At first glance, this is a regularPixel 8.
None of these are deal breakers for the typical user.
The camera issues are subjective (more on that later).
When Google debuted the Pixel 8 andPixel 8 Pro, its focus was on AI.
That hasnt changed on the Pixel 8a.
Its hidden away underSettings > Accessibility > Live Transcribe, and can jot down a conversation as it happens.
The accuracy isnt perfect and it cant differentiate between speakers, but its good enough for reference.
As a bonus, Live Translate also works on text messages.
Another solid feature is Audio Magic Eraser, which can almost completely eliminate background noise from your videos.
Just punch Audio while editing the video, and youll be impressed by the results.
Theres alsoCircle to Search, which isnt unique to Pixel but makes it easier to search Google by image.
Still, it correctly identified the Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker in the image below.
Call Assistant is handy, too, acting as a sort of virtual secretary.
Call Assistant can also wait on hold for you with toll-free numbers.
Unfortunately, thats about everything nice I have to say about Pixel AI.
Best Take fares a little better, but its use cases are highly situational.
Sometimes, the cut-and-pasting works out.
Sometimes, heads are the wrong size or mouths end up with beards in them.
Video Boost and Night Sight Video are genuinely useful, but so weirdly restrictive that its worth mentioning.
Finally, theres Gemini, which feels like installing a virus on your phone.
Yes, enabling Googles fancy new AI actually makes your phone less useful.
Unfortunately, I didnt have a base iPhone 15 to compare against, although public scores put it around2,557/6,381.
The caveat was this triggered the games overclocked setting, which warns of excessive heat and battery drain.
The highest performance I could get without overclocking was on the medium controls with a 30 fps cap.
Here, the game ran at a smooth 30 throughout, which is functional.
Unfortunately for Google, the Pixel 8 Pro also had the same limitations.
Youre probably better off going for another brand if youre looking for thebest gaming phone.
Thats a shame, because the screen holds up well in all other respects.
The 8a carries over Googles Actua technology, which essentially means an OLED with a high peak brightness.
Thats a boon for battery life.
Battery life extended to a whopping 17 hours and 24 minutes when streaming a 24-hourFortnitegameplay video at 480p.
These are good cameras, but this certainly isnt a camera phone.
The catch is that Speech Enhancement only works on 30 fps videos.
But because Audio Magic Eraser works on any videos you capture, its not a major loss.
Should you buy the Pixel 8a?
In most respects, the Pixel 8a is essentially identical to the Pixel 8.
And thats where its biggest problem pops up.
Thats because the Pixel 8 has seen frequent sales as of late.
In December, the256GB Pixel 8 hit $531 at Best Buy.
If you need the best mid-range Android phone right now?
The Google Pixel 8a is a great choice, especially if you snag abundle deal.
But if you could wait a bit?
Keep an eye out for its older, sleeker sibling.
