Pixel 8a or Samsung S24 or ??

November 26, 2024 7:23 AM

I currently have a Pixel 4a which is on its last legs. I enjoy it because of its small size (5.7" x 2.73" x 0.32"). I like small phones but it looks like the market keeps moving towards large phones. I was hoping the Pixel 9a would be small, but leaked specs make it look like it's going to be quite a bit larger. I also feel like I should make a move before tariffs come along to hike prices (ugh).

The Pixel 8a is slightly larger (5.99 x 2.86 x 0.35) as is the Samsung S24 (5.79 x 2.78 x 0.3).

Does anyone here have any experience or recommendations about either of those? Or some other small phone that you love (Android only please)?

Fwiw I'm on Verizon though it looks like unlocked phones work on that network.

posted by jasper411 to Technology (14 answers total)

I can't account for what you'll think of its size or how it fits in your hand, but I have a Samsung S23 and my wife has an S24 (they're very similar) and they are solid, reliable phones. We are also on the Verizon network.
posted by AzraelBrown at 7:52 AM on November 26

I'm very happy with my S24 and Samsung has promised 7 years of updates - that used to be the sticking point differentiating the Pixel from other Android flagships. AI features are easily avoided, though the image editing (not generative AI) and image search are seriously useful.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 8:12 AM on November 26 [1 favorite]

I like smaller phones and have a Pixel 8a. It is right on the edge of what I consider a good size, especially once I put a decent case on it. But it fits in my hand ok (I'm on the larger end of US women's hand sizes - M/L in unisex gloves, L/XL in women's). Not my favorite of my phones, but it doesn't feel massive and unwieldy.

The Samsung likely has more options for slimmer cases that are still decently protective. Since moving to Pixel, I've been using OtterBox, which is effective but a bit thick and boxy, even in the Commuter model. It's been the easiest case to get my hands on quickly, though. When I had a Samsung I had a lot more options. But I personally found the Samsung UI weirdly unintuitive and frustrating and have been much happier with the Pixel UI.
posted by EvaDestruction at 8:34 AM on November 26

Samsung mess around a lot with the Android interface, and for me that's very much a 'kill it with fire' thing; a lot of people seem to like it, however. So if you've previously had a Pixel phone, or one of the other almost-stock versions of Android, such as OnePlus's OxygenOS, that may be a big factor. If you've had a Samsung before and enjoy their particular take on Android, then maybe stick with that.
posted by pipeski at 8:54 AM on November 26

I have a 24+ as a work phone. I like it, but it is big to me. I had to buy a popsocket to better hold it as I was getting nerve pain up my arm because was using my pinky to support the phone. I am a woman with average woman hands, I think. The popsocket did solve the problem and I enjoy the phone.
posted by atomicstone at 9:25 AM on November 26

Here are some very inexpensive alternative phones to consider:

Would you like a tiny phone? A microscopic phone? A phone verging on the absurd? A phone with fantastic reviews?

How about the Unihertz Jelly?

Would you like a reasonably sized phone that is made with significantly less slavery and human rights abuses than any other phone? A phone you can repair indefinitely?

How about the Fairphone?

Would you like a phone that does less? A phone that doesn't steal your life with endless scrolling? And is really small?

How about the Light Phone?
posted by Mournful Bagel Song at 9:42 AM on November 26 [2 favorites]

I have a Pixel 8a (and an 8 Pro). I am very happy with the 8a. It does everything my pro does.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:09 AM on November 26

I, too, prefer a smaller phone, and am very happy with my recently-purchased Pixel 8. MKBHD had a good video explaining why to get the 8 over the 8a, and size was the #1 reason for me!
posted by honey badger at 10:33 AM on November 26

Response by poster: Thanks for the feedback all! I'll definitely check out the Pixel 8.

Mournful bagel song, I'm intrigued by the Unihertz jelly but I think I'd like to see/hold one before committing to it. I wonder if it's around in any brick/morter shops. I had never heard of the Fairphone, will definitely check it out - seems on the big side tho, at first glance.

I was in love with the idea of the Light Phone but I think I'm just too addicted to crosswords and mapping apps to go that bare bones.
posted by jasper411 at 11:21 AM on November 26

I'm really happy with my S24. Good size. They vastly improved the battery life over the past few models which had been a major sticking point for me. I'm a fan.
posted by CheeseLouise at 12:08 PM on November 26

Is the Pixel 9 not an option? It seems to be essentially the same size, and the same price, as the S24.

If you spend time in rural or wilderness areas at all, the big (and little-discussed) advantage the Pixel 9 has over your other options is that it supports satellite SOS for emergencies.
posted by kickingtheground at 1:46 PM on November 26

Former Pixel 5 owner here (which I think is similar to the 4a?): I also agonized about this, because I too was in the love with the size. At that time the S23 and S24 were options, as was the 7a, but I was/ am also in love with whatever the Pixels from that era were made of, and didn't like the thought of a glass back (particularly after watching drop test videos). The only other legit - but way too expensive - option was the Asus Zenfone, and if I was made of $'s then that would have been my replacement, but I am not. So: I wound up with a larger phone. I really thought the world was going to end (just like I did when I had to switch from a Blackberry analogue keyboard to a regular Android software one), but it turns out that it's just not that big a deal in the end. I still have my Pixel 5, and if anything it's the extra Google features I miss - now that I'm not on a Google phone - vs the smaller size.
posted by my log does not judge at 4:06 PM on November 26

I will second that if you are used to stock Android, you may or may not enjoy Samsung's take on Android. I did not, and switched back. Worth trying it out first to see if it bothers you. I am still using and enjoying my Pixel 6.
posted by lookoutbelow at 5:15 PM on November 26

I have sworn by Samung's Galaxy S series for years now (S7, S10e, S24) ever since I learned that if you don't buy the mfg's flagship model, you'll regret it. So I usually buy last year's flagship, although this year I got the S24 in August, only seven months after it started shipping :)

I also like smaller phones, but the market has moved slightly and honestly I'm glad they at least still offer the small ones. The S24 is the smallest of the three S24x models and has been great for me. Whatever meddling Samsung has been doing with Android hasn't bothered me. During initial setup I do have to put some effort into studiously ignoring / disabling all the Samsung extra crap that they want me to activate (accounts, AI whatnot), but it's not hard -- you just decline or skip.

Hey, I just realized, the S24 doesn't have the extra Bixby button (that was on earlier models) that I only ever hit by mistake!

FYI PhoneScoop has two really useful tools for this: their phone finder tool which lets you select features you do and don't care about, and their phone comparison tool which you can use to compare your old phone to prospective new phones.
posted by intermod at 8:53 PM on November 26 [1 favorite]