Google Pixel 8a Review - Best Camera Phone for Stock Android Lovers Under 70,000 BDT
Google Pixel 8a Review - Best Camera Phone for Stock Android Lovers Under 70,000 BDT
The Google Pixel 8a brings Google's legendary computational photography and clean Android experience to a more affordable price point. With the Tensor G3 chip, 64MP main camera, and 7 years of updates, it's a compelling option for photography enthusiasts and stock Android fans. This review covers everything you need to know about the Pixel 8a.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Details | Display | 6.1-inch 120Hz OLED | Processor | Google Tensor G3 | RAM | 8GB | Storage | 128GB / 256GB | Rear Camera | 64MP OIS + 13MP ultrawide | Front Camera | 13MP | Battery | 4492 mAh, 18W | OS | Android 14, stock Android | Updates | 7 years (OS + security) |
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Unboxing and First Impressions
The Pixel 8a comes in a recycled paper box - Google's eco-friendly approach. Inside, you get the phone, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and a SIM ejector tool. No charger is included. The phone feels solid and well-built, with a unique matte plastic back that resists fingerprints and feels good in hand.
Design and Build Quality
The Pixel 8a features a 6.1-inch display with a plastic frame and a matte plastic back (not glass). The phone measures 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9mm and weighs 188g. The design is simple and functional, with the signature Pixel camera bar on the back. The phone is IP67 rated for water and dust resistance.
The phone is available in four colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, and Aloe.
Display
The 6.1-inch 120Hz OLED display is excellent. While it's not the brightest or most color-accurate OLED, it's more than adequate for everyday use. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling smooth, which is a welcome upgrade from previous A-series Pixels.
Display highlights:
- 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling
- OLED panel with deep blacks
- HDR support
- Gorilla Glass 3 protection (older glass)
- Thick bezels (not as modern as competitors)
Performance
The Tensor G3 chip is Google's custom processor, designed with AI and machine learning in mind. It's powerful enough for daily tasks but falls behind Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in raw performance and efficiency.
Performance test results:
- AnTuTu score: Approximately 800,000-850,000
- Geekbench 6 single-core: ~1,500
- Geekbench 6 multi-core: ~4,000
Gaming performance is decent but not great. The Tensor G3 heats up during extended gaming sessions and may throttle performance. The Pixel 8a is not designed for gamers.
Camera - The Main Highlight
The camera is where the Pixel 8a truly shines. Google's computational photography magic turns good hardware into exceptional photos.
64MP Main Camera with OIS
The 64MP sensor with f/1.9 aperture and OIS captures stunning photos in all lighting conditions. Google's image processing produces photos with natural colors, excellent dynamic range, and incredible detail. Night Sight is class-leading, producing bright and clear low-light photos without excessive noise.
13MP Ultrawide Camera
The 13MP ultrawide camera with 120-degree field of view is great for landscapes and group photos. Image quality is good, with decent edge correction and color matching with the main camera.
13MP Front Camera
The 13MP front camera takes good selfies with natural skin tones. Google's software processing ensures consistent results.
Pixel-exclusive Features
- Magic Eraser: Remove unwanted objects from photos
- Best Take: Combine the best expressions from multiple photos
- Audio Magic Eraser: Reduce unwanted background noise in videos
- Real Tone: Accurate skin tones for all skin colors
Video Recording
The Pixel 8a can record 4K video at 60fps. Video stabilization is excellent, and Audio Magic Eraser helps clean up background noise.
Battery Life
The 4492 mAh battery provides average battery life. With moderate use, you'll get a full day, but heavy users may need to charge before the end of the day.
Battery test results:
- Video playback: 12+ hours
- Web browsing: 8-9 hours
- Mixed usage: Full day (6 AM to 10 PM)
Charging is a major weakness. The 18W wired charging takes about 30 minutes to reach 40% and about 100 minutes for a full charge. 7.5W wireless charging is available but very slow.
Software - Stock Android with 7 Years of Updates
The Pixel 8a runs stock Android 14, the cleanest and most polished version of Android. There's no bloatware, no ads, and Google promises 7 years of OS updates and security patches - matching Samsung's commitment.
Connectivity
The phone supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and has a USB-C 3.2 port. No headphone jack.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons | Incredible camera with class-leading software | Slow 18W charging | Stock Android with no bloatware | Tensor G3 heats up under load | 7 years of OS updates | Thick bezels (dated look) | 120Hz OLED display | No charger included | IP67 water resistance | Average battery life |
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Comparison with Competitors
Google Pixel 8a vs Samsung Galaxy S25 FE
The S25 FE costs about the same (79,999 BDT). The S25 FE offers a better display (brighter, thinner bezels), better performance (Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 vs Tensor G3), faster charging (25W vs 18W), and telephoto camera. The Pixel 8a offers better still photography (Google's processing is magical), cleaner stock Android, and a more compact form factor.
Verdict: Choose Pixel for camera and clean software. Choose Samsung for display, performance, and faster charging.
Google Pixel 8a vs iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e costs about the same (79,999 BDT). The iPhone offers better performance (A18 vs Tensor G3), better video recording, and better battery efficiency. The Pixel offers better still photography, stock Android vs iOS, and a higher refresh rate display (120Hz vs 60Hz).
Verdict: It comes down to OS preference. Both are excellent phones.
Who Should Buy the Google Pixel 8a
- Photography enthusiasts: Pixel cameras are magical
- Stock Android fans: Cleanest Android experience available
- Users who keep phones for 4-5+ years: 7 years of updates
- Users who want a compact phone: 6.1-inch is smaller than most competitors
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Gamers: Tensor G3 is not great for gaming
- Users who want fast charging: 18W is very slow by 2025 standards
- Users who want a premium display: Bezels are thick, brightness is average
Final Verdict
The Google Pixel 8a is the best camera phone under 70,000 BDT for users who prioritize still photography and clean software. Google's computational photography produces stunning photos that rival phones costing twice as much. The stock Android experience with no bloatware and 7 years of updates is another major advantage. However, the slow charging, average battery life, and thick bezels are disappointing. If you can live with those compromises, the Pixel 8a is an excellent choice for photographers and stock Android purists.
Rating: 8.9/10
Price: 64,999 BDT (8GB/128GB)
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is the Pixel 8a good for gaming?
Answer: No, the Tensor G3 heats up and throttles during extended gaming. This is not a gaming phone.
Question 2: Does it have a headphone jack?
Answer: No, Pixel phones haven't had headphone jacks since the Pixel 4a.
Question 3: Is it waterproof?
Answer: Yes, it has an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance.
Question 4: How many years of updates?
Answer: Google promises 7 years of OS updates and security patches.
Question 5: Is the Pixel 8a better than the Pixel 8?
Answer: The Pixel 8 has a better display (brighter, thinner bezels), better build quality (glass back), and faster charging. The Pixel 8a offers better value for money.