Google Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8a
Short answer: the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a use the same Tensor G3 chip, have 120Hz OLED screens with up to 2000 nits and get seven years of updates. Buy the Pixel 8 if you want a premium glass build, IP68, a larger main camera sensor, faster 27W charging and better wireless charging. Buy the Pixel 8a if you want almost the same everyday experience for less money and can live with a plastic back and slower charging.
Updated 11 November 2026
Design and build
The Pixel 8 has Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back with an aluminium frame, weighs about 187 g and is IP68. The Pixel 8a has Gorilla Glass 3 on the front, a matte plastic back and an aluminium frame, weighs about 188 g and is IP67.
In the hand the 8a feels slightly less premium, but its matte back is grippy and hides scratches. IP67 still covers rain and accidental drops in water; IP68 is rated for slightly deeper water.
Display
The Pixel 8 has a 6.2 inch Actua OLED and the Pixel 8a a 6.1 inch Actua OLED. Both are 1080 x 2400, run at 60–120Hz and reach up to 2000 nits peak.
In daily use the screens look almost the same. The 8a has slightly thicker borders around the display, which is the easiest way to tell them apart.
Performance and chipset
Both use the Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) with the same nine-core CPU, so speed in apps and games is basically the same. Call Screen, Best Take, Magic Editor and Circle to Search work on both.
The Pixel 8 has faster Wi-Fi 7 against Wi-Fi 6E on the 8a, which only matters if you have a Wi-Fi 7 router.
Cameras
The Pixel 8 has a 50MP main camera with OIS and a 12MP ultra-wide, plus a 10.5MP selfie camera. The Pixel 8a has a 64MP main camera with OIS and a 13MP ultra-wide, plus a 13MP selfie camera.
The 8a's numbers are higher, but the Pixel 8's main sensor is physically larger, which usually helps in low light and with natural background blur. In daylight, photos look very similar. Both record 4K 60fps.
Battery and charging
The Pixel 8 has a 4575 mAh battery with 27W wired, 18W wireless on the Pixel Stand 2 and 12W Qi, plus reverse wireless charging. The Pixel 8a has a 4492 mAh battery with 18W wired and 7.5W wireless charging.
Battery life is similar. The Pixel 8 charges noticeably faster, which helps when you have only a short window of power during load shedding.
Specs side by side
- Chipset: Tensor G3 vs Tensor G3
- Display: 6.2 inch OLED 120Hz vs 6.1 inch OLED 120Hz
- Peak brightness: 2000 nits vs 2000 nits
- Main camera: 50MP OIS vs 64MP OIS
- Ultra-wide: 12MP vs 13MP
- Front camera: 10.5MP vs 13MP
- Battery: 4575 mAh vs 4492 mAh
- Charging: 27W wired, 18W wireless vs 18W wired, 7.5W wireless
- Back: glass vs plastic
- Water resistance: IP68 vs IP67
- Weight: 187 g vs 188 g
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7 vs Wi-Fi 6E
Software and updates
Both get seven years of Android and security updates. The Pixel 8 launched in October 2023 and the Pixel 8a in May 2024, both with Android 14, so the 8a's support runs about seven months longer.
PTA Patch Approved and SIM notes in Pakistan
Google does not sell the Pixel officially in Pakistan, so these are imported international units. Our stock is Non Custom box pack. This phone is PTA Patch Approved, so a local SIM works. Wi-Fi and every other feature work normally. See how to check PTA status (How to Check PTA Status of Any Mobile Phone).
Both phones have a nano-SIM plus eSIM.
Who should buy which
Buy the Pixel 8 if you want a glass build, IP68, faster wired and wireless charging and the slightly better main camera.
Buy the Pixel 8a if you want the same chip, screen quality and seven years of updates at a lower cost.
The gap between these two phones is mostly about feel and charging speed, not about what the phone can do. If you use a case anyway and charge overnight, the Pixel 8a gives you nearly everything. If you charge in short bursts between load shedding slots or use a wireless pad at your desk, the Pixel 8's faster charging is worth having. The current price of each model is shown on its page.
