Summary
In the wake of what seemed like an unending stream of leaks, speculations, and teasers, the Google Pixel 7a has finally arrived. The Pixel 7a, much like previous Pixel A devices that came before it, has a very defined objective on paper: to provide a Google Pixel smartphone experience that is of a higher quality at a price that is lower than that of its more costly siblings.
Simply said, the Pixel 7a is an excellent smartphone in its own right. It has a lovely design, fantastic specifications, a camera system that is trustworthy, and can be purchased for about $499, which is very easy on the pocketbook. But when the more powerful Pixel 7 delivers a few significant changes for $599, and when the Pixel 6a from the previous year is still available at a lower price, it puts the Pixel 7a in a difficult position. This is our comprehensive evaluation.
The design of the Google Pixel 7a
The design of the Pixel 7a is identical to that of its predecessor, with just a few minor elements being different. You are still protected by a high-gloss plastic back that, until you touch it, seems to be made of glass, and an aluminum frame surrounds the corners of the device. However, in contrast to the frame of the Pixel 6a, which had an anodized metallic black finish, the frame of the Pixel 7a is made of aluminum, and it is designed to match the color of the device that you choose and purchase. The color silver is used for the frame of my Snow review unit.
Because the camera bar on the Pixel 6a was likewise made of plastic, it was easy to determine that it was the less expensive version of the Pixel. Nevertheless, the Pixel 7a now has a metallic camera bar that is comparable to the one that is found on the normal Pixel 7, although somewhat thinner (perhaps as a result of the smaller sensors contained inside it).
Even though the Pixel 7a is somewhat taller and broader than the Pixel 6a, you won’t be able to see the difference between the two until you stack them on top of each other. Compared to the Pixel 6a, which has dimensions of 71.8 by 152.2 by 8.9 millimeters, the Pixel 7a has dimensions of 72.9 by 152.4 by 9.0 millimeters. Additionally, the Pixel 7a weighs 193 grams, which is a little increase from the previous model’s weight of 178 grams. Even though there are only very little variances in size, the Pixel 7a still has the same display size as the Pixel 7 range, which is 6.1 inches. This makes it the most compact in the Pixel 7 lineup.
Comparatively speaking, the Pixel 7a is more pleasant to handle than the Pixel 7.
The Google Pixel 7a is more pleasant to carry than the Google Pixel 7, which is due to the fact that it is somewhat smaller in size. On the other hand, as someone who favors phones of a smaller size in general, I wish that the Pixel 7a was still the same physical size as its predecessor, which was a little bit easier for me to carry comfortably. However, in general, the design of the Pixel 7a is very much identical to that of previous Pixels; the only difference is that the back of the device is constructed out of high-gloss plastic rather than Gorilla Glass Victus.
Last but not least, Google asserts that the Pixel 7a is one of the most durable smartphones belonging to the Pixel A-series to date. Due to the fact that it has an IP67 classification, it is able to withstand dust and water without any problems. In addition, the front display is protected from scratches by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which prevents scratches from occurring.
This is not an awful configuration by any means, but considering that Gorilla Glass 3 was introduced in 2013 and has been replaced by five newer generations since then, the fact that it is there on the Pixel 6a does give the impression of being a little bit out of date.
Display on the Google Pixel 7a: performance and display
In terms of screen size, the Pixel 7a is identical to the Pixel 6a, which measures 6.1 inches respectively. Additionally, it features a Full HD OLED display that has a resolution of 1080 x 2400, an aspect ratio of 20:9, and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for durability. In spite of this, Google made a few modest adjustments to the Pixel 7a in order to make it significantly more superior.
Previous Pixel A-series devices have featured a refresh rate of 60Hz, which many years ago was considered to be the standard for low-cost mobile devices. It is the same option that you find in the normal Pixel 7, which also has a 90Hz refresh rate. However, the new Pixel 7a has been upgraded to a smoother 90Hz adaptive refresh rate, which has been given the name “Smooth Display.”
As a result of the enhanced refresh rate for the display, you may anticipate improved images, animations, and scrolling while you are playing video games. The Smooth Display option, on the other hand, is already turned off by default; thus, you will need to explicitly activate it. This is most likely owing to the low battery life that the Pixel 7a has (a faster refresh rate contributes to a drop in battery life), which we will investigate more in a moment.
In the Pixel 6a, Google has included the more recent Tensor G2 processor, which is an advancement over the first-generation Tensor chip that was introduced in the Pixel 6a. You also have 8 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM), while the 6a only had 6 gigabytes, and once again, the sole storage choice is 128 gigabytes.
