The Google Pixel 7a is Google’s latest midrange phone, and it’s a strong contender. But how does it stack up against its stablemate, the Pixel 7? We found out.
Google’s A-series smartphones have been a bright spark in the mid-range market for a few years now, and the Google Pixel 7a is the latest of that line. This newest update supercharges the Pixel A, adding the Google Tensor Gen 2 processor, a 90Hz refresh rate, and the highest megapixel size ever seen on a Pixel A smartphone. But those upgrades come at a price, and that’s translated into a slightly higher cost for the new Pixel 7a, increasing to $499.
It’s a relatively modest increase for the specs boost on offer — but it does mean the Pixel 7a has moved to just $100 away from its bigger sibling, the Pixel 7. Priced at $599, the Pixel 7’s flagship specs mean it’s a tough competitor for the new Pixel 7a to beat. It also means you’re presented with a difficult 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? We compared the two phones so you can make the decision that’s best for you.Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 7: specsPixel 7a vs. Pixel 7: design, display, and durability
Gone are the days of boring Pixels — Google’s smartphones now have a unique design and identity, and the Pixel 7 range has continued that. The camera bar at the back of the phone is the highlight, with the camera’s dual lenses peeking out from a contrasted metal visor. It may look a little like a Ninja Turtle headband, but it’s unique and looks fabulous. Around the front, slim bezels surround the 1080p display, interrupted only by a hole-punch for the selfie lens.
You might have noticed we didn’t really contrast the two phones in that paragraph, and that’s largely because the two phones’ designs are identical. That’s a good thing, but there are small differences between the two. For instance, the Pixel 7a only has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance and sports an “all-new midrange architecture” that boosts the phone’s durability but sets it apart from the Pixel 7’s glass and aluminum build.
There are more differences in the display tech. The resolutions and refresh rates are the same between the two phones, and the 90Hz refresh rate is an overdue boon for the Pixel 7a in particular, but the similarities end there. The Pixel 7’s display is slightly larger, but it’s also an AMOLED panel rather than the OLED panel on the Pixel 7a. The Pixel 7’s AMOLED tech is slightly higher quality than the Pixel 7a’s OLED, but it’s a very small bonus, all things considered.
This is an extremely tight category, and while we’re awarding the win to the Pixel 7’s better IP rating and screen, it’s definitely not the category to base your purchase on.
Winner: Google Pixel 7
Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 7: performance, battery life, and charging
As these are both Google-built phones, they benefit from Google’s processor, the Tensor Gen 2. This flagship chip has some downsides, but it still delivers strong performance and is more than capable of tackling all the latest apps and 3D games. The Pixel 7a benefits from this, as it gives it flagship potential at a lower price — which isn’t something we generally expect from anyone other than Apple.
