Pixel 8 vs Phone (3a)
It depends
Too close to call outright
These two are within 1 point overall, so it depends on you: keep phones for years → Phone (3a) (supported until Mar 2031); want maximum speed → Pixel 8 (Google Tensor G3).
Value Score: Pixel 8 74 · Phone (3a) 75 — methodology
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
The Phone (3a)'s screen is the better one — 6.77-inch amoled, 1080×2392 (fhd+), up to 120hz, 3000 nits peak.
The Pixel 8's Google Tensor G3 is simply the faster chip.
The Phone (3a) has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).
5,000mAh vs 4,575mAh — the Phone (3a) lasts longer between charges.
The Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 — 5 months longer than the Pixel 8.
Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.
Full spec table
| Spec | Pixel 8 | Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $320 | $349 |
| Display | 6.2-inch Actua OLED, FHD+, 60–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak | 6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080×2392 (FHD+), up to 120Hz, 3000 nits peak |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G3 | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB |
| Battery | 4,575 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired, 18W wireless | 50W wired, no wireless |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide | 50MP main, 50MP telephoto 2x, 8MP ultra-wide |
| Dimensions | 150.5 × 70.8 × 8.9 mm | 163.52 × 77.50 × 8.35 mm |
| Weight | 187 g | 201 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP64 |
| Supported until | Oct 2030 | Mar 2031 |
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.