Google’s new Pixel 8a (review), priced at Rs 52,999, may seem like a compelling option, especially if you want to experience the pure Android OS and features. However, things can get tricky while looking at the iQOO 12 (review) at the same price. The iQOO 12, with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC along with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, is likely to offer superior performance.
Camera capabilities—Google’s forte in the premium smartphone market—might be a deciding factor. Let’s see how the two smartphones fare purely based on camera performance.
Table of Contents
Google Pixel 8a vs iQOO 12 camera specifications
| Google Pixel 8a | iQOO 12 |
| 64MP primary camera with OIS | 50MP primary camera with OIS |
| 13MP ultra-wide camera | 50MP ultra-wide camera |
| NA | 64MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom |
| 13MP front camera | 16MP front camera |
Daylight
Both photos from Pixel 8a and iQOO 12 include great details, though there’s an evident difference in the treatment. While the Pixel 8a maintains a summery look due to high saturation levels by default, the iQOO 12 tries to mimic the natural colours, though it struggles to detect the red of red bricks of the building.
Otherwise, details on the image by iQOO 12 are relatively sharper in some areas (walls in the background or the bushes), while Google Pixel 8a offers richer details of the floor and signs near the building. The Pixel 8a also does a better job at detecting colours accurately, whether it’s the green bushes, smog-clouded sky of Gurgaon, or red bricks of the building.
My vote goes to Pixel 8a, but if you prefer the iQOO 12 purely based on its cool treatment, that’s totally fine.
Winner: Google Pixel 8a
Ultra-wide camera
The Pixel 8a offers a broader field-of-view, but both smartphones maintain consistency in the colour output of the primary camera.
But the image via the iQOO 12 can appear more pleasing to the eyes, thanks to the overall brightness in the photo and balanced highlights around the bushes. Details-wise, both smartphones are neck-and-neck.
Winner: iQOO 12
Portrait
Google Pixel 8a and iQOO 12 rely on the primary camera for portrait images, though the latter has a dedicated telephoto camera, which adds some versatility to the overall camera setup.
For a fair contest, we’re analysing the portrait shot from the primary cameras of the two smartphones. iQOO 12’s image again boasts popping colour, especially when we look at the green areas. Even the subject’s skin tone appears orange-ish, and the software has reduced facial spots for beautification.
The Pixel 8a’s camera, backed by Real Tone technology, captures an accurate shade of the subject’s complexion. Additionally, the details on the shirt and hands look balanced and better. Both phones do well in terms of edge detection, but the bokeh effect with the Pixel 8a looks more natural.
Winner: Google Pixel 8a
Selfie (Portrait)
Both smartphones maintain a similar colour science for portrait shots with the front camera. But the iQOO 12 continues to boost colours, though in a good way. Pixel 8a’s image looks more natural and accurate in terms of detailing on the face and neck.
It’s a close call, but I am going with iQOO 12 for its accurate and natural edge detection.
Winner: iQOO 12
Low-light
Google Pixel 8a and iQOO 12 auto enable night mode (3 seconds exposure) in extreme low-light conditions. For reference, I have also attached the actual scene below, which I was only able to capture using the Pixel 8a.
The primary camera continues to apply the same colour science even in low light, meaning the Pixel 8a’s image includes warm tones, and the iQOO 12 prioritises balanced shadows but with boosted colours.
Both images look good in their own regards, but the Pixel 8a’s treatment is more social media-ready, thanks to the high contrast in certain areas. Details in both images are more or less similar, though iQOO has oversharpened certain elements, like the leaves of trees, whereas Google has kept sharpness balanced. Both phones deserve credit for effectively minimising noise, even in challenging lighting conditions.
I am picking Google Pixel’s image for its natural look and feel. Again, if your pick is iQOO 12, that’s totally fine.
Winner: Pixel 8a
Low-light (night mode enabled)
Enabling night mode doesn’t significantly improve the image taken with Pixel 8a, at least in this case. Overall, its photo looks good due to low noise and sufficient details. In fact, Pixel 8a maintains soothing sharpness around the leaves, which the iQOO 12 fails to capture.
The image with iQOO 12 also looks decent, but some elements get shaky – more noticeable after zooming in. The overall picture is relatively brighter, but Pixel 8a gets my points for maintaining stability through software tweaks.
Winner: Pixel 8a
Verdict
The Google Pixel 8a gets more points than iQOO 12 in our camera test.
However, the latter performed equally well, if not better, and I would even recommend choosing it if images with boosted colour and balanced highlights appeal to you.
In summary, images with Pixel 8a will remind you of a warm summer day, as most photos include a soothing orange tint. You can tweak the colour with the in-built editing tools, but that can get tedious. That being said, there are a few things you must note before considering either of the two phones.
- The iQOO 12 includes an additional telephoto camera on the back for crisper portrait shots, while the Pixel 8a only gets two rear cameras.
- In our video test, the Pixel 8a offered better stability while recording in 4K resolution.
- The Pixel 8a also comes with a host of camera features, backed by AI, making the overall photography experience a lot more exciting.
