Google’s A-series of smartphones has been a bright spot in the mid-range market for several years now, and the Google Pixel 7a is the latest in the line. This latest update trumps the Pixel A, adding a Google Tensor Gen 2 processor, a 90Hz refresh rate, and the highest megapixel count ever seen on a Pixel A smartphone. But those upgrades come at a price, and that’s translated into a slightly higher price tag for the new Pixel 7a at $499.
That’s a relatively modest increase to improve the specs on offer — but it does mean that the Pixel 7a has moved to within just $100 of its bigger sibling, the Pixel 7. At $599, the Pixel 7’s high-end specs mean it’s a tough competitor for the new Pixel 7a for the win. It also means you’re faced with a tough choice when it comes to buying a reasonably priced Pixel. Should you buy the Google Pixel 7a or spend $100 more to grab the flagship Pixel 7? Let’s see.
Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 7: Specs
| Google Pixel 7a | Google Pixel 7 | |
| Size | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 inches) | 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm (6.13 x 2.88 x 0.34 inches) |
| Weight | 193.5 grams (6.84 ounces) | 197 grams (6.9 ounces) |
| Screen size | 6.1-inch OLED | 6.3-inch AMOLED |
| Screen resolution | 2400 x 1080 pixels (429 pixels per inch), 90 Hz | 2400 x 1080 pixels (416 pixels per inch), 90 Hz |
| Operation system | Android 13 | Android 13 |
| Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| microSD card slot | Not | Not |
| Processor | Google Tensor Gen 2 | Google Tensor Gen 2 |
| working memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Camera | Dual lens 64MP wide, 13MP ultra-wide rear, 13MP front | Dual lens 50 MP wide, 12 MP ultra-wide rear, 10.8 MP front |
| Video | Up to 4K at 60 frames per second (fps) | Up to 4K at 60 frames per second (fps) |
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes, on the screen | Yes, on the screen |
| Water resistance | IP67 | IP68 |
| Battery | 4,385 mAh
18W wired charging (charger not included in the box) Wireless charging |
4,355 mAh
20W wired charging (charger not included in the box) Wireless charging Reverse wireless charging |
| Application market | Google Play Store | Google Play Store |
| Network support | Most major carriers | Most major carriers |
| Colors |
Charcoal, snow, sea, coral |
Obsidian, snow, lemongrass |
| Price | Starting at $499 | Starting at $599 |
| Buy from | ||
| Review | Pixel 7a review | Pixel 7 review |
Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 7: Design, display, and durability
Google Pixel 7a Christine Romero-Chan / Digital trends
Google Pixel 7 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Gone are the days of boring Pixels — Google’s smartphones now have a unique design and identity, and the Pixel 7 series has continued that. The camera strip on the back of the phone is a highlight, with dual camera lenses poking out of a contrasting metal visor. It may look like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles headband, but it’s unique and looks fantastic. On the front, thin bezels surround the 1080p display, interrupted only by a hole for the selfie lens.
You may have noticed that we didn’t really compare the two phones in that paragraph, and that’s mostly because the designs of the two phones are identical. That’s a good thing, but there are slight differences between the two. For example, the Pixel 7a only has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance and has an “all-new mid-range architecture” that increases the phone’s durability but sets it apart from the Pixel 7’s glass and aluminum.
There are more differences in display technology. Resolutions and refresh rates are the same for the two phones, and the 90Hz refresh rate is a belated boon especially for the Pixel 7a, but the similarities end there. The Pixel 7’s display is slightly larger, but it’s also an AMOLED panel instead of the OLED panel on the Pixel 7a. The Pixel 7’s AMOLED technology is slightly better than the Pixel 7a’s OLED, but that’s a very small bonus, all things considered.
This is an extremely tight category, and while we’re giving the win to the Pixel 7’s better IP rating and display, it’s definitely not a category you should base your purchase on.
Winner: Google Pixel 7
Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 7: Performance, battery life, and charging
Google
Since both phones are made by Google, they benefit from Google’s processor, Tensor Gen 2. This flagship chip has some flaws, but it still delivers strong performance and is more than capable of handling all the latest apps and 3D games. The Pixel 7a benefits from this, as it delivers the potential of a flagship phone at a lower price — something we generally don’t expect from anyone other than Apple. Both of these phones use Tensor Gen 2, have 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage as standard. The Pixel 7 has a 256GB variant, which media lovers might want to consider, as neither phone comes with expandable storage via a microSD card.
What about battery life? Neither phone is better at battery, though the regular Pixel 7 performed better in our tests. Both last about a day, but the Pixel 7a drains a bit faster than the Pixel 7, despite its slightly larger battery. The Pixel 7 also has a charging edge, offering 20W wired charging compared to 18W on the Pixel 7a. And while both phones have wireless charging, only the Pixel 7 offers reverse wireless charging.
That’s another problem for the Pixel 7, but ultimately, it wins here over the Pixel 7a.
