Google Pixel 7a assessment: a very good Pixel, however a tough promote

Following seemingly limitless leaks, rumors, and teases, the Google Pixel 7a is lastly right here. Like different Pixel A tool earlier than it, the Pixel 7a has a transparent purpose on paper: Ship a high-quality Google Pixel smartphone expertise for much less cash than its dearer siblings.

By itself, the Pixel 7a is an excellent smartphone. It has a pleasant design, nice specs, a dependable digicam system, and is fairly simple on the pockets at simply $499. However when the extra succesful Pixel 7 gives a number of noteworthy upgrades for $599 — and final 12 months’s Pixel 6a is sticking round at a lowered value — it places the Pixel 7a in a tricky spot. Right here’s our full assessment.

Google Pixel 7a: design

The design of the Pixel 7a is rather like its predecessor, with a number of minor variations. You continue to have a excessive gloss plastic again that appears like glass till you contact it, and an aluminum body surrounds the perimeters. Not like the Pixel 6a’s body, although, which had an anodized metallic black end, the aluminum body of the Pixel 7a matches the colour of the machine that you just select. For my Snow assessment unit, the body is silver.

With the Pixel 6a, you might inform that it was the cheaper Pixel as a result of it additionally featured plastic on the digicam bar. However the Pixel 7a now contains a metallic digicam bar, just like what you’ll discover on the usual Pixel 7, just a bit thinner (most likely because of the smaller sensors).

The Pixel 7a can be a smidge taller and wider than the Pixel 6a, however you received’t discover the distinction until you could have them stacked on high of each other. Product dimensions for the Pixel 7a are 72.9 x 152.Four x 9.0mm, whereas the 6a is 71.Eight by 152.2 by 8.9mm. The Pixel 7a additionally weighs slightly extra at 193 grams in comparison with the earlier 178 grams. Regardless of the very minor variations in measurement, the Pixel 7a nonetheless has the identical show measurement at 6.1 inches, making it essentially the most compact of the Pixel 7 lineup.

Due to the marginally smaller measurement of the Pixel 7a, it’s extra snug to carry than the Pixel 7. Nevertheless, as somebody who prefers smaller-sized telephones generally, I want the Pixel 7a was nonetheless the identical bodily measurement as its predecessor, which was a bit simpler for me to carry comfortably. However general, the design of the Pixel 7a is just about the identical as different Pixels, simply made with excessive gloss plastic on the again fairly than Gorilla Glass Victus.

Lastly, Google claims that the Pixel 7a is likely one of the most sturdy Pixel A-series units but. It has an IP67 ranking, so it could possibly deal with water and mud with out a difficulty. The entrance show can be lined with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, so it’s scratch resistant.

That’s not a nasty setup by any means, however seeing how Gorilla Glass Three was launched in 2013 and has been changed by 5 newer variations since, its presence on the Pixel 6a does really feel a bit dated.

And, no, the Pixel 7a does not have a headphone jack.

Google Pixel 7a: show and efficiency

The Pixel 7a has the identical display screen measurement because the Pixel 6a, which is 6.1 inches. It’s additionally a Full HD OLED show with a 1080 x 2400 decision, a 20:9 side ratio, and has Corning Gorilla Glass Three for sturdiness. Nevertheless, Google made some minor enhancements to make the Pixel 7a barely higher.

Earlier Pixel A-series units have had a 60Hz refresh charge, which was typical for price range telephones some time again. However the brand new Pixel 7a has been bumped as much as a smoother 90Hz adaptive refresh charge, dubbed “Easy Show.” It’s the identical setting that you just discover within the common Pixel 7, which additionally has a 90Hz refresh charge.

With the elevated refresh charge for the show, you possibly can anticipate smoother scrolling, animations, and higher graphics when gaming. Nevertheless, the Easy Show setting is disabled by default, so it’s important to allow it manually. That is most likely because of the poor battery life that the Pixel 7a has (the next refresh charge decreases battery life), which we’ll get to in a bit.

