Google Pixel 7a vs. Blackview A100: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Google Pixel 7a represents a compelling mid-range offering from a software giant, while the Blackview A100 targets the ultra-budget segment. This comparison isn't about crowning a single winner, but understanding where each phone excels and who benefits most from its strengths. We'll dissect the core differences in processing power, camera capabilities, and overall user experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Google Pixel 7a is the superior choice, offering a significantly faster processor, a vastly improved camera experience, and Google's excellent software support. However, the Blackview A100 provides a functional smartphone experience at a dramatically lower price point, making it ideal for those on a very tight budget.

PHONES
Phone Names Blackview A100 Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GWKK3, G0DZQ
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GHL1X, G82U8
Launch
Announced2021, June 212023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, JuneAvailable. Released 2023, May 10
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions166.3 x 77.6 x 8.8 mm (6.55 x 3.06 x 0.35 in)152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)193.5 g (6.84 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDOLED, HDR, 90Hz
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6771T Helio P70 (12 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 11Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual-64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
FeaturesLED flashDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Triple12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), dual pixel PDAF 8 MP, (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, (wide)13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
Type4680 mAhLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray, Blue, Green, PinkCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
Models-GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
PriceAbout 180 EUR€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980

Blackview A100

  • Extremely affordable price point.
  • Functional for basic smartphone tasks.
  • Decent battery life for light usage.

  • Outdated and slow processor.
  • Inferior camera performance.
  • Limited software support and updates.

Google Pixel 7a

  • Powerful Google Tensor G2 processor.
  • Excellent camera with Google's software magic.
  • Guaranteed software updates and security patches.
  • Bright and smooth display.

  • Higher price tag.
  • Wireless charging is relatively slow at 7.5W.
  • May be overkill for basic users.

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1070 nits, compared to an assumed lower brightness on the Blackview A100 (typical of budget phones). While the A100's panel specs are unknown, the Pixel 7a's brightness ensures excellent visibility outdoors. The Pixel 7a also benefits from a 90Hz refresh rate (not specified for the A100), resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. The Pixel 7a's display is likely to have superior color accuracy and viewing angles due to its higher-end construction.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7a's camera system is a clear winner. While specific sensor details are missing for the A100, the Pixel 7a leverages Google's computational photography expertise. The Pixel 7a excels in both photo and video quality, offering features like Night Sight and cinematic video stabilization. The A100 likely relies on software processing to compensate for its less capable hardware, resulting in inferior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The Pixel 7a's image processing pipeline is optimized for realistic colors and dynamic range, while the A100's is likely to produce over-sharpened or artificial-looking images.

Performance

The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Google Pixel 7a's Tensor G2, built on a 5nm process, features a tri-cluster configuration with high-performance Cortex-X1 cores, delivering a significant leap in CPU and GPU performance over the Blackview A100's MediaTek Helio P70 (12nm). The Helio P70, while capable for basic tasks, will struggle with demanding applications and multitasking. The Tensor G2's advanced AI capabilities also enable features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur, unavailable on the A100. The Pixel 7a's LPDDR5 RAM (assumed) further enhances responsiveness compared to the A100's likely LPDDR4X.

Battery Life

The Pixel 7a achieved an Endurance rating of 76 hours, indicating excellent battery life despite its smaller capacity (not specified). This is likely due to the Tensor G2's 5nm efficiency and Google's software optimizations. The Blackview A100, with its 18W charging, offers a standard charging speed. The Pixel 7a adds the convenience of 7.5W wireless charging and supports PD3.0 for faster wired charging, though both phones share the same 18W wired maximum. The A100's battery life will likely be adequate for a day of light use, but the Pixel 7a offers more headroom for power users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Blackview A100 if you need a basic, reliable smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and your budget is under $200. You prioritize affordability above all else. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you value a smooth, responsive user experience, a high-quality camera for capturing memories, and guaranteed software updates for years to come, and are willing to spend around $400-$500.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the MediaTek Helio P70 in the Blackview A100 sufficient for playing modern mobile games?
The Helio P70 will struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile, even on low settings. It's best suited for casual gaming or older titles. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential lag.
❓ Does the Google Pixel 7a overheat during prolonged use, such as video recording or gaming?
The Tensor G2 is known to generate some heat under sustained load. However, Google has implemented thermal management solutions to prevent significant throttling. While the phone may get warm, it shouldn't overheat to the point of causing performance issues or discomfort during typical use.
❓ How long will the Blackview A100 receive software updates and security patches?
Blackview typically provides limited software support for its budget devices. Expect only a few minor updates, if any, and security patches may be infrequent. The Pixel 7a, on the other hand, is guaranteed several years of Android OS updates and security patches directly from Google.
❓ Is the 18W charging on both phones equally fast in real-world usage?
While both phones support 18W charging, the Pixel 7a's support for PD3.0 allows for potentially faster charging speeds with a compatible charger. The A100's charging will likely be slower and less efficient.