6 months later, the Pixel 8a feels like a Google phone from another era

Generally, I’ll sit right down to assessment a cellphone, not understanding that will probably be the final of its sort. I didn’t know that the Galaxy S23 Extremely can be the final time I’d use a Samsung cellphone with a curved show, nor did I do know that Google would ditch its rear-mounted fingerprint sensor following the launch of the Pixel 5a. If I did, I may need proven these contains a bit extra love as a approach of claiming farewell.

Then, there are occasions while you notice {that a} cellphone will bear vital adjustments a lot sooner. Google’s Pixel 8a, for instance, is simply six months outdated, however I can already inform that we received’t see one other cellphone prefer it for a very long time. It’s not simply the up to date design that implies issues are altering, both — I believe Google has modified what it means to be a Pixel machine, making its most inexpensive mannequin really feel like a throwback to a different age.

As quickly as I completed my preliminary Pixel 8a assessment, I shipped the mid-ranger throughout the nation to my colleague C. Scott Brown. I went on to my subsequent assessment, and he figured enjoying round with one in every of Google’s extra inexpensive choices is likely to be enjoyable. Throughout that point, I forgot what it felt like to make use of one in every of Google’s older designs, letting flattened aspect rails and premium supplies like titanium take their place in my thoughts. However, like all issues, the Pixel 8a discovered its approach again into my pocket earlier than lengthy, and when it did, I received to find out how a lot I favored Google’s earlier Pixel design once more.

I returned to the Pixel 8a after spending the higher a part of the final two months with a Pixel 9 (or Pixel 9 Professional) in my pocket, and I figured they wouldn’t be too totally different. I used to be incorrect. Nearly every part, from the construction of the digicam bar to the form of the body to how the again panel meets that body, seems like a throwback on the 8a. Perhaps I shouldn’t name it a throwback when it was Google’s design commonplace only a yr in the past, however the change is outstanding.

Once I returned to the Pixel 8a, I had forgotten simply how spherical and pebble-like Google’s aluminum body was. It meets the composite (learn plastic) again at a mild curve and continues to the flat 6.1-inch AMOLED panel with a comparatively thick bezel. The body holds different adjustments, too, like the truth that Google beforehand positioned its buttons, ports, and speaker in direction of the rear of the cellphone’s sides as a way to account for the again panel’s further bump. Truthfully, that is one change I don’t thoughts, because the centered buttons on the Pixel 9 sequence look considerably extra premium.

Maybe essentially the most vital change, although, in leaping from the Pixel 8a to the Pixel 9 and again once more is that I’d forgotten how a lot the digicam bar has modified. When Google launched its now-iconic characteristic on the Pixel 6 sequence, it unfold from one edge to the opposite, highlighting the cameras in one thing akin to a shiny visor. That design caught round for just a few years, just for Google to shrink it to a smaller, better-protected digicam island on the Pixel 9 sequence. I nonetheless suppose the brand new design seems good, don’t get me incorrect, however I liked the break up look and the extra artistic shade choices that went with the complete visor.

Sadly, I believe the Pixel 8a falls brief in sturdiness. Positive, it has an IP67 score, so it’ll preserve water and dirt at bay, however each the composite again and Gorilla Glass 3 show picked up just a few scuffs and scrapes, but Scott and I’ve solely used the cellphone for a fraction of the time we’ve had it.

It’s not simply the older {hardware} that I’ve needed to regulate to whereas coming again to the Pixel 8a, both — the software program is extra totally different than I anticipated, too. Once I arrange my Pixel 8a for the second time, I ran via all of its obtainable updates, bringing the cellphone to Android 15 earlier than I began to make use of it once more. At first, I figured it would really feel near what I’d simply completed utilizing on the Pixel 9 Professional, however that’s not the case.

