Not quite there yet
Motorola nailed the basics with the Edge 2024, and the phone has a clean design with leather at the back, a good P-OLED panel with vibrant colors and contrast, amazing battery life, 68W charging along with 15W wireless charging, and IP68 ingress protection. The software is clean and has Motorola's usual extras, but it will only get two updates. The biggest drawback is the cameras; they're nowhere as good as the Pixel 8a, and the Qualcomm hardware just doesn't measure up in daily use. It is still a decent option if you prefer Motorola's phone, but the Pixel 8a is an objectively better choice.
For
- Good design
- Large OLED screen with 144Hz refresh
- Excellent battery life
- Clean software with useful extras
- IP68 ingress protection
Against
- Cameras not quite as good
- Outdated hardware
- Laggy in daily use
- Won't get as many software updates
Still the best
The Pixel 8a continues to set the standard in the mid-range segment, and it brings much-needed changes: the screen now goes up to 120Hz, the back is made out of glass, and the phone has rounded edges, making it easier to hold and use. You get the best cameras, the best software, seven Android updates, and the best part is that the clean software has plenty of great additions you won't get outside of a Pixel. The device has its share of issues around thermal management, but on the whole, the Pixel 8a is the only mid-range phone worth considering.
