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Google Pixel 8a review: The best midrange Android phone gets flagship AI features

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  The recipe for Google’s A-series Pixels is incredibly straightforward: Combine top-notch cameras with a vivid display and then cram all that in a tried and tested design for a reasonable price. But with the addition of a Tensor G3 chip,   the Pixel 8a   now supports the same powerful AI features as Google’s flagship phones. So when you consider that all this comes for just $499, you’re looking at not just the top midrange Android handset on the market but possibly one of the best values of any phone on sale today. Design and display Aside from a new aloe color option – which in my opinion is the best of the bunch – the Pixel 8a is nearly identical to the standard Pixel 8. However, there are a few subtle differences that become more noticeable when the two are viewed side-by-side. The most obvious is slightly larger bezels, which also has an impact on the Pixel 8’s screen size. Instead of a 6.2-inch display like on its pricier sibling, the Pixel 8a tops out at 6.1 i...

Google Pixel 9 review: The go-to Android smartphone

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  For the first half of Android’s existence, Google was happy simply being in charge of the OS while other manufacturers built a massive ecosystem of devices. Things changed in 2016 with the launch of the original   Pixel , a phone that married the company’s hardware and software designs. But even that combo wasn’t enough to immediately catapult Google’s flagship to the front of the pack. However, between the continued evolution of its devices and former major players like LG and HTC getting out of the game, Google has become the   third-largest Android phone maker   in the US, just barely behind Motorola. Enter the Pixel 9, which sports a slick new design, a brighter screen, better cameras and even more sophisticated software tricks. In many ways, this thing feels like it best represents Google's vision for what a smartphone should be and it’s here to claim its title as the default Android handset. The default Android flagship phone Google Pixel 9 Thanks to a slick ...

Google Pixel 9a review: Basic in just the right way

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  The push for the latest, greatest and most feature-packed gadgets often results in so much pressure that buying anything else can feel like self-betrayal. And while the Pixel 9a is technically a new device, its chip is six months old. The same goes for its design, which is nearly a carbon copy of its older sibling. To make matters even worse, this phone is meant to be a more affordable entry into the Pixel phone family, which feels like a death sentence for anyone who cares about keeping up with the Joneses (or just the most up-to-date specs). But you know what? That's okay, because starting at $500, the Pixel 9a offers the best value of any Android phone today. Design and display: Simple but sturdy The Pixel 9a looks so similar to the standard model — especially from the front — that it's hard to tell them apart until you put them side by side. Once you do, you'll notice the 9a features slightly thicker bezels. But aside from that, there aren't a ton of ...