Google Pixel 8a: UK release date, price and how to buy today
The rumours are true! Google launched the Google Pixel 8a today, and here’s everything you need to know about the brand-new smartphone, including how to buy it today.
Last week, on Tuesday 7th May, Google smartphone users were treated to the brand-new Google Pixel 8a ahead of Google I/O.
Back in October 2023, we were invited to meet the latest additions to the Pixel family: the new Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro, with the exciting 'minty fresh' colourway joining the smartphone line-up in January this year. As is Google's style, today, we were introduced to the Google Pixel 8a: the A series smartphone which offers many of the same specs and features as the flagships Google released the previous autumn, at a more affordable price.
There are a few, selected downgrades to keep the Google Pixel 8a at an affordable price. However, with the same Tensor G3 chipset as the Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro, the RadioTimes.com Technology team are already impressed with what we're seeing from this mid-range phone.
Here's everything we know so far about this brand-new launch, including how you can buy the smartphone today.
Buy the Google Pixel 8a from £499 at John Lewis
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Jump to:
- Google Pixel 8a UK release date
- Google Pixel 8a UK price
- Google Pixel 8a design
- Google Pixel 8a features
- Where to buy the new Google Pixel 8a in the UK
Will there be a Google Pixel 8a?
The rumours are true: there is a Google Pixel 8a, and it arrived one week earlier than anticipated.
This latest instalment in Google's A series comes in four colourways: Obsidian (black), Porcelain (white), Bay (blue), and Aloe (green).
Plus, unlike the Google Pixel 7a, the Google Pixel 8a comes in two storage variants: 128GB and 256GB. However, unlike Samsung Galaxy smartphones, there isn't the option to expand your storage with a microSD card.
Buy the Google Pixel 8a from £499 at John Lewis
Google Pixel 8a UK release date: When does the new phone come out?
The brand-new Google Pixel 8a is available to buy right now from UK retailers, such as John Lewis, and selected mobile networks, such as Vodafone.
Buy the Google Pixel 8a from £499 at John Lewis
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Google Pixel 8a UK price: How much does the new smartphone cost?
As we typically see in the run up to a new smartphone launch, Google has lowered the prices of its most recently released smartphones: the Google Pixel 8 is now £569 (down from £699), the Google Pixel 8 Pro is £799 (reduced from £999), and the Google Pixel 7a is priced at £329 (down from £449).
The brand-new Google Pixel 8a is competitively priced from £449. This is the same price as the Google Pixel 7a when it was launched, and the Google Pixel 8a price tag is a decent amount less than the Google Pixel 8 flagship smartphones.
Buy the Google Pixel 8a from £499 at John Lewis
Google Pixel 8a design: What does the new smartphone look like?
The Google Pixel 8a comes in four colourways: Obsidian (black), Porcelain (white), Bay (blue), and Aloe (green), all with a matte finish.
Parts of the Google Pixel 8a are made from recyclable materials, and it's durable, too, boasting Corning® Gorilla® Glass™ 3 cover glass and an IP67 rating, which means it's water-resistant up to a depth of about three-feet for up to 30-minutes.
As we saw in the Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro, the Google Pixel 8a is designed to fit seamlessly into your lifestyle (and pockets!). The Google Pixel 8a is smooth and comfortable to hold, with rounded edges instead of angular corners.
Moving onto the screen, the Google Pixel 8a has a 6.1-inch Actua display, with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,400 OLED at 430 PPI, adaptive refresh rate of 120Hz, and a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits (1,400 nits HDR).
Buy the Google Pixel 8a from £499 at John Lewis
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Google Pixel 8a features
As we mentioned earlier, the Google Pixel 8a has the Tensor G3 chipset. This chipset features in the Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro, and is particularly impressive in a Google A series device as it promises a performance upgrade and photo editing capabilities.
Google's latest Tensor G3 chipset features nine CPU cores, better graphics and on-board ray tracing capabilities (a method that simulates lighting in games), as well as call-screening capabilities to screen scam calls. The Tensor G3 chipset offers a significant performance upgrade in comparison to the G2 chipset.
Google Pixel 8a camera
We know that one of the most important functions smartphone users consider when purchasing a new phone is the camera, and the Google Pixel 8a certainly delivers in terms of its camera and photo editing tools, too, with thanks to the Tensor G3 chipset. Let's take a deeper look.
The Google Pixel 8a is equipped with the same 64MP main camera, 13MP ultra-wide camera, and 13MP front-facing camera that we see on the Google Pixel 7a. Plus, it comes with the fantastic photo editing capabilities which we saw on the Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro.
Google Pixel 8a photo editing tools
It's unsurprising that a smartphone powered by Google AI offers further possibilities in terms of editing photos. Namely, with the Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur and Best Take features.
Magic Eraser detects distractions in photos, like unwanted photo-bombers or rubbish bins, then you can remove them in just a few taps. Plus, you can circle or brush other distractions that the smartphone might not have picked up on to erase them, too.
The Photo Unblur feature does exactly what it says on the tin: it sharpens photos.
Best Take lets you select the best shot of each person in a group photo, so the outcome will be a photo you're all happy with.
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Google Pixel 8a battery
The Google Pixel 8a has 27W charging, which is up from 18W on the Google Pixel 7a, and matches the Google Pixel 8. As expected, there isn't a charger included in the Google Pixel 8a box.
This new smartphone has up to 72-hour battery life with Extreme Battery Saver, or 24-hour battery life otherwise.
Buy the Google Pixel 8a from £499 at John Lewis
Where to buy the new Google Pixel 8a in the UK
You can buy the Google Pixel 8a right now at the Google Store from £499.
Google Pixel 8a UK availability
The Google Pixel 8a is also available from selected UK retailers and mobile networks, such as the ones listed below.
- Buy the Google Pixel 8a from £499 at Currys
- Buy the Google Pixel 8a from £499 at John Lewis
- Buy the Google Pixel 8a from £499 at Very
- Buy the Google Pixel 8a from £23 per month at EE
- Buy the Google Pixel 8a from £22 per month at Vodafone
- Buy the Google Pixel 8a from £26.25 per month at O2
- Buy the Google Pixel 8a from £11.25 per month at Three
- Buy the Google Pixel 8a from £25.99 per month at Tesco Mobile
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