Google Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 7: Do not purchase the incorrect Pixel

Design, display, and durability when comparing the Pixel 7a to the Pixel 7

Google’s smartphones now have a distinctive appearance and character, and the Pixel 7 series has followed this trend. Gone are the days when Pixels were known for their lack of any particular appeal. The centerpiece of the phone is the camera bar located at the rear of the device. The camera bar has a contrasting metal visor that allows the twin lenses of the camera to be seen. Although it could have a little resemblance to a headband used by a Ninja Turtle, it is really one of a kind and looks very stunning. The 1080p display is surrounded by thin bezels around the front of the device, with the only distinction being a hole-punch for the front-facing camera.

It is possible that you have seen that we did not actually compare and contrast the two phones in that paragraph. This is mostly due to the fact that the designs of the two phones are entirely similar. Indeed, this is a positive development; yet, there are some minor distinctions between the two. For example, the Pixel 7a only has an IP67 classification for dust and water resistance, and it also has a “all-new midrange architecture” that not only increases the phone’s durability but also differentiates it from the Pixel 7’s glass and aluminum construction.

In terms of display technology, there are other variances. There is no difference between the two phones in terms of their resolutions or refresh rates; however, the Pixel 7a specifically benefits from a refresh rate of 90Hz, which is a long-awaited improvement. However, this is where the similarities stop. One notable difference between the Pixel 7 and its predecessor, the Pixel 7a, is that the display on the Pixel 7 is an AMOLED screen, rather than an OLED panel. The AMOLED technology included in the Pixel 7 marginally outperforms the OLED technology seen in the Pixel 7a, although this is a very little advantage when everything is taken into consideration.

Although we are giving the victory to the Pixel 7 because to its superior IP rating and screen, this is not the area that you should base your purchase on. This is because it is a tremendously competitive category.

A Google Pixel 7 is the victor

Performance, battery life, and charging capabilities of the Pixel 7a vs the Pixel 7

Because both of these phones were manufactured by Google, they both make use of the Tensor Gen 2 CPU that Google has developed. Despite the fact that this flagship processor has a few drawbacks, it still manages to give impressive performance and is more than capable of handling all of the most recent applications and interactive games. This is beneficial to the Pixel 7a since it enables the phone to have the potential to be a flagship device at a lesser price. This is something that we typically do not anticipate from any other company than Apple. Both of these mobile devices are powered by the Tensor Gen 2 processor, and they are equipped with 8 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM) and 128 gigabytes of storage space as standard. Due to the fact that none of the two phones comes with additional capacity via a microSD card, the Pixel 7 does come with a 256GB model, which may be something that media enthusiasts should take into consideration.

How about the life of the battery? As far as battery life is concerned, none of these phones is very impressive; nevertheless, the ordinary Pixel 7 performed better in our testing. The Pixel 7a has a little bigger battery than the Pixel 7, although it tends to die a little bit sooner than the Pixel 7. Both devices have a battery life of around one day. In addition, the Pixel 7 has an edge when it comes to charging, since it need 20 watts for cable charging, whilst the Pixel 7a only uses 18 watts. In addition, while both phones are capable of wireless charging, the Pixel 7 is the only one that supports reverse wireless charging.

Despite the fact that it was a close call once again, the Pixel 7 finally prevails over the Pixel 7a in this particular competition.

A Google Pixel 7 is the victor.

Cameras: the Pixel 7a versus the Pixel 7

As a result of the fact that the specifications of so many of these phones are comparable, here is where the fight will be won or lost. Since the beginning of the Pixel, the camera has been considered to be its most powerful feature, and it is certain that both of these phones will have powerful cameras. What is the superior option? It is difficult to provide a response to that issue; nonetheless, it is certain that one of these mobile devices has a flaw.

There is a dual-lens 50-megapixel wide primary lens on the Pixel 7, along with a 12MP ultrawide lens on the back and a 10.8MP selfie lens around the front of the device. All I can say is that it is outstanding. In some way, stills seem to be more beautiful than they really are. This is because of the technology and the outstanding software that Google has developed.

The phone is one of the few that can snap a photo that is of great quality every time, without the need for any adjustments to be made in an editing application. It is clear that Google is the industry leader when it comes to point-and-shoot phone cameras, and this is the case here. However, the 8x digital zoom is still superb, and the fantastic Night Sight feature continues to lead the way for low-light images. Although it does not have a dedicated zoom lens, it is still a fine camera in that regard.

Where does the Pixel 7a stand in comparison? The primary lens, which has a resolution of 64 megapixels, is the biggest one that has ever been seen on a Pixel A-range phone. Around the front, it is accompanied by a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens as well as a 13-megapixel selfie lens. Due to the fact that it uses hardware that is comparable to that of the Pixel 7, the Pixel 7a is relatively capable of producing outstanding photographs that are on par with those of the Pixel 7.

