I’m rocking an old Pixel 8a in 2026, and my latest vacation is thankful for it

A two-year-old Pixel 8a proved unexpectedly reliable on a week-long trip to Camiguin, handling navigation, photos, music, and payments with ease.

Its main drawbacks were slow charging and limited outdoor brightness, but the phone still felt dependable in daily use.

The camera and Google software features helped it outperform expectations and made it feel more useful than a temporary backup.

The piece argues that a midrange phone can stay genuinely practical for years, challenging the idea that older devices quickly become obsolete.