After months of anticipation, the Google Pixel 8a has finally been unveiled. Boasting similar hardware to the slightly pricier Pixel 8, it promises a robust experience with impressive AI features and a guarantee of seven years of software updates. 

Competing for attention at the same $500 price point is the OnePlus 12R, which offers a more powerful processor, faster charging speeds, and a more appealing design. 

Both phones carry traits from their premium counterparts, making them feel like flagships at a budget-friendly price. 

Let’s dive into the differences to help you decide which phone suits your needs best.

Design and Build Quality

Google Pixel 8a: The Pixel 8a sports a simplistic yet elegant design with a flat display and a horizontal dual-camera setup on the back. 

The phone uses a plastic-reinforced composite material for the back panel and recycled aluminum for the mid-frame. 

Available in Aloe Green, Bay Blue, Obsidian Black, and Porcelain White, the Pixel 8a has a matte finish on all surfaces, giving it a sleek look. 

It has a compact footprint, similar to the Pixel 8, and weighs 188 grams. The Pixel 8a also boasts an IP67 rating, making it dust and water-resistant.

OnePlus 12R: In contrast, the OnePlus 12R features a more premium design with curved edges on both the front and back panels, which are made of glass.

It has a circular camera module that blends into the frame, and the phone comes in Iron Gray, Cool Blue, and a special edition Electric Violet inspired by the game Genshin Impact.

 The OnePlus 12R, with its larger 6.82-inch display, is bigger and heavier at 207 grams but gives a premium feel thanks to its reflective, shiny surfaces. However, it has a lower IP64 rating, making it less water-resistant than the Pixel 8a.

Winner: The OnePlus 12R’s design feels more premium, but the Pixel 8a offers better water resistance and a compact form factor. 

Choose based on your preference for design and build quality.

Display

Google Pixel 8a: The Pixel 8a features a 6.1-inch OLED display with Full HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ support. 

It can reach a peak brightness of 2,000 nits for HDR content, ensuring vibrant and sharp visuals. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

OnePlus 12R: The OnePlus 12R boasts a larger 6.82-inch LTPO 4.0 AMOLED display with a 1264 x 2780 pixels resolution and a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate. 

Its peak brightness can go up to 4,500 nits, making it excellent for outdoor use and HDR content. 

It also supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+. 

Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which offers superior durability, shields the display.

Winner: The OnePlus 12R’s larger, brighter display with advanced HDR support and better protection makes it the superior choice for display quality.

Performance

Google Pixel 8a: Powered by the Google Tensor G3 chipset, the Pixel 8a comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage.

While it includes many AI features from the Pixel 8, it may not match the top-tier performance of its sibling due to some cutbacks.

OnePlus 12R: The OnePlus 12R is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, paired with up to 16GB of RAM. 

This makes it a powerhouse for gaming and multitasking, although it uses the same UFS 3.1 storage as the Pixel 8a.

Winner: The OnePlus 12R offers a more powerful processor and higher RAM options, making it the better choice for performance-intensive tasks and gaming.

Camera

Google Pixel 8a: The Pixel 8a features a dual-camera setup with a 64MP primary sensor and a 13MP ultrawide sensor. 

It excels in computational photography, offering features like Magic Eraser and Face Unblur.

The front camera is a 13MP sensor capable of 4K video recording. OnePlus 12R: The OnePlus 12R has a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, and a 2MP macro sensor. 

The camera performance is decent but may not match the AI-enhanced quality of the Pixel 8a’s photos. The front camera is a 16MP sensor with 1080p video recording.

Winner: The Pixel 8a’s superior software-based enhancements and camera features make it the better option for photography enthusiasts.

Battery and Charging

Google Pixel 8a: The Pixel 8a comes with a 4,492mAh battery that supports 18W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging. 

While the battery life is decent, the slow charging speed is a drawback.

OnePlus 12R: The OnePlus 12R has a larger 5,500mAh battery with 80W fast charging (100W outside North America), capable of fully charging the phone in about 30 minutes. 

It lacks wireless charging but makes up for it with its superfast wired charging.

Winner: The OnePlus 12R’s significantly faster charging capabilities and larger battery give it a clear edge in this category.

Software and Updates

Google Pixel 8a: The Pixel 8a runs Android 14 with the Pixel Experience UI and comes with a promise of seven years of software updates, ensuring long-term support and the latest features.

OnePlus 12R: The OnePlus 12R runs OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14. 

While it offers a plethora of features and customizations, it only guarantees three Android version updates and four years of security updates.

Winner: The Pixel 8a’s extensive software support and timely updates make it the better option for long-term use.

Price and Availability

Google Pixel 8a: The Pixel 8a is available for $499 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant, with a 256GB option priced at $559.

OnePlus 12R: The OnePlus 12R is priced at $500 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage model, with the 16GB RAM and 256GB storage variant available for $600. 

The special edition is priced at $650.

Winner: Both phones are competitively priced, but the choice depends on the specific features and performance you prioritize.

Wrap up

Both the Google Pixel 8a and the OnePlus 12R offer impressive features for a $500 price point. 

The Pixel 8a excels in software support, camera capabilities, and compact design, making it a practical choice for those who value longevity and photographic prowess. 

On the other hand, the OnePlus 12R stands out with its superior performance, stunning display, and rapid charging speeds, catering to users who prioritize power and display quality.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences and priorities. If you seek long-term software support and excellent camera performance, the Pixel 8a is the way to go. 

However, if you need a powerful device with a top-notch display and fast charging, the OnePlus 12R is the better choice.