For consumers in Hong Kong, the Google Pixel 8a is not the price-sensitive midrange offering that its ancestors used to be. Retailing at USD 499 (HKD 3,900 approx.), it ascends to the higher tiers of the midrange segment and relies on an arsenal of upgrades to back it up.
But the Pixel 8a sure makes Google’s smart Gen-AI-based user experience more accessible, and with a tempting specifications sheet, it has the potential to lure people away from the Apple iPhone 15.
While the iPhone 15 still commands a significantly higher price in comparison to the Pixel 8a, its premium set of features helps Apple’s most accessible iPhone stand strong against competition from Android. The iOS ecosystem is a major driving factor and iPhones have proven their worth when it comes to reliability. However, Google is also making strides in this area by promising up to seven years of OS updates and class-leading cameras, thereby trying to attract the younger sustainability-centric audience towards itself.
Hence, if you were planning to get an iPhone 15 but were not impressed by Apple’s proposition, can the Pixel 8a fill in as your next pocket assistant? Our Google Pixel 8a vs Apple iPhone 15 comparison should help clear your mind.
Google Pixel 8a vs Apple iPhone 15: Do their specs tell the whole story?
Design and build
The Pixel 8a belongs to the beautiful Pixel 8 family and hence, Google has given it the same pebble-shaped aesthetics that we adored on the smartphone. Any layman would struggle to differentiate between the Pixel 8a and the Pixel 8 unless they do a close inspection. Since the price is accessible, Google has given the Pixel 8a a plastic rear panel and a flatter metal camera bar. The bezels around the display are slightly thicker than the Pixel 8 but on the whole, the phone looks funky.
On the contrary, the iPhone 15 goes for a sophisticated and premium look. The extra dollars you pay give you the luxury of matte rear glass, well-contoured aluminium edges and a lightweight profile. The Dynamic Island on the front gives the iPhone a modern touch but on the whole, you get the similar vibes as 2021’s iPhone 13. The compact 6.1-inch dimensions make it quite comfortable to hold.
While the Pixel 8a looks funky, the iPhone 15 impresses with its superior build quality.
Winner: Tie
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Display
While both the Pixel 8a and the iPhone 15 feature 6.1-inch OLED display panels that reach peak brightness levels of 2,000 nits, the experience they impart is dramatically different. The Pixel 8a’s OLED panel has a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz and supports Always On functionality. The iPhone 15’s OLED panel is restricted to 60Hz but the colour accuracy is a notch higher than the Pixel 8a’s display.
When it comes to biometric verification, the Pixel 8a relies on an optical in-display fingerprint scanner underneath its Gorilla Glass 3 layer. The iPhone 15 utilises a more durable Ceramic Shield glass made by Corning and offers a reliable Face ID scanner.
Hence, despite the Pixel 8a offering a 120Hz refresh rate, it is the iPhone 15 that offers an overall superior display experience with its colour-accurate OLED panel.
Winner: iPhone 15
Performance
With the Pixel 8a, you get Google’s flagship Tensor G3 chipset borrowed from the Pixel 8 Pro. On paper, this chip should offer top-tier performance, especially when it comes to AI-based processing. The Pixel 8a boots Android 14 out of the box and Google promises up to seven years of OS updates that will continue to add new features over the years.
Android 14 on the Pixel 8a brings several generative AI features and delivers a well-designed UI dripping with customisation options. For a midrange phone, this appears to be a great deal.
However, the Tensor G3 is based on a dated Samsung Exynos architecture and is no match for the Apple A16 Bionic chip, which we originally saw on 2022’s iPhone 14 Pro Max. Despite being a generation older, the A16 Bionic on the iPhone 15 is capable of handling all mobile-centric video games and demanding apps with ease. Paired with the latest version of iOS 17, you are assured of a premium user experience here.
Apple doesn’t reveal their software update policy but based on their history, you can expect an iPhone to get up to five years of iOS updates. iOS 17 is high on customisation and offers a more secure and privacy-oriented experience and access to a versatile yet closed ecosystem.
The winner, therefore, is undoubtedly the iPhone 15, considering the superior hardware and the polished user experience with iOS.
Winner: iPhone 15
Cameras
The Google Pixel 8a features a dual camera system on its rear, comprising a 64-megapixel wide sensor with f/1.9 aperture 26mm wide lens, a 1/1.73″ sensor with 0.8µm pixel size and OIS for stability. This is accompanied by a secondary 13-megapixel sensor with an f/2.2 aperture lens offering a 120-degree field of view and a pixel size of 1.12µm. The front camera features a 13-megapixel sensor with f/2.2 aperture 20mm ultrawide lens and fixed focus.
In contrast, the iPhone 15 features a superior 48-megapixel image sensor with f/1.6 aperture 26mm wide lens, 1/1.56″ sensor with 1.0µm pixel size and sensor-shift OIS. This is accompanied by a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor with f/2.4 aperture 13mm lens with 120-degree field of view. The front camera features a 12-megapixel sensor with f/1.9 aperture 23mm wide lens, Phase Detection Auto Focus and 3D depth mapping.
Between these two, the iPhone 15 is the clear winner on paper.
Winner: iPhone 15
Battery
The Pixel 8a relies on a 4,492mAh capacity battery and despite using Google’s 30W wired charger, it can only accept 18W of charging speeds. You also get support for 7.5W Qi-standard wireless charging on the Pixel 8a.
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The iPhone 15 features a much smaller 3,349mAh capacity battery and is compatible with Apple’s 20W wired charger. There’s also support for 15W Qi2 wireless and MagSafe charging.
In the real world, both these phones should last an entire day on a fully charged battery. Given that the iPhone 15 has a smaller capacity battery, it takes just over an hour to fully recharge it.
Winner: iPhone 15
Price in Hong Kong
Despite an overall hike in its price compared to its predecessor, the Google Pixel 8a is still more accessible with a starting price of USD 499 (HKD 3,900 approx.) for the base variant with 128GB storage. The Pixel 8a is available in Bay (blue), Obsidian (black) and Porcelain (white) colours. Some regions also get an additional Aloe (green) colourway.
The iPhone 15, on the other hand, starts at HKD 6,899 for the base variant with 128GB storage. You can get the iPhone 15 in Blue, Pink, Yellow, Green and Black colourways.
Winner: Google Pixel 8a
Google Pixel 8a vs Apple iPhone 15: Our verdict
Winner: Apple iPhone 15
The Pixel 8a and the iPhone 15 seem similar in many aspects and yet, a closer inspection reveals a lot of differences between these two. With a more accessible price tag, the Google Pixel 8a remains a better bet for value-conscious buyers. Not only is it easy on the pocket but the Pixel 8a is packed with Generative AI features, a pair of promising cameras, seven years of OS update promise and a feature-rich Android experience.
On the other hand, the iPhone 15 is a mainstay of the premium smartphone segment. With a superior build quality, a lightning-fast chipset (in this context), proven cameras, great battery stamina and a flourished supporting ecosystem, the iPhone 15 offers a complete package. Apple doesn’t promise seven years of updates but iPhones of the past have proven their reliability.
Hence, the iPhone 15 takes the win in this comparison and remains a superior choice against Google’s latest Pixel offering.
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(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Google and Apple)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which phone has a better camera: the Google Pixel 8a or iPhone 15?
The iPhone 15 has a better camera system than the Google Pixel 8a as far as the specifications are concerned.
– What is the difference between the battery life of Google Pixel 8a and iPhone 15?
The Pixel 8a and iPhone 15 offer similar all-day battery stamina on a full charge.
