Phones · 2024 · Google

Google Pixel 8a

The Pixel 8a is Google’s affordable phone for 2024. It offers the Pixel 8’s Tensor G3 chip and 8 GB of memory with a 6.1-inch 120 Hz OLED display in a compact body, and was the first A-series model promised seven years of updates. Gorilla Glass 3, IP67 and 18 W wired charging are where costs were cut.

8 GB RAM, 128/256 GB; North America GKV4X, rest of world G6GPR, Japan G576D, mmWave model G8HHN.

Specifications

SpecificationValue
Display6.1-inch Actua OLED; 1080 × 2400, 430 ppi, 20:9; always-on display

The always-on display shows the time, notifications and the song playing nearby (Now Playing) at low power while the phone is locked.

Refresh rateSmooth Display, up to 120 Hz

The upper limit, 90 Hz on earlier A-series phones, rises to 120 Hz on this model; Google notes it is not available in every app.

Brightness and contrastUp to 1,400 nits (HDR) and up to 2,000 nits peak; >1,000,000:1 contrast

HDR brightness is measured with the whole screen lit and peak brightness with only 5% lit.

Cover glass and buildCorning Gorilla Glass 3 on the front; matte composite back; matte aluminium frame

The aluminium in the housing and camera bar is 100% recycled; the back cover uses 76% recycled plastic.

DurabilityIP67 dust and water resistance (IEC 60529)

IP67 means full dust protection and resistance to brief immersion; it is one step below IP68. Protection can diminish over time.

ProcessorGoogle Tensor G3; Titan M2 security coprocessor

It is the same chip as the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.

Memory and storage8 GB LPDDR5X RAM; 128 GB or 256 GB UFS 3.1 storage

There is no card slot; the 256 GB option is not offered in every country.

Main camera64 MP Quad PD wide; 0.8 μm pixels, f/1.89, 80° field of view, 1/1.73-inch sensor; optical + electronic stabilisation

Super Res Zoom up to 8x is software magnification; there is no telephoto camera.

Ultrawide camera13 MP; 1.12 μm pixels, f/2.2, 120° field of view, lens correction
Front camera13 MP; f/2.2, fixed focus, 96.5° ultrawide
VideoRear: 4K and 1080p at 30/60 fps, slow motion up to 240 fps, digital zoom up to 5x; front: 4K and 1080p at 30 fps; HEVC and AVC
Battery4,492 mAh typical (minimum 4,404 mAh); 24+ hours, up to 72 hours with Extreme Battery Saver

According to Google, average battery life in testing was at least 31 hours; figures are based on a median user profile.

ChargingWired up to 18 W (with the Google 30 W USB-C charger); Qi-certified wireless charging

No charger is included; the box contains a USB-C cable and a Quick Switch adapter for transferring data from an old phone.

WirelessWi-Fi 6E (2.4/5/6 GHz; Wi-Fi 6 in India); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; Google Cast
LocationGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou (no BeiDou in the US, NavIC added in India)
Cellular and SIM5G Sub-6: North America GKV4X, rest of world G6GPR, Japan G576D (FeliCa); mmWave model G8HHN; single nano-SIM + eSIM
Authentication and sensorsUnder-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock; proximity, ambient light, accelerometer, gyrometer, magnetometer, barometer
USB and audioUSB-C 3.2; stereo speakers, two microphones
Software and updatesLaunched with Android 14; seven years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates

The seven years count from the first sale date on the US Google Store; this was the first A-series phone with the promise.

Dimensions and weight152.1 × 72.7 × 8.9 mm; 189 g
Colours and warrantyObsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe; one-year warranty in the US, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and India, two years in Europe and Australia

Strengths and limitations

  • In TechRadar’s tests the Pixel 8a matched and sometimes beat the Pixel 8 in processor, graphics and display measurements. Photos were often indistinguishable from the Pixel 8 Pro on a phone screen; the difference only showed in very dark scenes. The 6.1-inch size was comfortable for long stretches of typing, though the bezels are thick. The display looked very bright indoors but was hard to read under overhead California sun. In an early rundown test it lasted just over 11 hours; 18 W charging trailed rivals.

    Test on launch software in May 2024; Aloe review unit. The battery result is an early measurement from testing that was still in progress when the review was published.

    TechRadar: Google Pixel 8a review

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Sources

  1. Google Pixel Help: Pixel phone hardware tech specs (Pixel 8a)
  2. TechRadar: Google Pixel 8a review