It is true that the specifications of the Pixel 7a seem to be rather excellent for a phone that falls within this price bracket; yet, it is not a particularly significant increase over the Pixel 6a in terms of its capabilities. There is no doubt that the 90Hz refresh rate is beneficial; nevertheless, I believe that it may not be too visible for the majority of people who are looking for a budget phone that is reasonable, since the Pixel 6a is still a fantastic bargain. Additionally, the additional RAM is helpful, although it is still not really noticeable in day-to-day usage.
The Pixel 7a is not a very significant improvement over the Pixel 6a in terms of the capabilities it offers.
While I was testing the Pixel 7a, I found that it performed fairly well when it came to handling my day-to-day activities. The following activities are included in this category: checking email and messages on Microsoft Teams; endlessly scrolling through Instagram and Facebook; checking Mastodon; using a camera and editing photos; using an app to share a million images of my toddler daughter with my family; watching streaming video and YouTube; checking the news; and playing some light, casual video games. All of these responsibilities are handled competently and without any hiccups by the Pixel 7a.
The speed with which the cameras are able to record a scene is another thing that has left me pretty pleased. My kid, who can hardly sit or stand still (other parents can understand my predicament, right? ), was the subject of a number of photographs that I took with the Pixel 7a, and the photographs that I took turned out to be quite lovely. When it comes to the quick capture on the Pixel 7a, Tensor G2 is unquestionably helpful.
The software for the Google Pixel 7a
In the same way that Android 13 is pre-installed on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, the Pixel 7a also comes with Android 13 automatically. Additionally, much like the normal Pixel 7 range, the Pixel 7a will get three years of operating system updates and five years of security fixes.
At this time, Android 13 is very developed, and Android 14 is only on the cusp of being available. Android 13 is the first version of Android that I have really delved into, and I have been rather enjoying working with it on the Pixel 7a. This is particularly true considering that this is the “pure” version of Android, which does not have any other manufacturer skins built on top of it.
Android 13, which does not have any custom forks, is straightforward and pure. I am a huge admirer of Google’s Material You theme engine since it makes it easy to personalize your device by providing you with wallpapers and color themes that are compatible with each other. They even provide dynamic third-party icons that can be customized to fit the color palette that you have selected.
An other reason to take into consideration the Pixel 7a, or any Pixel for that matter, is that it is equipped with Google’s Tensor processor, which makes a number of the artificial intelligence capabilities on the Pixel 7a highly enticing. As an example, Magic Eraser works quite well, and you have access to a variety of capabilities, such as Google Assistant on phone conversations, the ability to remember your position in line, and more.
The performance bump that Google granted the Pixel 7a in terms of its specifications has resulted in the software running smoothly on the device as a whole. This is a quick, responsive, and user-friendly product. If you are a lover of the Android experience as it is sent out by Google, then the Pixel 7a is an excellent choice for you.
The cameras of the Google Pixel 7a
Despite the fact that the Pixel 7a is the most affordable phone in the Pixel 7 family, Google made the decision to equip it with some really amazing camera technology. In certain respects, it even outperforms the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro smartphone.
On the Pixel 7a, there is a primary camera with 64 megapixels and an ultrawide sensor with 13 megapixels. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro both contain a primary camera with a resolution of 50 megapixels and an ultrawide camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels. On the other hand, Google asserts that the sensor on the Pixel 7a is not as big as the one on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, despite the fact that the Pixel 7a has a greater megapixel count than its brothers. As a result, it is possible that the Pixel 7a is not as capable as other smartphones when it comes to taking pictures in low light.
You already had the ability to shoot some beautiful images with the Google Pixel 6a without putting forth a lot of work, and that was just taking use of the dependable 12MP camera. During my time with the Pixel 7a, I have been quite pleased by the quality of the images it produces. The 64-megapixel camera is not to be taken lightly since it is capable of capturing photographs that are very clear and detailed without seeming to be overly manipulated. In addition, the colors are vibrant and bold, but they do not have the oversaturation that you get with the majority of Samsung phones, nor do they have the harsh hues that I normally get on my iPhone 14 Pro when it is really bright outside.
Even when the weather was a little bit gloomy and overcast, the Pixel 7a was able to manage these less-than-ideal lighting situations quite well, and the photographs that it took turned out really good, despite the negative conditions. And once again, the Pixel 7a is powered by the Tensor G2 processor, which makes it incredibly rapid to take a picture. As a result, I am able to take nice pictures even while my child is moving about.
I must say that the cameras on the Pixel 7a have truly pleased me.
