Google Launches Pixel 8a at $499: Discover Features & Pre-Order Details

With the release of its new Pixel 8a smartphone on Tuesday, May 7, Google is introducing its generative AI brains to a wider audience. Many of the generative AI features seen on the more expensive Pixel 8  devices and Pixel 8 smartphones are also included in the $499 phone, including the ability to alter photos and videos.

Google claims that the 6.1-inch Pixel 8a will be able to use its Gemini generative AI chatbot in addition to generative AI-enabled functions like Circle to Search and Best Take. The business adds that a future update will grant customers access to Gemini Nano, a scaled-down variant of the Gemini big language model that works natively on the Pixel 8a.

For Gemini’s ordinary edition to handle your requests via Google’s cloud servers, it needs an internet connection. Because Gemini Nano operates locally on your smartphone, it can carry out some generative AI activities without requiring an internet connection.

A new 120-hertz display for speedier scrolling and gaming, 128GB of storage with a 256GB upgrade option, and Google’s most recent Tensor G3 CPU are all included in the Pixel 8a. Additionally, there is a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 64-megapixel wide-angle camera with Super Res Zoom, which mimics a telephoto lens.

Key Features

Along with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, Google first released many of the generative AI features of the Pixel 8a in October. Magic Editor is the most impressive AI product; it lets you crop out undesired people and objects from photos and even reposition them by just circling them. For example, I could alter a picture of myself to make it appear as though I was dunking a basketball, something I could never achieve, or I could remove a bystander who was in the way of my shot to make it look like they were never there.

Another intriguing feature is Circle to Search, which lets you quickly search for an object on Google by circling it in an image. The goal is to simplify the process of finding and buying things you’ve seen in pictures online. It is also possible to rapidly search for text within an image by highlighting it and using Google.

Then there’s Best Take, which is designed to be applied to images of groups. Best Take will automatically capture several pictures of everyone’s faces when you take a photo. You can utilize Best Take to replace a person’s face in a shot where they didn’t blink if they blinked during the capture. Only the person’s face is altered using Best Take.

Additionally, you may use Magic Audio Eraser to remove background noise from your films and enhance the sound of the main subject.

How to get Pixel 8a

To put it briefly, the Google Pixel 8a is essentially a less expensive method to have access to all of Google’s most recent intelligent and innovative AI-based features. The Google Pixel 8a goes on sale on May 14; preorders are open on May 7.
For more information, check out the official blog here.

Also read: How does Google Cloud approach secure generative AI applications?