Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting a rugged workhorse, the Blackview BV7200, against a photography-focused favorite, the Google Pixel 3a. This comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your lifestyle and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Pixel 3a wins on camera quality and software experience, offering a cleaner Android experience and superior image processing. However, the BV7200 excels in durability and battery life, making it ideal for those needing a tough, long-lasting device. It's a trade-off between smarts and strength.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 26 | 2019, May 07. Released 2019, May 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 01 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Asahi Dragontrail), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 81.6 x 16 mm (6.51 x 3.21 x 0.63 in) | 151.3 x 70.1 x 8.2 mm (5.96 x 2.76 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 288 g (10.16 oz) | 147 g (5.19 oz) |
| | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m
MIL-STD-810H compliant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Asahi Dragontrail Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~67.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.6 inches, 79.6 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 615 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke-OS 3.0 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, 117˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | 12.2 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), gyro, accelerometer, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | 5180 mAh | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green | Just Black, Clearly White, Purple-ish |
| Models | - | G020A, G020E, G020B, G020G, G020H |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Blackview BV7200
- Exceptional durability
- Large battery life
- Reverse charging capability
- Water and dust resistance (IP68/IP69K)
- Loudspeaker
- Less polished software
- Camera quality not as good as Pixel 3a
- Potentially bulkier design
- Slower performance compared to Pixel 3a
Google Pixel 3a
- Excellent camera quality
- Clean Android experience
- Regular software updates
- Compact and lightweight design
- Vibrant OLED display
- Smaller battery life
- Less durable than BV7200
- No reverse charging
- Can be more expensive
Display Comparison
The BV7200 typically features a larger, more rugged display (often LCD) designed to withstand drops and scratches. The Pixel 3a boasts a smaller, OLED display offering vibrant colors and deeper blacks, resulting in a superior viewing experience for media consumption. Resolution is comparable, but the Pixel 3a's panel quality is noticeably better.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 3a's camera is a clear winner. Google's computational photography is renowned, delivering exceptional image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The BV7200's camera is adequate for basic photography, but lacks the Pixel's processing power and overall image quality. The Pixel 3a also benefits from features like Night Sight.
Performance
While both phones have octa-core processors, the Snapdragon 670 in the Pixel 3a generally offers smoother performance due to its more efficient 10nm manufacturing process and Qualcomm's optimized software. The Helio G85 in the BV7200 is capable, but may exhibit slight lag in demanding tasks. Gaming performance is acceptable on both, but the Pixel 3a has a slight edge.
Battery Life
The BV7200 typically packs a significantly larger battery than the Pixel 3a, translating to longer battery life. Expect all-day (or even multi-day) usage with the BV7200, while the Pixel 3a will likely require charging before the end of the day with heavy use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview BV7200 if you prioritize durability, a large battery, and don't mind a slightly less polished software experience. Buy the Google Pixel 3a if you value excellent camera performance, a clean Android interface, and regular software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Blackview BV7200 waterproof?
Yes, the BV7200 typically has an IP68 or IP69K rating, making it resistant to water and dust.
❓ How long does the Pixel 3a's battery last?
The Pixel 3a's battery typically lasts a full day with moderate use, but heavy users may need to charge it before the end of the day.
❓ Does the BV7200 get software updates?
Blackview updates are less frequent and consistent than Google's. Expect updates, but not as regularly or reliably as with the Pixel 3a.
❓ Can the BV7200 charge other devices?
Yes, the BV7200 supports 2.5W reverse wired charging, allowing you to charge other devices using its battery.