Should you buy the Pixel 7a or wait for the Pixel 8?

The Google Pixel 7a has arrived and there’s a lot to like about it, but you should still weigh your options before buying it. We recently explored the best current Pixel 7a alternatives, but plenty of other reasonably priced phones are coming out later this year, including the Pixel 8. Should you wait for the Pixel 8 to see what’s new or to take advantage of inevitable discounts on the older Pixel family? Let’s jump in and discuss.

We honestly haven’t seen many solid Pixel 8 rumors just yet, but there are a few things to expect that suggest you might want to wait and see what Google’s next flagship has in store rather than its mid-range Pixel 7a well to buy now:

The Pixel 8 family introduces the Tensor G3, and it could be quite a leap forward

There is some early evidence to suggest that the Tensor G3 could make a bigger performance leap than its predecessor.

The first developer preview of Android 14 hints at something called “Advanced Memory Protection.” This avoids memory handling errors in native programming languages. The Pixel 7 family cannot handle this feature. It’s highly likely that Google will jump to at least an ARMV8.5 CPU core to provide advanced memory protection on its Android 14 flagship.

Now, it’s still likely that the Tensor G3 won’t be designed to directly compete with high-end ARM-based SoCs, but it’s possible that the gap will at least narrow slightly. We can also expect Google to continue to bring its A game when it comes to machine learning and AI technologies with the G3.

The Pixel 8 may be getting a major upgrade to its camera package

The camera experience of Google’s flagship device hasn’t changed much in the past two generations, but in 2023 Google may finally make a big change. According to well-known tipster Kuba Wojciechowski, the Pixel 8 series could support staggered HDR technology. The Pixel 6 and 7’s GN1 camera doesn’t support this technology, but a newer Isocell GN2 sensor does. Of course, we can’t say for sure that this is the sensor Google would choose, but it seems quite likely that Google will have to give us a newer sensor if Wojciechowski’s tip turns out to be correct.

What is Spread HDR? Basically, it’s a more modern take on HDR photography where three separate exposures are taken in quick succession and merged into a higher quality final photo. The end result is richer detail and more vibrant colors than older HDR+ methods, such as those in the Pixel 7 family.

We can’t say what other changes are coming to the Pixel 8 camera, but it seems pretty safe to say that the photography experience will be a solid upgrade from older Pixels, and especially the most recent Pixel A series phone that’s already been launched. a step behind the vanilla Pixel 7.

The Pixel 8 may have some minor design changes up its sleeve

Google’s Pixel family has gone through a number of different design languages ​​over the years, but the look has remained fairly uniform since the introduction of the Pixel 6 series. The Pixel 7 was all about refinement, both inside and out. It looks like the Pixel 8 family will follow the same direction. Rumors even suggest that the standard Pixel 8 has an almost identical design to the Pixel 7.

If the rumors are true, the only major difference is size. The Pixel 8 will reportedly measure in at 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm, a notable drop from the Pixel 7 at 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm.

It looks like Google is saving its bigger design improvements for the Pixel 8 Pro. New renders show that the Pixel 8 will have a flat screen, unlike the Pixel 7 Pro. There are also some subtle changes to the rear camera bar and an additional (currently unknown) sensor below the camera flash.

The Pixel 8 will likely continue Google’s strategy of iteration over revolution

We don’t know much more about the Pixel 8 just yet. Here are a few other quick highlights:

• Rumors claim that the Pixel 8 will have 8 GB of RAM, while the Pixel 8 Pro will have 12 GB.
• WinFuture also claims that the Pixel 8 will have a 2,268 x 1,080 display, while the Pixel 8 Pro will have a 2,822 x 1,344 display.
• An APK teardown suggests that the Pixel 8 family will have a new video blur tool, similar to the photo blur tool in the Pixel 7 series.

Anything else would be speculation, but it seems quite likely that the Pixel 8 will continue Google’s existing strategy of improving the camera, refining the design, and continuing to take machine learning and AI to the next level.

Reasons to consider waiting for the Pixel 8

The Pixel 7a is a mid-ranger and you can get it right now for $499, so why wait for a flagship phone that’s likely to be at least $100 to $150 more expensive? There are actually a few reasons.

• The first reason to wait is the potential for discounts. If you don’t absolutely need a new phone right now, you’re more likely to see discounts on older Pixel phones once the Pixel 8 is official. About a month ago, the Pixel 7 went on sale for an amazingly low $400, but the price went back to normal less than a week before the Pixel 7a’s debut. We could see a similar price cut (or better?!) on the Pixel 7 shortly before or after the Pixel 8 arrives. The Pixel 7a could also see price cuts around that time.
• The Pixel 8 might be a major upgrade for just $100-$150 more. The Pixel 7a saw a price increase over its predecessor, so it’s possible we could see the Pixel 8 for as much as $700 to widen the gap. That said, we don’t know for sure. The Pixel 8 appears to be a more compact phone than the Pixel 7 and so could aim for a more price-friendly position between the Pixel 7a and Pixel 8 Pro. If the Pixel 8 really only costs $100 or so more, you could be looking at a better camera, better SoC, and a few other minor improvements without paying much extra.
• The Pixel 8 ships with Android 14 as standard. The Pixel 7a debuts with Android 13 despite arriving less than half a year before the next Android operating system. If you want to experience Android 14 from day one, the Pixel 8 might be worth the wait. It’s also likely to have support for certain Android 14 flagship features that the Pixel 7a can’t take advantage of due to hardware limitations.

The Pixel 7a is a handsome mid-range car. It’s also very reasonably priced when you consider that it’s gone up a bit from its predecessor with small but meaningful additions like wireless charging and a 90Hz refresh rate display.

Here are just a few reasons why you should buy the Pixel 7a now:

• You now need a phone. If you really need a phone right now, we definitely recommend the Pixel 7a as one of the best affordable phones of 2023. And the arrival of the Pixel 8 doesn’t change that. Waiting about six months might give you the option to pick up the Pixel 7 or 7a for cheap, but chances are the Pixel 7a is still the best mid-range option available.
• You’re not interested in spending over $500 on a flagship. The Pixel 8 will be a leap forward, but if $600+ is out of your price range, there’s no point in waiting unless you’re hoping for another Pixel 7 sale.