One thing to take into consideration is the variation in pixel size. The Pixel 7a has a lower pixel size than the Pixel 7, which means that the Pixel 7 is able to collect more light in the same length of time as the Pixel 7a. Generally speaking, more light implies better shots when it comes to cameras, and it is a significant factor when it comes to taking photographs in low light. Because of its reduced pixel size, the Pixel 7a is not as competent as the Pixel 7 when visibility declines. This is a significant limitation for a phone with a lineage as solid as the Pixel, which is why it is important to consider this.

Photos taken with the Pixels in the middle of the price range continue to be of outstanding quality, but the flagship Pixel 7 continues to have the advantage that makes all the difference. You can get a more in-depth look at the cameras by reading our comprehensive comparison of the Pixel 7a and the Pixel 7.

A Google Pixel 7 is the victor

Both the software and functionality of the Pixel 7a and the Pixel 7

The operating system on both of the phones is Android 13, which is one of the most streamlined versions of Android that you are likely to find anywhere. Although it is not a “stock” Android version owing to a few minor changes, it is very near to being an Android version, and it is one of the finest choices for Android purists. Due to the fact that Google owns and manages Android, this duo also benefits from having the quickest update speeds in the Android industry. This is an advantage that no other Android maker can match. Both of these mobile devices come with a guarantee that they will get major Android version upgrades for a period of three years and security updates for a period of five years. Both of these are fantastic guarantees, which means that each one has the potential to persist for years after the purchase.

However, it is important to bring up the most obvious part of the problem, which is bugs. A number of software problems, ranging from minor to major, have been associated with the most recent Pixel line of smartphones. These problems have been affecting a variety of mobile devices. Worst of all, they are not consistent, which means that you may wind up with a handset that is free of bugs or one that has bugs, and there is no way to determine which was either. These issues, on the other hand, are amenable to resolution, and it is plausible that Google has resolved them in time for the Pixel 7a.

Each of the two phones will come equipped with the same unique characteristics. These include useful features that are driven by artificial intelligence, such as conversation Screen, which can answer calls for you and offer a transcript of the conversation, and Now Playing, which can intelligently identify songs that are playing in the vicinity of you. There are a variety of capabilities that are integrated into the camera as well as Google Photos. These features include Photo Unblur, Night Sight, Long Exposure, and the remarkable Magic Eraser, which can eliminate undesired components from a photo for you. Additionally, Google’s stunning new artificial intelligence-powered Magic Editor and generative artificial intelligence wallpapers, which were introduced at Google I/O 2023, will be included on both phones.

Both of these phones will have the same software and functionality installed on them. Without a doubt, this is a draw.

The winner is a tie.

The pricing and availability of the Pixel 7a versus the Pixel 7

It is now possible to purchase the Google Pixel 7a, which was made accessible without delay after its launch. It has a price tag of $499, and while it supports 5G, it is important to bear in mind that the only model that will be marketed by Verizon will have access to mmWave 5G bands.

There is presently a selection of the Google Pixel 7 available, and the starting price is $599. As a result of the fact that it can be purchased from a variety of retailers and that it often receives favorable discounts during sales, it is frequently beneficial to wait if there is a sale period on the horizon. Remember that, much as with the Pixel 7a, you won’t gain access to mmWave on every model, even if it is compatible with a number of carriers in the United States.

The Google Pixel 7 is the overall winner.

With three out of four categories, it is quite evident that the Google Pixel 7 is the victor in terms of its technological capabilities. The Google Pixel 7a, on the other hand, put up a pretty good fight, so this victory is not quite a decisive one. Despite the fact that the Pixel 7 emerged victorious in a number of the rounds, it was not by any stretch of the imagination, and the majority of people could have easily reverted to the more affordable smartphone.

Where does this leave you, however, in terms of your desire to purchase a new phone? Upon first inspection, it is difficult to see a reason to justify paying an additional $100 on the Pixel 7. The additional funds will allow you to get a camera that has a little larger pixel size, a quicker charging rate, a slightly better display, and water resistance that is marginally better. It is hardly a lot, and it makes it more difficult to sell the Pixel 7 to customers. Nevertheless, the Pixel 7a has proved to be something of a letdown, since it has a short battery life, does not support reverse wireless charging, and creates photographs that are somewhat less impressive in low light. When this is taken into consideration, the additional one hundred dollars that was spent on the Pixel 7 begins to make sense, particularly when one considers the frequency with which the phone is discounted these days.

The pricing is a significant factor that contributes to the fact that the Pixel 7 eventually prevails in this scenario; nevertheless, there are other choices available than the Pixel 7a. The Google Pixel 6a is being maintained as a more affordable alternative, and it is currently available for purchase for a price of $349. This is a whole $150 less than the price of the new Pixel 7a. The Pixel A from the previous year comes with a flagship CPU, a great camera, and a battery life of one day, all of which are available at a significant discount. Check out our comparison of the Pixel 7a and the Pixel 6a to see how the two devices compare to one another.

We suggest either upgrading to the Pixel 7 or going down to the Pixel 6a, which is still a great device, if you are considering purchasing the Pixel 7a as a low-cost Pixel.

Google Pixel 7a review