Google Pixel 8 vs Google Pixel 8a
A spec-by-spec comparison of the Google Pixel 8 and the Google Pixel 8a, taken from their full specification sheets. Green marks the better value in each measured row.
Head to head
| Google Pixel 8 | Google Pixel 8a |
|---|
| Our rating | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Battery | 4,575 mAh | 4,492 mAh |
| Wired charging | 27W | 18W |
| Storage (max) | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Screen size | 6.2 in | 6.1 in |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 64 MP |
| Weight (lower is lighter) | 187 g | 188 g |
| Released | Oct 2023 | May 2024 |
Summary: Google Pixel 8 is ahead on battery, wired charging, screen size, weight (lower is lighter). Google Pixel 8a is ahead on main camera.
Display
| Google Pixel 8 | Google Pixel 8a |
|---|
| Type | Actua OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1400 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak) | Actua OLED, 120Hz, HDR, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Size | 6.2 inches | 6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~428 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~430 ppi density) |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
Platform
| Google Pixel 8 | Google Pixel 8a |
|---|
| OS | Android 14, upgradable to Android 17 | Android 14 (upgradable to Android 17) |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) |
| CPU | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| GPU | Immortalis-G715s MC10 | Mali-G715 MP7 |
| Security Chip | — | Titan M2 |
Memory
| Google Pixel 8 | Google Pixel 8a |
|---|
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR5X | 8GB LPDDR5X |
| Internal Storage | 128GB, 256GB UFS 3.1 | — |
| Card Slot | No | No |
| Storage | — | 128GB or 256GB UFS 3.1 |
Main Camera
| Google Pixel 8 | Google Pixel 8a |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.68, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, Laser AF, OIS; 12 MP, f/2.2, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, AF | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS; 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra-Res Zoom, Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Real Tone, Panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama, 8x Super Res Zoom |
| Video | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60fps, OIS, 10-bit HDR | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS |
Selfie Camera
| Google Pixel 8 | Google Pixel 8a |
|---|
| Single | 10.5 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm, PDAF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 96.5˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, fixed focus |
| Features | Auto-HDR, Panorama | Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
Battery
| Google Pixel 8 | Google Pixel 8a |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 4575 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4492 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 27W wired (PD3.0), 18W wireless (Qi), Reverse wireless charging | 18W wired, PD3.0; 7.5W wireless (Qi) |
Body
| Google Pixel 8 | Google Pixel 8a |
|---|
| Dimensions | 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm (5.92 x 2.79 x 0.35 inches) | 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.86 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight | 187 g (6.6 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| IP Rating | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | — |
| SIM | — | Nano-SIM and eSIM |
| Durability | — | IP67 dust/water resistant |
Comms
| Google Pixel 8 | Google Pixel 8a |
|---|
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 7 (tri-band), Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band |
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, Beidou | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 | USB Type-C 3.2 |
Launch
| Google Pixel 8 | Google Pixel 8a |
|---|
| Announced | October 4, 2023 | May 2024 |
| Status | Released October 12, 2023 | Available. Released May 14, 2024 |
Frequently asked questions
Which has the better battery, Google Pixel 8 or Google Pixel 8a?
Google Pixel 8 — 4,575 mAh for the Google Pixel 8 versus 4,492 mAh for the Google Pixel 8a.
Which is lighter, Google Pixel 8 or Google Pixel 8a?
Google Pixel 8 — 187 g for the Google Pixel 8 versus 188 g for the Google Pixel 8a.
Which is newer, Google Pixel 8 or Google Pixel 8a?
Google Pixel 8a — Oct 2023 for the Google Pixel 8 versus May 2024 for the Google Pixel 8a.
Is the Google Pixel 8 or the Google Pixel 8a rated higher?
We rate the Google Pixel 8 8/10 and the Google Pixel 8a 8/10.
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