SMARTPHONE TIER: HIGH TIER
Battery Capacity mAh: 4492
Google Pixel 8a Smartphone Review:
Efficiency and Excellence Combined
Smartphone Battery Performance
Based on Price:
High Tier (€500-€699)
Ranking #2
Video Review
What do you need to know about the Google Pixel 8a?
Quick Summary
The Google Pixel 8a is a standout High Tier (€500-€699) smartphone, offering exceptional value with its robust features and impressive performance. It boasts a vibrant 6.1-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and vivid visuals. Powered by Google's custom Tensor G3 chip and 8GB of RAM, the Pixel 8a delivers reliable performance for everyday tasks and multitasking. With 128GB/256GB of internal storage, users have ample space for their apps and media, though there's no option for expandable storage.
One of the Pixel 8a's highlights is its camera system, featuring a 64MP primary wide camera and a 13MP ultra-wide camera coupled with Google's renowned AI image processing capabilities. Thanks to Night Sight mode, this setup produces stunning photos with excellent dynamic range and detail, even in low-light conditions. The front-facing 13MP camera also delivers high-quality selfies, making it a solid choice for photography enthusiasts.
Battery life is a strong suit of the Pixel 8a, with its 4,492mAh battery comfortably lasting 2 full days of use or 48 hours. The Google Pixel 8a supports 18-watt wired charging and 7.5W Qi wireless charging ensuring quick top-ups when needed, a feature that enhances its convenience. Running on the latest version of Android, the Pixel 8a provides a clean, bloatware-free experience with timely updates and security patches, guaranteed for 7 years. With its high-quality display, excellent camera performance, and long-lasting battery, the Google Pixel 8a is an attractive option for those seeking a reliable, feature-rich smartphone at an affordable price.
Specification Overview - Released Date: May 2024
Body: 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.49mm. Weight 188g.
Display: 6.1 inches OLED, HDR, with 1080 x 2440 pixels resolution, 120Hz rate
Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and P67 dust/water resistant
Operating System: Android 14
Chipset: Google Tensor G3 (4 nm). Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)
Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM - no card slot. Nano-SIM and eSIM
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual/tri-band (market/region dependent). NFC: Yes. Radio No. Loudspeaker: Yes. 3.5mm Jack: No.
Rear Camera: Main: 64 MP, f/1.9 (wide). 13 MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide).Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra HDR, panorama, Best Take
Front Camera: 13 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
Video: Front camera: 1080p@30fps, Rear camera: 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Battery: 4492 mAh, 18-watt wired charging and 7.5W Qi wireless charging
Colour: Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe
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Pricing
Google Pixel 8a
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Smartphone Battery Performance - FULL REVIEW
ViserMark offers a comprehensive range of battery performance test results based on different criteria and benchmarks for evaluating a smartphone's performance. Our tests are performed using the strictest protocol in a controlled environment to ensure repetition and consistency powered by SmartViser's test automation solution viSer.
VWS Analytics Studio is a complementary product to the viSer Test Automation solution and provides an enhanced viSer user experience. It is the fastest way to analyse and view smartphone test results. We have used the interactive dashboard to show you the recent test results for the Google Pixel 8a and comparative smartphones.
Google Pixel 8a ViserMark Labels
ViserMark's Battery Performance review is based on the smartphone battery performance results obtained during testing. The ViserMark labels provide valuable insights into the Google Pixel 8a battery performance.
Reading this review, you can find a full breakdown of our battery performance results in these sections.
Also of Interest: ViserMark Labels
1. Battery Performance
What is the Google Pixel 8a Performance Score?
Battery performance is the key to a smartphone's endurance and efficiency. A good battery performance, like 45/100 for the Google Pixel 8a, ensures that it can handle extensive usage without frequent recharges, providing you with the reliability and convenience you need.
The Google Pixel 8a achieved a ViserMark Battery Performance score of 45 out of 100.
How does the Google Pixel 8a compare to High Tier smartphones?
The Google Pixel 8a's Battery Performance Score of 45 is a testament to its superior power management and efficiency. Its balanced consumption across various activities, such as social media, gaming, and web browsing, showcases its optimised performance, ensuring users can rely on their phones throughout the day without frequent recharges.
