Over the years, Google’s Pixel smartphones have earned a reputation as having the best (and most consistent) cameras among Android smartphones. While other cameras can sometimes go head-to-head with the Pixel, no mid-range smartphone matches the Pixel 8a’s consistency. Now that Xiaomi has introduced the Redmi Note 14 Pro+, let’s find out how it stacks up against Google’s mid-ranger.
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Google Pixel 8a: A great phone that I’m not sure you should buy
Google’s hardware lineup is in a tricky spot, and the Pixel 8a only makes things more confusing
A detailed look at camera hardware
The specs on paper tell an interesting story
Before diving into the camera comparisons and looking at the photos, let’s go through the camera hardware on each device. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ has a 50MP primary camera with an f/1.6 aperture, PDAF, and OIS. It’s joined by a 50MP telephoto lens with 2.5x optical zoom and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor with a 120-degree field of view (FoV).
The Google Pixel 8a offers a simpler camera setup: a 64MP primary camera with an f/1.9 aperture, dual-pixel PDAF, and OIS paired with a 13MP ultra-wide lens with a 120-degree FoV. While the Pixel 8a lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, it compensates with a 2x optical zoom using its main sensor crop and Google AI for creating bokeh effects in portrait shots.
Comparing rear cameras in real-world use
Hardware specs are only half of the story
This comparison focuses on the rear cameras, not the front-facing selfie cameras. Additionally, all photos in this test were taken in point-and-shoot mode. No tweaks were made to the exposure or white balance (Pro mode was not used) because most people use their smartphones similarly.
In the galleries below, photos from the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ appear first, while images from the Google Pixel 8a display second for easier comparison.
HDR and color science: Vibrant vs. natural-looking images
Starting with color science, this shot of the Taj Mahal’s Forecourt in India highlights how the cameras differ. Taken during the Golden Hour, both phones capture the scene excellently, but their distinct color processing is immediately clear.
In the second image in the gallery above, the Pixel 8a leans toward a more natural tone, capturing the scene as it appears in real life. It handles the red hues of the Forecourt beautifully without overexposing any part of the image, though it does lean slightly warmer than expected.
The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ delivers a more vivid image, almost making it look like daytime rather than just before sunset. Its punchy colors, with reds popping more dramatically, will appeal to those who prefer vibrant photos. However, this comes at the cost of dynamic range. The highlights on the building seem slightly overexposed.
The differences between the two cameras become even clearer when inside the Taj Mahal. The Pixel 8a stays true to its realistic color science, capturing the warm tones of the evening light while retaining fine details in the marble. While the Pixel 8a manages shadows well, the muted blues in the sky hint at a slightly conservative dynamic range.
The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ continues its brighter and cooler approach, delivering a more vibrant and punchier image. However, some parts of the image, like the Taj Mahal and the trees in front of it, seem oversharpened, making the shot feel a bit processed.
This close-up shot of the Taj Mahal shows the color processing differences between the two phones. The Pixel 8a focuses on realism, capturing the warm tones of the marble against the soft evening light, with shadow details preserved. The sky preserves its subtle orange-blue gradient, giving the shot a natural look. However, the image leans slightly warm, which might not appeal to everyone.
The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ shot is more appealing, even though it’s another vibrant image with cooler tones in the sky. The marble appears brighter, with a greater visual contrast, making the image more eye-catching. While it deviates from reality, the Xiaomi mid-ranger delivers a punchy image of the Taj Mahal.
The main difference is that the Pixel 8a leans toward realism and natural-looking images, while the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ opts for vibrant, eye-catching shots.
Portrait mode: Cooler tones vs. a well-balanced exposure
There are a few key takeaways when comparing the portrait shots from both phones. Despite having a proper telephoto lens and depth sensor, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ struggles to produce a convincing bokeh effect. In contrast, the Pixel 8a lacks a dedicated telephoto sensor and uses Google’s AI to create a soft and natural background blur.
While the Pixel 8a makes some errors in edge detection (notice the sunglasses on the subject’s head in the second image), the bokeh effect is more pleasing than what the Redmi manages.
The distinction continues in color science. The Pixel 8a stays true to its strengths, delivering natural skin tones, well-balanced exposure, and a realistic look. Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ opts for cooler tones and punchier colors. Look at the overly vibrant grass in the Redmi image for reference.
Ultra-wide: Both offer an impressive field of view
In an ultra-wide shot comparison, both devices offer impressive field-of-view coverage, but the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ beats the Pixel 8a in edge correction with minimal distortion. While both phones preserve details well, the difference comes down to color processing. The Redmi opts for a vibrant look, and the Pixel 8a favors a realistic approach.
The Pixel 8a captures the bright sunny sky while maintaining the natural green of the plants in the foreground. The Redmi exaggerates the green of the plants and struggles with HDR performance. The shadow details in the plants’ foreground are poorly handled.
Low-light: Loss of details vs. over-sharp images
The roles reverse in low-light images. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ leans toward warmer tones, while the Pixel 8a shifts to cooler tones. The Redmi opts for a punchy look with vibrant, contrasting colors. Reds and greens in the image stand out more. However, this comes at the cost of finer details, especially in textured areas.
The Pixel 8a takes a realistic approach, though the image lacks a rich feel. It also applies slightly softer texture processing than the Redmi Note 14 Pro+, which tends to oversharpen details. The Pixel 8a handles exposure well, avoiding overly bright spots while maintaining depth in shadows.
This difference is also evident in this close-up shot of the miniature scene. The Pixel 8a leans toward a cooler tone, while the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ takes a warmer approach, making the scene more vivid. However, this results in a slight loss of detail, particularly around the figurines, and the golden tones appear overly punchy, blending into a yellow hue.
The two phones show starkly different color processing in low light. The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ favors warmer tones with vivid colors, while the Pixel 8a maintains its natural, realistic approach. It comes down to personal preference, but I prefer the Redmi Note 14 Pro+’s processing. It produces a lively image and delivers slightly sharper results, while the Pixel 8a softens the shot.
Which phone delivers better photos?
Picking the winner: Pixel or Redmi
It’s hard to say which smartphone is better. Both offer different approaches. It comes down to personal preference. The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ will win you over if you prefer contrasting and vivid colors. The Pixel 8a is the better choice if you prefer natural, realistic shots.
Despite lacking a telephoto lens, the Pixel 8a delivers superior portrait shots, thanks to Google AI. On the other hand, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ compensates with a better ultra-wide camera, handling edge distortion more effectively. Still, it’s all about your preference. I’d pick the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ for its color processing.
That’s not to say the Pixel 8a is bad. Its natural processing is excellent. However, I prefer the punchier results. Even so, if you choose the Google Pixel 8a, you can tweak photos to your liking using the excellent editing tricks in Google Photos.
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Google Pixel 8a
The Pixel 8a wants you to forget the Pixel 8 ever existed. With some crucial upgrades over its predecessor, including a brighter display, faster processor, and larger battery, Google’s latest mid-range smartphone is the perfect combo of speed and AI smarts. And with seven years of OS upgrades, it’s the longest lasting $500 smartphone you can find today.
