Google Pixel 6a vs Pixel 7a: A Detailed Comparison
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Pixel 7a is the clear winner, offering a brighter display, improved performance thanks to the Tensor G2, and wireless charging. While the 6a boasts slightly better battery endurance, the 7a's enhancements make it the superior choice for most users, justifying its slightly higher price.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Google Pixel 6a | Google Pixel 7a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada) | 1, 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, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada) | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International) | 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 11 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 21 | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in) | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) |
| IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR | OLED, HDR, 90Hz |
| Always-on display | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Google Tensor (5 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP20 | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm | 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 |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD3.0 | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4410 mAh | Li-Po 4385 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Chalk, Charcoal, Sage | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Models | GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 |
| Price | $ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999 | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 94h | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
Google Pixel 6a
- Excellent value
- Longer battery life (on paper)
- Compact size
- Clean Android experience
- Older chipset
- Lower display brightness
- No wireless charging
- Slightly slower performance
Google Pixel 7a
- Brighter display
- Faster performance (Tensor G2)
- Wireless charging
- Improved camera
- More modern design
- Slightly shorter battery life (on paper)
- Higher price
Display Comparison
The Pixel 7a significantly improves upon the 6a's display, boasting a measured peak brightness of 1070 nits compared to the 6a's 876 nits. This makes the 7a much easier to see outdoors in bright sunlight. Both offer excellent color accuracy and contrast (the 6a's is nominally infinite, suggesting very high contrast), but the 7a's brightness advantage is noticeable.
Camera Comparison
Both Pixels offer excellent camera performance, but the 7a introduces improvements. While both have great computational photography, the 7a's hardware and software enhancements lead to slightly better image quality, especially in low light. The 7a also benefits from Google's latest camera features and processing algorithms.
Performance
The Pixel 7a features the Google Tensor G2 chipset, a step up from the 6a's Tensor. While both have the same core configuration, the Tensor G2 offers improved efficiency and performance, resulting in snappier app loading and smoother multitasking. The Cortex-X1 and A78 cores in the 7a also contribute to the performance boost.
Battery Life
The Pixel 6a holds a slight edge in battery endurance, with an endurance rating of 94 hours compared to the 7a's 76 hours. However, the 7a's more efficient Tensor G2 helps mitigate this difference, and real-world usage often shows a smaller gap. The addition of wireless charging on the 7a is a significant convenience.
Buying Guide
The Pixel 6a is a great choice for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize battery life and don't need the absolute latest features. The Pixel 7a is ideal for those who want a more modern experience, a brighter screen, faster performance, and the convenience of wireless charging, even if it means spending a bit more.