Moto G86 vs. Google Pixel 8a: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Champions
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing camera quality and software experience, the Google Pixel 8a is the better choice. However, users who value extended battery life and raw processing power for demanding tasks will find the Motorola Moto G86 a more compelling option, offering 55:44h endurance versus the Pixel 8a's 40:06h.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Moto G86 | Google Pixel 8a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 71 - EMEA & AP | 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - EMEA & AP | 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, May 29 | 2024, May 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, July 07 | Available. Released 2024, May 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), plastic frame, silicone polymer (eco leather) back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.2 x 74.7 x 7.8 mm (6.35 x 2.94 x 0.31 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 + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~430 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 4500 nits peak | OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G615 MC2 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm, 118˚ (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 | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra HDR, panorama, Best Take |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.7µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | 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/6, dual-band | 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 | 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: Spellbound, Golden Cypress, Cosmic Sky, Chrysanthemum | Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe |
| Models | XT2527-2 | GKV4X, G6GPR, G8HHN, G576D |
| Price | $ 269.50 / C$ 649.00 / £ 199.99 / € 198.99 | $ 229.98 / C$ 417.99 / £ 279.00 / € 299.99 / ₹ 33,300 |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 55:44h endurance, 1000 cycles | 40:06h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Energy | Class A | Class B |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | Class A (270 falls) |
| Repairability | Class B | Class B |
Motorola Moto G86
- Exceptional battery life (55:44h endurance)
- Faster 30W wired charging
- Potentially stronger sustained CPU performance
- Likely inferior display quality compared to Pixel 8a
- Less advanced camera software and features
Google Pixel 8a
- Superior display brightness and quality
- Google’s Tensor G3 chip with AI capabilities
- Excellent camera software and image processing
- Shorter battery life (40:06h endurance)
- Slower 18W wired charging
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 8a significantly outshines the Moto G86 in display quality, boasting a measured peak brightness of 1508 nits. While the G86’s display specifications are not provided, the Pixel 8a’s high brightness ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The Pixel 8a’s panel likely benefits from OLED technology, offering superior contrast and color accuracy compared to what is typically found in the G86’s price bracket. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests neither offers adaptive refresh rates for optimal power efficiency.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 8a’s camera system is a key differentiator, leveraging Google’s renowned computational photography algorithms. While specific sensor details are not provided, the Pixel 8a’s image processing capabilities are expected to deliver superior dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance. The Moto G86’s camera specifications are not detailed enough to make a direct comparison, but it’s likely to rely more on hardware than software for image quality. The Pixel 8a’s focus on AI-powered features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur provides a significant advantage for casual photographers.
Performance
The chipset battle pits MediaTek’s Dimensity 7300 (4nm) against Google’s Tensor G3 (4nm). The Tensor G3, with its nona-core configuration (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3, 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715, 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510), is architecturally more complex and geared towards AI and machine learning tasks. The Moto G86’s octa-core CPU (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) prioritizes sustained performance. While the Tensor G3 excels in tasks like image processing and voice recognition, the Dimensity 7300 may offer a slight edge in raw CPU-intensive workloads. Both chips are fabricated on a 4nm process, suggesting comparable power efficiency, but the G86’s CPU clock speeds are higher.
Battery Life
Battery life is where the Moto G86 truly shines. Its endurance rating of 55:44h significantly surpasses the Pixel 8a’s 40:06h. The Pixel 8a’s active use score of 11:25h provides a more realistic estimate of daily usage, but still falls short of the G86’s overall endurance. The G86’s 30W wired charging is faster than the Pixel 8a’s 18W wired charging, although the Pixel 8a adds the convenience of 7.5W wireless charging and bypass charging, allowing for charging while the phone is still in use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G86 if you need a phone that can reliably last through two full days of moderate use and prioritize sustained performance for gaming or multitasking. Buy the Google Pixel 8a if you prefer a phone with a superior display, exceptional camera capabilities powered by Google’s computational photography, and guaranteed software updates directly from Google.