Google’s Pixel A series is an oddball compared to other midrange phones. Besides some mediocre features that fit the price, the A series phones surprisingly share some other attributes with their more premium siblings.
The all-new Google Pixel 8a is alike in this regard and shares such things as the Tensor G3 chip, wireless charging, and seven years of software support from Google. It’s also the first A-series Pixel to get a 120Hz display. But if you’re wondering whether or not the Pixel 8a is waterproof, here’s what you need to know.
The Google Pixel 8a — like the Google Pixel 7a — has an IP67 rating, which is just a notch below the IP68 rating of the more premium Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro models. It means it offers a high degree of water resistance and can withstand accidental drops in water, but it’s best not to take it swimming with you.
This is because the “7” in the IP rating represents protection against “temporary immersion in water,” as per the International Electrotechnical Commission (ICE) — the body that rates electronics for IP ratings. Meanwhile, the “6” suggests utmost protection for the inner components from dust and other fine solids. However, it does not guarantee any protection from particles scratching the outer surface.
If you plan to buy the Pixel 8a, you better stock up on a case and screen protector. The phone only gets a Gorilla Glass 3 over the display, while the back lacks any serious protection. This makes the phone prone to scratches and scuffing not only from dust or sand grains, but also from microscopic particles on surfaces where you might inattentively place the phone.
Technically, an IP67 rating signifies that the Pixel 8a is water-resistant, but not waterproof. More specifically, the rating states that the device can function despite being submerged in water for a maximum of 30 minutes at a depth of up to a meter (roughly 3.28 feet). It should be fine being used in light rain or drizzle, but avoid using it in the shower, especially a hot one.
It is worth noting the ratings are specified for freshwater and may not be as effective in seawater or chlorine-laden water from swimming pools. While your Pixel 8a may usually survive accidentally being dropped in water, especially during activities such as swimming or surfing, it is not recommended to intentionally dunk it underwater if you can avoid it.
Are you tired of paying for streaming services you never watch just to get a phone plan feature you actually want? T-Mobile has good news for you! The carrier is rolling out new plans, called T-Mix, in early November to replace its old Experience lineup with a build-your-own perks system called Picks.
The benefits you choose vary from streaming and gaming to food delivery, AI, satellite service, and phone discounts. But if you are satisfied with your existing plan, you can keep it.
Merely days after the iPhone Duo hit the shelves, images of broken screens on the phone started popping up across social media. Until now, it’s been unclear what’s causing the line of defective pixels that appears vertically along the crease, as well as horizontally, on the phone’s inner display.
Apple has finally acknowledged the issue, which has shown up on iPhone Duo units owned by customers as well as demo units in stores. In a statement shared with Bloomberg, Apple says that not all iPhone Duo units are affected and that those that are tend to show the display fault early on. The company added that users who experience problems with their iPhone Duo display should contact AppleCare for a replacement.
Not long ago, Apple treated independent repair like an act of outright hostility. The Cupertino giant locked down parts with serial-number pairing, while repair tools remained firmly out of reach of anyone outside its authorized repair network. More importantly, the company waged a legal and lobbying battle against right-to-repair legislation.
I've covered enough of these fights over the years to know what a shift looks like. That's why what happened in October 2026 genuinely caught me off guard. The day the iPhone Duo went on sale, what may be the most mechanically complex iPhone to date, Apple pulled off a surprising about-face. It published teardown-style repair manuals for a handful of major components.