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The growing popularity of Google’s Pixel A-series models has undoubtedly helped cement the status of the company’s smartphones in markets outside the US. Originally intended as a cheaper alternative to the mainline Pixel flagship phones, the A-series has since spawned five generations of Pixel phones, starting from the 3a, all the way up to last year’s Pixel 7a.
We say “originally intended” as the A-series has kinda bucked the trend of giving folks a cheaper way to access Google’s hardware offerings. The Pixel 3a originally launched at a price of $399, while the Pixel 7a by comparison debuted at $499. In fairness to the latter though, you got a majority of the key features found in the regular Pixel 7 flagship.
READ: More Pixel 8a Specs Emerge: 120hz Display, Tensor G3, and Display Output Feature
With that in mind, recent rumors point to this year’s upcoming Pixel 8a once again having nearly all the same specs as its flagship sibling, including a 120hz display, Tensor G3 chipset, and even a display-out feature not found on any of Google’s current flagships. It will also get a price hike, although it’ll stay cheaper than the standard Pixel 8.
Given that buyers will now have a slightly more affordable Pixel with a lot of the same features found in Google’s flagship handset, a question that now comes to mind is where exactly does the Pixel 8 stand in all this? Clearly, it will miss out on key AI features despite its flagship-level price, and its overall similarity to the Pixel 8a now puts it in a sort of smartphone limbo.
Given that buyers will now have a slightly more affordable Pixel with a lot of the same features found in Google’s flagship handset, where exactly does the Pixel 8 stand in all this?
Going back to the launch of the Pixel 3a, Google’s strategy was a bit clearer back then. There was a definite difference in terms of specs – the 3a came with a slower chip, one less camera sensor, a full-plastic chassis, no wireless charging and so on. More importantly, it came at half the price of the Pixel 3, which was one of its major selling points.
OPINION: Google’s Pixel “A” Series Needs a Full Reset
Of course at this point, Google still hasn’t officially announced the Pixel 8a, and there’s a slim chance that it comes out entirely differently than what’s expected now, possibly retaining key differences in comparison to the base model Pixel 8. Who knows, perhaps the 8a will do a good job of keeping the A-series totally separate from the flagships and such.
On the other hand, if all the leaks are proven true then Google might have just spelled the end for the Pixel 8. With flagship features locked away, and all the basics already available on a slightly cheaper model, what’s the point of spending more then? Perhaps a dramatic price cut on the Pixel 8 will help out with things, but then again that’s what the 8a is for.
How about you – what are your thoughts on the upcoming Pixel 8a? Let us know in the comments below!
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