Google Pixel 8a
How long will it last?
Official promiseSupported until May 2031 · Buy-by May 2029
Google promises 7 years of updates for this phone, so it's supported until May 2031 — buying it today still gets you about 4.9 years of safe use.
Source: Google's official policy · last verified 2026-06-11 · how we compute this
TrueCost
Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.
59% cheaper than the $300–600 median ($12.54/mo, dying phones excluded)
Our verdict
Google's budget Pixel brings flagship software and seven years of updates to a sub-$500 phone, now even cheaper used.
Pros
- Same Tensor G3 chip and AI features as the pricier Pixel 8
- Seven years of OS and security updates, rare at this price
- Capable 64MP main camera with Google's photography processing
- Compact, lightweight 6.1-inch design
Cons
- Slower 18W wired charging and only 7.5W wireless
- Gorilla Glass 3 and IP67 rating trail the flagship models
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 6.1-inch Actua OLED, FHD+, 60–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Google Tensor G3 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 64MP |
| ultra-wide | 13MP |
| front | 13MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 4,492 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired, 7.5W wireless |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 152.1 × 72.7 × 8.9 mm |
| Weight | 188 g |
| Materials | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Water resistance | IP67 |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | Android 14 at launch |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C |
| Update policy | 7 OS upgrades · 7 years of security updates (official promise) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Pixel 8a get updates?
It receives seven years of OS and security updates from its May 2024 launch, so support extends to around May 2031.
Is the Pixel 8a's camera as good as the Pixel 8's?
It uses a different 64MP main sensor rather than the Pixel 8's 50MP, but shares the same Tensor G3 processing, so everyday photo quality is very close.
Does the Pixel 8a support wireless charging?
Yes, but only at 7.5W, and wired charging is capped at 18W, both slower than the standard Pixel 8.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-11.