high-end camera and AI functions for 549 dollars

Google presented one of the most anticipated phones of the year, the Pixel 8a. It’s a week ahead of Google I/O and launches its mid-range smartphone that expands the Pixel 8 family experience at a lower price than the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro versions, although the price increases slightly in Europe compared to. the previous generation since it is sold at 549 dollars, or 40 dollars more than when the Pixel 7a was released. The phone does not only arrive in Europe, since Google has also launched the Pixel Tablet for 499 dollars.

The company explains that this price increase is due to a better phone experience and a greater ambition whereby the gap in power and performance between the A series is increasingly reduced compared to its older brothers. And the truth is that he is right.

This new phone integrates the Tensor G3 processor, the same as the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro and is designed to integrate AI functions that have already become essential in the rest of the phone family like the magic eraser or the circle to search, a top-notch camera, robust security certification, and a revolutionary new promise for a mid-range phone: seven years of software support, including security and Android updatesand regular updates with new features and improvements.

The camera as a claim

The great advantage of the Pixel 8a is its quality/price ratio, particularly in the field of photography. Google managed to do very high quality photography work with its family of mobile devices that it carries at all levels, as well as its mid-range mobile.

Specifically, the Pixel 8a has a dual rear camera with a 64-megapixel main sensor and a 13-megapixel wide-angle sensor, which places it among the best in its price range. Likewise, it opts for a 13-megapixel front camera with a wide field of view, with group selfies in mind.

However, the real “magic” of Google at the photographic level lies in the editing which, thanks to AI based on the Tensor G3 chipallow you to get the most out of photos and videos beyond the processing carried out there.

Thus, the Pixel 8a integrates Best versionthe group photo function in which you can choose the best expression of each person; Magic Editorwhich allows you to modify the position and size of people and objects; Magic blur for audio making it easy to eliminate background noise from other people…and thus improve clarity and sharpness. Additionally, it includes functions such as High resolution zoom with up to 8x magnification, Magic Eraser, Night Vision Yes Focus photo. Like the rest of the Pixel devices, the Pixel 8a includes the feature Request a responsel, which is responsible for accurately representing the complexion of each person in photos, and now also in videos.

Google’s AI is very present in the phone and goes beyond the camera. It is immersed in the experience of using the device with the idea of ​​performing tasks in a faster and simpler way, adapting more than ever to the user with widgets such as “in one at a glance” or features like “circle to search”.

Among the most interesting features of the phone is the Call Assistant with AI-assisted functions that can filter calls, direct them, put them on hold or make them much clearer. As a novelty, with the Pixel 8a Google presents Audio Emojis, which prompts the user to react with emoticons to phone calls.

More storage

In terms of design, the Pixel 8a follows the line of the Pixel family with a marked protuberance on the camera module which makes it easy to recognize and gives it a necessary character in the telephony market. Google is banking on four colors, with striking blue and green colors with the classic black and white.

Opt for rounded edges, a matte back and a polished aluminum frame. The key to this device is that it was developed to be durable, so it has a certain degree of IP67 protection which promises to resist shocks, splashes of water and dust. “It’s the most durable A-series phone yet,” boasts Google.

It retains the 6.1-inch screen size but the panel looks considerably better thanks to 40% higher brightness that of the Pixel 7a and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which seeks fluidity in the user experience. Concretely, it has up to 1400 nits (HDR) and up to 2000 nits (when the brightness is maximum), compatible with HDR.

Regarding memory, it has 8 GB of RAM and for the first time from Google offers the option of 256 GB of storage, although it retains 128 GB for the most affordable version. It also has 30W fast charging and wireless charging.

Pricing and availability

The Pixel 8a is priced from 549 dollars and can be reserved from today. As part of the introductory promotion, for those who purchase by June 4 from an authorized dealer and trade in an eligible old phone, they will have 150 dollars reductionin addition to the value of the phone they deliver.

With this promotion, Google wants to support the good direction that its devices are taking in the Spanish market, and the Pixel 8a is the best proof of this. “It’s much more than a list of specifications. Our goal is to deliver an extraordinary experience powered by Google AI. More smart features, a truly affordable price and a bold, innovative design. A phone that changes the rules of the game. It is a fantastic addition to the range formed by the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro mobile phones, which offers even more options to Spanish consumers”, explains Elena Sánchez, responsible National Association of Devices and Services Partnerships, Europe and Portugal.