Google Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: What are the differences?
On Tuesday, Google finally showed off the Pixel 8a. Of course, we've already lined up a comparison with last year's Pixel 7a for you.
On the surface, these two phones have a lot in common, as one would expect from a one-year iteration on Google's budget Pixel line. But to Google's credit, there have actually been some major changes under the hood between the Pixel 7a and 8a.
Here's how those changes (and every other difference between the two phones) stack up.
Pixel 8a vs. 7a: Price and specs
As of right now, both Pixel 8a and 7a cost the same amount: $500. That makes the rest of this category easy, as we can directly compare the specs of both devices without worrying about value.
Here are the Pixel 8a's basic specs:
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Google Tensor G3 chip
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8GB RAM
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128GB or 256GB storage
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6.1-inch display with 2,400 x 1,080-pixel resolution
And here's how the Pixel 7a looks by comparison:
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Google Tensor G2 chip
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8GB RAM
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128GB storage
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6.1-inch display with 2,400 x 1,080-pixel resolution
As you can see, the surface-level specs of the two phones are very similar. A couple of noteworthy differences jump out. The Pixel 8a has a newer Tensor G3 chip and an option for twice the storage, which admittedly bumps the price up to $559.
But even if you don't go for more storage, the Pixel 8a offers more for the same price.
Winner: Pixel 8a
Pixel 8a vs. 7a: Design
When it comes to design, Google was probably never going to change things up too much with an A-series Pixel phone. That's definitely the case here.
Both the Pixel 7a and 8a share the same basic design language, with the horizontal camera bar near the top of the phone's backside. There's not much to talk about in terms of dimensional differences, either:
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Pixel 8a: 6.0 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches
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Pixel 7a: 6.0 x 2.8 x 0.4 inches
See what I mean? The two phones are practically the same in terms of size. They even have the same listed weight of 6.8oz.
Both have different colors, though. Pixel 8a's options include aloe, bay, obsidian, and porcelain. On the Pixel 7a, Google offers orange, light blue, black, and white.
This category is so subjective, since basically the only meaningful difference is color choices. I tend to prefer the 8a's options, but it doesn't matter that much.
Winner: Pixel 8a
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: Display
This category is easy. There's only one major difference between the displays on Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a. The former can go up to 120Hz,; the latter can only rise to 90Hz.
Everything else, from resolution to screen size, is the same. But scrolling will feel marginally nicer and smoother on Pixel 8a.
Winner: Pixel 8a
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: Performance
This is another slam dunk for Pixel 8a.
Put simply, a newer processor most likely equals better performance. This could change once we've had more time with the Pixel 8a in our hands, but performance was great in last year's Tensor G3-powered Pixel 8, and it should stay that way in the Pixel 8a.
Winner: Pixel 8a
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: Camera
Google Pixel phones are generally regarded as best-in-class when it comes to smartphone photography, but the A-series doesn't always push the envelope forward in that regard.
Without wasting too much time, both the Pixel 8a and 7a have the exact same camera arrays. Both phones have 64MP wide lenses, 13MP ultra-wide lenses, and 13MP front lenses. Even the apertures are the same across both devices. When it comes to pure, physical specs, there's no contest because the two phone are exactly the same.
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: Camera features
But when it comes to features, that's where things get a little more spicy.
Pixel 8a can do everything the Pixel 7a can do, offering Portrait Mode, Face Unblur, Night Sight, and Magic Eraser, among other odds and ends. But it can also do a bunch of other stuff that didn't make it into the Pixel line until the Pixel 8 came around, such as Magic Editor and Best Take.
Those AI-powered features are fueled by Tensor G3, so they just wouldn't be possible on Pixel 7a.
Winner: Pixel 8a
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: Battery life
It's difficult to say which phone's battery life is better without intense testing. But we can at least look at the numbers.
It's simple. Pixel 8a's battery size is 4,492mAh and Pixel 7a's is 4,385. That should give the Pixel 8a a leg up, but all sorts of other factors can change that. For now, this category goes to the newer phone, but we'll have to wait and see.
Winner: Pixel 8a
Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: Which should you buy?
As expected, the newer phone comes out on top.
Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a are practically the same phone, just with different processors, (optionally) more storage, and more camera features. Considering they cost the same amount of money (unless Google does a price drop in the near future), it's hard to recommend Pixel 7a over Pixel 8a.
Winner: Pixel 8a
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