The Google Pixel 7a Review: A Worthy Upgrade, Even From the Pixel 6a?
Google’s entry into the Indian smartphone market in 2022 with the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro took many by surprise. However, it was the more affordable Pixel 7 that really caught the eye, with its launch price of ₹59,999 (now even more accessible at around ₹55,999 online). Soon after, Google launched the Pixel 7a in India, its ‘pocket-friendly’ version of the Pixel 7. This new phone boasts several upgrades over its predecessor, the Pixel 6a, and surprisingly comes at the same ₹43,999 price point for the single configuration with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. But with such a small price difference between the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7a, is it worth paying an extra ₹12,000 for the premium model, and is the Pixel 7a even a worthy upgrade from the Pixel 6a? Let’s dive deep into this review to find out.
Google Pixel 7a Design: Premium Looks, But It’s Still Plastic
The Google Pixel 7a might initially seem premium with its sleek design, but it shares the same smudge and dust magnet tendencies as the Pixel 6a. The Snow finish does a better job at concealing smudges, but the Sea and Charcoal options might not be as forgiving. Despite its premium-inspired design, it’s crucial to remember the rear panel is still made of plastic just like the Pixel 6a, which unfortunately makes it prone to scratches.
Upon closer inspection of my review unit, I found the edges of the rear panel were slightly misaligned, lacking a seamless fit where they met the metal frame. This issue extended to the metal rear camera band, which could benefit from better finishing as it’s noticeably sharper compared to the well-made camera module on the Pixel 7. This imperfection in finish is disappointing, especially considering the Pixel 6a had no such flaws. However, a simple case can easily resolve this cosmetic concern.
The Google Pixel 7a weighs in at a somewhat heavy 193g but remains compact and comfortable for one-handed use. Compared to the lighter Pixel 6a (178g), the additional weight is likely due to the introduction of wireless charging. This could also be the reason for Google opting for a smaller battery in the 7a, but we’ll get into that later.
One positive aspect of the Pixel 7a’s design is its IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, a feature present in its predecessor and rarely found in this price segment. The only other smartphone comparable in this regard is Samsung’s outdated Galaxy S20 FE 5G.
Google Pixel 7a Specifications and Software: Tensor G2 Power for the Affordable A Series
The Pixel 7a brings Google’s latest and greatest in processing power. The Tensor G2 SoC, previously found in the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and the recently announced Pixel Fold, now graces the affordable A series. This processor is not only more powerful and power-efficient compared to the older Tensor version, but it also introduces new camera and photo editing features.
Google maintains its singular RAM and storage configuration, offering 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage. This may not suffice for everyone, especially considering the lack of expandable storage support. Moreover, the days of free cloud storage are over (apart from a few limited-time offers). However, it’s commendable that Google has finally equipped a Pixel A series device with 8GB of RAM for the first time.
The fingerprint reader is seamlessly integrated into the 6.1-inch full-HD+ OLED display, which boasts a 90Hz maximum screen refresh rate. Thankfully, the infamous fingerprint reader issues from the Pixel 6a launch have been resolved, and it functions flawlessly right out of the box. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and a wide range of 5G bands. While there’s only a single nano-SIM slot, the eSIM feature lets you add a second phone number to your device.
The Google Pixel 7a is powered by a 4,385mAh battery, which is smaller than last year’s model. Charging speeds are capped at 18W for wired charging and 7.5W for wireless charging. As is customary, Google doesn’t include a charger in the box.
The software experience on the Pixel 7a remains distinctly Google, running Android 13 with a subtly customized Pixel software interface. As expected from a Pixel device, there are no added apps or bloatware. It’s a familiar experience compared to the Pixel 6a and Pixel 7, offering no new surprises. Google promises three years of software updates and five years of security updates, which should instill confidence in first-time Pixel owners. The usual feature drops are also present, further enhancing the experience.
Google Pixel 7a Performance: A Smooth Experience with a Small Battery
The Google Pixel 7a delivers a smooth Android 13 experience, gliding effortlessly without hiccups. The 8GB of RAM further enhances multitasking capabilities, efficiently retaining apps in memory. The 90Hz refresh rate significantly contributes to the software experience, making the entire interface appear quite fluid compared to the Pixel 6a’s 60Hz panel.
Colors, especially in the ‘Natural display’ mode, are accurate, and the display shines brightly even when used outdoors during the day. It’s also HDR10-certified, supported by most apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video. The HDR10 compatibility ensures content appears as intended, delivering a visually pleasing experience.
Raw performance benchmarks show the Pixel 7a surpassing the Pixel 6a and producing numbers on par with the premium Pixel 7. The 7a scored 7,16,837 points on AnTuTu, 1,396, and 3,116 points on Geekbench’s single and multi-core tests respectively. In graphics tests, the Pixel 7a managed 90fps, 85fps, and 60fps in GFXBench’s T-Rex, Manhattan 3.1, and Car Chase tests respectively, showcasing its graphic prowess.
Gaming performance on the Google Pixel 7a is quite impressive. I tested Call of Duty: Mobile and comfortably played it at its default settings (Very High graphics and framerate) without any lag or stuttering, a feat not possible on the Pixel 6a. The adequate touch sampling rate complements mobile gaming, allowing full utilization of the 90Hz refresh rate by switching to Ultra framerate in the game’s settings.
While gaming at Ultra settings, the phone does get warm. However, I didn’t notice any performance drops, even during extended sessions of up to 30 minutes. Despite the processor upgrade, the Google Pixel 7a must juggle the demands of a 90Hz display while being powered by a smaller battery compared to its predecessor. Our standard video loop battery test on the 7a performed worse than the Pixel 6a, lasting only 12 hours and 39 minutes on a single charge. While average for a small phone, this falls short of expectations for its segment.
