5 reasons the Pixel 8a is still worth it in 2025

I’ve been using the Google Pixel 8a for over a year now, and it remains one of my favorite mid-range phones I’ve ever used. Although its successor, the Pixel 9a, is available now, the Pixel 8a shouldn’t be overlooked.

While the Pixel 9a provides some significant upgrades over the Pixel 8a, particularly in processing power and battery life, I still believe the Pixel 8a is a mid-range phone worth considering in 2025, especially if you’re on a tight budget. From its performance, design, battery life, and more, here are five reasons why I think the Pixel 8a continues to be a good choice in 2025, from the perspective of someone who has owned and used the phone for the past year.

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5

Its Tensor G3 chipset performs reliably

It may not be as fast as the Tensor G4, but it can still easily handle most tasks

The Pixel 8a’s Tensor G3 chipset isn’t the fastest — especially when compared to the A18 chip in the iPhone 16e or the Snapdragron 8 Elite in the Galaxy S25. However, for basic tasks such as browsing the web, scrolling social media, messaging, making calls, and light gaming, the Tensor G3 still performs adequately.

Over the past year, I’ve used the Pixel 8a extensively and haven’t encountered any lag or significant slowdowns using the phone, which speaks well of both the Tensor G3 and the smooth software experience Pixel phones offer. I’ve also had no issues using Google Gemini or its AI image editing tools, like Magic Eraser. If you are worried about the Pixel 8a’s performance, don’t be. As long as you’re not trying to play games at the highest possible settings, you won’t have any issues with the Pixel 8a’s Tensor G3 chipset.

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4

Battery life still holds up

The Pixel 8a’s battery can last all day

The Pixel 8a has a 4,492mAh battery, and I’ve found it to hold up very well. I’ve never experienced it dying before the end of my day, which checks the most crucial battery life requirement for me. Although its battery isn’t as large as the Pixel 9a’s 5,100mAh battery or the flagship Pixel 9’s 4,700mAh battery, it is still quite substantial, and you won’t be missing out much by choosing the more affordable Pixel 8a.

My only complaint about the Pixel 8a’s battery is its charging speed. It only supports a maximum charging speed of 18W and a wireless charging speed of 7.5W. However, the Pixel 9a isn’t much better, offering a maximum wired charging speed of 23W and the same 7.5W wireless charging speed. Neither the Pixel 8a nor the Pixel 9a’s charging speeds are as fast as those of the Pixel 9 or the iPhone 16e. This doesn’t bother me too much, but it’s worth noting. If you mainly charge your phone overnight, like I do, this won’t be a big deal. Nonetheless, the Pixel 8a’s battery lasts all day, and in 2025, that’s what I expect from any smartphone.

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3

The Pixel 8a is aesthetically pleasing

The phone’s design still holds up in 2025 and features a camera bar

When I first saw the design of the Pixel 9a, I was surprised that Google decided to eliminate the camera bar and opt for a flat camera layout instead. One of my favorite features on recent Pixel smartphones — whether it’s the Pixel 8 series, Pixel 8a, or the Pixel 9 series — is the distinctive camera bar that protrudes from the back of the phone. It helps make Google’s Pixel phones stand out among a sea of iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices, and to me, the camera bar is part of the Pixel’s identity.

I love the Pixel 8a’s camera bar design, which looks more visually appealing than the Pixel 9a’s flat design. The upcoming Pixel 10 series, expected to be announced at a Made by Google event on August 20, is likely to closely resemble the Pixel 9 series, meaning all those devices will still have a camera bar, leaving the Pixel 9a as the odd one out. Aside from the camera bar, the Pixel 8a’s overall design remains fantastic, and the color options are excellent. I have the aqua (blue) model, and I’m still mesmerized by it. It’s one of my favorite shades of blue I’ve seen on a device, with the blue shadow on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 now my new favorite. Overall, I think the Pixel 8a’s curved design, compact form factor (with a 6.1-inch display), and distinctive camera bar design still look great in 2025.

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2

Six more years of updates

Google isn’t done with the Pixel 8a anytime soon

The Pixel 8a is one of the first smartphones that Google promised seven years of software and security updates for. While the phone launched with Android 14, it has since been updated to support Android 15 and now Android 16. I’m running Android 16 on my Pixel 8a, and the experience has been flawless.

So if you’re worried about buying a Pixel 8a and not getting the same security and software updates the Pixel 9a will get, don’t be. The Pixel 8a still has six more years of updates to look forward to, along with Pixel feature drops. If you pick up a Pixel 8a today, you’ll likely have a new phone by the time 2031 rolls around anyway, so six years is more than enough in my view.

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1

The Pixel 8a remains a budget-friendly option

The price is right

A key reason the Pixel 8a remains a smart purchase in 2025 is its attractive price. Thanks to the release of the Pixel 9a, the price of the Pixel 8a is starting to drop substantially to clear out stock. At the time of writing, Best Buy is offering the Pixel 8a on clearance for only $249, half its original price. Carrier deals may vary depending on where you are, but you may find a good offer on a Pixel 8a.

If you’re open to a refurbished/renewed device, many options are available on Amazon and eBay for a discounted price as well. At $250, the Pixel 8a is an exceptional deal, making it even easier to pass over the Pixel 9a. The Pixel 8a has held up well over the last year, and for those on a limited budget, it remains a valuable option in 2025.

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