Pixel 8a vs 12

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Google Pixel 8a

Lifespan decides this one: the Pixel 8a is supported until May 2031 at $5.08 per month of safe use, while the 12 runs out in Jan 2029 ($15.94/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: Pixel 8a 77 · 12 72 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Google Pixel 8a $300

Safe to buy$5.08/mo

2024◆ Buy-by May 20292031

OnePlus 12 $500

Buy with care$15.94/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Jan 20272029

Category by category

Display

Pixel 8a 7012 100

The 12's screen is the better one — 6.82-inch ltpo amoled proxdr, qhd+ (3168×1440), 1–120hz, up to 4500 nits peak.

Performance

Pixel 8a 7012 92

The 12's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is simply the faster chip.

Camera

Pixel 8a 6712 79

The 12 has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).

Battery

Pixel 8a 7012 88

5,400mAh vs 4,492mAh — the 12 lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

Pixel 8a 7012 37

The Pixel 8a is supported until May 2031 — 28 months longer than the 12.

Value

Pixel 8a 7712 72

Overall value goes to the Pixel 8a at $5.08 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	Pixel 8a	12
Price (street)	$300	$500
Display	6.1-inch Actua OLED, FHD+, 60–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak	6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED ProXDR, QHD+ (3168×1440), 1–120Hz, up to 4500 nits peak
Chipset	Google Tensor G3	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM	8GB	12GB/16GB
Storage	128GB/256GB	256GB/512GB
Battery	4,492 mAh	5,400 mAh
Charging	18W wired, 7.5W wireless	80W SUPERVOOC wired (50W in North America), 50W wireless
Rear cameras	64MP main, 13MP ultra-wide	50MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 64MP periscope 3x
Dimensions	152.1 × 72.7 × 8.9 mm	164.3 × 75.8 × 9.2 mm
Weight	188 g	220 g
Water resistance	IP67	IP65
Supported until	May 2031	Jan 2029

Pixel 8a full verdict →12 full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.