Over the next months, amid the hype surrounding the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro launches, wallets everywhere will be open in Google’s direction as potential owners become more eager to secure it.
There are plenty of reasons why you’ll want to get one, too – from the new cameras to Android 14. But, unfortunately, prices have also increased this year. At this point, when your wallet has been stretched to its limit, you should remember that a cheaper Pixel still exists – and it’s excellent.
Don’t forget about the Google Pixel 7a
I’m talking about the Google Pixel 7a, which costs $499. It was released in early May this year, so it’s barely a few months old and is still very much in Google’s range. It’s unlikely to be replaced by the Pixel 8a before mid-2024 (if at all), although some leaks have already started to circulate, and it will get Android 14 and several other major version updates in the future, so You can buy with confidence that it is not going to become obsolete.
What do you save? Pricing for the Pixel 8 starts at $699, and you’ll need $999 before you can buy the Pixel 8 Pro. Both are $100 more than the equivalent Pixel 7 versions, and this increase turns the old argument for buying the Google Pixel 7 instead of the Pixel 7a on its head. If you were looking at the Pixel 7a before now, the extra $100 for the Pixel 7 probably won’t be much, so it’s worth considering. Now that the $699 Pixel 8 has arrived, you can save $200 by choosing the Pixel 7a instead, and that’s a compelling financial consideration.
It’s worth saving so much money on any new technology purchase, but there are a number of psychological barriers that will be very difficult to overcome. The Pixel 7a is tied to the “old” Pixel phones, and in the minds of many tech fans, that’s a reason not to buy. The Pixel 8 is newer and, therefore, better – and spending more today is often worth it in the long run. If this is your thought process (because it is mine too), then I won’t dissuade you, because when it comes to technology, it’s a good rule of thumb to buy the best you can afford.
better than the price
If money is no object, get the Pixel 8 model. But if you want a bargain or want to save $200 off your next phone purchase, the Pixel 7a is a great buy. When we scored it in our original review, one of the drawbacks was its price, as it was close enough to the Pixel 7 that there was an argument for getting that phone instead. Today, with the increase in price of the Pixel 8, this negativity has gone away.
Maybe you’re worried that the camera isn’t good enough? I put the Pixel 7a up against the Pixel 7 in a tough camera test, and the pair were indistinguishable. The result was a draw in almost all categories and in many cases, I didn’t notice any difference in the photos. I continued using the Pixel 7a as my main phone for a few weeks after that, and when I had to switch to a different phone, I found I really didn’t want to. Having a smartphone that costs around $500 is a great feeling.
Check out the specifications, and the Pixel 7a clearly isn’t as up-to-date as the Pixel 8, but that’s no disaster. The 6.1-inch screen has a 90Hz refresh rate, the phone is protected by an IP67 water and dust resistance rating, the design is great, and the Google Tensor G2 processor is perfectly adequate. The phone is subject to a few reliability concerns, whether it’s software bugs or heating issues, but there’s no guarantee the Pixel 8 will be any better. For the record, I’ve never had any problems with my Pixel 7a.
best not forgotten
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will be dominating Android news headlines for some time, and even after the initial furore subsides, we’ll be talking about them in more detail in the coming months. Rightfully so, as they are Google’s top new smartphones and a benchmark device against which many future new releases will be evaluated. Google turned a corner with the Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro, the Pixel 7 series continued its winning streak, and I have no doubt the Pixel 8 will do the same.
It’s easy to get caught up in the latest releases when they’re so irresistible, and it’s equally easy to forget about the phones that came before them, even if they’re just a few months old. That’s the risk with the Pixel 7a. It would be a real shame, especially now that Google has raised the price of its top Pixel phones. I think the Pixel 7a should be considered along with the Pixel 8.
The interesting thing is that when Pixel 7a was released there was no special attraction to buy it. The price was slightly higher, and it also suffered an increase compared to its predecessor. But now that the Pixel 8 has come at an even higher price, it suddenly seems like a much better value. The Pixel 7a may not be Google’s latest and greatest, but it might be the best buy you can make.