Google has officially unveiled the Pixel 8a a week ahead of its annual developer conference, Google I/O. Similar to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, the latest mid-range also comes with Google’s promise of 7 years of software updates.
Additionally, the Pixel Tablet which was first unveiled last May has also been relaunched today. The Pixel Tablet being relaunched today just hours after the tech giant’s big rival, Apple, has unveiled a new line of iPad tablets is not that surprising.
The $499 tablet launched last year with Google’s proprietary Tensor G2 chip, 11-inch display, 8GB of RAM with 128GB or 256 GB storage options. The Google Pixel Tablet also came with a multi-purpose speaker dock. It can charge your tablet, be used as a smart home controller, and has super loud speakers for “room-filling sound.”
The specs and price remain mostly unchanged but you can now get the Pixel Tablet without a speaker dock for $399. Pre-orders for the standalone Tablet start today and will go on sale on May 14th.
Google touts the Pixel 8a as an “AI Phone” as Google seeks to push its generative AI offerings to more consumers. It comes loaded with Google’s on-device model, Gemini nano. This feature doesn’t ship with the Pixel 8a with Google saying it will be coming soon in a feature drop. Other AI features include Circle to Search, Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, Best Take, and Audio Magic Eraser. The mid-range phone has some neat features – both software and hardware – for its $500 price.
Pixel 8a specs
The Pixel 8a is powered by the latest Google Tensor G3 chipset. It comes with 8GB of memory similar to its predecessor, the Pixel 7a. The phone now has two storage options: 128GB and 256GB. It has a 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rates (up from 90Hz) and 2000 nits of peak brightness. Similar to the Pixel 7a, it also has an IP67 rating.
The mid-range phone has a dual rear camera system with a 64-megapixel main lens and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide lens. It also has a 13-megapixel front-facing camera.
The phone comes with a class 3 face unlock feature, a 4500mAh battery, and supports Qi wireless charging. It is available in 4 colours: Obsidian, Aloe, Bay, and Porcelain.
The Pixel 8a is available for pre-order today and will go on sale starting May 14th. The 8GB/128GB base model goes for $499 (~Ksh. 71,127) with the 8GB/256GB variant going for $559 (~Ksh. 74,067). The 8GB/256GB only comes in Obsidian.
