BLU Bold N3 vs. Google Pixel 7a: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Powerhouses

The Google Pixel 7a has long been the benchmark for affordable camera phones, but the BLU Bold N3 enters the arena with a focus on raw performance and rapid charging. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices, helping you determine which one best suits your needs and budget.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing camera quality and software experience, the Google Pixel 7a remains the superior choice. However, the BLU Bold N3 offers compelling performance and significantly faster charging at a potentially lower price point, making it ideal for power users and gamers.

PHONES
Phone Names BLU Bold N3 Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 41, 66, 711, 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 bands2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / 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
Announced2023, July2023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, AugustAvailable. Released 2023, May 10
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.2 x 74.7 x 8.8 mm (6.46 x 2.94 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
Weight180 g (6.35 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 (~388 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120HzOLED, HDR, 90Hz
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 13Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB 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
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
Dual16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm-
Features-HDR, panorama
Single-13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired, 100% in 39 min18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
TypeLi-Po 4700 mAhLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsSage GreenCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
Models-GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
PriceAbout 250 EUR€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980

BLU Bold N3

  • Significantly faster 66W charging
  • Potentially lower price point
  • Strong multi-core performance with Dimensity 7050

  • Likely inferior camera quality compared to Pixel 7a
  • Less refined software experience

Google Pixel 7a

  • Exceptional camera quality and image processing
  • Smooth and optimized software experience
  • Efficient Tensor G2 chipset

  • Slow 18W charging
  • Higher price compared to BLU Bold N3

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a boasts a measured peak brightness of 1070 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the BLU Bold N3’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be lower, potentially impacting outdoor usability. The Pixel 7a’s OLED panel, combined with Google’s image processing, delivers vibrant and accurate colors. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means neither offers adaptive refresh rates for power saving, but the Pixel 7a’s superior brightness is a clear advantage.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7a’s camera system is its standout feature, leveraging Google’s computational photography expertise. While specific sensor details aren’t provided, the Pixel 7a excels in dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance. The BLU Bold N3’s camera specifications are not detailed enough to make a direct comparison, but it’s unlikely to match the Pixel 7a’s image quality without Google’s software optimizations. The Pixel 7a’s video capabilities are also superior, offering excellent stabilization and dynamic range. Ignoring typical 2MP macro lenses, the Pixel 7a’s focus is on delivering consistently high-quality photos and videos.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the BLU Bold N3 utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6nm), while the Pixel 7a is powered by Google’s Tensor G2 (5nm). The Tensor G2, with its Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.85 GHz, offers a performance edge in single-core tasks and AI-driven features. However, the Dimensity 7050’s Cortex-A78 cores at 2.6 GHz provide strong multi-core performance. The 5nm fabrication process of the Tensor G2 generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal management compared to the 6nm Dimensity 7050, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads. The Pixel 7a’s advantage in AI processing also enhances features like voice recognition and image processing.

Battery Life

The Pixel 7a has an endurance rating of 76 hours, suggesting good battery life despite its relatively slow 18W charging. The BLU Bold N3, however, features 66W wired charging, capable of reaching 100% charge in just 39 minutes. This is a significant advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups. While the BLU Bold N3’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed mitigates concerns about a potentially smaller battery. The Pixel 7a also supports 7.5W wireless charging, a feature absent on the BLU Bold N3.

Buying Guide

Buy the BLU Bold N3 if you need a phone that prioritizes processing power for gaming or demanding apps and values incredibly fast 66W charging. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prefer a best-in-class camera experience, seamless software updates, and a refined user interface, even if it means sacrificing charging speed and some raw performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 7050 in the BLU Bold N3 get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7050 is a capable chipset, but its 6nm fabrication process is less efficient than the 5nm Tensor G2. This means the BLU Bold N3 is more likely to experience thermal throttling during prolonged gaming or demanding tasks, potentially leading to reduced performance over time. While not unusable for gaming, the Pixel 7a will likely maintain higher sustained performance.
❓ How does the Pixel 7a's camera perform in low-light conditions compared to what we might expect from the BLU Bold N3?
The Pixel 7a excels in low-light photography thanks to Google's Night Sight mode and advanced image processing algorithms. It captures significantly more detail and dynamic range in challenging lighting conditions. The BLU Bold N3, lacking the same software optimizations, will likely produce noisier and less detailed images in low light.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Pixel 7a a significant drawback compared to the BLU Bold N3's 66W charging?
Yes, the charging speed difference is substantial. The Pixel 7a takes considerably longer to fully charge, while the BLU Bold N3 can reach 100% in just 39 minutes. This makes the BLU Bold N3 a much more convenient option for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.