In addition, the front-facing camera on the Pixel 7a is a significant improvement over the 8-megapixel camera that was included on its predecessor. This is also the case with the Pixel 7 basic model, which only has a 10.8-megapixel camera. You can take selfies with a 13-megapixel camera on the Pixel 7a. When you shoot a selfie with the Pixel 7a in Portrait mode, I believe it captures some amazing selfies that are detailed and have just the appropriate amount of bokeh going on in the background (this also applies to portrait shots taken with the rear camera).
Despite this, it seems that skin tones are still somewhat unpredictable, since they are influenced by the lighting that is present at the moment. There were moments when it seemed to accurately portray my skin tone, and there were other instances when I appeared to be a little bit paler than I really am. Images, on the other hand, appear very stunning when the skin tone is precise. However, photographs taken in low light are not very good. You can see that the details are quite soft, and the colors may seem to be a little washed out. Despite the fact that they fulfill the requirements, they are acceptable. In a situation like this, the bigger sensors that are available on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro would undoubtedly come in useful.
Battery and charging options for the Google Pixel 7a
Regrettably, the Pixel 7a’s battery life is perhaps its most problematic feature. As a result of the fact that the Pixel A-series is the smallest in the Pixel family, it normally has the smallest battery to correspond with its diminutive size. The Pixel 7a comes with a battery that has a capacity of 4,385 milliampere-hours (mAh), which is lower than the 4,410 mAh battery available on its predecessor. However, it is comparable to the 4,355 mAh battery found in the Pixel 7. For the second time, Google asserts that the Pixel 7a is a smartphone that can last for twenty-four hours, but if you use the Extreme Battery Saver mode, you can extend the battery life to seventy-two hours.
It has never been known that Pixels have a particularly long battery life, and this is especially true with the Pixel 7a and its predecessor. Due to the fact that I have largely been using the device on Wi-Fi, my use of the Pixel 7a has been what I would consider to be light to medium use. I do use it for a variety of chores, including checking my email, responding to work communications, using social media, shooting images and editing them, watching films and streaming music, exploring the web, and other commonplace activities. Despite the fact that it is not very heavy or resource-intensive, I have seen that the battery continues to discharge steadily, even while it is only resting on my desk.
In the event that this were my main phone, I just do not believe that it would be able to withstand intensive usage for more than a day. Despite the fact that I was just out snapping pictures with the Pixel 7a, the battery would drain much more quickly than I would have liked, and it also has a tendency to become warm. On the subject of power efficiency, it would seem that the Tensor G2 chip did not make a significant amount of progress, which is bad.
Because the Pixel 7a is only capable of fast charging at a maximum of 18W using a USB-C connection, it is not the most rapid alternative currently available. One example is the Samsung Galaxy S23, which has a battery capacity of 3,900 mAh, but it has a faster charging capability of 25W. This is despite the fact that the battery life seems to be greater with the smaller battery. Due to the fact that it only supports cable charging at 20W, the basic Pixel 7 is not much superior than the Pixel 7a. A little more than one and a half hours is required to get the phone from zero to one hundred percent.
It is quite unlikely that the Pixel 7a would endure for more than a day when it is subjected to intensive usage.
Google did, however, include wireless charging inside the Pixel 7a, which is a first for the company. Although it is just 7.5W with Qi-compatible wireless chargers, it is much slower than even the normal Pixel 7 in terms of wireless charging rates. However, if you utilize the Pixel Stand attachment that Google offers, you will experience somewhat quicker wireless speeds. Reverse wireless charging, often known as battery sharing, is not available on the Pixel 7, in contrast.
Although Google made advances to the Pixel 7a by introducing wireless charging capabilities, the company also went two steps backward by having a lesser battery capacity than the Pixel 6a and also making the wireless charging speed considerably slower than the normal Pixel 7. Additionally, there was no option to share the battery with other users.
Google Pixel 7a: the cost and availability of the device
At this very moment, the Google Pixel 7a may be purchased for the starting price of $499. Direct purchases may be made via Google, as well as from shops like as Amazon and Best Buy, as well as from telecom carriers. There are four color options available for the Pixel 7a: charcoal, snow, sea, and coral, which is only available on the Google Store.
When one considers that the Pixel 6a is still being offered at a new low price of $349, the cost of the Pixel 7a places it in a strange spot and makes it tough to recommend. This is particularly true when one considers that the Pixel 7a is priced at $349.
It is difficult to find a better option than the Pixel 6a if you are searching for the most cost-effective Pixel phone, particularly considering that it is still an excellent smartphone. However, the Pixel 7a is superior than the Pixel 7 if you are looking for a faster refresh rate, more megapixels, and wireless charging. However, this is only true until you discover that the Pixel 7 is just $100 more expensive than the Pixel 7 and has bigger camera sensors, a slightly better battery, reverse wireless charging, and an overall better AMOLED display.
