Xiaomi Redmi K70 vs. Google Pixel 8a: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Xiaomi Redmi K70 and Google Pixel 8a represent compelling choices in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The K70 prioritizes raw performance with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, while the Pixel 8a focuses on Google’s AI-powered features and camera prowess. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing gaming and demanding tasks, the Xiaomi Redmi K70 is the clear winner thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and 120W fast charging. However, the Google Pixel 8a excels in camera quality and software experience, making it ideal for photography enthusiasts and those deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi K70 Google Pixel 8a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66 - G6GPR (International)
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G6GPR (International)
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, November 292024, May 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, November 29Available. Released 2024, May 14
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions160.9 x 75 x 8.2 mm (6.33 x 2.95 x 0.32 in)152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.86 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight209 g (7.37 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 5
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~430 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 4000 nits (peak)OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Google Tensor G3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Immortalis-G715s MC10
OSAndroid 14, HyperOSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-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
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra HDR, panorama, Best Take
Triple50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)-
Video8K@24fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, (wide)13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual/tri-band (market/region dependent)
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging120W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 100% in 18 min18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless Bypass charging
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4492 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, Blue/Green, PurpleObsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe
Models23113RKC6CGKV4X, G6GPR, G8HHN, G576D
PriceAbout 320 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

Xiaomi Redmi K70

  • Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2)
  • Ultra-fast 120W charging
  • Likely superior gaming performance

  • Camera performance likely trails the Pixel 8a
  • Software updates may be less frequent than Pixel

Google Pixel 8a

  • Exceptional camera quality and image processing
  • Guaranteed software updates and Google AI features
  • Excellent battery endurance

  • Slower processor (Tensor G3)
  • Significantly slower charging speed (18W)

Display Comparison

The Pixel 8a boasts a measured peak brightness of 1508 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Redmi K70’s display specifications aren’t provided, Xiaomi typically equips its K-series with high-quality AMOLED panels. The Pixel 8a’s brightness advantage is significant, and its display technology likely benefits from Google’s image processing for accurate color reproduction. The absence of LTPO in either phone suggests both will rely on adaptive refresh rates to balance smoothness and power consumption, but the Pixel 8a’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

While detailed camera specs for the Redmi K70 are missing, the Pixel 8a’s strength lies in Google’s computational photography. The Pixel 8a leverages the Tensor G3’s AI capabilities to deliver exceptional image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Google’s image processing excels in dynamic range, noise reduction, and color accuracy. Without knowing the Redmi K70’s sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to directly compare, but the Pixel 8a’s software advantage is likely to be a significant differentiator for most users. The Pixel 8a’s focus on software processing will likely yield more consistently pleasing results.

Performance

The Redmi K70’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a substantial leap ahead of the Google Tensor G3 (4nm) in terms of raw processing power. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s octa-core configuration, featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, provides superior single-core and multi-core performance. The Tensor G3’s nona-core setup, while incorporating a Cortex-X3, is clocked lower at 3.0 GHz and has a different core arrangement, prioritizing AI tasks over sustained peak performance. This translates to smoother gaming, faster video rendering, and more responsive multitasking on the Redmi K70. The K70’s likely LPDDR5x RAM further enhances its performance edge.

Battery Life

The Pixel 8a’s endurance rating of 40:06h and active use score of 11:25h demonstrate impressive battery life, supported by 1000 charge cycles, indicating long-term battery health. The Redmi K70, however, compensates for potentially lower battery capacity with its blazing-fast 120W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 18 minutes. The Pixel 8a’s 18W charging is considerably slower. This difference in charging speed is a major convenience factor for the K70, allowing for quick top-ups throughout the day, while the Pixel 8a prioritizes longevity and overall endurance.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K70 if you need uncompromising performance for gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and value incredibly fast charging speeds. Buy the Google Pixel 8a if you prioritize a best-in-class camera experience, seamless software updates, and Google’s AI-powered features, even if it means sacrificing some raw processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Redmi K70 get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a thermally efficient chip, but sustained high loads will generate heat. The Redmi K70 likely incorporates a robust cooling system to mitigate throttling, but prolonged gaming at maximum settings may still result in some performance reduction. However, it will still outperform the Tensor G3 under similar conditions.
❓ How does the Google Tensor G3's AI processing benefit everyday use on the Pixel 8a?
The Tensor G3 excels in on-device AI tasks, enhancing features like voice recognition, translation, and image processing. This translates to faster and more accurate Google Assistant responses, improved camera features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur, and a more personalized user experience.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Pixel 8a slow compared to other phones?
Yes, 18W charging is relatively slow compared to the 120W charging on the Redmi K70 and many other modern smartphones. It will take significantly longer to fully charge the Pixel 8a, but it prioritizes battery health and avoids generating excessive heat during charging.
❓ Does the Redmi K70 support software updates as frequently as the Pixel 8a?
Generally, Xiaomi’s update schedule is less consistent and slower than Google’s. The Pixel 8a is guaranteed to receive several years of Android OS and security updates directly from Google, ensuring a more secure and up-to-date experience.