When directly compared to the Google Pixel 7 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, the Google Pixel 8a's battery life and efficiency becomes evident. The Google Pixel 7, with its 4,355mAh battery, had a lower Battery Performance Score of 34. In contrast, the Pixel 8a, with its 4,492mAh battery, provides a noticeable improvement in Battery Performance Score. Similarly, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, despite having a slightly larger 4,500mAh battery, delivers a Battery Performance Score of 36, making the Google Pixel 8a a superior choice for those prioritising battery longevity and efficiency.
Also of Interest:
2. Battery Life
How long will the Google Pixel 8a battery last?
Battery life refers to a smartphone's duration on a single charge, measured in days and hours. It indicates how long the smartphone can sustain various activities, such as calling, browsing, gaming, and streaming, before recharging
The Google Pixel 8a test results indicate an awe-inspiring battery life of 2 days, or 48 hours, on a single charge.
How does the Google Pixel 8a compare to High Tier smartphones?
The Google Pixel 8a excels in battery life among High Tier smartphones, offering an impressive 48 hours of use on a single charge. This superior performance is significantly better than the Google Pixel 7, which provides only 35 hours of use. The Pixel 8a's efficient power management and robust 4,492mAh battery enable users to enjoy extended usage periods, making it an excellent choice for those who need a reliable smartphone for long days or travel without frequent recharging.
Compared to the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, the Google Pixel 8a showcases significant advantages. Despite the Galaxy S23 FE's slightly larger 4,500mAh battery, it only manages 32 hours of battery life. This contrast underscores the Pixel 8a's superior power efficiency. While the Galaxy S23 FE boasts a faster charging time, its shorter overall battery life may require more frequent recharging. The Google Pixel 8a's longer battery life and balanced charging time make it a more reliable option.
3. NEW Battery Consumption
Google Pixel 8a battery review with viSer and VWS Analytics Studio
The Google Pixel 8a battery life details, as analysed using SmartViser's viSer and VWS Analytics Studio, provide a technical and detailed perspective on the smartphone's battery consumption. The platform's capability to monitor and access real-time test results explains how the Google Pixel 8a manages power under various daily user tasks.
ViserMark can identify the strengths and weaknesses of smartphones by comparing battery usage across similar devices, enabling potential buyers to choose the best smartphone based on their usage patterns.
The test results comparing the Google Pixel 8a with the average High Tier (€500-€699) smartphone provide a detailed look at the most compelling aspects of its battery capabilities across various everyday activities.
Analysing Battery Efficiency:
Google Pixel 8a vs the Average High Tier Smartphone Comparison
The chart illustrates the Google Pixel 8a's battery performance compared to the average high-tier smartphone across various common activities, measured in current (mA).
It sets itself apart with its superior battery efficiency, a feature that is highlighted against the average High Tier smartphone. One example is its performance during social media usage, where it consumes a lower figure than the High Tier average, ensuring longer usage in social media applications, a clear advantage for potential buyers.
In everyday activities such as outgoing calls and MMS the Google Pixel 8a outperforms the High Tier average, ensuring extended battery life. This is particularly beneficial for users who rely heavily on these types of communications and need their smartphones to last throughout the day. Gaming, a typically power-intensive activity, also sees the Pixel 8a performing efficiently with consumption lower than the High Tier average, so gamers can enjoy longer sessions without recharging as often.
The Google Pixel 8a continues to showcase lower power consumption than the High Tier average for tasks like file transfers, camera use, YouTube streaming, and email. Specifically, its power usage for file transfers and camera operations is notably less, suggesting optimised hardware and software integration that conserves battery life.
The battery performance of the Google Pixel 8a stands out due to its consistent power efficiency across various activities. It is reliable for smartphone users and has robust battery life and minimal power drain. The test results show the Pixel 8a's capability to handle daily tasks with less frequent charging, enhancing the user experience and providing substantial value in the High Tier smartphone market.
Analysing Battery Efficiency:
Google Pixel 8a vs Google Pixel 7 Smartphone Comparison
The chart visually compares the battery performance between the Google Pixel 8a and its predecessor series, the Google Pixel 7 across various activities, measured in current (mA).
