Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 5a: Is it time to upgrade yet?

Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 5a: Specs

Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 5a: Price and availability

The Pixel 5a launched during an era of supply chain shortages in a handful of countries and was quickly discontinued just one year later. Fortunately, Google’s budget phones haven’t become all that much more expensive since then. The Pixel 8a launches at a $50 premium compared to its three-year-old predecessor, but it’s still a strong value at $500. At the very least, it didn’t get a $100 hike like the mainline Pixel 8 series.

With so many upgrades on offer (more on that in the next section), the Pixel 8a is a worthy upgrade. The Pixel 5a will no longer receive any security patches either. The 8a is notably the first Google A-series device to offer 256GB of storage too, for a slight premium.

Pre-orders for the Pixel 8a are now open via the Google Store and various carriers. The phone hits store shelves in the US, UK, and other European countries on May 14.

Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 5a: Should you upgrade?

Google’s modern smartphone design language is on full display with the Pixel 8a and it’s a big departure compared to the Pixel 5a that released in 2021. For starters, the new phone gets Google’s signature camera visor, a staple of every Pixel phone since the Pixel 6.

The biggest difference you’ll notice going from the Pixel 5a to the Pixel 8a is the latter’s higher-end display. At 6.1 inches, it’s a bit smaller, but you gain some features like a 120Hz refresh rate, significantly higher brightness, and an in-display fingerprint reader. The Pixel 5a’s 60Hz refresh rate was already going out of fashion in the smartphone market when it was released, so the upgrade to 120Hz is definitely a welcome upgrade.

The Pixel 8a features a 0.2-inch smaller display than the Pixel 5a, which will make for a noticeable ergonomic difference in the hand. The narrower and shorter build will fit smaller hands even better, for example. And the higher refresh rate means that you’ll notice an immediate improvement in smoothness, especially during animations and scrolling.

On the subject of smoothness, Google has given the Pixel 8a its latest and greatest Tensor G3 SoC. While it’s a bit underpowered compared to the best mobile processors, the G3 is still a bargain and a half at $500. The Pixel 5a’s Snapdragon 765G was a much more modest chip by comparison, although the phone did cost less. The newer Pixel 8a also gets 2GB of extra RAM, matching the more expensive Pixel 8.

The Pixel 8a’s camera hardware is slightly better across the board, too — the 64MP primary sensor is the star of the show, and it’s a big upgrade over the Pixel 5a’s 12MP shooter. Besides the obvious resolution bump, the new sensor is also larger and capable of gathering more light. This directly translates to better-looking shots with less processing, especially when the sun goes down.

The Tensor G3 also powers the many language and camera-related AI features, including Google’s Gemini Nano language model. We’ve only seen the latter power smaller features like Summarize in the Recorder app and Smart Reply in Gboard so far, though. Elsewhere, the Pixel 8a also packs the new AI-based Best Take, Magic Editor, and Audio Magic Eraser features that we first saw on the mainline Pixel 8 series.

While battery capacity hasn’t changed going from the Pixel 5a to the 8a, the latter features wireless charging support for quick top-ups. However, it’s rather slow at 7.5W — most other smartphones top out at 15W or higher. Still, it’s rare to see any wireless charging support on a $500 device.

Moving on, software support might be a big reason to consider the Pixel 8a, as it enjoys Google’s seven-year update guarantee. The Pixel 5a, meanwhile, received only three years of updates and will receive its final one in August 2024. On the other hand, the Pixel 8a is easily the longest-supported Android phone on the market at its price point, with promised support stretching up to 2031.

Luckily, the Pixel 8a’s hardware should also last in your pocket for the next seven years. Similar to the Pixel 5a, it features a satin aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 3 on the front, and a matte-finish plastic back. While the display protection is a bit dated, it still has IP67 water resistance that can handle incidental splashes and rain without hesitation.

Google’s A-series smartphones have historically offered excellent value, and the Pixel 8a continues that tradition. For the most part, it delivers an experience that’s nearly on par with the company’s flagship smartphones, while costing several hundred dollars less. And even though we heard rumors of a price hike earlier, that didn’t materialize, and Google has stuck to the $500 price point. The Pixel 8a thus seems like a compelling buy, particularly if you’re coming from an older device in the series like the Pixel 5a.

Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 5a: FAQ