PPI | ~428 PPI |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Always-On Display | Yes | Yes |
| Touch Sampling Rate | 120Hz | 240Hz |
| Bezel Size | Slightly thicker bezels | Slim bezels |
| Color Accuracy | Excellent (sRGB, DCI-P3 support) | Excellent (sRGB, DCI-P3 support) |
| Software Enhancements | Material You UI (Android 14) | Material You UI (Android 14) |
🔋 Battery Life
| Feature | Google Pixel 8a | Google Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | ~4,500 mAh | 4,575 mAh |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Charging Speed | 18W wired, 7.5W wireless | 27W wired, 18W wireless (with Pixel Stand) |
| Fast Charging Support | Yes (wired and wireless) | Yes (wired and wireless) |
| Battery Life (Est.) | ~24-30 hours (mixed usage) | ~24-36 hours (mixed usage) |
| Screen-on Time (SOT) | ~6-7 hours | ~7-8 hours (official) |
| Adaptive Battery | Yes (AI-based optimization) | Yes (AI-based optimization) |
| Extreme Battery Saver | Yes | Yes |
| Charging Technology | USB-C (Power Delivery) | USB-C (Power Delivery) |
| Wireless Charging | Yes (Qi-certified) | Yes (Qi-certified, up to 18W with Pixel Stand) |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Software Optimization | Android 14 (with Pixel-exclusive battery features) | Android 14 (with Pixel-exclusive battery features) |
| Battery Health Features | Adaptive charging, battery health monitoring | Adaptive charging, battery health monitoring |
⚡ Charging Speed
| Feature | Google Pixel 8a | Google Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | ~4,500 mAh | 4,575 mAh |
| Wired Charging Speed | 18W | 27W (with USB-PD 3.0 PPS) |
| Wireless Charging | No | Yes (up to 18W with Qi-certified chargers) |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | No | Yes (Pixel Stand compatible) |
| Charging Technology | USB-C (standard charging) | USB-C (with Adaptive Charging) |
| Time to 50% Charge | ~35-40 minutes | ~30 minutes |
| Full Charge Time | ~1 hour 45 minutes | ~1 hour 30 minutes |
| Charging Adapter | Not included | Not included |
| Battery Optimization | Adaptive Battery (AI-based optimization) | Adaptive Battery + Extreme Battery Saver |
| Fast Charging Support | Limited to 18W | Supports up to 27W (with compatible charger) |
🔊 Speaker Test
| Feature | Google Pixel 8a | Google Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker Setup | Stereo speakers (bottom-firing + earpiece) | Stereo speakers (bottom-firing + earpiece) |
| Audio Output | Standard stereo sound | Standard stereo sound |
| Loudness | Good (clear and loud audio output) | Excellent (clear and loud audio output) |
| Bass Performance | Moderate bass | Improved bass (with better depth and clarity) |
| Clarity | Good clarity for mid and high ranges | Excellent clarity across all ranges |
| Spatial Audio | No spatial audio support | No spatial audio support |
| Dolby Atmos Support | No | No |
| Volume Levels | Adequate for casual use | Higher volume levels for immersive listening |
| Distortion at High Volume | Minimal distortion | Minimal distortion even at high volumes |
| Microphone Integration | Standard microphone for calls and recordings | Advanced microphone for clearer voice capture |
| Audio Enhancements | Basic audio tuning | Adaptive audio tuning with AI-based enhancements |
| 3.5mm Headphone Jack | No | No |
| Bluetooth Audio | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Speaker Durability | Standard durability | Standard durability |
🚀 Performance
| Feature | Google Pixel 8a | Google Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Google Tensor G3 | Google Tensor G3 |
| CPU | 1x Cortex-X3, 4x Cortex-A715, 4x Cortex-A510 | 1x Cortex-X3, 4x Cortex-A715, 4x Cortex-A510 |
| GPU | ARM Mali-G715 | ARM Mali-G715 |
| RAM | 8 GB LPDDR5X | 8 GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage Options | 128 GB (UFS 3.1) | 128 GB / 256 GB (UFS 3.1) |
| Cooling System | Standard passive cooling | Improved vapor chamber cooling |
| AI Capabilities | AI-powered features (slightly limited compared to Pixel 8) | Advanced AI features (e.g., Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur) |
| Machine Learning | On-device ML with Tensor G3 (optimized for efficiency) | On-device ML with Tensor G3 (full performance) |
| Benchmark Scores | Slightly lower due to underclocked processor | Higher performance in benchmarks (AnTuTu, Geekbench) |
| Thermal Performance | May throttle under heavy loads | Better thermal management due to improved cooling |
| Software | Android 14 (Pixel-exclusive features) | Android 14 (Pixel-exclusive features) |
| Performance Mode | Standard performance mode | Adaptive performance mode (optimized for gaming and heavy tasks) |
| Gaming Performance | Good for casual gaming, may struggle with high-end games | Excellent for high-end gaming (better sustained performance) |
| Battery Efficiency | Optimized for efficiency, may sacrifice performance | Balanced performance and efficiency |