In social media usage, the Google Pixel 7 outshines the Google Pixel 8a, indicating that the Pixel 7 is notably more power-efficient, allowing for extended use. Also, it shows better efficiency for outgoing calls and is more efficient in MMS usage. These differences highlight that the Google Pixel 7 conserves battery better during standard communication tasks.
In gaming, a high power-consuming activity, the Google Pixel 8a demonstrates its strength, indicating a slightly better efficiency in gaming activities. Also, in media-related activities such as YouTube and media playback, the Google Pixel 8a is more efficient in media playback but less efficient in YouTube streaming.
Summing up, the Google Pixel 8a does show some areas of improved efficiency, particularly in gaming, camera use, and web browsing. However, the Google Pixel 7 consistently demonstrates better battery efficiency across user activities. This suggests the Pixel 7 could offer a more balanced and power-efficient experience for users who value longer battery life across various tasks, although not as feature-rich as the latest Google Pixel 8a.
Analysing Battery Efficiency:
Google Pixel 8a vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Smartphone Comparison
When comparing the battery efficiency of the Google Pixel 8a to the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, the Pixel 8a generally demonstrates better performance. The Google Pixel 8a is more efficient for social media usage than the Samsung Galaxy S23FE. This trend continues across most activities, indicating that the Google Pixel 8a manages power consumption more effectively, resulting in extended usage times and fewer recharges.
For outgoing calls and MMS, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE again demonstrates lacking efficiency compared to the Pixel 8a which highlights the superior power management during communication tasks. In gaming, a typically high power-consuming activity, the Google Pixel 8a has a lower consumption so gamers can enjoy longer sessions without recharging as often.
For tasks such as file transfers, YouTube streaming, SMS and web browsing, the Pixel 8a shows better efficiency. In email and media playback activities, the Google Pixel 8a also maintains an advantage compared to the Galaxy S23 FE. This further emphasises the Pixel 8a's ability to conserve battery life during routine tasks, communications and internet use. Notably, the camera usage shows the Google Pixel 8a consumes more battery energy, indicating that while it is generally more efficient, there are specific tasks where the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE might perform better.
Analysing Battery Efficiency:
Google Pixel 8a Smartphone Comparison
The chart provides a comprehensive comparison of the battery performance of the Google Pixel 8a, Google Pixel 7, and Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and the High Tier average across various activities, measured in current (mA).
The Google Pixel 8a's battery performance is a standout, demonstrating strong efficiency compared to the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and, in many cases, even outperforming the Google Pixel 7 and the High Tier average. It shows higher power consumption than the Pixel 7 and the High Tier average in specific tasks but remains more efficient than the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE in certain activities. However, in other activities, the Google Pixel 8a's battery life is notably extended, making it a top choice for gaming, media playback, SMS, web browsing, email usage, and YouTube streaming.
Overall, the Google Pixel 8a is a solid choice for a smartphone with balanced power management and efficient battery performance across various tasks.
4. Power Efficiency
What is the Battery Efficiency of the Google Pixel 8a?
Leading the comparison with a battery efficiency score of 1.5 is the Google Pixel 8a. This score indicates that the Pixel 8a manages its power consumption exceptionally well, providing more usage time.
The battery efficiency for the Google Pixel 8a was 1.5 leaf out of 5.
How does the Google Pixel 8a compare to HighTier smartphones?
Overall, the Google Pixel 8a is the most power-efficient among the compared smartphones. Its power efficiency score of 1.5 highlights its ability to manage power consumption effectively, offering extended battery life and reducing the need for frequent recharges.
Also of Interest:
5. Annual Energy Consumption
How much energy does the Google Pixel 8a use?
Annual energy consumption refers to the total energy a smartphone uses over a year. This measure helps understand the smartphone's long-term efficiency and environmental impact, indicating how much power it draws during typical usage scenarios.
The Google Pixel 8a has an annual energy consumption of 3 kWh.
How does the Google Pixel 8a compare to High Tier smartphones?
