Pixel 8a rescues the best of its older brothers: AI, photography and performance

May 25. (EDIZIONS/Portaltic) –

Pixel 8a arrives at a time when smartphones are beginning to incorporate advanced generative artificial intelligence functions, powered by new chips that incorporate an NPU and a language model that runs on the device.

Google already entered this new era with the Pixel 8 Pro and later extended its Gemini Nano model to the Pixel 8 and now to the Pixel 8a, which, like its older brothers, integrates the Tensor G3 chip and also arrives with a slightly lower price. smaller, which makes it more capable of extending AI functions to more users.

In this case, these are features like Circle to Search, Call Assistant, Magic Editor for Google Photos, and Magic Eraser for Audio.

Magic Eraser, for example, which can be found within image editing in Google Photos, in Tools, and offers suggestions for removing elements from the photo, but also allows you to select them by hand by simply passing your finger over or around it. Of course, although good, the results in some cases could be improved.

It also gives the option of camouflage, but apart from removing the shine of the element, so that it doesn’t stand out so much, we suppose, we haven’t seen it do much else.

Circle to Search, for example, allows you to start a search directly from the ‘app’ you are in (as long as it is compatible, of course) by simply surrounding or touching the element you want in the image. If you have navigation configured with three buttons, as is the case here, you only have to press and hold the home button to start this form of search, as long as it is enabled from the settings.

CLEAR AND CONTRAST PHOTOGRAPHY

One of the highlights of this smartphone is the camera. Google has a good track record when it comes to backlit or low-light photography performance thanks to the processing and recognition software it uses. And this model is no less.

In general terms, it offers a rear camera – the main one – with two lenses: one of them a 64-megapixel wide-angle, which supports a high-resolution zoom of up to eight times, an 80-degree field of view and optical image stabilization and electronics; and another 13-megapixel ultra-wide angle, which reaches a 120-degree field of view and offers lens correction.

With light, although on a cloudy afternoon, the camera offers a clear result in magnifications of 1x, 2x and 8x, where the detail of the image and the contrast between all the captured elements can be appreciated. At 0.5x, which enables ultra-wide angle, the result includes a slight curvature, with an effect similar to that of fisheye, although more subtle.

In a situation with greater contrast, already at dusk, it keeps the capture illuminated evenly, while highlighting the area with the most light and the one that would remain in shadow.

Capture is complemented by features that help you get the best photo, such as ‘Best Shot’, which automatically creates a short video when you take a photo to capture more details and suggest the best frame.

In settings, there is also ‘Bright colors in photos’, to highlight the most striking colors; and ‘Ultra HDR’, which increases the brightness in lighter areas to show greater contrast.

GENERAL USE

More generally, it can be highlighted that this device responds well, fluidly and quickly, to the user’s daily use, which is supported, in addition to its processor, by the 8 GB of memory. It integrates RAM and a 4,492mAh battery, which lasts the day, although it is true that the energy suffers faster if certain functions or applications are used frequently, for example, those that require an internet connection and use AI.

It is a comfortable mobile to use. Its size (diagonal of 6.1 inches) is adequate to make its use more natural when held, even with one hand if you choose to activate this mode. And it has a finish on the back that, despite being flat, makes it less slippery. Yes, the back cover is plastic, and it shows as such.

In addition, the rounded corners, the protruding rear camera module and the light blue color (although there are other options), make this smartphone a more casual option. It has the plus that, at least this color, is matte and does not give the impression that it is covered with fingerprints.

At the screen level, it offers good quality, although it remains in HD but with a refresh rate of 120Hz, and the option to activate the ‘fluid screen’, that is, a function that adapts the update to the content. In general, and also thanks to HDR, the contents look clear and vivid, which makes it a remarkable option for taking photos and videos and viewing them.

From our experience with the Pixel 8a it can be said that although it may seem a little expensive (549 euros), the level of performance is more than decent, something that fans of AI functions will like, as it brings out the best of its older brothers. .