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Google’s upcoming Pixel 8a has leaked in almost every way imaginable, save for some key details like the majority of specs, but now thanks to a source Android Headlines can confirm all specs for the upcoming Android device. As one might expect, there are a lot of similarities between the Pixel 8a and its predecessor. Of course, there’s some new stuff in there too. This is modeled after the Pixel 8 series, after all.
With Google’s new phone announcement looming, it shouldn’t be too surprising that nearly everything would leak ahead of time. This is pretty standard stuff at this point for phones coming from most of the major manufacturers. So, it was probably inevitable that more information would come to light before Google officially revealed the phone.
Front and center will be two major upgrades that Google didn’t offer on last year’s Pixel 7a – the storage and the display’s refresh rate. The Pixel 8a will come with up to 256GB of storage which is double what Google offered on the Pixel 7a. It’s also bumping the display’s refresh rate up to 120Hz. These are big changes that will make a difference in the user experience.
You’ll have more room for storing photos, videos, apps, or whatever else, and the higher refresh rate will make for more enjoyable scrolling. The peak brightness is also increasing to a maximum of 2,000 nits (1,400 nits HDR). The rest of the display specs are the same though. It’s an FHD+ 6.1-inch OLED screen with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 cover glass, HDR support, and a >1,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
Pixel 8a specs include a slightly larger battery
We say slightly because it is a very small increase. However, an increase is an increase. And Google is increasing the battery capacity. The Pixel 7a has a “typical battery capacity” of 4,385mAh and a minimum capacity of 4,300mAh. The Pixel 8a is bumping these up to 4,492mAh and 4,404mAh respectively. Google says this can last for up to 24+ hours, or up to 72 hours with the Extreme Battery Saver mode. This isn’t really different from the Pixel 7a, aside from the specs page for it listing 24 hours and not 24+ hours. In the end, the battery is likely to last nearly the same amount of time, albeit a bit longer. The phone will also still support Qi wireless charging.
Users will get updates for 7 years
Just like with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 8a will get 7 years of updates. Not just security updates or feature drops, either. 7 years of OS, security, and feature drop updates. So you won’t need to upgrade your phone and step into something new for a long time. Provided you aren’t swayed by flashy new hardware.
This bit is interesting because, in a separate exclusive leak from last month, we reported that the phone would come with 7 years of security updates. This was based on an image we had obtained of the Pixel 8a marketing for what is likely going to be on the landing page for the product. This specifically referred to security updates and nothing else. So it was suspected at the time that it might just be security updates. But we can confirm today that the 7 years of updates do indeed include updates for the OS and updates for feature drops. So rest assured, you won’t be left behind if you go for this over the standard Pixel 8.
Worth noting is that the 7 years starts from when the device first lands on the Google Store in the US. Not from when you purchase the phone.
The cameras remain unchanged, but there are new camera features
This information is nothing new since it has leaked in previous reports. However, now we can confirm the camera features from those leaks are accurate. While the cameras themselves remain unchanged from last year’s Pixel 7a, the Pixel 8a will come with some new camera features. This includes the AI-powered Magic Editor, as well as Best Take and Ultra HDR. Everything else is relatively the same which is to be expected. Night Sight, Photo Unblur, Magic Eraser, Portrait Mode, Portrait Light, it’s all here.
For the video side of things, Audio Magic Eraser is present. This is another feature Google launched alongside the Pixel 8 series. So feel free to use the Pixel 8a to record as many videos as you want without fear that the background noise will ruin the audio.
‘Aloe’ will be one of the official colors
It’s already been leaked that the Pixel 8a will be offered in four colors. Porcelain, Obsidian, Bay, and what was thought to be Mint. But it turns out, the green color isn’t actually called Mint like it is for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Google is calling this new color ‘Aloe’ officially. That should be pretty evident when you compare the two side by side. Because the Pixel 8a is a much brighter green, with cases to match. Interestingly, our source’s details don’t mention anything about the phone coming in a Coral color. And yet, there is apparently going to be a Coral case option. So perhaps Google will release a Coral Pixel 8a down the road.
All the rest of the specs for the Pixel 8a seem to be pretty much the same as the Pixel 7a. Aside from the Tensor G3 chipset that Google is pulling over from the Pixel 8 series instead of using the Tensor G2. In terms of cost, you’re looking at $499 for the 128GB variant and $559 for the 256GB variant.