Why the $339 Pixel 8a is the one low cost Pixel I’d purchase in 2026

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Shopper electronics are getting costlier. From PCs to smartphones to recreation consoles, AI-induced part shortages have us all paying extra for tech, and with world occasions as soon as once more constraining provide chains, the price of these items doesn’t appear prone to come down quickly.

Given the givens, you is likely to be seeking to save a buck in your subsequent cellphone. In that case, I’ve bought a suggestion for you: take into account selecting up a refurbished Pixel 8a. Google’s been promoting refurbished Pixel telephones for some time now, however the pricing of its secondhand choices hasn’t actually made a very good case for purchasing a reconditioned cellphone versus a brand-new one.

That modified this week, when Google introduced you can now seize a Pixel 8a, a midranger that retailed for $499 in 2024, for simply $339. It’s far and away the most effective deal in Google’s refurb lineup — a lot so, I wouldn’t purchase some other renewed Pixel cellphone proper now.

Which of Google's Licensed Refurbished Pixel telephones is the most effective deal? 2 votes

Pixel 8a — $339

100%

Pixel 8 — $459

0%

Pixel 8 Professional — $649

0%

Pixel 7a — $289

0%

Pixel 7 — $329

0%

Pixel 7 Professional — $499

0%

Google’s different refurbs are questionable bargains

<img class="e_Wg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Google Pixel 8a vs Google Pixel 7a cameras close" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Pixel-8a-vs-Google-Pixel-7a-cameras-close.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Pixel-8a-vs-Google-Pixel-7a-cameras-close-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Pixel-8a-vs-Google-Pixel-7a-cameras-close-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Pixel-8a-vs-Google-Pixel-7a-cameras-close-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Pixel-8a-vs-Google-Pixel-7a-cameras-close-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Pixel-8a-vs-Google-Pixel-7a-cameras-close-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Pixel-8a-vs-Google-Pixel-7a-cameras-close-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Pixel-8a-vs-Google-Pixel-7a-cameras-close-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Google Pixel 8a vs Google Pixel 7a cameras close" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Google-Pixel-8a-vs-Google-Pixel-7a-cameras-close.jpg"/> Ryan Haines / Android Authority

You'll be able to select from six Licensed Refurbished Pixel telephones immediately: the Pixel 8a, 8, 8 Professional, 7a, 7, and seven Professional. The 8a truly comes with the smallest low cost versus its preliminary retail worth at $160 off. The Pixel 7 Professional, in the meantime, is nearly half off its launch worth at $499, and each the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7a are inexpensive than the 8a is.

So the Pixel 7 collection appears to be like like a cut price at a look, however these telephones are all getting fairly lengthy within the tooth. Launched in 2022, the Pixel 7 and seven Professional are solely assured 5 years of software program updates, with Android model upgrades and safety patches each stopping as quickly as October of subsequent 12 months. The Pixel 7a, launched a couple of months later, will get updates into 2028.

The Pixel 8a has most of what makes the Pixel 8 and eight Professional good telephones.

That may be just right for you in case you intend to improve once more quickly, however the Pixel 8a was Google’s first midrange cellphone to profit from the corporate’s trendy replace coverage: it’s assured seven years of OS and safety updates from launch, a timeline that’ll hold its software program present into the following decade.

The Pixel 8 and eight Professional are additionally assured seven years of software program assist, and being flagship telephones, they’re naturally each a lower above the by-product, budget-minded 8a. The 8 Professional, particularly, comes with a big show (in case you’re into that) and a telephoto digicam, two stuff you gained’t get with the 8a.

However the Pixel 8a has most of what makes its costlier cousins good telephones: the identical Tensor G3 chipset, the identical 8GB of RAM, and a 1080p, 120Hz OLED show similar to the Pixel 8’s. The pricier Pixel 8 has a glass again relatively than plastic, costs a bit extra rapidly, and presents some minor digicam benefits. However having used each, the sting the Pixel 8 has over the 8a doesn’t justify its $459 refurbished price ticket to me — that’s $120 costlier than the Pixel 8a.

The Pixel 8a is wanting nice at $339

<img class="e_Wg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Pixel 8a Porcelain back cover 2" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pixel_8a_Porcelain_back_cover-2-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pixel_8a_Porcelain_back_cover-2-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pixel_8a_Porcelain_back_cover-2-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pixel_8a_Porcelain_back_cover-2-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pixel_8a_Porcelain_back_cover-2-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pixel_8a_Porcelain_back_cover-2-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pixel_8a_Porcelain_back_cover-2-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pixel_8a_Porcelain_back_cover-2-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Pixel 8a Porcelain back cover 2" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pixel_8a_Porcelain_back_cover-2-scaled.jpg"/> Adamya Sharma / Android Authority

The Pixel 8a can’t fairly go toe-to-toe with the most recent flagships, however it’s bought ample horsepower for on a regular basis smartphone duties like communication, internet shopping, and lightweight gaming. At its $339 refurb worth, I even assume it compares fairly favorably to Google’s current-generation midrange providing, the $499 Pixel 10a. The newer cellphone’s bought a beefier Tensor G4 chipset, however it’s nonetheless rocking a 1080p show, 8GB RAM, and related digicam {hardware}.

The refurbished Pixel 8a is the midrange deal to beat proper now.

When you’re after a good new cellphone and also you don’t need to lay our a fortune to get it, the refurbished Pixel 8a is a superb deal at $339: it’s snappy, it takes superb photographs for the worth, and in case you’re cautious with it, it might final you into 2031. Plus, it is available in a beautiful blue shade. Google’s refurbished telephones additionally include a one-year guarantee, one thing you gained’t get with most third-party secondhand units.

For my cash, the refurbished Pixel 8a is the Android deal to beat proper now.

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