For years, Google’s Pixel A-series has provided an unimaginable worth that is provided unmatchable digital camera high quality, provided extra updates than different telephones in its class, and infrequently outperformed the whole lot on the sub-$500 value vary due to its Google Tensor processor.
However then the Nothing Cellphone 2a got here round. At $350, it is $150 lower than the Pixel 7a (and sure the Pixel 8a), all whereas providing flagship design, a greater show than something in its value vary, and battery life and charging velocity that’ll make anybody comfortable.
With the Pixel 8a’s doubtless launch simply on the horizon — most definitely to be introduced at Google I/O 2024 on Could 14 — there are some things Google may do to maintain Nothing from significantly consuming into its hard-earned Pixel A-series market share. Likely, it will be the finest funds telephone in its value vary when it releases as long as Google retains up with the Joneses, however listed here are some issues the Pixel 8a can take away from the Nothing Cellphone 2a.
Worth
The Google Pixel 8a is predicted to debut on the similar $499 value because the Pixel 7a. That is a $50 value hike over earlier Pixel A-series generations however the 7a improved the general expertise by together with a greater show, higher fingerprint sensor, wi-fi charging, and even a digital camera improve.
Whereas all of these issues have been vital, it is extra vital that Google would not enhance the worth but once more this yr to make sure it stays beneath the magic $500 price ticket.
The plain downside is that the Nothing Cellphone 2a is $150 cheaper than that, and it is doubtless going to be troublesome to say that the Pixel 8a will likely be value a lot greater than Nothing’s first budget-focused telephone.
Design
Google’s Pixel design has been nothing in need of unimaginable for the previous few years, and it might be a disgrace to see Google smash that now. The most recent Pixel 9 leaks look fairly darn ugly, however fortunately, Pixel 8a leaks make it look much more just like the Pixel 8.
Whereas Nothing’s Glyph Interface and related clear design are nice, the digital camera island on the again of the Cellphone 2a would not look significantly enticing. On the intense aspect, it is instantly identifiable as a Nothing Cellphone due to these distinctive design elements.
Equally, Google’s iconic digital camera bar design is instantly recognizable even with a case on the telephone. It is a sensible design that appears improbable, and we might hate to see Google do something too completely different. In any case, do not make it appear to be the Cellphone 2a’s bizarre digital camera hump.
Show
Final yr, Google upgraded the Pixel 7a with a 90Hz show — an vital soar over the sluggish 60Hz on the Pixel 6a. Nonetheless, the Nothing Cellphone 2a upped the ante in a number of vital methods, beginning with a shiny 120Hz OLED show. It might probably hit 1,300 nits of brightness — 300 greater than the Pixel 7a — and the 120Hz show can transfer between 30Hz and 120Hz relying on the content material. The Pixel 7a can solely swap between 60 and 90Hz.
The Pixel 8a may enhance on this by matching most of those specs, together with the brightness degree, which we have seen ramp up considerably lately.
Past that, the Nothing Cellphone 2a show does one thing far higher than any Pixel show, together with the high-end ones: it would not flicker at a sluggish charge. PWM-sensitive customers like myself have a tough time utilizing Pixel telephones as a result of they historically flicker at a 240Hz charge. The Pixel 7a makes use of a 360Hz charge, however that is nonetheless not excessive sufficient for delicate customers.
In the meantime, the Nothing Cellphone 2a’s show would not flicker in any respect above 50% brightness, whereas it switches to PWM dimming at 1920Hz under 50% brightness. Google must ramp up its PWM charge to match what’s rapidly turning into an trade norm, serving to each delicate customers and stopping customers from turning into delicate by watching a slowly flickering show.
Battery life
If the Pixel 6a and Pixel 7a have any particular weak spot, it is battery life. The Tensor G2 contained in the Pixel 7a was extra battery environment friendly than the Tensor G1 contained in the Pixel 6a, and as we noticed from the Pixel 8, the Tensor G3 that must be contained in the Pixel 8a is even extra battery environment friendly.
Nonetheless, Tensor’s battery effectivity pales compared to the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Professional contained in the Nothing Cellphone 2a, which positively sips battery all day lengthy. We commonly obtained two days of battery life out of a single cost on the Nothing Cellphone 2a.
