The Google Pixel 8a Android handset has returned to its all-time low price of $449 on Amazon, offering a more affordable mid-range option for those not wanting to splurge on the upcoming Pixel 9 flagship devices.
Key features and specs: The Pixel 8a comes packed with impressive features despite its more budget-friendly price point:
- 6.1-inch Actual display
- Google’s Adaptive Battery, providing over 24 hours of battery life (up to 72 hours with Extreme Battery Saver)
- IP67 protection against “slips, spills, and dust”
- Support for Google AI features like searching by drawing a circle around an image, text, or video, email summarization, and Call Assist to avoid spammers
Comparing to other Pixel devices: While the Pixel 9 flagship phones are set to launch in just two weeks, the Pixel 8a offers a compelling option for those seeking a more affordable Android device:
- At $449, the Pixel 8a is $100 less than the discounted Pixel 8 and $300 less than the discounted Pixel 8 Pro
- As a relatively new 2024 release, the Pixel 8a is likely to remain the latest a-series release for some time
Camera and editing capabilities: The Pixel 8a boasts a best-in-class camera enhanced by Google AI, enabling users to capture stunning photos and videos and make impressive edits:
- Best Take allows combining similar photos into one where everyone looks great
- Audio Magic Eraser reduces distracting noises in videos, like cars and wind
- Magic Editor enables changing backgrounds, moving objects, and erasing elements with Magic Eraser
Broader implications:
While the Pixel 8a may not have all the bells and whistles of the upcoming Pixel 9 flagships, it represents an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers who still want a powerful, AI-enhanced Android experience. As Google continues to improve its AI capabilities and integrate them into more affordable devices, it could put pressure on other smartphone manufacturers to follow suit, potentially making advanced features more accessible to a wider range of users.
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...