Not one to be overshadowed by Apple, Google just unveiled its own hardware at the same time as the new iPads. It’s not a tablet that Google is bringing to the table, though, it’s the Google Pixel 8 launch, with the brand introducing its latest mid-range handset instead.
After numerous leaks, we aren’t in for too many surprises, but we finally have confirmation on that price point. It’ll cost you $499, the same as the last generation, but this time, you get the added benefit of seven years of software support, just like the flagship Google Pixel phones.
The phone has a familiar design reminiscent of the Google Pixel 8 series, and it comes in four color variants, Bay, Porcelain, Obsidian, and the rather-loud Aloe. It carries an IP67 rating and Google claims it’s the most durable A-series device to date.
Elsewhere, you get a 6.1-inch 120Hz OLED display with a 1,080 x 2,400 pixel resolution and a peak brightness of 200 nits. The phone utilizes the Tensor G3 chipset for top-tier performance and has 8GB of RAM along with either 128GB or 256GB of storage.
When it comes to cameras, there are two units on the rear, a 64MP f/1.89 main camera and a 13MP f/2.2 ultrawide. Around the front, you get a 13MP f/2.2 punch-hole selfie camera. The hardware might not be too special, but Google’s computational magic ensures that you can make the most of your snaps. The phone supports all the big software features like Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Best Take, and more.
The budget-friendly handset packs a 4,492 mAh battery, and Google says that’s good enough for 24 hours of use on a charge. When you need to top up, it’ll do so at a modest 18W speed, and it also supports wireless charging, if you’re happy to wait even longer.
Pre-orders are live now in the US and UK, and the device lands with customers on May 14. If you want to see how the Pixel 8a compares to what else is out there, see our picks for the best Samsung phones and the best OnePlus phones.