Pixel 8a for £281, vs 7a and 6a

Huge trade-in credit from Google for old iPhone for new Pixel 8a

Google really want your old iPhone for competitive upgrade reasons I suppose and were offering a marvellous £218 trade-in against a Pixel 8a provided your phone works, and is in good condition. My old iPhone 8 was purchased from Computer Exchange for £220 two years ago for use in software testing. Its fine for that but the battery doesn't hold much charge. Battery health isn't part of the trade-in criteria provided the phone turns on, isn't damaged and is reset to factory for a new user. Cost of ownership of £1 per year. Very satisfactory.

TL:DR – The Pixel. The only phone engineered by Google, is an unbranded (save for Google) Android experience, without manufacturer bloatware or unremovable system apps or launchers. The last three models have been reliable and fast. The only thing really setting the 6a to the bottom of the list is the lack of wireless charging. The 8a, because of the incredible trade-in offer for a new device and because it will be supported for at least seven years in the UK according to its UK PSTI Statement of Compliance, is the device of choice right now, if you have a device eligible for trade-in but the 7a is really almost as good and if you could find a bargain one it would be hard to ignore.

Where to buy

The Pixel 6a 128GB Unlocked A grade is £260 on CeX, Pixel 6a renewed 128GB is £189 on Amazon.

The Pixel 7a is still available new for £449 direct from Google, Pixel 7a 128GB Unlocked A grade is £300 on CeX, Pixel 7a 128GB £399 on Amazon, thats new, but you can find it for less (£220-£250) if you look for Pixel 7a 128GB Amazon (Renewed).

The Pixel 8a is available new for £499 direct from Google but with the trade-in it worked out at £281, the Pixel 8a 128GB Unlocked A is £450 from CeX, and the Pixel 8a is new for £499 from Amazon.

(Prices as at 24th may 2024)

First impressions

The Pixel 8a is available in green which I like, and it is the latest entry level Pixel phone in a long running series. I've got to confess I like the low cost debranded Google Android experience. These are great devices for daily use and for app development and testing. I've had the three latest ones and can't really fault them for what they are. I particularly like the form factor, slightly narrower than their more expensive relations. This size works well for me for one hand operation and for pocket and car placement.

After a month of use I have no issues with the phone at all. Build is good, Case is covered with a protector. Android OS is snappy and everything 'just works', Except Andorid Auto. I dont know what Google and VW were collectively thinking but it doesnt work really at all for me. No its not the cable, no I cant get it to work wirelessly. Apple CarPlay works fine! This has only started with the latest versions of Android Auto. Given that I really want my phone in the car to work properly its a bit of a flaw indicative perhaps of a need to spend some serious engineering time on making sure this doesn't break for existing implementations. 

Comparison between the Pixel 8a, 7a and 6a

But really whats the difference between them? Which should you choose given the older ones aren't really that old, and are well supported and reliable.

I guess it all comes down to cost and the vendor of choice, but theres another factor - trade-in. You can't trade-in with Amazon, but you can with Google and CeX. The CeX trade-in value for an Apple iPhone 8 64GB Space Grey Unlocked A is £90 for cash/£116 for voucher. (June 2024).

They are quite similar, these are the elements of note to me

You can get vastly more detail of compared specs over at gsmarena.