On the within, Google packed within the newer Tensor G2 chip, which is an enchancment over the first-generation Tensor within the Pixel 6a. You even have 8GB RAM (the 6a solely had 6GB), and as soon as once more, the one storage possibility is 128GB.

On paper, the specs for the Pixel 7a undoubtedly look spectacular for a cellphone of this value vary, nevertheless it’s not a very huge improve from what you will get with the Pixel 6a. Sure, the 90Hz refresh charge definitely helps, however I really feel prefer it will not be too noticeable for most individuals who need an inexpensive price range cellphone, because the Pixel 6a remains to be a very good purchase. And the additional RAM helps, nevertheless it’s nonetheless fairly negligible in day by day use.

Throughout my testing with the Pixel 7a, the cellphone handles my on a regular basis duties fairly effectively. This contains checking electronic mail and messages on Microsoft Groups, endlessly scrolling by Instagram and Fb, checking Mastodon, plenty of digicam use and photograph modifying, utilizing an app for sharing 1,000,000 pictures of my toddler daughter with household, watching streaming video and YouTube, checking the information, and a few mild, informal gaming. The Pixel 7a handles all of those duties effectively with out skipping a beat.

I’m additionally fairly impressed with how briskly the cameras are in a position to seize a scene. I’ve used the Pixel 7a to take a bunch of images of my toddler, who can barely sit or stand nonetheless (different dad and mom can perceive my plight, proper?), and the ensuing pictures got here out very properly. Tensor G2 undoubtedly helps with the quick seize on the Pixel 7a.

Google Pixel 7a: software program

You get Android 13 out of the field with the Pixel 7a, similar to with the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional. Additionally, like the usual Pixel 7 lineup, the Pixel 7a will get three years of OS upgrades and 5 years of safety patches.

At this level, Android 13 is fairly mature, and Android 14 is peeping over the horizon. Android 13 is the primary Android model I’ve actually dived into, and I’ve been fairly having fun with it on the Pixel 7a — particularly since that is the “pure” model of Android, with out numerous producer skins layered on high.

Android 13, with none customized fork, is straightforward and clear. I’m an enormous fan of Google’s Materials You theme engine, because it makes customizing your machine a breeze with wallpapers and matching colour themes, and even dynamic third-party icons that may match your chosen colour palette.

Google’s Tensor chip additionally makes a whole lot of the AI options on the Pixel 7a very interesting, and an enormous purpose to contemplate the Pixel 7a — or any Pixel for that matter. For instance, Magic Eraser works splendidly, and you’ve got entry to options like Google Assistant on cellphone calls to carry your house in line and extra.

General, the software program on the Pixel 7a runs effectively, because of the efficiency enhance Google gave it by way of specs. It’s quick, responsive, and simple to make use of. When you’re a fan of the inventory Android expertise, then you possibly can’t go flawed with the Pixel 7a.

Google Pixel 7a: cameras

Regardless that the Pixel 7a is the price range cellphone of the Pixel 7 lineup, Google determined to present it some spectacular digicam {hardware} — even surpassing the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional in some features.

There’s a 64MP major digicam on the Pixel 7a and a 13MP ultrawide sensor. For comparability, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional each have a 50MP major digicam and a 12MP ultrawide digicam. Nevertheless, Google claims that regardless of the Pixel 7a having the next megapixel depend than its siblings, the sensor will not be as massive because the one on the Pixel 7 and seven Professional. Because of this the Pixel 7a will not be nearly as good in terms of capturing low-light pictures.

With the Google Pixel 6a, you already may take some nice images with out a lot effort, and that was simply with a dependable 12MP digicam. In my time with the Pixel 7a, I’m actually impressed with the picture high quality. The 64MP digicam is nothing to sneeze at, because it captures extremely detailed and sharp images with out trying too over-processed. The colours are additionally vivid and punchy however with out the over-saturation that you just get with most Samsung telephones, or harsh colours that I all the time get on my iPhone 14 Professional when it’s tremendous brilliant out.