With my typical daily usage, including social media scrolling, video streaming, casual camera use, and an hour of gaming, the Pixel 7a barely managed to last a full day, ending with about 10 percent battery remaining. Overall, it’s not a phone for heavy users.
Since the Pixel 7a lacks a charger in the box, I used a 61W USB PD charger. Despite Google’s claimed 18W charging speed, it took a significant two hours and seven minutes for the phone to fully charge, which is quite slow. The 7a does introduce wireless charging, a first for a Pixel A-series device. This is useful for consistently maintaining a full charge when the phone is not in use, assuming you have several wireless charging pads at home or in the office. In retrospect, I would have preferred a larger battery or faster charging instead of the combination of wireless charging and a smaller battery.
Google Pixel 7a Cameras: Upgraded Sensors and AI-Powered Features
The cameras on the Google Pixel 7a have undergone several notable upgrades. The primary camera now boasts a 64-megapixel sensor with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization). The ultra-wide camera has also been bumped up to a 13-megapixel sensor from the previous 12-megapixel one. The same applies to the selfie camera, which has jumped from an 8-megapixel to a 13-megapixel camera. While the sensor resolutions vary, all three cameras capture 12-megapixel binned images by default, although the setup lacks macro photography capability.
The Tensor G2 SoC contributes some handy camera tricks, as seen on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. Although there’s no Action Pan mode like on the premium Pixel 7, you get a Long Exposure mode capable of producing quality long exposure photos without a tripod. The new Night mode operates almost twice as fast as the Pixel 6a’s Night Sight mode, with its post-capture processing also experiencing similar improvements. Additionally, there’s the Photo Unblur feature that effectively removes minor blurring from images. This proved especially useful for capturing photos of my ever-moving child.
What I did notice during photo and video capture outdoors was the Pixel 7a’s tendency to heat up quickly. This phenomenon becomes more pronounced when using processor-intensive camera modes like Portrait Mode or Long Exposure. On several occasions, when switching to video mode to record 4K videos, I received a pop-up notification indicating that the device was too hot and video quality may be reduced, but the camera app didn’t close. Background photo backups were disabled during my review process, so this wasn’t a contributing factor to the heating.
Thankfully, the Google Pixel 7a’s overall imaging capabilities are quite impressive. To illustrate the improvements in the 7a’s camera performance, I’ve included comparison samples with last year’s Pixel 6a.
Daylight imaging quality is truly remarkable. The new cameras and processor enhance dynamic range and overall detail. These improvements are subtle unless you meticulously examine each pixel, but a majority of photos taken with the Pixel 7a capture additional textures that are either missing or appear soft in Pixel 6a photos. The Pixel 7a also achieves more accurate color tones overall. The lack of a macro mode like on the Pixel 7 Pro didn’t hinder my ability to capture close-ups, which appeared virtually identical on both devices.
The new ultra-wide camera offers a noticeably broader field of view compared to its predecessor. Although some barrel distortion and purple fringing are present, it still produces some of the best ultra-wide photos available on a smartphone in this price range.
Selfies captured with the Google Pixel 7a in daylight appeared slightly soft and lacked detail compared to Pixel 6a selfies. The new 13-megapixel selfie camera also offers a much tighter frame when shooting selfies, making it challenging to include more than two subjects unless you have exceptionally long arms. In low light, the Pixel 6a surprisingly managed better selfies than the 7a.
Shooting with the rear cameras in low light was a far better experience on the Pixel 7a. The Tensor G2 processor makes capturing sharper images of moving kids or pets (subjects that never stay still) significantly easier. When using the dedicated Night Sight mode, the Pixel 7a produces sharper and less blurry photos of moving subjects or objects within any given scene. The level of detail is comparable between the 6a and 7a, but the latter delivers superior colors. In dimly lit environments, the Pixel 7a emerges as the winner with slightly better detail and sharpness. The ultra-wide camera captures decent quality images in low light when using the Night Sight shooting mode but exhibits significant crushed blacks in the shadows.
While Google’s Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro models surpass the Pixel 7a in various aspects, the Pixel 7a lacks camera hardware like multi-directional PDAF, laser autofocus, and more. It’s also missing HDR10 recording capability, a feature available on the Pixel 7. Despite these shortcomings, 4K 30fps video recording on the Pixel 7a displays good detail in daylight but reveals purple fringing in bright spots. 4K 60fps video fares better, producing steadier framerate. In low light, the Pixel 7a captures better video quality with significantly less noise compared to the Pixel 6a, when recording at both 4K 30fps and 60fps.
Verdict: A Strong Contender with a Few Compromises
Considering the various upgrades implemented on the Google Pixel 7a, the selfie camera and the reduced battery life seem to be the only major compromises. The Pixel 7a finally catches up with the competition thanks to the Tensor G2 SoC and runs a clean Android 13 interface that’s unmatched at this price point. In various ways, it’s a worthy upgrade even for those using the Pixel 6a.
If faster charging is a priority, the OnePlus 11R 5G is a more suitable option with better battery backup and 100W wired charging. However, it lacks wireless charging and an IP rating. This makes the Pixel 7a a unique offering, providing excellent value and a distinctive set of features for ₹43,999, including very capable cameras.
Its main competitor is the Pixel 7, currently priced at ₹55,999. The Pixel 7 boasts superior design and build quality, more capable camera hardware, and dependable battery life. For demanding users, these factors might justify the premium over the 7a. Ultimately, the choice comes down to your individual priorities and budget. The Pixel 7a delivers a solid experience at a compelling price, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a balance of features and affordability.
