Close Menu
Technology Mag

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Spotify’s terrible privacy settings just leaked Palmer Luckey’s bops and bangers

    July 30, 2025

    Microsoft reports strong cloud earnings, with Windows and Xbox up too

    July 30, 2025

    Layoffs hit CNET as its parent company goes on a buying spree

    July 30, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Subscribe
    Technology Mag
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    • Home
    • News
    • Business
    • Games
    • Gear
    • Reviews
    • Science
    • Security
    • Trending
    • Press Release
    Technology Mag
    Home » Google’s Pixel 8A Is Still the Best Phone You Can Buy for Under $500
    Gear

    Google’s Pixel 8A Is Still the Best Phone You Can Buy for Under $500

    News RoomBy News RoomMay 13, 20243 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp Email

    A personal gadget needs to feel, well, personal. I have what I call the table test. If I’m out at a restaurant or coffee shop, do I leave the phone with its screen facing up? Or flip it around and admire the design?

    Well, it might be functional—placing a Pixel face down toggles on Do Not Disturb mode and keeps me away from attention-grabbing notifications—but the Google Pixel 8A is also too pretty to hide its looks away, especially in the new Aloe color.

    This is often a rarity on a smartphone that costs less than $500. Flagships get the star treatment and cheaper phones look bland. This year, I’ve noticed a change, with smartphones like the Motorola Moto G Power 5G and Nothing Phone (2a) making things more aesthetically interesting at the low end. Google’s Pixel 8A continues that trend with its elegant, matte, colorful design.

    Say Aloe

    Minty! Smartphones are getting more aesthetically interesting at the low end.

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Google’s A-series phones take elements from the flagship Pixels while cutting costs elsewhere to make the package more accessible. The Pixel 8A employs 76 percent recycled plastic in the back cover versus glass, uses the older and less protective Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for the display, and has an OLED panel that doesn’t get as bright, not to mention lesser camera specs. There are other small changes, but this helps bring this phone down to $499, which is $200 less than the Pixel 8.

    And yet, this phone doesn’t feel too out of the ordinary compared to its pricier siblings. The metal frame and camera bar give it that luxe look; the lovely curved edges and its 6.1-inch screen size make it a comfy phone to hold and use one-handed. This is the most refined A-series Pixel to date, and the Aloe color steals the show.

    My mom noticed it in my hand immediately and asked about it, admiring the translucent green hues. (Google’s official case also color-matches the phone perfectly and makes the camera bar flush with the back so it’s still thin.)

    The 6.1-inch screen doesn’t feel too small—it’s quite refreshing considering most of the phones I test these days have screen sizes 6.5 inches or more—and the OLED display is sharp. I stared at this screen on a near-perfect sunny day in New York City this past weekend, and the Pixel 8A ratcheted up its brightness accordingly so I didn’t have to squint. This used to be a common flaw with Pixels of old, but screen brightness is no longer a problem. Google also has brought a 120-Hz screen refresh rate here, so everything is wonderfully fluid (make sure you turn this on in the phone’s settings).

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleThe WashG1 is Dyson’s first mop
    Next Article Sony names new PlayStation leaders following Jim Ryan’s retirement

    Related Posts

    The Nvidia RTX 5060 Can’t Quite Beat AMD

    July 30, 2025

    Top Verizon Promo Codes and Deals for August 2025

    July 30, 2025

    I Slept on Wolf’s Memory Foam Hybrid Premium Firm Mattress for a Week and Was Impressed

    July 29, 2025

    I Lived With Alexa+ for a Week. Here’s How It Went

    July 29, 2025

    Nothing’s Headphone (1) Is Something Impressive

    July 29, 2025

    Seriously, Why Do Some AI Chatbot Subscriptions Cost More Than $200?

    July 29, 2025
    Our Picks

    Microsoft reports strong cloud earnings, with Windows and Xbox up too

    July 30, 2025

    Layoffs hit CNET as its parent company goes on a buying spree

    July 30, 2025

    How Do You Live a Happier Life? Notice What Was There All Along

    July 30, 2025

    Microsoft is getting ready for GPT-5 with a new Copilot smart mode

    July 30, 2025
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Vimeo
    Don't Miss
    News

    Google is using AI age checks to lock down user accounts

    By News RoomJuly 30, 2025

    Google will soon cast an even wider net with its AI age estimation technology. After…

    Meta’s AI Recruiting Campaign Finds a New Target

    July 30, 2025

    You can hide an AirTag in Skechers’ new kids’ shoes

    July 30, 2025

    Elon Musk’s Boring Company announces plan to tunnel under Nashville

    July 30, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of use
    • Advertise
    • Contact
    © 2025 Technology Mag. All Rights Reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.