Even when it was a bit cloudy and overcast out, the Pixel 7a dealt with these not-so-great lighting situations effectively, and the images got here out nice, regardless of the circumstances. And once more, with the Tensor G2 chip powering it, the Pixel 7a could be very fast to snap a photograph, as I’m in a position to seize good pictures even when my toddler is on the transfer.

The selfie digicam on the Pixel 7a can be an enormous step up from its predecessor with its 8MP digicam, in addition to the bottom mannequin Pixel 7, which solely has a 10.8MP entrance digicam. On the Pixel 7a, you could have a 13MP selfie digicam. I believe the Pixel 7a takes some glorious selfies which can be detailed and with simply the correct amount of bokeh happening within the background whenever you snap them in Portrait mode (this additionally applies to Portrait pictures with the rear digicam).

Pores and skin tones nonetheless appear to be a little bit of a hit and miss, although, relying on the lighting on the time. Generally it appeared to seize my pores and skin tone accurately, and different instances I seemed a tad paler than I truly am. However when the pores and skin tone is correct, the photographs look splendid. Lowlight pictures should not nice, although. Whereas they’re acceptable, you possibly can undoubtedly see that the small print are very mushy, and the colours could seem a bit washed out. That is undoubtedly the place the bigger sensors on the Pixel 7 and seven Professional would turn out to be useful.

Google Pixel 7a: battery and charging

Sadly, battery life is the Pixel 7a’s weakest level. Because the Pixel A-series is the smallest of the Pixel lineup, it usually has the smallest battery to go alongside the bodily measurement. With the Pixel 7a, you get a 4,385mAh battery, which is definitely lower than its predecessor’s 4,410mAh battery, although it’s on par with the Pixel 7’s 4,355mAh one. As soon as once more, Google claims that the Pixel 7a is a 24-hour smartphone, although you possibly can lengthen it to 72 hours by utilizing the Excessive Battery Saver setting.

Pixels have by no means been identified to have nice battery life, and that is very true with the Pixel 7a. My utilization with the Pixel 7a has been what I might think about mild to medium use since I’ve primarily simply been utilizing the machine on Wi-Fi. I do use it for checking electronic mail, work messages, social media, taking images and modifying them, watching movies and streaming music, internet looking, and different on a regular basis duties. Nothing heavy or tremendous useful resource intensive, however I discover that the battery simply frequently drains, even when it’s simply sitting on my desk.

If this have been my main cellphone, I undoubtedly don’t see it lasting greater than a day with heavy use. Even after I was simply out taking images with the Pixel 7a, the battery would drain sooner than I’d like, and it additionally tends to get heat. It doesn’t seem that the Tensor G2 chip did a whole lot of bettering on the ability effectivity entrance, sadly.

The Pixel 7a caps out at 18W quick charging by a USB-C cable, so it’s not the quickest possibility on the market. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy S23 has a smaller 3,900mAh battery (however oddly sufficient, battery life appears to be higher with it) however has quick charging at 25W. The usual Pixel 7 will not be significantly better than the Pixel 7a, because it’s solely 20W wired charging. Getting the cellphone from zero to 100% takes slightly over 1.5 hours.

Google did add wi-fi charging to the Pixel 7a, although, which is a primary. Sadly, it’s a lot slower than even the common Pixel 7, as it’s simply 7.5W with Qi-compatible wi-fi chargers, although you’ll get barely sooner wi-fi speeds in case you use Google’s Pixel Stand accent. Not like the Pixel 7, there is no such thing as a reverse wi-fi charging (Battery Share).

Whereas Google made enhancements to the Pixel 7a by including wi-fi charging capabilities, it additionally took two steps backward by having a smaller battery capability than the Pixel 6a and in addition making the wi-fi charging velocity a lot slower than the common Pixel 7, with no Battery Share possibility both.

