Affordable, however not low-cost
Don’t be fooled by the title, as the brand new Google Pixel 7a packs fairly a punch due to the Tensor G2 chipset powering it. With a 90Hz AMOLED show, 64MP digicam, and wi-fi charging, you are getting a near-flagship expertise for about half the worth of 1. And like a flagship, you may get cool AI options, years of OS upgrades, and much more software program help.
ForBeautiful colorwaysExcellent digicam performance8GB of RAMVery good valueSlightly extra pocketableWireless chargingAgainstSmaller digicam sensorOnly one storage sizeVery gradual wi-fi charging speedPlastic again is a mud magnet
The reasonably priced flagship
Google does not need to burden you with an costly telephone. The Pixel 7 is sufficient flagship for a lot of with out having to take out a second mortgage. Plus, you are getting years of software program help and a number of OS upgrades, that means you will not have to fret about getting a brand new telephone for some time.
ForSmooth, beautiful buildGreat camerasLong software program supportFaster charging speeds256GB possibilityGorilla Glass VictusAgainstUnappealing colorsMore costly for practically the identical specsOnly 90Hz show
Google simply launched the brand new Pixel 7a at I/O, and it might be the corporate’s finest A-series telephone ever. It takes the whole lot we love in regards to the Pixel 6a and delivers one thing even higher whereas retaining the worth tag comparatively small and nonetheless squarely mid-range. However, with the slight value bump from final 12 months’s 6a, the Pixel 7a inches nearer to the Pixel 7, that means you’ve gotten a tough alternative forward of you.Do you go for the extra “affordable” A-series telephone with a flagship processor, respectable digicam system, and plastic design, or do you fork over the additional $100 for a glass and aluminum chassis, sooner wi-fi charging, and bigger show? It all comes all the way down to what’s vital to you, however hopefully, we may help you determine.Google Pixel 7a vs. 7: DesignWhy you may belief Android Central
Our knowledgeable reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services so you may select one of the best for you. Find out extra about how we check.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)With the Pixel 7, Google did not stray very removed from the distinctive design language launched with the Pixel 6 sequence. That design additionally trickled all the way down to the Pixel 6a and Pixel 7a, making them practically equivalent to their flagship counterparts. At first look, the Pixel 7a and Pixel 7 look about the identical, save for the smaller digicam visor on the again that does not protrude outward fairly as a lot. This makes the Pixel 7a look a lot slimmer than the 7, and it will sit a lot flatter on a floor.That stated, the 7a is a hair thicker than the Pixel 7, nevertheless it in all probability will not be very noticeable. What might be noticeable, nevertheless, is the smaller chassis of the 7a. The show sits at 6.1 inches, in comparison with the 6.3-inch panel on the 7, and the bezels between the 2 are about the identical, possibly a contact thicker on the 7a. This show dimension is a well-liked one amongst small Android telephones such because the Galaxy S23. It’s completely pocketable but nonetheless massive sufficient for content material consumption.Image 1 of twoThe Charcoal Pixel 7a (Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The Lemongrass Pixel 7 (Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)One main distinction between the 7a and 7 is within the supplies used to construct the telephones. The Pixel 7 is constructed utilizing Gorilla Glass Victus on the back and front and an aluminum body, which makes for a way more premium really feel. The Pixel 7 feels extremely clean irrespective of the way you maintain it, to the purpose the place you need to depart your Pixel 7 case off.On the opposite hand, the 7a has a plastic again and Gorilla Glass 3 on the entrance. While this might be seen as a detrimental, the 3D thermoformed composite again doesn’t really feel low-cost in any respect, to the purpose the place we had to verify it was really plastic and never glass. And on the plus aspect, it’ll be much less prone to crack for those who drop it.One drawback with the plastic again, nevertheless, is how dusty it will get whereas additionally being a fingerprint magnet, so we would in all probability suggest you allow your Pixel 7a case on the telephone. The Pixel 7 additionally will get a little bit dusty, nevertheless it primarily simply collects on the digicam visor.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Both telephones are available just a few completely different colours, though we occur to love the Pixel 7a colours extra. The Sea colorway is a really enticing blue, whereas the Google-exclusive Coral takes us again to the Pixel 4 days. The Pixel 7 has a Lemongrass, which is okay, nevertheless it’s not practically as fascinating because the 7a’s new hues. Of course, black and white are there for those who want to go the extra refined route.Google Pixel 7a vs. 7: Specs(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)These telephones aren’t simply comparable on the surface, however their specs additionally make them arduous to inform aside. As a flagship, the Pixel 7 is not precisely a powerhouse. The Tensor G2 chipset is spectacular, and the 8GB of RAM does the job, however you are still getting some pretty mid-range specs with the 90Hz refresh fee show, twin digicam setup, and 20W charging. This is what makes it so arduous to match these telephones as a result of, spec-wise, they’re very comparable.Google ups the RAM on the Pixel 7a from 6GB on its predecessor to 8GB. This matches the bottom fashions of lots of the finest Android telephones immediately. The show refresh fee has additionally been elevated to 90Hz, which can nonetheless fall in need of even many low-cost Android telephones, nevertheless it matches the bottom Pixel flagship fashions of the final couple of years.Wired charging can be barely decrease than the Pixel 7 at 18W, and whereas the 7a does get wi-fi charging, it is fairly restricted at simply 5W, so you may seemingly not depend on this. Meanwhile, the Pixel 7 can cost as much as 20W utilizing the Pixel Stand, that means both wired or wi-fi will prime you up in roughly the identical period of time.