The Google Pixel 8a demonstrates a balanced annual energy consumption compared to other High Tier smartphones. With an annual energy consumption of 3 kWh, the Pixel 8a is more efficient than the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, which has a higher yearly energy consumption of 4.5 kWh. This significant difference makes the Google Pixel 8a a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective option in the long run.
Overall, this smartphone sets a high standard for energy efficiency, with lower annual energy consumption than the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and Google Pixel 7, and the High Tier average. This makes the Google Pixel 8a an excellent choice for users seeking a smartphone that combines performance with sustainability.
VERDICT:
What is it like to Use?
The Google Pixel 8a delivers an impressive user experience through efficient power management and robust performance. Its 6.1-inch OLED display offers a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring vibrant visuals and smooth scrolling for browsing, video streaming, and gaming activities. The smartphone is powered by Google's custom Tensor G3 chip paired with 8GB of RAM, guaranteeing seamless multitasking and responsiveness for everyday tasks. While the 128GB of internal storage provides ample space for apps, photos, and media, it does not support expandable storage options.
One standout feature of the Google Pixel 8a is its remarkable battery efficiency. With a 4,492mAh battery, it offers up to 2 days of usage or 48 hours on a single charge, surpassing many competitors. Additionally, the Google Pixel 8a excels in every day user activities demonstrating optimised power consumption during social media, gaming, and media playback.
The Google Pixel 8a provides a well-rounded, efficient, and enjoyable user experience. Its high-quality display, powerful performance, and exceptional battery life make it an ideal choice for those seeking a reliable and high-performing smartphone. Additionally, the smartphone benefits from Google's latest software updates and security patches, further enhancing its appeal and ensuring users can access the latest Google AI features and protections.
What's in the box?
Google Pixel 8a Smartphone
USB-C-to-C cable
Quick Switch Adapter
SIM Tool
User Manual
Should I buy the Google Pixel 8a?
If you prioritise long battery life, excellent camera quality, and a clean, bloatware-free Android experience, the Google Pixel 8a is a strong contender in the High Tier smartphone market. Its balance of features and performance makes it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a dependable and powerful smartphone.
Extra Insights
Q: Does the Google Pixel 8a support 5G?
Yes, it does
Q: Does the Google Pixel 8a have dual-SIM capabilities?
Q: What storage and RAM variants support the Google Pixel 8a support 5G?
Q: Does the Google Pixel 8a have stereo speakers?
Q: Does the Google Pixel 8a have a microSD card slot?
Q: Is the Google Pixel 8a VoLTE enabled?
Pricing
Google Pixel 8a
These prices are the best from our Affiliate Partners. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. You can learn more about our disclosure policy here.
VCX (Valued Camera eXperience)
The VCX Forum has been working with its members on the system and infrastructure as a non-profit organisation. We strive to improve our technology to develop and exchange accurate and objective quality and performance indicators, which is our ultimate goal. We will also serve as a compass for the smartphone camera industry. We appreciate your interest in the VCX Forum.
No VCX reviews are available for this smartphone.
Background
Google is a multinational American technology company specialising in Internet-related services and products. It was founded in September 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were PhD students at Stanford University in California.
The company has its headquarters in Mountain View, California. Google’s mission statement is "to organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful". The company offers various products and services, including search engines, online advertising technologies, cloud computing, software, and hardware. Google is one of the most widely known and used search engines on the internet today.
Google has a range of smartphones called Pixel phones. The company has released several models of Pixel phones over the years, including the Pixel 6A, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel Fold and the Google Pixel 7a. The latest models are the Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and Google Pixel 8a. The phones run on the Android operating system and are known for their high-quality cameras.
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Written By
Debbie Bouffler is the Marketing and Communications Manager at SmartViser. She is crucial in developing the company's communication and marketing strategies. Debbie has gained extensive experience in strategic business development and marketing in various industries, which has helped her excel in her current position.
Debbie is a leader with imagination, an unmatched drive, and an infectious passion for growth and excellence, especially in the telecommunications industry.
For further insights into her professional journey or to connect, visit Debbie on LinkedIn.
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These prices are the best from our Affiliate Partners. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. You can learn more about our disclosure policy here.