Google Pixel 7a: value and availability

The Google Pixel 7a is obtainable for buy proper now for $499. You should purchase it instantly from Google, retailers like Amazon and Greatest Purchase, and wi-fi carriers. The Pixel 7a is available in 4 colours: Charcoal, Snow, Sea, and the Google Retailer-exclusive Coral.

The pricing of the Pixel 7a places it in an odd place and makes it troublesome to advocate — particularly contemplating that the Pixel 6a continues to be offered at a brand new low value of $349.

In case you are on the lookout for essentially the most inexpensive Pixel cellphone, the Pixel 6a is hard to beat, particularly because it’s nonetheless an important machine. However if you’d like extra megapixels, increased refresh charge, and wi-fi charging, then the Pixel 7a is best — till you see that the Pixel 7 is simply $100 extra and gives bigger digicam sensors, a barely higher battery, reverse wi-fi charging, and an general higher AMOLED show.

It’s a little bit of a pickle for the Pixel 7a. If the Pixel 6a have been discontinued, then it will be simpler to advocate the Pixel 7a, however that isn’t the case.

Google Pixel 7a: verdict

When you’re trying on the Pixel 7a by itself, it’s a reasonably succesful machine for simply $499. It’s the smallest of the Pixel 7 lineup, however the 6.1-inch show seems to be good with vibrant colours and wealthy blacks, and the 90Hz refresh charge makes scrolling and gaming higher. You get Android 13 powered by the Tensor G2 chip, so every little thing runs easily and is sort of snappy and responsive, particularly with the 8GB RAM.

You additionally get a powerful 64MP major digicam and 13MP ultrawide lens, and because of the Tensor G2 chip, the digicam app is fairly quick in terms of capturing images, even when your topic is in movement. Plus, that is the primary time that the Pixel A-series has wi-fi charging.

Nevertheless, take into account that although the digicam has the next megapixel depend than the common Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional, the sensors on the Pixel 7a are smaller, so lowlight pictures received’t end up as effectively. And battery life is much from nice, and wi-fi charging is sort of gradual.

And whenever you take a look at the Pixel 7a among the many competitors, it turns into a lot tougher to advocate. In case you are wanting a brilliant inexpensive Pixel, then the Pixel 6a remains to be being offered with a big value minimize, now costing simply $349 (down from $449). Although the show solely has a 60Hz refresh charge, and the principle digicam is 12MP, it’s nonetheless a really dependable cellphone and positively not a nasty machine in any respect — much more so at that new, low value.

If you would like a Pixel that provides extra, then there may be additionally the Pixel 7, which is simply $100 extra ($599) than the Pixel 7a. You’ll have a barely bigger show at 6.Three inches, the identical 90Hz refresh charge, Android 13 with Tensor G2, and 8GB RAM with 128GB storage. However whereas the Pixel 7 solely has a 50MP major digicam, it nonetheless has bigger sensors that may deal with low mild images higher, sooner wi-fi charging, and in addition Battery Share reverse wi-fi charging.

An alternative choice within the value vary of the Pixel 7a  is the Samsung Galaxy A54. For simply $450, you’ll get a crisp 6.4-inch AMOLED show with a 120Hz refresh charge, which already blows the Pixel 7a out of the water. Samsung’s Exynos 1380 processor is quick and snappy with Android 13/One UI 5.1, there’s 6GB/8GB RAM with 128GB storage and the choice for expandable storage with microSD, a 50MP major digicam, and a 5,000mAh battery with 25W charging speeds (however no wi-fi charging). After all, Samsung telephones are identified for over-saturated and brilliant colours in images that will not be tremendous practical, in order that’s one issue to contemplate. However in any other case, the Galaxy A54 is a superb purchase.

Once more, the Pixel 7a is an efficient machine by itself, however whenever you check out the opposite choices accessible — particularly in comparable value ranges or the remainder of the Pixel lineup — it’s a tough promote. It’s removed from a nasty cellphone, only a misguided one.

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