Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8a
It depends
Too close to call outright
These two are within 4 points overall, so it depends on you: keep phones for years → Pixel 8a (supported until May 2031); want maximum speed → Pixel 8 (Google Tensor G3).
Value Score: Pixel 8 73 · Pixel 8a 77 — methodology
Who should pick which
Beyond the scores — our take on each phone and the buyer it actually suits.
Around $320 used gets you Google's best small phone of 2023 — the same class-leading 50MP main camera and Tensor AI as the Pro in a pocketable 187g body, provided you can live without a zoom lens.
Pick it if
- ✓ Small-phone fans who still want a top-tier camera
- ✓ Budget buyers wanting the longest possible update window
- ✓ Anyone who prefers clean, bloat-free Android
Skip it if
- ✗ You need optical zoom or 12GB of RAM
- ✗ You want the fastest charging or top-tier gaming
The cheapest way into seven years of Pixel updates and Google's full AI camera stack — a sub-$300 used buy that will still be getting security patches in 2031.
Pick it if
- ✓ Budget buyers who want the longest software support at the price
- ✓ Anyone who wants Pixel cameras and AI without the flagship cost
- ✓ Fans of compact, lightweight phones
Skip it if
- ✗ You want fast charging or a telephoto lens
- ✗ You game heavily in 3D
The lifespan decider
When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.
Category by category
Both displays are effectively the same class.
Performance is a wash — same chip tier.
Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.
Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.
The Pixel 8a is supported until May 2031 — 7 months longer than the Pixel 8.
Overall value goes to the Pixel 8a at $5.21 per month of safe use.
Frequently asked
Is the Pixel 8 still supported in 2026, and for how long?
Yes — it gets seven years of OS and security updates from its October 2023 launch, running all the way to October 2030. That leaves more than four years of coverage remaining in 2026.
Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro — which should I buy?
They share the same Tensor G3, software and October 2030 support date. The Pro adds a 48MP 5x optical telephoto, 12GB of RAM versus 8GB, a bigger 5,050mAh battery and a larger, brighter 6.7-inch screen, but weighs 213g. Want zoom and battery? Pay up for the Pro. Want a lighter, cheaper phone with the same core camera? The Pixel 8 is the smarter value.
How long does the Pixel 8a get updates?
Seven years of OS and security updates from its May 2024 launch, so support runs to around May 2031 — the same commitment Google gives its flagship Pixel 8 and 9.
Is the Pixel 8a's camera as good as the Pixel 8's?
Very close. It uses a 64MP main sensor versus the Pixel 8's 50MP, but shares the same Tensor G3 image processing, so everyday photos are nearly indistinguishable; the Pixel 8 pulls slightly ahead only in low light.
Full spec table
| Spec | Pixel 8 | Pixel 8a |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $320 | $300 |
| Display | 6.2-inch Actua OLED, FHD+, 60–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak | 6.1-inch Actua OLED, FHD+, 60–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G3 | Google Tensor G3 |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB |
| Battery | 4,575 mAh | 4,492 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired, 18W wireless | 18W wired, 7.5W wireless |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide | 64MP main, 13MP ultra-wide |
| Dimensions | 150.5 × 70.8 × 8.9 mm | 152.1 × 72.7 × 8.9 mm |
| Weight | 187 g | 188 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP67 |
| Supported until | Oct 2030 | May 2031 |
More comparisons
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.