Latest news with #Pixel8A
Hans India
08-05-2025
- Hans India
Google Limits Android Battery Health Indicator to Latest Pixel Devices
In a move that has drawn criticism from longtime Pixel users, Google has confirmed that its new Android 16 battery health indicator will only be available on the Pixel 8A and newer devices, excluding earlier models like the Pixel 6 and Pixel 8 Pro. First introduced to Android 16 beta testers in March, the feature is designed to help users better understand battery ageing and why their phones may not hold a charge as they used to, much like the iPhone battery health tool Apple introduced in 2018. However, a Google developer on the public Android Issue Tracker responded to user concerns, saying that retrofitting the feature on older phones is 'infeasible' and that the company 'won't fix' the issue. Although older phones arguably need this feature more, Google has not provided a clear explanation for the restriction. The decision was first reported by Android Authority and flagged by users on Reddit. Google has yet to respond to further inquiries regarding the limitation, especially why phones as recent as the Pixel 8 are excluded from the rollout.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Yahoo
Best Android Phone of 2025
A great Android phone should have high-quality cameras, long battery life and a long commitment to software and security updates. From Samsung's Galaxy S25 to Google's Pixel 9 and the 9 Pro XL, there are many fantastic Android phones to choose from. We're here to help you find the best Android phone for you. Whether it's phones like Google's Pixel 8A or foldable phones like the Motorola Razr Plus (2024), CNET editors have tested and reviewed every phone on this list. Google just announced the Pixel 9A, the follow up to the Pixel 8A. The Pixel 9A will release in April and we look forward to testing it. The $800 Samsung Galaxy S25's battery life is amazing. That's not the only reason it's our pick for best Android phone. It gets seven years of major Android updates and the cameras are good (there's even a 3x telephoto lens for zooming). Then there are all the AI features: most are just OK, but Circle to Search is outstanding. Samsung tries to set the Galaxy S25 apart by leaning into what's new (AI), as well as embracing the familiar (good cameras and battery life). And we're definitely impressed. There are plenty of other excellent choices, although the Pixel 8A is another current favorite. Read more: Best VPN for Android for 2025 Best Android Tablet for 2025 Best T-Mobile Phones of 2024 Best Smartphone Under $500 for 2024 Best Prepaid Phones for 2024 Best Samsung Phone for 2024 Phones Under $200: Top Picks and New Budget Phones We test every phone in real-world scenarios focusing on its features, design, performance, cameras, battery life and overall value. We document our findings in an initial review that is periodically updated when there are new software updates or to compare against new phones from phones from competitors like Apple, Samsung, Google and OnePlus. Photography is a major focus for most phones these days, so we take pictures and videos of various subjects in a variety of settings and lighting scenarios. We try out any new camera modes such as the 4K 120fps slow motion mode that debuted on the iPhone 16 Pro or the Add Me photo tool that launched with the Google Pixel 9 series. Battery testing is conducted in a variety of ways. We assess how long a phone lasts during a typical day of use, and note how it performs during more focused sessions of video calls, media streaming and gaming. We also conduct a video playback test, which isn't always included in the initial review and is added later in an update. We use benchmarking apps to measure the performance, alongside our own anecdotal experiences using the phone for our review. Of particular note are how graphics and animations look. Are they smooth? Or do they lag or stutter? We also look at how quickly the phone switches between horizontal and vertical orientations and how fast the camera app opens and is ready to take a photo. We perform processor-heavy tasks like editing photos, exporting videos and playing games. We evaluate whether a newer version of a particular phone includes enough features to make it worth upgrading from older models. Read more: How We Test Phones Look at last year's phones: Companies typically keep previous models around at a discounted price. For example, while you can buy the $699 Pixel 8 or $999 Pixel 8 Pro for less than the current Pixel 9 equivalents. Get more for less with cheap phones: For a fraction of the cost, you can get a solid phone that does almost everything a pricier flagship phone can do. The Google Pixel 8A packs a good camera and is frequently discounted to under $400. Check your Android type: Some phones, like Google's Pixel series, run a stock version of Android. Others, like Samsung's Galaxy phones, have their own software (OneUI) on top of Android. Each type has its own appeal and drawbacks. If you've been rocking a Samsung phone for years, you'll likely still be more at home on a new Galaxy phone. Be ready for Cyber Monday sales: The holidays usually bring big discounts and sales, even on phones. Test your phone: It's definitely worth going to a store and trying out a phone before you shell out hundreds of dollars for it. Find peace of mind with a case: You spent all this time choosing a phone, now protect it from damage with a case. The $450 Samsung Galaxy A54 5G proves you can get a phone with solid performance for a very reasonable price. It packs a 6.4-inch display, an octa-core processor that offers enough power for daily essentials (including light gaming) and a camera that does a decent job of handling your out-and-about snaps. Its 128GB of storage will be enough for most people, and those who need more space can expand it with microSD cards up to 1TB in size. Android phones come in all shapes and sizes. Prices range from just a couple hundred dollars for a basic smartphone to $1,800 for state-of-the-art foldable phones. All the phones on this list are durable, have an IP rating for water and dust resistance and years of software support. Every phone on this list varies in how many years of software support you get and how long you can extend the warranty, but most should last you a few years if not more.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is It Safe to Buy a Used Phone on eBay? Here's What You Need to Know
The iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra are among the best phones money can buy right now, so it's perhaps no surprise that you'll pay heartily for that cutting-edge tech. Even Google's more affordable Pixel 8A still costs $499, which is a lot of cash to put down in one go, particularly when many of us are keeping a much closer eye on our spending. Buying an older phone on the used market can save you a lot of money while still allowing you to put some great mobile tech in your pocket. Even phones a couple of years old still include all your everyday essentials, plus allow for things like photo editing, gaming and video streaming. Don't think you need to buy the latest tech in order to enjoy the same apps and services as your friends. And even better, buying a used phone saves it from going to a landfill, while reducing the number of new phones that need to be shipped to stores -- and to you. Shopping used can help reduce your overall environmental footprint, which we can all agree is a good thing. Read more: Best Phone to Buy for 2025 But there are key things to keep in mind if you want the best phone for your money and you want to stay safe when you get it. Whether you're shopping on eBay, Amazon Marketplace or Facebook Marketplace, here are our top tips on how to safely buy a great used phone, whether you want an iPhone or an Android phone. First, think about what you actually need from your phone, as this will dictate what sort of level (and budget) you need. If you just want something more basic to handle casual WhatsApp messages and play Spotify during your commute, you don't need flagship levels of performance. As a result, a lower-end phone with a smaller price tag will suit just fine. If, however, you're really into phone photography then you may want to spend a bit more on something with a decent camera. In that case, something like last year's Galaxy S24 (only one generation old), with its more powerful multi camera array may be preferable. You'll have to find that balance between the performance you need and the price you're happy to pay. Newer phones with more modern features and better performance will come with a higher price. Not every phone seller has your best interests at heart, so it's important to be savvy when you're shopping. Some places to avoid should be obvious; don't buy from the guy selling phones on a street corner from a big box, for example. Others can be hit and miss. The site eBay is a well-known source for buying used items, and there's a huge selection of phones to be had. Some of these are sold by refurbishing companies that trade solely in buying and selling used handsets. Others are regular people trying to offload their old devices when they upgrade. The result is that it can sometimes feel like panning for gold, looking for those nuggets you actually want. Check the next section for more tips on buying on eBay. Facebook Marketplace can also be a good way of finding people locally who simply want to quickly offload their no-longer-needed phone. But you'll need to exercise your own judgement here to avoid getting a dud. My best advice though is to go to trusted companies that buy old phones, refurbish them and sell them on. Increasingly big-box stores like BestBuy are starting to offer used phone sales, while Google itself launched a refurbished service in 2024. There are also companies that specialize solely in buying and selling used phones: I've used MusicMagpie in the UK and had no problems. Its online catalog is vast, it clearly lists the condition of the phones, every handset is factory reset and you get a 12-month warranty with every purchase. Prices might be a tad higher than you'd find on eBay, but the peace of mind more than makes up for it. They also offer rental options if you can't quite stomach splashing the cash upfront. Gazelle offers a similar service in the US, although we haven't tested it ourselves and so can't vouch for the overall quality of the service. Whether you're buying from eBay, Amazon Marketplace or anywhere else, it's important to pay close attention to what you're actually getting. Read the listing carefully, including any small print that might be hidden further down among other details. It may be that phrases like "nonfunctioning" or "battery faulty" are intentionally buried to trick people into buying a phone that no longer works. They'll also likely explain whether you're getting the original charging cable, packaging and what sort of nicks and scratches you can expect. Use your common sense here: If a $1,000 iPhone is being sold for only $100, there's probably something fishy going on. If a phone seems too cheap, perhaps it's had severe water damage and the owner is trying to offload it before it stops working altogether. Don't be the guy who bought a picture of an Xbox One for $735. I'll make this as clear as possible: Do not buy a phone that no longer gets security updates from its manufacturer. Unsupported phones are open to all kinds of vulnerabilities that can give hackers easy access to every single piece of information on your handset -- or even control it completely. Those bank details, cute pics of your kids, sexy selfies you sent to your partner -- all