Whereas each telephones are working Android 15 and have the “Pixel” branding, Google hasn’t precisely leveled the AI enjoying area for its complete lineup but. I fired up my Pixel 8a, anticipating entry to the brand new Pixel Climate app and questioning if I’d get Pixel Studio or Pixel Screenshots, solely to seek out out I had not one of the above. As an alternative, my Gemini expertise began with Gemini Dwell and ended with Circle to Search. I nonetheless had the older, much less thrilling climate app, and my screenshots confirmed up in Google Images identical to they all the time had. Capturing a panorama required me to maintain my digicam completely balanced between two horizontal strains, not like the Pixel 9’s new and improved panorama mode — simpler stated than executed.

There are just a few extra AI-powered Gemini tips to strive, however not many. The Pixel 8a packs digicam options like Magic Editor, Audio Magic Eraser, and Face Unblur, however they’re not fairly on the extent you get with the Pixel 9 sequence. You are able to do different issues, like generate AI wallpapers based mostly on easy prompts and faucet into Dwell Translate, however one thing is lacking. It seems just like the Pixel 8a needs to offer you a free trial of Gemini, however it’s important to seize a flagship Pixel in order for you the entire expertise.

Fortunately, the replace to Android 15 did deliver just a few thrilling new options to the Pixel 8a. Even when it hasn’t gained the distinctive Pixel choices like Climate, Screenshots, and Studio, it did snag improved safety features like Theft Detection Lock and Distant Lock, each of which make your Pixel 8a safer ought to it wind up out of your palms. After all, these can be found on different Pixels and different telephones that can get Android 15, too, so added safety doesn’t assist the Pixel 8a sustain towards Google’s ever-evolving flagships.

In the end, I noticed in returning to the Pixel 8a that Google has modified what it means to be a Pixel. When it launched the Pixel 6 sequence, it confirmed that it might have a hand in constructing a chipset and use it to gas a flagship expertise with out the flagship worth. Google then refined its providing with the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 sequence, letting costs climb barely however sticking to its weapons in balancing energy and worth. All of the whereas, it stored the Pixel A sequence at an virtually impossibly good worth, pairing its newest Tensor chip with barely cheaper supplies to offer you an expertise that far outweighed its mid-range price ticket and different cheaper telephones.

At launch, the Pixel 8a felt like a no brainer to suggest as a result of it completely match that mould. It arrived at a barely increased worth of $499, but it nonetheless undercut the Pixel 8 by a cushty $200 whereas providing the overwhelming majority of the identical expertise. It was the kind of worth that earned an Editor’s Alternative badge in our preliminary assessment, garnering reward for its chipset, wealthy show, and strong battery life, all of which had been greater than sufficient to make up for using plastic and the underwhelming charging choices. I used to be even prepared to seize the Pixel 8a over its flagship counterparts if the telephones had been at full worth, primarily since you might use these financial savings to select up a pair of Pixel Buds or most of a Pixel Watch.

Then, Google made its Pixel 8a a fair higher worth by elevating the worth of the Pixel 9 sequence. Out of the blue, you had a $300 hole, making it potential to construct a fledgling sensible house with the cash saved by sticking with a mid-ranger. Or, not less than, that’s how I assumed I’d really feel. I shortly realized that the Pixel 9 sequence had develop into dearer as a result of it had raised its sport to a brand new degree. Google had elevated its construct high quality to rival Apple and continued to guide the AI cost with the entire software program options I’d talked about above. It felt like Google had lastly mixed its {hardware} and software program in a approach it all the time wished to, nevertheless it left the Pixel 8a feeling only a bit too far behind.

It’s not all dangerous information, although. As they are saying, a rising tide lifts all ships, and I count on Google’s Pixel upgrades to trickle down sooner somewhat than later. Whereas they may not deliver the Pixel 8a solely on par with the Pixel 9 sequence, I believe they’ll get it nearer, and I believe they’ll arrange the eventual Pixel 9a for greater and higher issues. We’ve seen leaks that counsel the mid-ranger will observe the flagship’s design once more, and I can solely count on that it’s going to seize new software program options, too. This most likely implies that the Pixel 9a will probably be dearer when it arrives, nevertheless it’s a pure evolution for a cellphone that can probably rival Samsung’s Fan Version providing somewhat than its top-end Galaxy A tool.

When that day comes, I’ll most likely mud off the Pixel 8a once more, solely to surprise how Google made so many adjustments after only one yr.