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryGoogle Pixel 7aPixel 7ChipsetGoogle Tensor G2Google Tensor G2Memory8GB LPDDR5 RAM8GB LPDDR5 RAMStorage128GB UFS 3.1128GB, 256GB UFS 3.1Display6.1-inch AMOLED, 2400×1080 (429 ppi), 90Hz, HDR10+, Gorilla Glass 36.4-inch AMOLED, 2400×1080 (416 ppi), 90Hz, HDR10+, Gorilla Glass VictusBattery4385mAh, 18W wired, 5W wi-fi4355mAh, 20W wired, 20W wirelessDimensions152mm x 72.9mm x 9.0mm155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm Weight193.5 grams197gWater and dirt resistanceIP67IP68SecurityTitan M2 Security Chip, VPN by Google One, In-screen fingerprint sensorTitan M2 Security Chip, VPN by Google One, In-screen fingerprint sensorColorsCharcoal, Sea, Snow, CoralObsidian, Snow, LemongrassOSAndroid 13Android 13Replace guaranteeFive years of Pixel updatesFive years of Pixel updatesBoth telephones are powered by the Tensor G2 chipset, which has confirmed fairly spectacular in our use, though do not anticipate one of the best gaming expertise. The 7a battery is barely bigger, however each telephones ought to have the ability to get you thru a complete day of use earlier than charging, however you would possibly need to flip off some options first, corresponding to Face Unlock.Overall, these telephones are very comparable on the within. That stated for those who’re somebody who prefers to have extra storage, the Pixel 7 is perhaps the telephone for you as you get the choice for 256GB.Google Pixel 7a vs. 7: Cameras(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)When it involves the cameras, it isn’t arduous for Google to get this proper. Pixel cameras are among the many better of one of the best, it doesn’t matter what sensor Google makes use of. Last 12 months’s Pixel 6a launched with a 12MP sensor, which was nonetheless able to some fairly spectacular photos. Meanwhile, the 7a has greater than 5x the decision at 64MP, already larger than the 50MP major digicam on the Pixel 7.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCamerasGoogle Pixel 7aPixel 7Rear Camera 164MP, 1/1.73″, ƒ/1.89, 0.8μm, OIS, 4K 30/60FPS50MP, 1/1.31″, ƒ/1.85, 1.2μm, OIS, 4K 30/60FPS,Rear Camera 213MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.12μm, 120°, OIS12MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.25μm, 114°, OISFront Camera13MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.12μm, 95°, 4K 30FPS10.8MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.22μm, 92.8°, 4K 30/60FPSNumbers aren’t the whole lot, after all. What issues is how you employ these Pixels, and with the Pixel 7, Google has confirmed that it will possibly make fairly good use of its Pixels. Images come out crisp, properly contrasted, and with loads of depth.The Pixel 7a’s major sensor could also be bodily smaller than the Pixel 7’s, however in our testing, it has been in a position to maintain its personal in opposition to even the Pixel 7 Pro. The solely complaints should do with the marginally off-white steadiness and the shortage of a telephoto lens, which is a fault of the Pixel 7. Digital zoom works okay, however you may solely get to date earlier than even Google’s AI begins to falter.Photo of chickens taken with the Pixel 7a major digicam. (Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Taken with the Pixel 7 major digicam. (Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Taken with the Pixel 7a major digicam (Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)A photograph of a movie show at night time taken with the Pixel 7 major digicam. (Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Most Pixel 7 options might be discovered on the 7a since each share the identical chip. That contains Cinematic Blur, Real Tone, and a bunch of different AI instruments to reinforce your photos. However, the 7a does seem to lack some options like Motion Mode. The front-facing digicam can be incapable of 4K 60FPS video seize.Either approach, it is most unlikely you may be disillusioned by both digicam, as Google makes up with software program what it lacks in {hardware}.Google Pixel 7a vs. 7: Which do you have to purchase?(Image credit score: Google)With Google’s A-series telephones, you are likely to get quite a lot of bang to your buck. The firm has undoubtedly upped its sport with the 7a by giving customers a lot of what they need for much less. The Pixel 6a has fairly just a few trade-offs made so as to get the worth down, however you will not actually discover that right here.Then, there’s the Pixel 7, which is little question a spectacular telephone, particularly for one of many extra reasonably priced flagships on the market. It’s bought an awesome set of cameras, a beautiful design, a quick chipset, and tons of cool AI options. There’s not a lot to love.However, quite a lot of that additionally applies to the Pixel 7a. On the within and out of doors, these are virtually the identical telephone, minus some very minor compromises with the brand new 7a. Looking on the designs makes it apparent, however a look on the specs makes it much more apparent. Because of this, and with solely a $100 value distinction between them, it makes it very arduous to suggest the Pixel 7 over the 7a.
Pixel 7, who?
Google’s newest A-series smartphone is its finest but, providing a lot of what you will get from the Pixel 7 however for a lot much less. Not to say, you get a few beautiful colorways to essentially make sure that your telephone stands out in a crowd.
telephone at a great value
The Pixel 7 is likely one of the finest telephones you should buy proper now. With the Tensor G2 chipset below the hood, the telephone is able to some fairly spectacular AI magic that may impress lots of people. Photo high quality can be wonderful, generally rivaling a DSLR.