could be accessed and stolen. Most Android phone manufacturers tend to support their handsets for at least two to three years, although both Google and Samsung have taken that further, offering up to seven years of security support on their latest launches. Similarly, Apple's latest iOS 18 is still officially supported on 2018's iPhone XR, making that phone still safe to use today. Google's Pixel 6 Pro, released in October 2021 is guaranteed to get security updates until "at least" October 2026, according to Google's support page. 2023's Pixel 8 Pro meanwhile will receive updates until at least October 2030. It's encouraging to see companies offering longer support periods on their phones as more often than not the hardware is still perfectly capable of handling all your everyday needs for much longer than the software support might provide for. But outdated software makes the phones vulnerable, and it's simply not advisable to continue using phones outside their security support period. Your best bet is to look at phones that came out within the last two years and are therefore likely still receiving security updates. When you find a phone that suits, search the model name and try and find out if it's still getting updates, and if there's an indication of how much longer it'll get them. Companies often aren't forthcoming with info about when they're cutting a product loose, but by looking at what other models are being supported you should be able to make a fair estimate. It may be that you just need a temporary phone to tide you over until you can justify a proper upgrade and so a phone with only a year of support left might not be a problem. Make sure when your phone of choice arrives that you fully factory reset it yourself, and make sure to check for all available software updates before doing anything else.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Best Google Pixel Phone to Buy in 2025
Google expanded its smartphone lineup for the better with the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. These Pixel phones still have great cameras and run on Android 15 but are largely a platform for Google's Gemini AI assistant. Google also has the affordable Pixel 8A, which is just $449 and earned a CNET Editor's Choice Award. And then there's the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which at $1,799 is the most expensive Pixel Google sells -- but it does unfold into a large 8-inch screen, which is great for watching YouTube videos and playing games. It can be tough to know which Google phone will work best for your specific needs. That's why we've pulled together the top Pixels currently on sale to help. Read more: Best Phone to Buy in 2025 The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL sit at the top of Google's phone lineup, with its Tensor G4 processor, fantastic cameras and a host of AI skills. Gemini Advanced is truly amazing, but in our testing, there were some hiccups. One thing to look out for is price. The Pixel 9 Pro is a new, smaller version with a 6.3-inch screen and a $999 price tag. The 6.8-inch Pixel 9 Pro XL, while it has a new name, is for all intents and purposes the successor to last year's Pixel 8 Pro. The 9 Pro XL actually costs $100 more than the 8 Pro did when it was released. The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL also have Satellite SOS for emergencies and come with seven years of major Android OS updates, security patches and Pixel feature drops. Editor's note: Google released the Pixel 8A, also $500. You can read our Pixel 8A review here. If you're buying a Pixel 7A make sure it's on sale. Google's budget phone leaped forward with the Pixel 7A, which offers many of the same benefits as the Pixel 7 but at a cheaper price. Like the Pixel 7, the Pixel 7A runs on Google's Tensor G2 processor, meaning it has many of the same photo editing and language translation features as its pricier sibling. The Pixel 7A's 64-megapixel camera also takes excellent photos that rival the Pixel 7's in quality. We still like the Pixel 7, but the Pixel 7A's lower price makes it a better deal for most people. Opt for the Pixel 7 only if you want a slightly larger screen and are willing to pay the extra $100 for it. Otherwise, the main differences between the Pixel 7 and 7A come down to the former's more durable build, slightly faster charging and its ability to wirelessly charge compatible accessories. The Pixel 7 also has a larger camera sensor that's more sensitive to light, according to Google, but CNET's Lisa Eadicicco didn't notice much of a difference. Read our Pixel 7A review. See at Amazon Deciding which Pixel phone is best for you will likely come down to how much you're willing to spend. As with anything, the more cash you splash, the better features you'll get. The Pixel 9 Pro is the most expensive of the main range (excluding the Fold) and as a result, it comes with the best camera system. If photography isn't important to you, you can save yourself some money and look instead toward the base Pixel 9 or the more affordable Pixel 8A. The Pixel 8A has the same processor as the 2023 Pixel 8 Pro, so you can expect good overall performance, but its dual rear camera is aimed more toward those of you simply wanting to take the odd snap of your kid on the beach, rather than those looking for Instagram stardom. If you want the most cutting-edge piece of tech in your pocket, the Pixel Fold's foldable display certainly makes it stand out in the range. You'll pay a hefty price for this brand-new technology, meaning it's not a phone for everyone to consider. Every phone on this list has been thoroughly tested by CNET's expert reviews team. We use the phone, test the features, play games and take photos. We assess any marketing promises that a company makes about its phones. If we find something we don't like, be it battery