Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 6a: Should you upgrade?

The Google Pixel 8a will be available for pre-orders starting May 7, 2024, and will go on general sale on May 14, 2024. The affordable A-series device keeps its predecessor’s starting price point of $499. However, for the first time, Google is introducing a higher storage variant with a 256GB version, priced at $559.

Apart from the standard black and white colorways, or Porcelain and Obsidian in this case, the Pixel 8a will also have Bay and Aloe color options. However, the 256GB storage version, likely the preferred choice for most users, will only be available in Obsidian at launch.

On the other hand, the Pixel 6a launched two years ago at $449 — $50 less than the Pixel 8a’s retail price. While the older A-series device isn’t officially available on the Google Store anymore, you can still find it for a discounted price, between $280 and $350, on Amazon and other online stores.

At this point, the Pixel 6a is around two years old, so it’s understandable that the new Pixel 8a is the better phone. But does the latter offer enough to justify an upgrade? It depends on how much you want Google’s AI features.

There are hardware upgrades, of course. While both have 6.1-inch OLED displays, the Pixel 8a’s screen has a higher 120Hz refresh rate, making the 6a’s 60Hz panel feel incredibly sluggish. The display is much brighter as well, offering a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, which is almost double what you get with the 6a. The Pixel 8a also gets an improved design, similar to its flagship siblings, but with more rounded edges.

Additionally, Google’s latest phone comes with the more powerful Tensor G3 processor, has more RAM at 8GB, and finally introduces a new variant with 256GB of built-in storage. The cameras are far better, with the 64MP wide and 13MP ultrawide dual camera system doing a much better job than the Pixel 6a’s camera unit. Then there’s wireless charging, which is quite a rare feature at under the $500 mark.

There are some similarities, too. While Google says the Pixel 8a is the most durable A-series smartphone yet, courtesy of its aluminum frame, both phones have Corning Gorilla Glass 3 up front and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The slight increase in battery capacity shouldn’t make much of a difference. Especially disappointing, though, is the Pixel 8a’s 18W “fast” charging, the same as what you get with the 6a.

As always, the selling point of Google phones is the software. The Pixel 8a benefits from almost all the AI-powered camera and software features we first saw with the Pixel 8 series. This includes features like Gemini Nano, Circle to Search, Live Translate, and plenty more, along with a host of camera features like Magic Editor, Best Take, and Audio Magic Eraser, to name a few. The Pixel 8a’s software package is almost on par with far more expensive alternatives, making it one of the best mid-range phones you can get.

It’s not just about new features, either. The Pixel 6a will still receive one more major OS upgrade and a couple more years of security updates. On the other hand, Google continues what it started with the Pixel 8 series to give the Pixel 8a seven years of major software upgrades!

The Pixel 8a has a lot going for it. A faster processor, better cameras, a more durable build, and an impressive suite of software features make the 2024 release an excellent upgrade over the Pixel 6a. That said, the latter will get another major OS update and is still a decent performer, especially in the camera department. We think you can comfortably hold on to the 6a for at least another year, even if the Pixel 8a is quite enticing.