Google Pixel 9 vs Pixel 8a: Sibling Rivalry

There’s little doubt that Google’s newest Pixel 9 series devices pack some delightful hardware and software upgrades, such as more premium designs, brihgter displays, and improved cameras. It’s also important to note however that they are a bit more expensive this time around, which might be an issue for buyers.

You see, one of the biggest strongpoints of past Google Pixel smartphones is that they were usually more economically-practical alternatives to other premium brands such as Samsung and Apple, often launched with reasonable pricing for the most part. This has changed with the most recent Pixel 9 series smartphones, with even the base-model Pixel 9 coming in at $799.

Enter the Pixel “A” series – Google’s midrange smartphones have evolved with features usually found on its more expensive flagships. Take for example the Pixel 8a, which shares many of the same traits as the more expensive Pixel 8 from 2023. It’s also cheaper than the Pixel 9, with a retail price that’s $300 less than the 2024 flagship. If you’re in the market for a 2024-series Pixel phone, then you might be interested in either of these two – let’s check them out!

READ: Best Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro fast chargers

Pixel 8a: Wallet-Friendly

At its usual retail price of $499, the Pixel 8a is obviously the more affordable choice between the two phones, and you can even find it cheaper with trade-in deals and promos, for example. That being said, the Pixel 8a’s lower price doesn’t necessarily mean that you get a terrible phone, which is usually the case in such scenarios.

The Pixel 8a comes with features that outshine previous A-series Pixel phones, like a brighter display (2,000 nits peak) with a 120Hz refresh rate, a fairly large battery at 4,492 mAh, a high-resolution 64MP main camera, class-3 face unlock security, as well as newer Pixel software features like Best Take, Magic Editor, and Circle to search. Of course Google’s amazing computational photography is present as well, which gives it an edge over similarly-priced midrange phones out there.

…Google’s amazing computational photography is present as well, which gives it an edge over similarly-priced midrange phones out there.

It’s not perfect though.- as a midrange phone it lacks the more “premium” glass build on other devices, although we’d argue that the plastic back makes it more resilient to cracks. You also get a pretty thick bezel around the display, which serves as an ever-present reminder of budgetary constraints. Again though, this will matter little to people who just want a good Pixel phone at an affordable price.

Pixel 9: A More Complete Package?

Moving over to the Pixel 9, and we can see that Google hasn’t held back on pumping its base-model flagship with new tricks. The display is brighter now at 2,700 nits (peak), there’s a much faster and more accurate ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, 12GB of RAM, a larger battery at 4,700 mAh, a higher-resolution 48MP ultrawide camera alongside a 50MP main camera, a new selfie camera lens with autofocus functionality, as well as Google’s new Tensor G4 chip.

You’re also getting a better-looking device with slimmer bezels, as well as Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and rear panels of the phone. It’s probably the most refined-looking Pixel so far, although the comparisons to iPhones and Samsung’s S24 series phones are unavoidable.

READ: Google Pixel 9 vs iPhone 15: A Clear Winner!

Overall, the Pixel 9 is undoubtedly a more versatile phone than the 8a, and will come with a lot of the same software and AI functions, in addition to those not found on the 8a – this includes features like Cinematic Blur and the new satellite SOS service, to name a couple. Sure, you’ll be spending a bit more, but you’re getting a device without any of the limitations found on the Pixel 8a.

The Verdict

As with a lot of other phone comparisons, results will ultimately be subjective depending on individual user needs. With that said, not everyone will need these features, and there’s been some sentiment about the actual practical uses of AI especially for users who aren’t too intertwined with consumer technology, and would just like a decent daily smartphone. The Pixel 8a is undoubtedly the more practical choice between the two, especially for buyers on a budget.

On the other hand, the Pixel 9 is objectively the better device in terms of hardware, and offers a more “complete” Pixel user experience. One just has to keep in mind the financial considerations to make when going with Google’s latest flagship phone.