Motorola Edge (2023) vs Google Pixel 8a: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Google Pixel 8a is the stronger choice. While the Motorola Edge (2023) boasts faster 68W charging, the Pixel 8a’s superior chipset, exceptional camera processing, and guaranteed software updates provide a more refined and long-lasting user experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Edge (2023) | Google Pixel 8a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66 - G6GPR (International) |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G6GPR (International) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, October 11 | 2024, May 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, October 11 | Available. Released 2024, May 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, silicone polymer back (eco leather) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 158.4 x 72 x 7.6 mm (6.24 x 2.83 x 0.30 in) | 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.86 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 168 g (5.93 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~430 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6 nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G610 MC3 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 |
| OS | Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14 | Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.4, (wide), 1/1.5", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF | 64 MP (16 MP eff.), f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra HDR, panorama, Best Take |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, HDR, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 0.8µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/k/v/r, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual/tri-band (market/region dependent) |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 68W wired 15W wireless | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless Bypass charging |
| Type | Li-Po 4400 mAh | Li-Po 4492 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Eclipse Black | Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe |
| Models | - | GKV4X, G6GPR, G8HHN, G576D |
| Price | $ 189.95 | $ 229.98 / C$ 417.99 / £ 279.00 / € 299.99 / ₹ 33,300 |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 40:06h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class A (270 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Motorola Edge (2023)
- 68W wired charging is significantly faster.
- Potentially lower price point.
- Generally lighter weight.
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Tensor G3.
- Inferior camera processing and image quality.
- Less guaranteed software support.
Google Pixel 8a
- Superior performance with the Google Tensor G3.
- Exceptional camera quality and computational photography.
- Long-term software support and updates.
- Excellent battery life and longevity.
- Slower 18W wired charging.
- Potentially higher price point.
- May be slightly heavier.
Display Comparison
The Pixel 8a features a display capable of reaching a measured 1508 nits of peak brightness, significantly outshining the Motorola Edge (2023) (brightness data unavailable). This higher brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize OLED panels, the Pixel 8a’s brightness advantage is a clear win. The Pixel 8a’s display is also likely to benefit from Google’s color calibration expertise, offering more accurate colors out of the box. We expect the Pixel 8a to have a higher refresh rate as well, though this is not specified in the data.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 8a’s camera system benefits from Google’s renowned computational photography expertise. While sensor sizes and apertures aren’t specified, the Pixel 8a’s image processing algorithms are known for their exceptional dynamic range, detail preservation, and low-light performance. The Motorola Edge (2023) likely offers a competent camera experience, but it won’t match the Pixel 8a’s consistently high image quality. The Pixel 8a’s software features, like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur, further enhance its photographic capabilities. We can assume the Pixel 8a has superior video recording capabilities as well.
Performance
The Google Pixel 8a’s Google Tensor G3 (4nm) chipset represents a substantial leap in processing power compared to the Motorola Edge (2023)’s MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6nm). The Tensor G3’s nona-core configuration, featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core, delivers superior performance in demanding tasks like video editing and gaming. The 4nm fabrication process also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. While the Edge’s Dimensity 7030 is capable for everyday tasks, the Pixel 8a offers a smoother and more responsive experience, particularly for AI-driven features.
Battery Life
The Pixel 8a boasts an impressive endurance rating of 40:06h and a 11:25h active use score, indicating significantly better battery life than the Motorola Edge (2023) (battery data unavailable). The Pixel 8a also benefits from 1000 charge cycles, suggesting excellent long-term battery health. While the Motorola Edge (2023) offers faster 68W wired charging compared to the Pixel 8a’s 18W charging, the Pixel 8a’s superior battery capacity and efficiency offset this difference. The Pixel 8a also supports bypass charging, allowing it to be used while charging, a feature absent on the Motorola Edge (2023).
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Edge (2023) if you prioritize extremely fast charging speeds and are comfortable with a less polished software experience. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones and want a device that can quickly recover from heavy usage. Buy the Google Pixel 8a if you value camera quality, a clean and consistently updated Android experience, and long-term software support. It’s the better choice for photography enthusiasts and those who want a phone that will remain secure and functional for years to come.