New Google Pixel 8a just dropped: Price, release date, and more

Say hello to the new Google Pixel 8a. Last year, when the Google Pixel 7a dropped, it sort of seemed like maybe we wouldn't get a Pixel 8a. That couldn't have been more wrong.

Google lifted the veil off the Pixel 8a on Tuesday, and to no one's surprise, it seems like a cheaper version of the Pixel 8, with a few compromises that some users may not even notice.

All about the new Pixel 8a

Without doing a full comparison between the two right here and now, here's a basic rundown of what Pixel 8a buyers will get when the phone launches for $499 on May 14:

• 6.1-inch, Actua OLED display with 20:9 aspect ratio, up to 120Hz refresh rate, and 1080 x 2400 resolution

• Tensor G3 processor

• 8GB RAM

• 128GB or 256GB storage

• 4,492mAh battery

• 64MP main camera lens

• 13MP ultra-wide lens

• 13MP front lens

Aside from being a tenth of an inch smaller in display size, most of those specs are the same as on Pixel 8. While Pixel 8a's camera lenses have higher pixel counts, the aperture on Pixel 8 is wider, so the older, more expensive phone might still produce better-looking photos.

Those few differences aside, though, the Pixel 8a is a lot like the Pixel 8, only cheaper. Its Tensor G3 chip allows for most of the same AI features like Best Take and Magic Editor that graced the Pixel 8, even if we didn't like those features very much last year. Still, 'tis better to have iffy AI features than not have them at all, one could argue anyway.

Regardless, we're just glad the A-series lives on.