Google's latest foray into the 'affordable' premium market, the Pixel 8a, has landed with a thud rather than a bang. Priced at a eyebrow-raising £499, it's no longer the bargain hunter's champion it once was, forcing shoppers to ask a serious question: does it do enough to justify its new premium tag?
The Elephant in the Room: A Hefty Price Tag
Let's cut straight to the chase. The most shocking thing about the Pixel 8a isn't a new feature, but its price. At £499, it's a staggering £150 more expensive than its predecessor was at launch. This aggressive move pushes it dangerously close to the territory of far more capable full-price flagships and leaves it brutally exposed to incredible competition from brands like Nothing and Samsung in the mid-range sector.
Performance That Fails to Excite
On paper, the Tensor G3 chip should be a workhorse. In reality, it delivers a experience that's best described as… fine. It handles everyday tasks without a fuss, but stutters and lag can appear when pushing it with more demanding apps or games. This is compounded by a display that is locked to a sluggish 60Hz refresh rate – a baffling omission in 2024 when even £200 phones offer buttery-smooth 120Hz screens.
Battery Life: The Deal-Breaker
Perhaps the most crippling flaw is the battery. For the average user hoping to get through a full day without desperately searching for a charger, the Pixel 8a is a gamble. With moderate use involving social media, browsing, and some photography, you'll be hitting the red zone by early evening. This makes it utterly unreliable for anyone with a busy, on-the-go lifestyle.
The Silver Lining: A Camera That Still Shines
It's not all doom and gloom. Google's computational photography magic remains the phone's one undeniable triumph. The 64MP main sensor captures stunning, vibrant photos in most lighting conditions, consistently outperforming other phones in its price bracket. Features like Audio Magic Eraser and Best Take are genuinely clever tools for polishing your memories.
The Verdict: A Hard Pass in a Crowded Market
While the camera is excellent, it simply can't carry the entire weight of this phone. The combination of its inflated price, mediocre battery, and dated display feels like a triple whammy of disappointment. For the same money, you can find phones that offer a more balanced and premium experience.
Unless you are a photography purist on a strict budget who lives next to a power outlet, the Google Pixel 8a is incredibly difficult to recommend. It's a phone that feels like it's from a bygone era, priced for a future it hasn't earned.
