Which Smartphone Is Better? The Motorola Edge (2024) Or The Google Pixel 8a?
If you find yourself split between getting the brand-spanking-new Motorola Edge (2024) or the slightly cheaper and dependable Google Pixel 8a, it can be hard to make up your mind. Worry not though, this comparison article will be the tiebreaker to help you make up your mind.
The Designs
What I like might be very far from what you like, but when I look at the Edge (2024) and I look at the Pixel 8a and I’m meant to judge them on beauty alone, I find myself siding with the Motorola. I’ve always been a fan of the Pixel visor, but I prefer the smoother one-piece back panel of the Motorola.
On top of that, I will always be a fan of devices with more angular corners. The Pixel 8a is just too round for me. But of course, that’s for me, and your mileage may definitely vary by quite a lot. You won’t find build quality lacking whichever way you might choose to go, though the Pixel has a plastic back while the Edge goes for vegan leather, which most people will find more premium-feeling.
Also, keep in mind that you get incrementally better weather resistance with the Edge (2024), at IP68, than the IP67 certification on the Pixel. So, design-wise, I go with the Edge.
The Screens
The displays might be a major differentiating factor for people trying to choose between these phones. If you prefer compact devices, the Pixel 8a is for you. If you like high-end screens, then go with the Motorola Edge.
The Pixel has a 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display with 120Hz refresh and 2000-nit peak brightness. Far from shabby, and if you like small screens, you should go with this. However, the Edge (2024) is bigger, which most people prefer in modern times, at 6.6 inches. It has the same FHD+ resolution, but the curved pOLED panel supports 1 billion colors, has a 144Hz refresh rate, and supports HDR10+. The peak brightness is lower, at 1300 nits, which is the only major downside.
Look, it’s 2024. You’re an outlier if you like smaller displays. The Motorola takes it here.
The Chipsets And Memory
The Motorola Edge (2024) comes with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, along with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. UFS 2.2 storage doesn’t put a smile on my face, to be honest.
With the Pixel 8a, you’ll get a Google Tensor G3 chip with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
Neither device has expandable storage. The Google Pixel 8a has the faster chip and the faster storage, so it’s an easy choice to make if you’re looking for pure performance. Paired with Google’s stock Android 14 experience, what’s not to love?
The Cameras
Now, right here is where things get tough. We all know Pixel cameras are amazing, even in the “a” series devices. So, if you simply want a phone you can buy and start taking great shots with, you might not need to do much deliberation before choosing the Google device, especially as it can be tough comparing cameras on paper.
However, we have to try, don’t we? Both phones have dual camera setups on the rear. The Edge (2024) goes for a 50MP primary with OIS, while the Pixel 8a chooses a 64MP primary with OIS. Both phones have nearly identical 13MP ultrawide sensors. The Pixel can record 4K at 60fps and even FHD at 240fps, but the Motorola can only manage 4K at 30fps and FHD at 60fps. There’s a very clear winner here.
The Motorola has a 32MP selfie camera that can record FHD at 30fps, but while the Pixel’s selfie cam is “just” 13MP, it can do 4K at 30. On paper and from what we know about Google’s camera experience, I give it to the Pixel 8a here.
The Batteries And Charging
The Motorola Edge has a 5,000 mAh battery, with support for 68W fast charging and 15W wireless charging. The Pixel 8a pales in comparison with a 4,492 mAh battery, only 18W of fast charging, and a mere 7.5W limit on wireless charging.
The Edge will last you longer and juice up faster. It’s a win for Moto here.
The Miscellaneous Factors
Now, let’s talk about all the other factors that are hard to fit in a box. Neither phone has a microSD slot or a headphone jack, but both have NFC and support for Wi-Fi 6e. The Pixel has USB Type-C 3.2 and the Motorola has USB Type-C 3.1; both phones support connecting to an external display.
The Edge only comes in a single colorway: Midnight Blue. If you want options, you can get the Pixel 8a in Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, or Aloe.
The Pixel has the unique advantage of always getting software updates and new features before any other brand’s devices, but at least the Edge (2024) has the Quick Button that you can map to any app. Yeah, perhaps that’s not a balanced comparison. It’s a tight squeeze, and this category means the least, but Google takes it.
The Pricing, And Which Should You Get?
Finally, the pricing. The Motorola Edge (2024) will be available from June 20th and is going to cost $549.99. That’s not bad until you realize that the Google Pixel 8a starts at $499.99 (and surpasses the Motorola by just $10 when you match the storage option).
So, who takes it then? Pure power and camera performance are two categories that people prioritize when it comes to a new phone, and the Google Pixel 8a wins hands down here. If you can get past the smaller screen, smaller battery, and painfully slow charging, that should be your choice. The Google software experience sweetens the deal a lot more.
But let’s not spit on the our humble loser. A better screen, a bigger battery, and faster charging are the major perks you get with Motorola’s new smartphone, and on its own, it’s a capable contender. It just didn’t manage to win today.
