Google's latest mid-tier phone - the Pixel 8a - is now available. Pipping the same Tensor G3 processor found in the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro and putting it in a more affordable package, the Pixel 8a is once again set to be one of the best value phones you can buy. Even if it is a little more expensive this year.
Google Pixel 8a plans
The Pixel 8a is currently available on mobile plans from Telstra. and Optus. Both offer the choice of 24-month and 36-month repayments. A 24-month term means you own your Pixel 8a faster, while a 36-month term gives you a lower monthly bill.
36-month Pixel 8a plans
24-month Pixel 8a plans
Follow these links to compare plans for the rest of the Pixel 8 family:
There are a few Pixel 8a deals currently available.
Optus: Customers who buy a Pixel 8a on an Optus plan will save 50% on the phone's cost. That's a saving of $424 on a 128GB model, or $474 on a 256GB model. This discount is applied across your repayment term, and if you leave your Optus plan early, you'll forfeit the discount on any remaining hardware fees you owe.
Telstra: Telstra doesn't have a specific Pixel 8a deal, but new customers get a couple of streaming offers when they sign up for a plan. This includes four months of free access to Spotify Premium, two months of access to Binge, three months of access to Flash, and two weeks of Kayo.
If you pick up a Pixel 8a outright through Google, JB Hi-Fi, or Harvey Norman, it's also worth thinking about getting a new mobile plan to go with it. Especially if you haven't changed plans in over a year. Here are the most popular SIM-only mobile plans with WhistleOut users over the last week.
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#1
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SpinTel
Editor's Pick
$23 Mobile Plan
$12.00/mth
Min. cost $12
|
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#2
|
Boost Mobile
$39 Prepaid
$39.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
#3
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Dodo
Editor's Pick
Medium Mobile Plan
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
|
|
#4
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TPG
Editor's Pick
30GB Small Plan
$15.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Yomojo
Starter 29GB Plan
$24.90
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Tangerine Telecom
30GB 5G Mobile SIM
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
|
|
#7
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Pivotel
25GB Mobile Swift Plan
$11.45/mth
Min. cost $11.45
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#8
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Swoop
30GB SIM Only 5G
$14.00/mth
Min. cost $14
|
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#9
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Vodafone
$58 Small SIM Only Plan
$45.00/mth
Min. cost $45
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#10
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felix mobile
felix 25GB Mobile Plan
$30.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
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How much does the Google Pixel 8a cost in Australia?
The Pixel 8a is a little more expensive this year, starting at $849 for a 128GB model. In addition, there's now a 256GB option available for $949 outright.
Google Pixel 8a features
The Pixel 8a offers several key improvements over last year's model. The big change is the move to a new Tensor G3 processor. With this, Google is also promising seven years of operating system updates, security updates, and feature drops. Considering the Pixel 7a will only get three years of operating system updates and five years of security, that's a big improvement.
Other upgrades over last year's model include a more refined design with a matte glass back, a 120Hz refresh rate display (up from 90Hz), and a slightly larger battery.
Google Pixel 8a design
The Pixel 8a is a little bit sleeker than last year's model, featuring a curvier design and a new matte glass back. The display is still 6.1-inch, but it now has a 120Hz refresh rate and is said to be 40% brighter.
In Australia, the Pixel 8a is available in a choice of white, black, and blue.
Google Pixel 8a camera
On the back of the Pixel 8a, you'll find a 64MP primary lens and 13MP ultra-wide lens. On the front, there's a 13MP selfie camera. While camera hardware is identical to what was featured in last year's Pixel 7a, the Pixel 8a does benefit from new AI camera features.
These include Best Take, Magic Editor, and Audio Eraser. Best Take lets you pick and choose faces for group shots if you've taken multiple images, to get a photo where everyone is looking at the camera. Magic Editor is ostensibly "Baby's First Photoshop", and allows you to resize, move, or even erase elements in a photo. And Audio Eraser can reduce harsh background noise in videos.