Winner: Google Pixel 7
Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 7: Cameras
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital trends
Since many of the specifications of these phones are similar, this is where the battle will be won or lost. The camera is traditionally the Pixel’s strongest element, and both of these phones certainly have strong cameras. But what is better? It’s a hard question to answer, but one of these phones definitely has a weak spot.
The Pixel 7 has a dual 50-megapixel main lens, paired with a 12MP ultra-wide lens on the back and a 10.8MP selfie lens on the front. In a word, it’s great. Thanks to a combination of hardware and Google’s exceptional software, photos somehow look better than real life.
It’s one of the few phones that takes an exceptional picture every time without the need for tweaks in an editing app. Google is the king of point-and-shoot phone cameras, and that comes to the fore here. The lack of a dedicated zoom lens means it loses out in that area, but the 8x digital zoom is still good, and the excellent Night Sight mode still leads the way for low-light shots.
How is the Pixel 7a? The star of the show is the 64MP main lens, the largest ever seen on a Pixel A-series phone. It is joined by a 13MP ultra-wide lens and a 13MP front-facing selfie lens. The Pixel 7a generally produces excellent shots on par with the Pixel 7, and its versatility is very close due to the similar hardware used.
One element to note is the difference in pixel size. The Pixel 7a has a smaller pixel size than the Pixel 7, which means the Pixel 7 can collect more light in the same amount of time. More light generally means better pictures in terms of the camera, and this is very important when it comes to low light photos. That smaller pixel size means the Pixel 7a isn’t as capable as the Pixel 7 when visibility drops, and that’s very important for a phone with as strong a pedigree as the Pixel.
Mid-range Pixels continue to deliver exceptional photos, but the flagship Pixel 7 still has an edge that makes the difference. For a closer look at the cameras, check out our full Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 7 camera test.
Winner: Google Pixel 7
Pixel 7a vs Pixel 7: Software and Features
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Both phones run Android 13, which is one of the cleanest versions of Android you’re likely to find anywhere. It’s not pure, “stock” Android because of a few little additions, but it’s close — and it’s one of the best options for Android purists. The pair also benefits from the fastest update speed in the Android space since Google has owned and operated Android, giving it an advantage that no other Android manufacturer can match. Both phones come with a commitment to three years of major Android version updates and five years of security updates. Both are great promises and mean each can potentially last for years after purchase.
But it’s worth a quick mention of the elephant in the room: Bugs. The latest range of Pixels has been plagued with a number of software issues, from small to large, and they have affected a number of devices. Worst of all, they’re not consistent, so you could end up with a buggy or buggy device, and there’s no way to tell. These are fixable though, and it’s possible that Google has fixed them in time for the Pixel 7a.
You will find the same special features on both phones. These include great AI-powered features like Call Screen, which answers calls for you and provides a transcript of the call, and Now Playing, which intelligently identifies songs playing near you. There are a number of features related to the camera and Google Photos, such as Photo Unblur, Night Sight, Long Exposure and the excellent Magic Eraser, which can remove unwanted elements from an image for you. Both phones will also get Google’s amazing new AI-powered Magic Editor and generative AI wallpapers, which were announced at Google I/O 2023.
You’ll find the same software and features on both phones. This is a definite tie.
Winner: Undecided
Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 7: Price and Availability
The Google Pixel 7a is now available, it went on sale right after the announcement. It costs $499, and while it has 5G support, keep in mind that only the model sold by Verizon will have access to the mmWave 5G bands.
The Google Pixel 7 is currently available, with prices starting at $599. It’s available in many stores, and often gets good discounts during sales, so it’s often worth the wait if there’s a discount period around the corner. It works with several US carriers, but remember that, like the Pixel 7a, you won’t get mmWave access on every model.
Overall winner: Google Pixel 7
Pixel 7 Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Taking three categories out of four, it’s clear that the Google Pixel 7 is the technical winner here. However, it’s certainly not a dominant victory, as the Google Pixel 7a really put up a strong fight. While the Pixel 7 won in many rounds, it was by no means far and most could easily turn back to a cheaper smartphone.
But where does that leave you wanting to buy a new phone? At first glance, it’s hard to justify spending an extra $100 on the Pixel 7. That extra money gets you a camera with a slightly larger pixel size, a faster charging speed, and a marginally better display and water resistance. That’s not much, and it makes the Pixel 7 a harder sell. However, the Pixel 7a turned out to be something of a disappointment, with poor battery life, a lack of reverse wireless charging, and slightly worse low-light photos. With that in mind, the extra $100 spent on the Pixel 7 starts to make sense — especially considering how often the phone gets discounts these days.
Price is a big part of why the Pixel 7 ultimately wins here, but there are other options outside of the Pixel 7a. The Google Pixel 6a has remained the cheaper option, and is now available for $349 – a full $150 less than the new Pixel 7a. Last year’s Pixel A also comes with a flagship processor, an exceptional camera and a one-day battery life, all at a huge discount. To see how the two stack up, check out our Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 6a comparison.
If you’re looking at the Pixel 7a as a budget Pixel, we recommend either upgrading to the Pixel 7 or dropping down to the still-excellent Pixel 6a.
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Source: newstars.edu.vn