For years, Google’s Pixel A-series has supplied an unimaginable worth that is supplied unmatchable digicam high quality, supplied extra updates than different telephones in its class, and sometimes outperformed every part on the sub-$500 worth 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 certain the Pixel 8a), all whereas providing flagship design, a greater show than something in its worth vary, and battery life and charging velocity that’ll make anybody blissful.
With the Pixel 8a’s seemingly launch simply on the horizon — almost definitely to be introduced at Google I/O 2024 on Could 14 — there are some things Google may do to maintain Nothing from severely consuming into its hard-earned Pixel A-series market share. Likely, it will be the most effective funds cellphone in its worth vary when it releases as long as Google retains up with the Joneses, however listed below are some issues the Pixel 8a can take away from the Nothing Cellphone 2a.
Worth
The Google Pixel 8a is anticipated to debut on the identical $499 worth because the Pixel 7a. That is a $50 worth 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 digicam improve.
Whereas all of these issues have been necessary, it is extra necessary that Google would not enhance the value but once more this 12 months 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 seemingly going to be troublesome to say that the Pixel 8a can be value a lot greater than Nothing’s first budget-focused cellphone.
Design
Google’s Pixel design has been nothing in need of unimaginable for the previous few years, and it could 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 digicam island on the again of the Cellphone 2a would not look notably enticing. On the intense aspect, it is instantly identifiable as a Nothing Cellphone due to these distinctive design features.
Equally, Google’s iconic digicam bar design is instantly recognizable even with a case on the cellphone. It is a good design that appears incredible, and we might hate to see Google do something too totally different. In any case, do not make it appear to be the Cellphone 2a’s bizarre digicam hump.
Show
Final 12 months, Google upgraded the Pixel 7a with a 90Hz show — an necessary bounce over the sluggish 60Hz on the Pixel 6a. Nonetheless, the Nothing Cellphone 2a upped the ante in a number of necessary methods, beginning with a vibrant 120Hz OLED show. It could actually 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 stage, 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 gradual 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 beneath 50% brightness. Google must ramp up its PWM charge to match what’s shortly turning into an trade norm, serving to each delicate customers and stopping customers from turning into delicate by observing 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 frequently received 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 type of battery life out of the Pixel 8a, any kind of enchancment over the Pixel 6a and 7a’s battery life can be a welcome enchancment.
Charging velocity
Google added wi-fi charging on the Pixel 7a — a primary for a Pixel A-series cellphone — nevertheless it’s comparatively ineffective at simply 5W charging velocity. It is comprehensible that Google has to chop corners someplace to maintain the cellphone beneath $500, nevertheless it’s nearly worse when an necessary 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 collection helps 15W wi-fi charging, so this may really feel like an inexpensive worth 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 cellphone.
Nonetheless, Google Pixel telephones have by no means supported 45W quick charging just like the Nothing Cellphone 2a, and I discover that way more priceless than any wi-fi charging methodology. Sooner general charging would assist clear up the battery life difficulty within the above part, making topping up midway by way of a day no massive deal. The present 18W charging velocity of the Pixel A-series simply is not sufficient.
Sustained efficiency
The Google Pixel 6a and 7a supply the most effective peak efficiency of any cellphone in its class, however Tensor has a foul status for overheating and slowing down rather a lot when operating something that requires quick processing. As you may 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 conserving efficiency excessive even after half-hour or longer of heavy processing. In the event you’re a cellular gamer, this metric is especially necessary for you.
Google may enhance this with higher thermal administration within the Pixel 8a and it could assist the cellphone really feel sooner if it may hold its high-performance capabilities intact for greater than only a few minutes, on the most.
Digicam high quality and options
To at the present time, no cellphone 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’ve little doubts that the Pixel 8a will differ from this in any respect — rumors and leaks recommend Google is not altering something significant in regards to the digicam {hardware} — however Google may stand to enhance some components of the digicam software program.
Nothing provides a correct handbook mode on its cellphone, regardless of missing another options Google’s digicam provides, and it makes the Nothing Cellphone 2a’s capabilities appear larger regardless of the alternative being true. If Google may convey over the superb handbook digicam mode from the Pixel 8 Professional, it could be an enormous benefit over different corporations on this section.
Software program updates
Other than the digicam, top-of-the-line causes to get a Pixel is the assist from Google. Google has lengthy supplied a few years of software program updates greater than different Android cellphone producers, and the Pixel 8 collection pushed this additional than ever with seven years of assured main software program updates.
Plus, with the Pixel 8 getting Gemini Nano, it looks like there’s by no means been a greater purpose to get a Pixel cellphone with its glorious assist. However Google’s updates have not been notably dependable just lately, and that is the actual 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 cellphone since launch and has, traditionally, been glorious 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 cellphone.
It is coming quickly
Whereas there’s been no official announcement, we’re extraordinarily sure that the Google Pixel 8a can be introduced at Google I/O 2024 on Could 14. Our Pixel 8a rumor roundup covers every part that is been leaked or rumored to this point, and the main points are fairly juicy.
All in all, it seems like Google goes to ship one other winner this 12 months, however a few of that success hinges on Google adapting to adjustments all through the remainder of the trade. The Nothing Cellphone 2a is a wonderful instance of the way to ship funds cellphone with out a lot compromise, and Google’s extra mid-range worth ought to supply up even higher specs with longer software program assist.