📊 Benchmark Performance
GeekBench 6
| Specification | Google Pixel 8a | Google Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Core Score | ~1500 | ~1600 |
| Multi-Core Score | ~3500 | ~4000 |
Antutu 10
| Specification | Google Pixel 8a | Google Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | ~800,000 | ~1,000,000 |
3DMark
| Specification | Google Pixel 8a | Google Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics Score | ~6000 | ~7000 |
📸 Camera Comparison
| Feature | Google Pixel 8a | Google Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Camera Setup | 64 MP (main) + 12 MP (ultrawide) | 50 MP (main) + 12 MP (ultrawide) |
| Main Sensor | Sony IMX787 | Samsung GN2 (1/1.31″, large sensor) |
| Aperture (Main) | f/1.8 | f/1.7 |
| Ultrawide Sensor | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K @ 60fps, 1080p @ 30/60/120fps | Up to 4K @ 60fps, 1080p @ 30/60/120fps |
| Stabilization | OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) + EIS | OIS + EIS |
| Front Camera | 12 MP | 10.5 MP (autofocus) |
| Front Video Recording | Up to 4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 30/60fps | Up to 4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 30/60fps |
| HDR Video Support | Yes (HDR10+) | Yes (HDR10+) |
| Slow Motion | Up to 240fps at 1080p | Up to 240fps at 1080p |
| AI Enhancements | Google Tensor G3 (improved AI photo/video processing) | Google Tensor G3 (advanced AI photo/video processing) |
| Night Sight | Yes (improved low-light performance) | Yes (enhanced with Tensor G3) |
| Macro Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Portrait Mode | Yes (AI-based depth sensing) | Yes (AI-based depth sensing) |
| Zoom Capabilities | Up to 8x Super Res Zoom | Up to 8x Super Res Zoom |
| Software Features | Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Real Tone | Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Real Tone, Best Take |
| Display Resolution | FHD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels) OLED | FHD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels) OLED |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness | Up to 1400 nits (peak) | Up to 2000 nits (peak HDR) |
| Software | Android 14 (Pixel-exclusive features) | Android 14 (Pixel-exclusive features) |
🎥 Video Quality
| Feature | Google Pixel 8a | Google Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Camera Setup | 64 MP (main) + 12 MP (ultrawide) | 50 MP (main) + 12 MP (ultrawide) |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K @ 30/60fps, 1080p @ 30/60/120fps | Up to 4K @ 30/60fps, 1080p @ 30/60/120/240fps |
| Stabilization | OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) + EIS | OIS + EIS + Enhanced stabilization features |
| Front Camera | 12 MP | 10.5 MP |
| Front Video Recording | Up to 4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 30/60fps | Up to 4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 30/60fps |
| HDR Video Support | Yes (HDR10+ supported) | Yes (HDR10+ supported) |
| Slow Motion | Up to 240fps at 1080p | Up to 240fps at 1080p |
| AI Enhancements | AI-powered video features (e.g., Night Sight Video) | Advanced AI features (e.g., Real Tone, Night Sight Video) |
| Microphone Quality | Stereo microphones with noise cancellation | Stereo microphones with advanced noise cancellation |
| Audio Recording | Stereo audio recording | Stereo audio recording |
| Display Resolution | FHD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels) OLED | FHD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels) OLED |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz (adaptive) |
| Brightness | Up to 1400 nits (peak HDR) | Up to 2000 nits (peak HDR) |
| Software Enhancements | Stock Android 14 with Pixel-exclusive features | Stock Android 14 with Pixel-exclusive features |
🏆 Overall Verdict
📱 Google Pixel 8a
✅ Pros:
✔ Lower Price – More affordable while keeping many flagship features.
✔ Bigger Main Camera Sensor – 64MP vs. Pixel 8’s 50MP (higher resolution).
✔ Same Tensor G3 Chip – Delivers similar AI-powered performance.
✔ Larger Front Camera – 13MP vs. Pixel 8’s 10.5MP, great for selfies.
✔ Same 120Hz OLED Display – Offers smooth visuals at a lower cost.
✔ Google Software Experience – Same Pixel UI and AI features.
❌ Cons:
✖ Plastic Back – Feels less premium compared to the Pixel 8’s glass back.
✖ Slower Wireless Charging – 7.5W vs. Pixel 8’s 18W (with Pixel Stand).
✖ Lacks Premium Extras – No Gorilla Glass Victus or advanced camera processing.
📱 Google Pixel 8
✅ Pros:
✔ Premium Build – Glass back with Gorilla Glass Victus feels more durable.
✔ Better Video & AI Features – Slightly improved computational photography.
✔ Faster Wireless Charging – Supports up to 18W with the Pixel Stand.
✔ More Compact & Lighter – Slightly smaller and easier to hold.
❌ Cons:
✖ More Expensive – Higher price for only marginal upgrades.
✖ Lower MP Main Camera – 50MP vs. Pixel 8a’s 64MP (but still better processing).
