Google is shaking up the Belgian market with the Pixel 8A, a “good price” smartphone of €549, which combines innovation and accessibility. Launched less than a year after the brand’s arrival in Belgium, this model promises a fluid and integrated user experience, supported by seven years of updates. Is this the best value for money at the moment? Let’s dive into the details of this new offering.
Present on the Belgian smartphone market for less than a year, Google has just released its 3rd smartphone, the Pixal 8A. This is the traditional “good price” version of the 8 and 8 Pro models released last October (this is therefore the first time that a Pixel ‘A’ has been marketed in our country). Because yes, €549 for a smartphone with often unprecedented qualities is a good price – even if in absolute terms, there are good smartphones starting at around €250.
Software first
You should never underestimate the software part, therefore the interface that runs the smartphone, when you have to choose a new one. We often tend to look at the technical sheet, always put forward in stores, online or offline: this is a mistake, because from 250€, you will probably have a fairly fluid device if your needs are standard. And we neglect the software, which is essential for two reasons:
- Fluidity and simplicity. Google is therefore developing control over Android, the most widespread operating system in the world. What you have with Google’s smartphones is cleaner than clean: no parasitic applications which duplicates Google’s integrated solutions (which Samsung and Xiaomi, although leaders, abuse). It’s more coherent too: like Apple its iPhone, we does not leave the ecosystemwith a more fluid and intuitive use of apps and services, which goes beyond the smartphone (think speakers compatible with the Google Assistant, screens integrating Chromecast, etc.).
- There lifetime. Google is the only one to promise 7 years of operating system updates. Your smartphone becomes truly durable, as long as you equip it with good protection. The battery will probably no longer be at its best in 7 years (you can change it, even if it is never easy and often expensive), but the integrated processor, developed by Google, promises you to be able to hold out and accept the new features until… 2031!
- L’artificial intelligence (AI). If Google is behind in terms of generative AI, it remains a pioneer at this level in many areas, particularly in terms of Google Photos. Whether at the level of shooting (image processing), retouching (advanced editing, magic eraser, etc.) or the gallery application (Google Photos), we are in the best of the best under Android. Beyond images, there is also the generation of messages, the search on the screen (“circle to search”), the transcription of an audio recording. In short, you are buying a phone that is really smarter than the others.
- THE Built-in VPN. Few people care about it, but to surf in a really good way confidential and anonymous, you must use a VPN. Only Google’s VPN is free, all the others are paid, or limited, or crappy. Google is integrating a VPN option into its Pixels (from 2022), and it is a gift of significant value (around €5/month at least).
More standard hardware
At €549, it makes sense to have a smartphone with certain compromises compared to the high-end (often more than €1,000). The Pixel 8A is therefore not the most powerful with its Tensor G3, even if it is the same chip as the Pixel 8 Pro (only the most demanding video games might not run with maximum detail) . Its chassis doesn’t have the thinnest screen borders, but that’s a detail (and in return, you have certified IP67 waterproofing):
Its photos won’t be the best (because there is no telephoto lens for zoom, in particular), but Google has mastered the subject so much that you will never be disappointed by its 64 MP main sensor, especially in this price range . Its 6.1″ OLED screen is not the largest, nor the most sublime or the brightest, but there is 120 Hz for fluidity (the base). Its 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage are sufficient for the vast majority of users. Its only small drawback is the battery charge, limited to 18W according to Google’s technical sheet. This is really little, when the Chinese competition offers a minimum of 67W, and climbs. often at 120 (with risks for battery life, however). This limit is compensated by the presence of wireless charging, rare in this price range.
Conclusions
If your budget is 549€, and your goal is to buy a smart smartphone, designed to last over time (7 years of Android updates, certified waterproofing), equipped with the best Android software and having some of the best photo options, it no need to hesitate any longer. The Pixel 8A is the best option, and therefore one of the best value for money of the year, if not the best, I dare say (barring a very big surprise in the coming months). Its only real flaw, in my opinion – and Google doesn’t seem to care about this feature, even for the high end – is the fast charging, which in this case is almost slow (18W in 2024
Technical sheet
- Screen : 6.1 inches, Smooth Display technology allowing a refresh rate of 60 to 120Hz
- Camera :
- Main : 64MP, 80° field of view, f/1.89 aperture, 0.8 μm pixel, 4K video recording at 30 and 60 fps, Super Res Zoom up to 8x.
- Ultra-wide : 13MP, 120° field of view, f/2.2 aperture, 1.12 μm pixel, lens correction.
- Frontal : 13MP, 96.5° field of view, f/2.2 aperture, 1.12 μm pixel.
- Memory and Storage : 8GB of RAM with storage options of 128GB or 256GB.
- Processor : Google Tensor G3 with Titan M2 security coprocessor.
- Battery : 4492 mAh, 18W wired charging (rather slow…), but Qi certified wireless charging.
- Connectivity : WiFi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3.
google pixel 8A pixel smartphone
