Moto G (2026) vs Google Pixel 8a: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-term battery life and a refined software experience, the Google Pixel 8a is the clear winner. Its Tensor G3 chipset, coupled with exceptional battery endurance of 40:06h, outweighs the Moto G (2026)'s lower price point and slightly faster CPU clock speeds.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Moto G (2026) | 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, 20, 25, 26, 28, 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 | 2, 5, 7, 12, 14, 25, 26, 29, 30, 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 | 2025, November 05 | 2024, May 07 |
| Status | Coming soon. Exp. release 2025, December 11 | Available. Released 2024, May 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), silicone polymer (eco leather) back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167.2 x 76.4 x 8.5 mm (6.58 x 3.01 x 0.33 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 | 202 g (7.13 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~262 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~430 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 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 6300 (6 nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 |
| OS | Android 16 | Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.61µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) | 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 | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra HDR, panorama, Best Take |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.64µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS | 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, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual/tri-band (market/region dependent) |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless Bypass charging |
| Type | 5200 mAh | Li-Po 4492 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Pantone: Slipstream, Cattleya Orchid | Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe |
| Models | - | GKV4X, G6GPR, G8HHN, G576D |
| Price | About 170 EUR | $ 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 Moto G (2026)
- More affordable price point
- Faster CPU clock speeds (on paper)
- 30W wired charging
- Less powerful chipset overall
- Likely inferior camera performance
- Unknown display quality
Google Pixel 8a
- Superior battery life (40:06h endurance)
- Google Tensor G3 chipset for better performance
- Brighter display (1508 nits)
- Google’s AI-powered features
- Slower wired charging (18W)
- Higher price compared to Moto G (2026)
- Wireless charging may be slow for some users
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 8a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1508 nits, making it far more usable in direct sunlight compared to the Moto G (2026) which lacks published brightness data. While the Moto G’s panel specifics are unknown, the Pixel 8a’s brightness advantage is substantial. The Pixel 8a’s display technology likely incorporates features like HDR support, enhancing content viewing, a feature not expected on the Moto G. The Pixel 8a’s display is a clear advantage for outdoor visibility and media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Moto G (2026), a direct comparison is limited. However, the Pixel 8a benefits from Google’s renowned computational photography expertise. While sensor size and aperture data are missing for both, the Pixel 8a’s image processing algorithms are likely to deliver superior dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance. Google’s software optimizations consistently elevate the camera experience, even with modest hardware. The Pixel 8a’s camera is expected to be a significant advantage for casual photographers and those who rely on automatic shooting modes.
Performance
The Google Pixel 8a’s Tensor G3 (4nm) chipset offers a more sophisticated architecture – a nona-core configuration with a Cortex-X3 prime core – compared to the Moto G (2026)’s Dimensity 6300 (6nm) octa-core. The Tensor G3’s Cortex-X3 core provides a significant performance boost for demanding tasks. While the Moto G’s 2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores are respectable, the Tensor G3’s 3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 and more efficient A715 cores will translate to smoother multitasking and faster app loading. The 4nm process node of the Tensor G3 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Pixel 8a is the clear winner for users who prioritize performance.
Battery Life
The Google Pixel 8a’s battery performance is a standout feature, achieving an impressive 40:06h endurance rating and 11:25h of active use. This is significantly better than what is typically seen in this price segment. While the Moto G (2026) offers 30W wired charging, the Pixel 8a’s 18W charging with PD3.0 and 7.5W wireless charging provides more versatility. The Pixel 8a’s battery also boasts 1000 cycles, indicating long-term reliability. The Pixel 8a’s superior battery life and charging options make it ideal for users who demand all-day power.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G (2026) if you need a functional, affordable smartphone for basic tasks and prioritize a lower upfront cost. Buy the Google Pixel 8a if you value a superior camera experience, longer battery life, guaranteed software updates, and the benefits of Google’s AI-powered features, even at a slightly higher price.