4. Gemini is an excellent, built-in personal assistant.

I was immediately able to start using Gemini exactly how I wanted. After downloading the Gemini app, I could choose how to activate the feature — personally, I found I prefer the ease of just holding down the power button. Now, I can ask Gemini to do simple tasks like summarize my inbox or surface info from my Google Drive, or I can get more creative help, like assistance with writing a note or coming up with a meal plan. Gemini also allows me to attach images to a question, so I can get more info about something in my photo gallery or something I saw online or took a photo of in real-time. Then Gemini provides responses and answers — which I also like to ask Gemini to read out loud to me. Sometimes I feel high maintenance with how much I’m asking Gemini on my Pixel 8a to do but…that’s kind of the idea, right?

5. Incredible photos and image editing are made easy.

Pixels always take excellent photos, but now, because Pixel 8a has the same chip as Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, it’s the first A-series phone that can do a lot of the impressive photography and editing features that use AI, like Best Take and Magic Editor. And the AI editing isn’t for photos only: Audio Magic Eraser, previously only available for Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, removes unwanted background noise from videos — so, for example, when I wanted to create a video featuring my foster dog for her adoption page, I was able to reduce the sound of background barking coming from my other pups.

6. It fits perfectly in my pocket.

Here’s how much I trust the durability of the Pixel 8a: I haven’t even ordered a case for it yet. I just slide it into my pocket and go. The engineering team wanted the 8a to be the most durable, sustainable A-series yet so it lasts for as long as possible — excellent news given the A-series phone now comes with seven years of software support. The upgraded matte back feels very secure in my hand (and my fingerprints don’t leave a mark!). The smaller size helps with this, too. The 6.1-inch phone feels just right in my hand and slides nicely into my pocket, so I don’t need to worry about it falling out.

7. There’s plenty of storage.

Generally speaking, when you opt for an A-series phone, you’re getting a smaller, less expensive phone with less storage. That’s a problem for me, because I do indeed like a pocket-friendly phone (see above!) but I also take way too many photos and videos. Now that the Pixel 8a comes in a new 256GB option in Obsidian, the many, many timelapse videos and astrophotography photos I take (and can’t bring myself to part with or forget about) don’t have to get deleted just to save some room.

8. It makes scanning so, so easy.

No scanner, no problem. During my first week with the Pixel 8a, I found myself using it as a scanner quite a bit to photograph receipts, financial documents, passport photos and beyond, then save them as text or PDF documents (and this feature was added relatively recently in a Feature Drop). Once I point the camera at whatever it is I want to scan, the scan option automatically pops up to take a photo and separates the document itself from whatever is behind it. Then I can use the Clean tool and drag my finger over areas I want to fix. There’s also an option to remove shadows, which I think makes it look more official. Then I can save it to my Drive folder, download it or share right away.