Google Pixel 8a vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra
Xiaomi 14 Ultra dominates in camera capabilities with a 1-inch 50MP sensor, variable aperture, and dedicated telephoto lenses alongside 8K video recording—a professional-grade setup. Its 6.73-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and 90W charging significantly outpace the Pixel 8a's specs. However, Pixel 8a excels in computational photography and software optimization, delivering flagship-level photo results despite modest hardware. Battery capacity favors Xiaomi (5300mAh vs 4492mAh), as does display brightness (3000 vs 2000 nits). Performance-wise, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 edges Tensor G3 for raw power. At $499, the Pixel 8a offers exceptional value with clean Android 14 and guaranteed updates. Xiaomi's $1499 premium demands serious photography interests or flagship features. Budget-conscious buyers should choose the Pixel 8a; camera enthusiasts and power users need the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Xiaomi 14 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 | Android 14, HyperOS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 188 g | 224 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 3 | Titanium alloy frame, eco-leather back |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm | 161.4 x 75.3 x 9.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 64 MP, f/1.89, OIS | 50 MP variable f/1.6-f/4.0, 1-inch Sony LYT-900 |
| Front camera | 13 MP, f/2.2 | 32 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps Dolby Vision |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.2, 120-degree | 50 MP, f/1.8, 12mm |
| Telephoto | — | 50 MP 3.2x f/1.8 + 50 MP 5x periscope f/2.5 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4492 mAh | 5300 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired | 90W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W (Qi) | 80W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.73 inches |
| Type | Actua OLED | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3200 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 3000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 + 5x3.2 GHz A720 + 2x2.3 GHz A520) |
| GPU | Immortalis-G715s MC10 | Adreno 750 |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Google Pixel 8a
Pros
- Flagship-grade Tensor G3 chip at mid-range price
- Seven years of software updates (rare at this price)
- Excellent main camera for the class
- Bright 120Hz OLED display
- Wireless charging support
Cons
- Slow 18W wired charging
- Smaller battery than competitors
- Plastic back instead of glass
- No telephoto camera
- Bezels are thicker than the flagship Pixels
Xiaomi 14 Ultra
Pros
- Pro-grade 1-inch main sensor with variable aperture
- Versatile quad 50MP camera system with dual telephotos
- Extremely bright 3000-nit LTPO display
- Fast 90W wired and 80W wireless charging
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance
Cons
- Heavy at 224 g
- HyperOS still ships with bloatware in some regions
- Limited official availability in the US
- Premium price tag
Related Comparisons
Explore more in phones, see all Google products or all Xiaomi products. View full details for the Google Pixel 8a or the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.