Google Pixel 8a vs 8 vs Pro | Camera, Gaming, Battery & Beyond!

Comparing Google's Pixel 8a, Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, to see which of these Android smartphones is best for you. I've tested the camera capabilities, gaming performance, battery life and everyday experience of the fresh Pixel 8a as well as the Pixel 8 and that expensive Pro phone. So here's my comparison and check out my reviews for the full skinny on each Google blower!

Starting with the cameras, the Pixel 8 Pro is clearly the greatest choice here. That telephoto zoom lens is an excellent addition, while you also get bonus modes like 50MP shooting and RAW capture, plus Video Boost. Still, even the Pixel 8a can grab great looking photos in most conditions, plus respectable 4K resolution video.

Google's AI features are stuffed onto all three phones, offering the likes of Circle To Search and live translation. And the Pixel 8a, 8 and 8 Pro are all powered by that Tensor G3. This can handle gaming on Genshin Impact even on the highest settings, although not quite as smoothly as that Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Battery life is good no matter which Google Pixel smartphone you choose. However, the Pixel 8a certainly charges more slowly vs the 8 and Pro!

Pixel 8a vs 8 vs 8 Pro Review Chapters:
0:00 - Three-way action
0:51 - Design
3:59 - Android 14 & features
5:28 - AI tools
6:25 - Display & audio
8:51 - Performance & gaming
9:59 - Battery life
11:42 - Cameras
16:30 - Photo & video editing
17:09 - Verdict

[pineapplepizza]

Watching this on my 8 Pro that I've had since launch... Gotta say, this is the best phone I've had sofar

[DeepWater-rmvo]

Despite being a loyal Apple user, I got the Pixel 4a (5g) a while back and used it for about half a year, and ai have to say, the camera even of that one was absolutely divine and can keep up with the iPhone 14, so people using a Pixel 8 will be in for a treat no doubt

[naturestacey]

This is first time I have listened to one of your reviews, you are hilarious! And I learned what I was trying to find out. Thanks.

[Captain.AmericaV]

03:35 Uncle Spurt stroking his cat like a Bond villain!!

[dineyasnegash]

Handsdown Pixel phones take the best photos on any phone.

[Nirajb]

pixel 8a offers £150 extra trade value for an old working phone in the uk, so i think its a no brainer to take that over the 8 for that price

[prashantmehta]

18 watt charging in 2024 where brands are giving 125 watts is totally unacceptable, even the pro model only offering 30 watt charging is such a disappointment

[slavaukrania]

I'm getting the 8A to upgrade from 4A. 4A is fine, but the battery is due for a replacement soon ($100). So, I thought about trading it in for ($140), Google store credit ($100, expires after a year) and ($50) statement credit if I pay with my Google credit card.

Now the cons: I'm disappointed that it still has Gorilla Glass 3, thick bezels, much more expensive than previous models, and Google support is horrible.

I had a horrible experience with the 6A ( constantly overheating and dropped calls ), I gave up on the phone after 6 months of trying everything. The pictures on the 6A were amazing...

In general, I'm more tempted to get the OnePlus 12 or 12R over the 8A for a similar price. Even though it won't get 7 years of OS updates with the OnePlus, I think I would still get a more reliable phone and have a better customer service.

[thosko]

Is that Futaba from Persona 5 I see as the wallpaper? Based.

[JeffersSLT]

As always, an amazing in depth and concise video but also fun. I've been watching your reviews for several years now, so when beginning to look for a new phone a few weeks ago, you were the first channel I searched for. Today I upgraded from a Samsung to the Google Pixel 8 and I'm super happy with it. A phone is vital these days, it's like an extra limb, so important to know what your getting. You are so helpful, thank you so much for what you do honeslty, please keep up the wonderful reviews.

[sib]

Y non of these creators don't talk about signal issues with a series that not having a good 5G modem? Y no body talk about huge quick heading issues & battery drain quickly with a series?

[johnathanblade]

This helped me identify differences which, even with research, I was not aware of. Cheers!

[spyder]

I picked up an 8a to try out back to back with my pixel 6. Testing the camera I found the 8a to have more realistic colors vs my 6 which looked like it added contrast/saturation. I could not see any major difference in low light. The 6 had more greenish/blue to the sky and trees which the same pic on the 8a was perfect. Shooting video at 4k60 with stabilization the 6 had micro studders when panning where the 8a was very smooth and close to what I expect from my gopro 10/12. The 8a was sharper in the video as well and you could tell a big difference just looking at vegitation on the ground. Connection speeds and reception seem equal. I prefer the smaller size of the 8a. So far my only negative is the charge time. I didn't think it would be a significant factor as I am not a gamer or on my phone all day but I usually reserve charging to my daily drive and typically by the time I get somewhere my 6 was close to topped off but the 8a is way behind. It won't affect my usage but I can see how it would affect others. Hope that info helps anyone looking to upgrade. The lower price plus the $100 google store credit made the 8a a great value for me.

[Sammyboiiii]

I see, that wallpaper, a true man of culture

[leewildsmith]

"Cack" is a word not used often enough. 👏🏽

[XP]

The 8 is actually slightly smaller than the 8a while having the slightly bigger screen which is pretty nice. I'm still annoyed that Google artificially locks the “pro" controls to the most expensive model. At least let the 8 model users take 50mp photos🤕

[cool_bug_facts]

While they have great hardware aside from the tensor chip and by far the best software of any android phone, i feel like pixels have increased in price to the point where they're not such a great value anymore, especially the 8a

[guenmungunkhuyag]

That bezel is definitely bezellin'

[JannetteJohnson-woms]

Thank you for your great youtube video on Google pixel 8 phones. I have found it was extremely helpful.

[Riz_]

Hello Uncle Chris,
Thank you for this look at all three of the Pixels. I have had since it's release the Google Pixel 8 Pro. The only thing I don't like about the 8 Pro is the size, it's too big, that's what she said. So if I had to choose I probably gone for the Pixel 8, However the Pro came in this beautiful bay blue colour which I am still in love with. Also thank you for featuring the audio from the speakers of the phones. Nobody else who reviews phones seem to do this and I have no idea why, it's very important.