The new device has a slightly updated design, gets the new Tensor G3 chipset with Titan M2 security coprocessor and a slightly bigger batter. It kept its plastic back and aluminium frame as well as scored an IP67 dust and water-resistant certificate.
It comes in four colors Bay, Aloe, Porcelain, and Obsidian, and in normal color spectre, one can call them blue, green, whitish, and black. It is interesting to notice that at least in Austria, only black obsidian phone comes with the 256GB option.
The phone comes with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a choice of 128GB as a default and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. The 256 GB version sets one back $599 or €609. Pixel 8a comes with a 6.1-inch OLED display with 1080 x 2400 resolution 430 ppi and 120Hz refresh rate. It is capable of 1400 nits while playing HDR content can enable peaks of 2000 nits. The phone ships with the Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
It comes with a 4492mAh battery a slight update from the Pixel 7a as well as 18W wired charging and Qi wireless support. It measures 152,1 mm (high) × 72,7 mm (width) × 8,9 mm (depth) and weighs 188 grams.
The phone kept the same 64-megapixel f1.89 camera and a 13MP f2.2 ultrawide and missed an opportunity to enrich the phone with an optical zoom. For that one needs to go to Pixel 8 and get 2X.
Google is betting on the AI pitch with its phone. A few prominent ones include auto translation, transcribe in record application and a bundle of AI powered photo editing features. Photo-centric features include fused video stabilisation, 240 fps slow motion, astrophotography timelapse, Cinematic Pan, 5x digital zoom, and optical image stabilization on the main camera.
Photo editing features include the Magic Editor, Best Take, Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Face Unblur, Real Tone, Top Shot, Live HDR+, and Ultra HDR.
Aside from that you also get astrophotography timelapse, 240fps slow motion, fused video stabilization, Cinematic Pan, 5x digital zoom, and optical image stabilization on the main wide camera. In terms of software features, you are getting Magic Editor, Best Take, Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Face Unblur, Real Tone, Top Shot, Live HDR+ and Ultra HDR.
Just like Samsung Galaxy S24 phones it supports Circle to search. Some Pixel unique features include Pixel Call Assist, Audio Emoji, and Gemini AI. Using Gemini would disable Google Assistant, something we noticed on the Pixel 8 Pro.
The phone comes with Android 14 and it qualifies for immediate access to Android 15 beta. Google’s focus is on the tight integration of software and hardware with a huge push towards meaningful use of AI for picture editing and some content. Google still wants serious money for Gemini Advanced, as it wants an additional 22 € a month for its Copilot / Chat GPT 4 competitor. Gemini mini that runs on a device is ok, but despite its cleverness, it still cannot even set an alarm on a device.
Let’s hope that Tensor G4 in Pixel 9 Pro can catch up with ARM’s latest roadmap and get us some X5, Blackhawk love.