life or build quality, we tell you all about it. We examine every aspect of a phone during testing: Display Design and feel Processor performance Battery life Camera quality Features We test all of a phone's cameras (both front and back) in a variety of conditions: from outdoors under sunlight to dimmer indoor locales and nighttime scenes (for any available night modes). We also compare our findings against similarly priced models. We have a series of real-world battery tests to see how long a phone lasts under everyday use. We take into account additional phone features like 5G, fingerprint and face readers, styluses, fast charging, foldable displays, and other useful extras. We weigh all of our experiences and testing against the price, so you know whether a phone represents good value. Read more: How We Test Phones We loved the Pixel 7 when it first launched, thanks to its solid all-round performance and lower price, the arrival of the cheaper Pixel 7A means we no longer recommend buying the Pixel 7. The 7A shares many of the Pixel 7's features, including the processor and excellent dual camera setup. In 2024, we'd recommend looking at the Pixel 8A, or if you can afford it, the Pixel 9. We've consistently given Google's Pixel phones high scores in our reviews, due to their decent all-round performance and typically good camera quality. They don't have the most high-performance processors around, but they offer enough power for almost any need, while the pure Android software makes them smooth and easy to use.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Best Google Pixel 8A Deals: Trade-In Offers Can Basically Get You This Phone for Free
Google's flashy new Pixel 9 phones are tempting, but many people don't really need $1,000 of cutting-edge hardware in their pocket. If you're looking for a more affordable alternative with a lot of the same features, the Pixel 8A is our absolute favorite. We love it for Android users and it boasts many of the same features as Google's more advanced flagship models at a fraction of the price. With these offers in full swing right now, you can get your hands on one for even less. Adrian Marlow has years of experience helping CNET readers take advantage of the best tech deals and has rounded up some of the best places to score savings on the already-affordable Pixel 8A. These include straightforward discounts on unlocked models and new lines, plus trade-in offers for those looking to sign up with a carrier right away. We'll continue to update this page as deals come and go, so check back often. The Pixel 8A has many of the same features as the line's higher-end models, from similar battery life to comparable processors. It also boasts the ability to run Audio Magic Eraser, Best Take and Gemini Nano model, which is something Google's budget-tier phones haven't been able to handle in the past. The Pixel 8A even provides the same display brightness as the standard Pixel 8, offering up to 2,000 nits of brightness (1,400 nits in HDR). It's fairly close in size to the line's flagship too. The Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch display, while the 8A comes in at 6.1 inches. At the moment, the overall best Pixel 8A deal is being offered by T-Mobile. This is one of the only retailers or carriers that is offering you a chance to snag one of these budget-friendly Androids completely free. You'll have to jump through a few hoops to take advantage of this offer, as it requires either a new line or an eligible trade-in. That's still slightly better than Google's current offer, which is exclusively for new customers. If you're a new Google Fi customer, you can snag the Pixel 8A completely free when activate the phone on a qualifying plan. The discount is then applied as bill credits over a 24-month period. If you don't want to sign up with Google Fi, you can still grab an unlocked model for $100 off. See at Google T-Mobile is offering both new and existing customers a chance to get their hands on a Google Pixel 8A for free right now. This offer is available to those adding a new line on just about any plan, or those on a Go5G, Magenta or ONE plan with an eligible device to trade in. All the heavy hitters are included, and any iPhone 11 or newer or Samsung Galaxy S9 or newer will get you the full $500 credit. Just note that the discount is applied in the form of monthly bill credits for the duration of the two-year contract term. See at T-Mobile There aren't any direct discounts on the 8A right now but, you can save up to $500 when you trade in another phone. You'll get the most value from popular models like the iPhone 15. Depending on the condition of your phone, you could get enough trade-in credits to score the Pixel 8A for free. See at Best Buy Target currently does not have any direct offers on the Pixel 8A but, you can use your Target Circle Card* to get this phone for 5% off. It's not much but it's still a way to save. See at Target Discounts on phones typically fall into one of two categories, and CNET's dedicated deals team has scoured the web for both to help you take advantage of the best Pixel 8A offers available at any given time. The first kind of deal includes straightforward or "no strings attached" discounts on unlocked models. These deals typically feature smaller discounts, but they don't require a trade-in or a contract with a carrier. The second kind of deal includes carrier offers, which typically require you to have, or switch to, an eligible service plan and will lock you into a two- or three-year contract. These deals usually feature substantial discounts, and sometimes they'll even score you a new phone for free. We've highlighted the best deals in both categories above so you can choose the one that works best for you. *All information about the Target Circle Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