Pixel 8a camera samples
Check out these camera samples taken on the Pixel 8a. Click or tap on any photo to see a larger version.
Google Pixel 8a battery
The Pixel 8a has a 4,492mAh battery, which is a slight bump from the 4,385mAh cell found in last year's Pixel 7a. When combined with a more efficient processor, Google says the Pixel 8a should last 15% longer than its predecessor. In our testing, we found the Pixel 8a could comfortable last a full day of moderate usage with a buffer.
Google Pixel 8a processor
The Pixel 8a is powered by the same Tensor G3 chipset found in the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
Google Pixel 8a 5G
The Pixel 8a has 5G connectivity, but unlike the Pixel 8 Pro, it doesn't support mmWave 5G. mmWave is a faster type of 5G that telcos have slowly been rolling out, but very few devices support it locally.
WhistleOut's coverage checker tool has 5G coverage maps, making it easy to see whether you can get 5G. All you need to do is pop in your address when searching for a new phone plan. After you've done so and hit Search, you can jump straight to the coverage map by tapping See Coverage Map and then tapping Click To Activate Interactive Map.
This map will show you what kind of coverage you have in your area. 5G coverage is highlighted using the darkest shade of purple, but unticking 4G and 3G can help make it clearer. The drop-down menu lets you choose between telcos.
Coverage maps are only approximate, only show outdoor coverage, and may be impacted by local conditions such as buildings.
Google Pixel 8a plan providers
Telstra and Optus are the two telcos selling the Pixel 8a on a plan. Here's a breakdown of the major benefits each offers.
Telstra Pixel 8a plans
Telstra Pixel plans are often the priciest on the Australian market, but they do come with a host of perks.
Telstra lets you pay your Pixel off over 12, 24, or 36 months, and all plans are free from excess data charges. If you go over your cap, your data will simply be slowed to speeds of 1.5Mbps, which is still fast enough to stream video in SD. But speeds may be slower during peak times.
Optus Pixel 8a plans
Optus Pixel plans come with solid data inclusions.
Higher-end Optus plans also come with unlimited international calls to selected destinations included with the plan.
All Optus plans are contract-free, and devices can be paid off across 12, 24, or 36 months.
In addition, all Optus postpaid plans are free from excess data charges. If you go over your allowance, you'll be slowed to 1.5Mbps rather than being billed $10 per gigabyte.
How to choose the best Google Pixel 8a plan for you
There are a few key factors to keep in mind when picking a Pixel 8a plan:
- Answering "how much mobile data do I use" can help you avoid overspending. Don't pay for more data than you need
- Decide whether you want to pay off your phone shorter on a 24-month plan or get a smaller bill over a longer period of time on a 36-month plan
- If you're a frequent overseas traveller consider any international roaming inclusions
- You may also want to make international phone calls so check if the destinations you may be calling are included in your plan
These are the most popular SIM-only mobile plans with WhistleOut users this week:
|
#1
|
SpinTel
Editor's Pick
$23 Mobile Plan
$12.00/mth
Min. cost $12
|
|
#2
|
Boost Mobile
$39 Prepaid
$39.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
#3
|
Dodo
Editor's Pick
Medium Mobile Plan
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
|
|
#4
|
TPG
Editor's Pick
30GB Small Plan
$15.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Yomojo
Starter 29GB Plan
$24.90
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Tangerine Telecom
30GB 5G Mobile SIM
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
|
|
#7
|
Pivotel
25GB Mobile Swift Plan
$11.45/mth
Min. cost $11.45
|
|
#8
|
Swoop
30GB SIM Only 5G
$14.00/mth
Min. cost $14
|
|
#9
|
Vodafone
$58 Small SIM Only Plan
$45.00/mth
Min. cost $45
|
|
#10
|
felix mobile
felix 25GB Mobile Plan
$30.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
Alex Choros
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