Google Pixel 8a has just landed in India in two options, such as 8GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB. The pricing of these variants is Rs 52,999 and Rs 59,999, respectively. In the US, the device is priced at around $499, which is the same as the starting price of the Pixel 7a, which debuted last year.
In India, the price is significantly higher than the Pixel 7a’s starting price of Rs 43,999. Now that the price of the Pixel A-series has breached the Rs 50,000 mark in India, it can no longer be considered a mid-tier offering. Several alternatives offer much better specs than the Pixel 8a. However, the Pixel 8a still holds an edge over its competitor
1. iQOO 12
Launched in December 2022, the iQOO 12 is the first phone to launch with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip in the global market. Built for gaming, the iQOO 12 offers decent cameras, including a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 64-megapixel periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. In addition, it packs a 144Hz AMOLED display and a 5,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging support. The device is listed for Rs 52,999 on Amazon.
2. Nothing Phone (2)
Available for Rs 37,999 via Flipkart, the Nothing Phone 2 is an all-rounder phone featuring the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, a 6.7-inch OLED FHD+ 120Hz display, up to 12 GB of RAM, up to 512 GB of storage, and a 4,700mAh battery with 45W charging. For photography, it has a 50-megapixel (main) + 50-megapixel (ultrawide) dual camera system on the back.
3. Samsung Galaxy S23
The Samsung Galaxy S23, which debuted last year with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip onboard, is now available for Rs 46,999. It is the only Android phone on the list to offer longer software support, with seven years of OS upgrades and security updates. Available for Rs 46,999, the S23 features a 50-megapixel main camera with OIS, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera. It is a compact phone featuring a 6.1-inch AMOLED FHD+ 120Hz display, a 3,900mAh battery with 25W fast charging and 15W wireless charging support, and an IP68-rated chassis.
4. iPhone 14 Plus
The iPhone 14 Plus, which debuted in September 2022, is now available for Rs 59,999 on Flipkart. It packs a 6.7-inch OLED screen, an Apple 15 Bionic chip, 6 GB of RAM, and a 4,323mAh battery. For photography, it has a 12-megapixel front camera, and a 12-megapixel (main, with OIS) + 12-megapixel (ultra-wide) dual-camera setup. In addition, it supports Face ID and comes with an IP68-rated body.
5. OnePlus 12R
Launched in January this year, the OnePlus 12R is a gaming-focused phone with a starting price of Rs 39,999. It has a 6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. It has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, up to 12 GB of RAM, 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage, and a 5,500mAh battery with 100W charging. The device features an OIS-assisted 50-megapixel triple camera system on the back and a 15-megapixel selfie camera.
6. What does the Pixel 8a offer?
What makes the Google Pixel 8a interesting is that it is the first Pixel A-series phone to feature a 120Hz OLED screen, which measures 6.1 inches. The Pixel 8a will receive seven years of OS and security updates, just like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Being a Pixel series phone, it will also be treated with the Pixel Feature Drops.
It has the same Tensor G3 chip that powers the Pixel 8 duo. At present, there is no clarity on whether the Pixel 8a’s G3 chip is an underclocked version.
The SoC is coupled with LPDDR5x RAM, UFS 3.1 storage, and a 4,492mAh battery with 18W wired and wireless charging. The Pixel 8a has a smaller battery and slower charging capabilities as compared to its competitors.
When it comes to durability, it offers Gorilla Glass 3 protection for the screen and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. It comes with other features, such as dual stereo speakers, an in-screen fingerprint scanner, Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C (USB 3.2), NFC, and dual SIM (nano+eSIM) support.
For photography, it has a 13-megapixel Sony IMX712 front camera, and a 64-megapixel (Sony IMX787, with OIS) + 13-megapixel (ultra-wide) dual-camera setup on the back.
It offers several features for an enhanced photography experience, including Magic Editor, Best Take, Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Face Unblur, Real Tone, Top Shot, Live HDR+, and Ultra HDR. It also offers Google-exclusive features, such as Gemini, Circle to Search, Pixel Call Assist, and Audio Emoji.
7. Why does Pixel 8a have an edge over the competition?
The Pixel 8a distinguishes itself from its competitors by appearing as a compact flagship phone equipped with a 6.1-inch display. Offering a longer seven-year software support compared to its higher-end counterparts, it stays relevant and secure over the long term. Samsung comes close with the same kind of upgrade promise for the S23. Google’s Pixel Feature Drops further enhance the user experience on the Pixel 8a by offering exclusive features.
Sharing the Tensor G3 chipset with the Pixel 8 series, the Pixel 8a promises top-notch performance. Because it is part of the Pixel series, it is unlikely to disappoint in the photography department. Moreover, with features like Gorilla Glass 3 protection and an IP67 rating for durability, the Pixel 8a presents a compelling package, despite its smaller battery and slower charging, securing its position as a standout choice in the smartphone market.
If you are looking for a compact flagship-grade phone with top-notch camera performance, the Pixel 8a is for you. It will be available for purchase starting May 15 via Flipkart in India. If the hefty price tag of the 8a deters you from buying, consider waiting a couple of months. The Pixel 8a may become an irresistible device if it receives a price cut later this year.
