Utilizing the identical processor because the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional and an amazing digicam, the Pixel 7A is a win for Pixel followers trying to save $100. Nevertheless it additionally makes me count on extra from the Pixel 8 and surprise if Google’s A-series telephones are beginning to overshadow the Pixel flagships.

Now that Google is narrowing the hole between the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7A, it ought to suppose extra rigorously about its audience for the Pixel 8. If the Pixel 7A is for individuals who need a primary Pixel expertise with out compromising on efficiency and digicam high quality, and the Pixel 7 Professional is for pictures fans Pictures, who’s the Pixel 7? That is the query I hope Google solutions with the Pixel 8, together with another routine enhancements to software program help and battery life.

Google sometimes releases new Pixel telephones within the fall, so we count on to be taught extra in regards to the Pixel 8 inside just a few months.

The Pixel 8 wants to face out from Google’s subsequent A-series telephones

With the Pixel 8, Google must do extra to make its subsequent flagship Pixel cellphone stand out. The $499 Pixel 7A has lots of the options most individuals search for in a brand new cellphone, like an amazing digicam, clean efficiency, easy-to-use software program, and respectable battery life.

The primary variations between the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7A come all the way down to the previous’s barely extra rugged design, bigger show, and battery share. This final function permits you to cost suitable equipment by inserting them on the again of the cellphone, basically turning it right into a wi-fi charger. The Pixel 7 additionally has a bigger, extra light-sensitive digicam sensor in accordance with Google, however I did not discover a lot of an enchancment when evaluating photographs from each telephones.

The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7A appear to be focusing on the identical viewers: Android followers who need an all-purpose cellphone with an amazing digicam and a fairly sized display. The Pixel 7 Professional has a bigger show and an extra telephoto and macro pictures digicam. It additionally comes with a 512GB storage choice, not like the Pixel 7, and has a better 120Hz refresh charge show for smoother scrolling. Living proof: There are loads of components that differentiate the Pixel 7 Professional from the Pixel 7, however not a lot that distinguishes the Pixel 7 from the 7A.

Transferring ahead, there are some adjustments Google could make to repair this. Maybe the Pixel 8’s display dimension could possibly be elevated barely to six.4 inches as a substitute of 6.3 inches. This could put extra distance between the Pixel 8’s display and the longer term Pixel 8A, assuming Google retains the identical 6.1-inch display dimension for the upcoming A-series telephones.

Google might additionally give the Pixel 8 a pace increase with regards to charging, because the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7A provide comparable charging speeds (as much as 18W on the Pixel 7A versus as much as 21W on the Pixel 7). Rising the charging pace to create a bigger hole between the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8A might make the explanation to purchase the Pixel 8 just a little stronger. Enhancing wired charging speeds could possibly be particularly essential on condition that it seems just like the Pixel 8 will not see an enchancment in wi-fi charging over final 12 months’s mannequin. That relies upon 9to5Googlewhich says it noticed an inventory for the Pixel 8 on the Wi-fi Energy Consortium’s web site that has since been eliminated.

Rising the Pixel 8’s base storage to 256GB, like Samsung did with the Galaxy S23 Plus, together with providing an extra 512GB storage choice might additional differentiate the Pixel 8 from the longer term Pixel 8A.

These adjustments mixed with the present variations between the Pixel 7 and 7A might definitely make the Pixel 8 seem like a compelling choice over the upcoming finances Pixel telephones. In fact, that is assuming Google maintains its present technique of launching new flagships and Professional telephones within the fall and a less expensive A-series cellphone within the spring or summer time timeframe.

Prolonged Android model help

Software program is a giant a part of what makes Pixel telephones so enticing, from the cellphone app’s call-assist options to Google’s clutter-free model of Android. Nevertheless, the issue is that Google typically solely affords Android model updates for 3 years after a Pixel cellphone is launched.

Though they provide safety help and different updates after this level, Google lags behind Samsung and Apple with regards to OS model help. Samsung sometimes affords as much as 4 generations of Android platform updates on new telephones, whereas Apple’s newest software program is suitable with older iPhones just like the iPhone X and iPhone 8 generations, which launched in 2017.

If Google can match Samsung’s four-year lifespan, or exceed 5 years, that will make the Pixel line extra aggressive.

Longer battery life

Battery life can by no means appear lengthy sufficient, which is why I am hoping to see some enhancements within the Pixel 8. The Pixel 7’s battery life was lengthy sufficient to get via a full workday after which some enhancements in my expertise. However I wish to pack a charger if I am anticipating a very lengthy day.

The Pixel 7A additionally carried out higher than the Pixel 7 in CNET’s three-hour battery take a look at, throughout which I streamed a YouTube video at full brightness and tracked the battery share by hour. It might be nice to see Google make some enhancements on this regard on the Pixel 8.

We cannot know what to anticipate from the Pixel 8 till Google publicizes its new telephones, which is able to seemingly occur within the fall. The digicam has been a focus of Google’s Pixel collection, so I count on to see some developments on this space, together with a brand new model of the Tensor processor within the Pixel 8. If Google makes these adjustments whereas providing longer battery life, further Android help and extra unique options that set Pixel 8 Over the A-series telephones, Google’s subsequent $600 cellphone could possibly be a giant hit.