With the Pixel 7a, things are a little bit of a pickle. In the event that the Pixel 6a were to be discontinued, it would be simpler to propose the Pixel 7a; however, this is certainly not the case.
The verdict on the Google Pixel 7a
If you are just considering the Pixel 7a on its own, you will find that it is a reasonably competent gadget costing only $499. Even though it is the smallest in the Pixel 7 family, the 6.1-inch display looks fantastic with brilliant colors and deep blacks. Additionally, the 90Hz refresh rate makes navigation and gaming more enjoyable. With the 8 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM), you get Android 13, which is driven by the Tensor G2 CPU. As a result, everything operates smoothly and is fairly quick and responsive.
You will also get an outstanding 64-megapixel primary camera as well as a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens. Furthermore, the camera app is rather quick when it comes to snapping images, even when the subject of the photograph is moving. This is made possible by the Tensor G2 processor. In addition to that, the Pixel A-series has finally included wireless charging for the very first time.
In spite of the fact that the camera has a greater megapixel count than the normal Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro, it is important to bear in mind that the sensors on the Pixel 7a are smaller, which means that photographs taken in low light will not come out as well. In addition, the battery life is not as good as it may be, and wireless charging is a very sluggish pace.
And when you consider the Pixel 7a in comparison to the other products on the market, it becomes much more difficult to suggest. In the event that you are looking for a Pixel that is very reasonable, the Pixel 6a is still being offered with a significant price reduction, and it is currently available for only $349 (down from $449). Despite the fact that the display only has a refresh rate of 60Hz and the primary camera only has a resolution of 12MP, it is still a very dependable phone and definitely not a poor gadget at all — even more so considering the fact that it is so inexpensive and brand new.
In the event that you are looking for a Pixel that has more features, there is also the Pixel 7, which is priced only $100 higher than the Pixel 7a ($599). The panel will be somewhat bigger, measuring 6.3 inches, there will be the same refresh rate of 90Hz, Android 13 with Tensor G2, and you will have 8GB of RAM with 128GB of storage space. Despite the fact that the Pixel 7 only has a 50-megapixel primary camera, it still includes bigger sensors that are better able to handle photographs taken in low light, quicker wireless charging, and Battery Share reverse wireless charging.
In addition to the Pixel 7a, the Samsung Galaxy A54 is another alternative that falls within the same price range. You will be able to get a display that is 6.4 inches in size and has an AMOLED panel with a refresh rate of 120 hertz for about $450. This display already outperforms the Pixel 7a. The Exynos 1380 engine from Samsung is a quick and responsive device that comes with Android 13 and One UI 5.1. Additionally, it has 6GB/8GB RAM, 128GB storage, and the option to increase storage with microSD. Additionally, it has a 50MP primary camera, a 5,000mAh battery with 25W charging rates, but it does not have wireless charging capability. In images, Samsung phones are notorious for having colors that are oversaturated and brilliant, which may not be as realistic as they might be. This is one of the factors that should be taken into consideration. But other from that, the Galaxy A54 is an excellent purchase.
To reiterate, the Pixel 7a is a fine smartphone on its own; but, when you consider the other alternatives that are available, particularly those that are around the same price range or the remainder of the Pixel family, it becomes difficult to convince someone to purchase it. It’s not even close to being a poor phone; it’s simply a stupid one.
Is it worth buying the Pixel 7A right now?
The answer to that question is contingent on a few factors. First, it could be a good idea to hold off until Google reveals what they have in store for the Pixel 8 device. The solution to that question is dependant on the Pixel 8. In the autumn, Google often makes announcements on new Pixel phones. It is anticipated that the next model will include a new Tensor processor, some camera enhancements, and a screen that is bigger than the one seen on the Pixel 7A.
The Pixel 7A, on the other hand, demonstrated that the gap between Google’s A-series phones and conventional flagships is narrowing. With its Pixel 7A and its normal Pixels that are not Pro models, it seems like Google is aiming for the same demographic of consumers: consumers who are looking for an Android phone that is both reasonable and has a fantastic camera. It is possible that the more affordable Pixel 7A will wind up being the superior option in the event that the Pixel 8 turns out to be an incremental upgrade to the Pixel 7.
It is also presently on sale for $449, making the Pixel 7 around the same price as the Pixel 7A, which is lowered to $444. If you are in need of a phone right now, you might consider purchasing the Pixel 7. A bigger screen and a more sophisticated camera are both features of the Pixel 7, however, to tell you the truth, I was unable to see a significant difference between the photographs shot with the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7A. There is a possibility that Google is attempting to sell out its stock of the Pixel 7 in preparation for the launch of the Pixel 8, but we will have to wait till we find out for certain.
Google Pixel 7a review
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