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 |
|---|
| Price | $699 | $499 |
| 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.
★ Which should you buy? Google Pixel 8 is the stronger overall pick on the measured specs. If budget matters more than the extra capability, Google Pixel 8a is the cheaper option.
Researched with AI assistance by infozme.com from manufacturer and retailer sources — see how we research & rate phones.
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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