Google Pixel 8a vs Samsung Galaxy A-series: what's the best mid-range smartphone?

Samsung makes some incredibly expensive smartphones, but its cheaper A-range, including the mid-range Galaxy A55 and A35, promise to combine the latest technology with more affordable prices. 

Up against it is Google with the latest in its own popular 'a' range – the mid-market Pixel 8a – released for £60 more than Samsung's highest spec A-series phone: the A55.

Which of these powerful yet well priced handsets comes out on top, and are you better off saving with the cheaper A35? Read on to find out.

Find out all you need to know about buying your next smartphone in our guide to the best smartphones to buy in 2024.

Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Samsung Galaxy A35 vs Google Pixel 8a

Google Pixel 8a on test (Launched at £499)

At it's core, the Google Pixel 8a doesn't look very different from Google's flagship Pixel 8. This means you'll get some top-end features with the 8a, but you'll pay a bit more for these with it starting at £50 more than last year's model: the Google Pixel 7a – which incidentally is now available at a significant discount.

The Pixel 8a is equipped with the upgraded Google Tensor G3 chipset as in the most premium Google phone, the Pixel 8 Pro, for practically the same performance. Its OLED screen is smaller at 6.1-inches but has a 120Hz refresh rate when the content refreshes quickly - a rate that's high across all smartphones.

The cameras are where the Google Pixel 8a can really be separated from the Pixel 8, but the specs are far from bad. The dual-camera system benefits from an ultra-wide camera to capture more in your shots, and you get a bunch of editing tools fuelled by new AI from Google. It's available with 128GB or 256GB of storage, and you can pay for extra Cloud storage if you need more. Like all the phones in the Pixel 8 series, it gets seven years of security updates from its launch, which is a market-leading length of time.

Which? members can get the verdict from our lab results, and see our full test scores. Already a member? Log in here.

Consider a discounted Pixel 7a instead

If you're thinking of opting for last year's Pixel 7a instead, you won't get the latest processor or seven years of security, but it has a lot of the same features for less.

At launch, the Pixel 8a will cost you £50 more than its predecessor did, but significant discounts to the Pixel 7a have reduced it in price further, so check out our Google Pixel 7a review to see if it will suit you. Check the best contract deals, or Sim-free prices of the 7a below.

We've rounded up the best mobile phone deals for this month so you don't have to.

Samsung Galaxy A-series on test

The Samsung Galaxy A-range claims to do a lot, including giving you a bright screen that moves smoothly when browsing, (somewhat) versatile cameras, and a long battery life. There are multiple phones in the range, ranging from around £130 to £450. The general rule is that the bigger the number after the 'A', the newer and more advanced the phone is. 

Sometimes Samsung releases the same models without 5G connectivity that are cheaper, so check the specs before you buy.

Samsung Galaxy A55 5G (Launched at £439)

As Samsung's top phone in the A series, it's the most expensive on offer but you'll also get the most features. This includes the more powerful Exynos chip not found on cheaper A phones.

On the front is a 6.6-inch OLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate, which is the same refresh rate you find on flagship phones to stop screens jittering. HDR10 content can be rendered, which should mean the screen is even clearer. It has three high pixel-resolution lenses on the back of the phone with optical image stabilisation, designed to counteract shaky hands, as well as improved nightography capabilities from its predecessor. It's a nice surprise to see a high pixel-resolution lens on the front, too.

It supports fast-charging up to 25 watts. It's guaranteed security updates for five years from its launch date (not the day you buy it), so you can choose to keep it for much longer than a two-year contract. With IP67 certification, it should be dust-resistant and survive 30 minutes in 1-metre-deep water.

Which? members can get the verdict from our lab results, and see our full test scores. Already a member? Log in here.

Buy it sim-free below, compare contract deals or read our Samsung Galaxy A55 review to get the full scoop.

Samsung Galaxy A35 5G (Launched at £339)

The Samsung Galaxy A35 is cheaper than the Galaxy A55, but you still get three rear camera lenses, 25W fast-charging, and it's one of the cheapest phones on the market to get five years of security support from launch.

Some of the compromises include a lower-spec processor and smaller mega-pixel camera lenses. It has the same size screen as the Galaxy A55 at 6.6-inches, but with slightly weaker specifications. It's another A-series phone with IP67 IP certification.

Which? members can get the verdict from our lab results, and see our full test scores. Already a member? Log in here.

Find out if you can save money without compromising too much on your next Samsung phone in our Samsung Galaxy A35 review. Or compare contract deals or sim-free prices below.

How we test smartphones

Shopping in the mid-range market isn't as hit and miss as it used to be, but you'll still want to know your phone will perform, and stand the test of time.

We independently test more than 65 smartphones every year to find the very best models on the market from £80 to over £1,500. We only give our Best Buy recommendation to the very best models on the market, regardless of their price. Great Value mobile phones might not have the most premium displays or cameras, but they give you a lot for your money.

Behind our scores are more than 40 individual tests. We find out if the multiple lenses on flagship phones with high pixel-resolution and multiple camera modes are really worth the extra money compared to the performance of mid-range models. We do our best to scratch the screen to see if the most premium materials are resistant to everyday stresses, and find out if having an ultra-bright screen really makes a difference to every day use. We also ask key questions like: what will the flagship's upgraded processor really give you over its mid-range cousin? And does premium power come at the cost of a rubbish battery life?

Find out more about how we test mobile phones or head over to our mobile phone reviews to find the perfect phone for you at the right price.

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