The Google Pixel 8a is an AI-driven ‘beginner’s smartphone’ that eclipses its pricier rivals

A new smartphone is usually a good measure of the speed of technological advancements. In the time between the launch of Google’s Pixel 7a as an entry-level model and the arrival of the all-new 8-series Pixel models, the world has gone crazy for AI in all its forms, from photo editing through to the ability to screen unwanted calls. 

At just half the price of the excellent Pixel 8 Pro, does the 8a have everything the casual user needs? First up, Google bills this as a phone for beginners, i.e. young people. At a time when the correlations between smartphone use and age and general wellbeing are being scrutinised more than ever before, it feels a bit disengenous to pitch such a powerful device as the pocket equivalent of training wheels. 

This youth-orientated approach is evidenced by the relatively bold and playful colour set, more distinct and vibrant than the low-key palette of the ‘grown up’ models. Yes, there’s recycled materials, but also a new emphasis on resilience, with a scratch-resistant 6.1” ‘Actua’ display, metal camera housing and water and dust resistance. So far, so good. Like all Pixels (and modern smartphones in general), the 8a feels well weighted and substantial in the hand, only to have this tactility reduced by the addition of the (essential) case.

The on-screen experience has much in common with its pricier siblings, running the latest iteration of Android (14), with the more prominent addition of an in-built AI assistant, Gemini (formerly Bard). In theory, Gemini can be asked to create summaries of long documents or emails, or search items online simply by circling them on the screen. In practice, it’s little more than a glorified version of Google’s already excellent Lens application, which has been baked into Pixels since it debuted in 2017.

AI also underpins the 8a’s photographic skills. The device uses the Google Tensor G3 chip, just like the 8 and 8 Pro, but cuts costs by only having two front-facing cameras, a 64MP Quad PD wide camera and a 13MP ultrawide camera. Pixel cameras are some of the best in the business, combining quality hardware with unrivalled processing power. With excellent low light performance, 4K video from front and rear cameras, and a bunch of proven AI-driven tools like Photo Unblur, Magic Eraser and Best take, the 8a will serve casual photographers, power users and the selfie-obsessed equally well.

A host of security measures, including the Google One VPN and a promised seven years’ worth of software updates and supports, are also baked in, and the phone is available with 8GB RAM and 128 or 256GB of storage. Power users might be put off by the implication that the ‘a’ suffix implies a knocked-down version of Google’s flagship devices. For those unbothered by the smartphone status game, the Pixel 8a is easy to recommend as a straightforward but extremely powerful way to access the omnipotent Google eco-system.

Google Pixel 8a, from £499, Store.Google.com