Pixel 8a vs Pixel 8: Google’s Weird Upgrade

Do you ever look at two phones and feel like you're seeing double? 👀

The new Google Pixel 8a and the older Pixel 8 are in so many ways *almost* identical. Same processor, RAM, storage, design, similar battery capacity. Even the screen size and weight are very nearly the same. And yet these two are priced $200 apart -- which is a not inconsiderable chunk of change to go from $500 for the budget Pixel up to $700 for the phone that sits just below the flagship Pixel 8 Pro.

So what gives? What are the many hidden differences between these two very appealing Google phones... And ultimately which one should you buy?

0:00 Intro
0:42 Hardware
2:46 Where is the Pixel 8 better?
4:20 What's the same?
5:40 Cameras
6:37 Photo Samples
8:13 Videography
9:01 Pixel UI
10:03 The Verdict

Follow us:

[varunpai]

The biggest mistake is that new logo 😢

[dtincworldnews]

There is nothing wrong with this phone. It's just a cheaper Pixel 8. That's it! Take it or leave it.

[majtechtings]

Wait wait wait wait wait...Alex Dobie doing pocketnow? So stoked on this! Alex has been fire since the days of Android central...this is a great get for pocketnow.

[carloslara]

What the hell happened to Jaimer Rivera he got fired? XDA now new logo and no explanation

[fboost]

The mkbhd blind camera test would disagree with your take on the cameras. Seeing as the 7a which has the same camera as 8a won against all flagship phones. Depends if you want bragging rights or actual better photos.

[XP]

If ur in the US the 8 is literally on sale like every month for $499-549. The charging speed alone is worth the extra $50 to me. Ik 27w is pretty average nowadays but coming from the 4a 5G/6a that did 18w, the jump to 27w is extremely noticable, especially at lower percentages.

[lildinocap]

Thanks for the video. I recently got the pixel 8 after I drop my pixel 6 one too many times and it was on such a discount but I didn't know if the 8 was better than the 8A cuz I'm so used to the a series but this was very clear and concise video. I appreciate it

[brushankpatra]

Have all the tech YT channels merged or something here? Is it a bug or glitch? WTF is happening 🤯

[LarsRyeJeppesen]

Biggest Pixel issue imho is that outside the US it is a newtered phone. So many features disabled or not working .

[joestone]

"4 to 4.5 hours of screen on time" Are you crazy? I easily get 12 hours screen on time!

[Peterstarzynskitech]

Dang, pocketnow really changed their logo?

[photosquare]

The 8a camera has no macro mode and the wideangle camera has no autofocus. For me this is a downside.

[Wesjapa]

I live in Portugal and the difference between the 2 on Google Store is 270 euros. However, on Amazon the 8 is only 50 euros more expensive, so...

[LeandroFTW]

Why don't they release them at the same time?

[flexor]

I had to return the Pixel 8a. Why you ask? Well it has a low quality screen. By low quality, it shows purple color shifts when off axis. You may be asking well why is that a big deal you don't look at the screen off axis when using, right? Well it shifts when slightly off axis. Meaning, you push a button and the phone moves AT ALL. They went with a low quality screen to save money. They didn't go this low however with the previous A series phones.

[xBINARYGODx]

the price is too close - $5-8 a month, for most, is not a big deal. For some, sure - but not enough for the discount to be so slim, and I think the difference would be worth it - but I also would not get anything less than the top of line, biggest pixel phone.

[___David__]

At this point, with the amount of shilling for Google's failed and garbage phones, you might as well rebrand to "Pixel Now".

[robr]

Waiting for the Pixel 9 with a more efficient Tensor G4 chip. Until then I'm happy with the Pixel 6a

[hensongualberto]

Pixel 8A is weird, but your new logo is even more weird.

[newfnshow]

people are always talking about the next version of the phone after 5 months. It's fn exhausting. Anyway pixel 8 came out 7 months ago almost 8 to be exact