introduction
The latest member of the Google Pixel series is the new Pixel 7a, which is also part of the company’s most affordable series of devices. Starting at $499, the Pixel 7a shares the spot with the Pixel 4a 5G as the most expensive A-series Pixel ever and is just $100 cheaper than the Pixel 7.
Suddenly, then, the cheapest A-series phone doesn’t seem so cheap anymore. After all, why not spend an extra $100 if you get a better phone with the Pixel 7? But that’s the conundrum here, as things aren’t as clear cut as you might think. The question isn’t why you shouldn’t spend more on the Pixel 7. The question is, why should you?
Google Pixel 7a specs at a glance:
- Body: 152.0 x 72.9 x 9.0mm, 194g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back; IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30min).
- Screen: 6.10″ OLED, HDR, 90Hz, 1080x2400px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 429ppi; Always On Display.
- chipsets: Google Tensor G2 (5nm): Octa-core (2×2.85GHz Cortex-X1 & 2×2.35GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×1.80GHz Cortex-A55); Mali-G710 MP7.
- Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM; UFS 3.1.
- Operating system/software: Android 13.
- Rear camera: Broad (main): 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm, 1/1.73″, 0.8µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS; Broad (main): 13MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 1.12µm.
- Front camera: 13MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm.
- Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS; Front camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps.
- Drums: 4385mAh; 20W wired, PD3.0, 18W wireless.
- Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; WiFi 6e; BT 5.3; NFC.
- Various: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical); stereo speakers.
You see, the Pixel 7a is as close to a Pixel 7 as an A-series phone has ever gotten. Looking through the spec sheet, both phones have a surprising number of similarities. Both have a similar display resolution that refreshes at 90Hz. Both have the exact same Tensor G2 chip inside and very similar sized batteries. The Pixel 7a also adds wireless charging, something previously missing from A-series phones.
The differences then boil down to camera setup and display size. The camera figures all boast a higher megapixel count on the Pixel 7a, but we know that rarely equates to anything. And the display is smaller, which means the phone itself is smaller too. Not necessarily a bad thing.
So it’s an interesting pairing then and the pricier Pixel 7 will have to fight harder than its predecessor to justify its existence. Let’s see how the Pixel 7a performs.
Unpacking
The Pixel 7a ships in extremely minimal packaging that’s barely larger than the phone itself. Aside from the phone, all you get in the box is a USB-C data and charge cable, as well as a USB-C male to USB-A female adapter.
Somewhat sparse packaging is a good way to save costs and the environment, but shoppers in this segment are often looking for more value, and it doesn’t help Google’s case that most of its competitors offer at least one charger in the box, with many also providing a case.
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