Whereas we’re not hopeful that we’ll see the identical sort of battery life out of the Pixel 8a, any form of enchancment over the Pixel 6a and 7a’s battery life could be a welcome enchancment.
Charging velocity
Google added wi-fi charging on the Pixel 7a — a primary for a Pixel A-series telephone — nevertheless it’s comparatively ineffective at simply 5W charging velocity. It is comprehensible that Google has to chop corners someplace to maintain the telephone beneath $500, nevertheless it’s nearly worse when an vital function will get added solely to have it not work very effectively.
If the Pixel 8a contains wi-fi charging, it must be not less than 10W. The Pixel 8 sequence helps 15W wi-fi charging, so this may really feel like an inexpensive value concession whereas nonetheless providing one thing helpful. The Nothing Cellphone 2a would not assist wi-fi charging in any respect, which may give Google a notable benefit over Nothing’s funds telephone.
Nonetheless, Google Pixel telephones have by no means supported 45W quick charging just like the Nothing Cellphone 2a, and I discover that much more precious than any wi-fi charging methodology. Sooner total charging would assist remedy the battery life subject within the above part, making topping up midway by means of a day no large deal. The present 18W charging velocity of the Pixel A-series simply is not sufficient.
Sustained efficiency
The Google Pixel 6a and 7a provide the very best peak efficiency of any telephone in its class, however Tensor has a nasty repute for overheating and slowing down lots when working something that requires quick processing. As you possibly can see from the gray chart above, the Pixel 7a loses a considerable quantity of efficiency very quickly flat.
In the meantime, the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Professional within the Nothing Cellphone 2a does a a lot, significantly better job of maintaining efficiency excessive even after half-hour or longer of heavy processing. Should you’re a cellular gamer, this metric is especially vital for you.
Google may enhance this with higher thermal administration within the Pixel 8a and it might assist the telephone really feel quicker if it may preserve its high-performance capabilities intact for greater than only a few minutes, on the most.
Digital camera high quality and options
To this present day, no telephone beneath $500 takes footage in addition to the Pixel 7a. The competitors, together with the Nothing Cellphone 2a, merely would not stand an opportunity. We now have little doubts that the Pixel 8a will differ from this in any respect — rumors and leaks counsel Google is not altering something significant concerning the digital camera {hardware} — however Google may stand to enhance some elements of the digital camera software program.
Nothing presents a correct handbook mode on its telephone, regardless of missing another options Google’s digital camera presents, and it makes the Nothing Cellphone 2a’s capabilities appear better regardless of the alternative being true. If Google may deliver over the wonderful handbook digital camera mode from the Pixel 8 Professional, it might be a large benefit over different firms on this section.
Software program updates
Apart from the digital camera, probably the greatest causes to get a Pixel is the assist from Google. Google has lengthy provided a few years of software program updates greater than different Android telephone producers, and the Pixel 8 sequence pushed this additional than ever with seven years of assured main software program updates.
Plus, with the Pixel 8 getting Gemini Nano, it looks as if there’s by no means been a greater motive to get a Pixel telephone with its wonderful assist. However Google’s updates have not been significantly dependable lately, and that is the true elephant within the room.
The Nothing Cellphone 2a is simply scheduled to get three main OS updates and 4 years of safety updates, however Nothing has already delivered three updates for the telephone since launch and has, traditionally, been wonderful about high quality updates. Google may definitely study a factor or two from Nothing on this regard, and that would definitely begin with a brand-new telephone.
It is coming quickly
Whereas there’s been no official announcement, we’re extraordinarily sure that the Google Pixel 8a will likely be introduced at Google I/O 2024 on Could 14. Our Pixel 8a rumor roundup covers the whole lot that is been leaked or rumored up to now, and the small print are fairly juicy.
All in all, it seems like Google goes to ship one other winner this yr, however a few of that success hinges on Google adapting to modifications all through the remainder of the trade. The Nothing Cellphone 2a is a wonderful instance of learn how to ship a great funds telephone with out a lot compromise, and Google’s extra mid-range value ought to provide up even higher specs with longer software program assist.
