I think y’all overlooked something… - Pixel 8a

Google is back with their new mid-ranger phone, the Pixel 8a, but does buying it make sense when the Pixel 8 is still available to buy? With a familiar design, similar specs, and somewhat similar pricing, does Linus think the choice is obvious? Find out today on a very special episode of ShortCircuit.

Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group.

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CHAPTERS
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0:00 There's still some value here
0:47 The cameras, display, and design impressions
5:12 Included accessories and specs
6:40 Sponsor - dbrand
7:27 LABS performance and battery test results
9:24 Speakers, software support, and overall thoughts
11:40 Outro

[turbochargedfilms]

"As someone who goes bareback, generally at great cost" - father of 3

[dip]

Finally someone that mentions how if the Pixel 8 often goes on sale, the Pixel 8a will also be going in sale

[adamSnyper]

Price on Androids (esp Pixels) drop like crazy just after the first year. My only advice buying a phone: Get a last year or 2 yr old flagship than a latest mid-range or budget. Almost same price and UX is on another level.

[swecreations]

1:09 I mean the Pixel 7A literally won the MKBHD blind camera test, which had multiple dozen flagship phones, you literally can't get much better than that.

[someoneelse]

The difference in Tensor G3 is actually because they're made differently. Pixel 8 uses FoPLP whereas 8a's G3 is packaged using iPoP, which decreases cost but in return - decreases efficiency. Google compensated for this in software and thus you see the differences in performance and thermals.

[DavidStruveDesigns]

"Why buy the $500 one when you can just buy the $650-700 one instead?" Well, maybe because I can't magically produce that extra $150-200 out of thin bloody air?? That should be good enough reason.

[zombieowen]

I'm in Canada, and the 8A is going for $679 on the Google Store and the 8 is $949. That's a significant difference.

[cladadverse]

Linus still using Note 9, I am astonished to know that owner of such a large business corporation still rocks a 6 year old phone, with no security updates.

[JamesRussoMillas]

The 3 amp cable thing makes no sense because 9V at 3A is 27 watts. If you mean the cable is only rated for 15W then that's a different story.

[RILDIGITAL]

It's great to see the value in Pixel 8A from a different perspective contrary to the common mindset. As upgrading often doesn't mean to get the most expensive one, but the one that best suits your needs. This review for sure will help many consumers make a more informed decision.

[your_average_cultured_dude]

as a pixel 6 user, I actually like the camera bar bump, and sometimes wish it was a bit bigger. If you put your index finger below the bump, it's really nice for holding/maneuvering the phone one-handed

[BCJDM]

I feel like Google purposely designs the A series screen to have a bigger bezel for more differentiation for the regular models. There's no reason it should have bezels like a phone from 2015

[greenmoose_]

am I the only one who goes to skip the sponsor section but stops myself when its Dbrand? Not because I want the product necessarily, but because it's generally hilarious? 😂😂

[dylanlamarre]

Bezels are mostly just bragging rights and dck measuring contest on spec sheet. For vast majority of the users, bezels are thin enough that they become a non issue after the first day living with the device.

[MCxx]

Got the 8a a couple days ago. Love it. And it actually fits in my hand.

[castortoutnu]

I bought my Pixel 6a from my mom about a year ago. She had a horrible "official" Google silicon case on it. That thing morphed out of shape quick, was too sticky and thus was hard to put in or take out of my pocket and accumulated a lot of dirt. Bareback glass is just too slippery for me. I bought a real leather case and the texture is just perfect. Not slippery but also not sticky. Always feels great. (It's real leather glued on hard plastic so the shape doesn't change). Bought it from Bellroy. It's expensive at 50€, but for the object I interact with the most in my day-to-day life, for hopefully at least two to three more years, is worth it.
Go leather case people.

[andrewachkar]

to everyone here, just buy the Pixel 8 by october (when the Pixel 9 drops) the price will drop significantly, and you'll still be getting several years of updates

[GhostRyderFPV]

My Geordi La Forge skin on my Pixel 6 is the only reason I haven't upgraded yet. I guess I've gotta design another, for an 8.

[BonJoviBeatlesLedZep]

Massive props for biting the bullet and putting Fantano-style dubbed audible corrections. I've been hoping for that for a while

[savagepro]

2:53 " . . . for someone who generally goes bareback . . ." I believe Linus is NOT horsing around here. Or maybe he is a . . . Stallion