Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 4a: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Pixel 7a is the clear winner, offering a significantly faster processor, brighter display, and improved camera capabilities. While the Pixel 4a remains a budget-friendly option, the 7a's upgrades justify the price difference for most users seeking a modern smartphone experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Google Pixel 7a | Google Pixel 4a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 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 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 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 | 2023, May 10 | 2020, August 03 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 10 | Available. Released 2020, August 20 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) | 144 x 69.4 x 8.2 mm (5.67 x 2.73 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) | 143 g (5.04 oz) |
| 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 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~443 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.81 inches, 83.2 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR, 90Hz | OLED, HDR |
| Always-on display | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G710 MP7 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| 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 | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 4385 mAh | Li-Po 3140 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral | Just Black, Barely Blue |
| Models | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 | G025J, GA02099, G025N |
| Price | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 | $ 139.99 / C$ 159.99 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 76h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 268714 (v8) GeekBench: 6426 (v4.4), 1626 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Google Pixel 7a
- Faster Processor (Tensor G2)
- Brighter Display (1070 nits)
- Improved Camera System
- Modern Design
- 5G Connectivity
- Higher Price
- Charging speed could be faster
Google Pixel 4a
- Lower Price
- Compact Size
- Clean Android Experience
- Reliable Performance for Basic Tasks
- Slower Processor (Snapdragon 730G)
- Dimmer Display (803 nits)
- Older Design
- No 5G
Display Comparison
The Pixel 7a boasts a significantly brighter display at 1070 nits compared to the Pixel 4a's 803 nits. This makes the 7a much easier to view outdoors in sunlight. While the 4a's 'infinite' contrast ratio is a nominal specification, the 7a's improved brightness provides a more practical advantage. Both phones feature OLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks.
Camera Comparison
While both Pixels are known for their excellent camera software, the Pixel 7a has a more advanced camera system. It generally offers better image quality, improved low-light performance, and more advanced features like Super Res Zoom. The 7a's computational photography capabilities are also enhanced.
Performance
The Pixel 7a's Google Tensor G2 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Pixel 4a's Snapdragon 730G. The Tensor G2 delivers noticeably faster processing speeds, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 7a's CPU architecture is also more modern, contributing to its overall responsiveness.
Battery Life
Both phones share the same endurance rating of 76h, suggesting similar battery life in typical usage scenarios. However, the Pixel 7a's more efficient chipset might offer slightly better real-world battery performance despite the brighter display.
Buying Guide
The Pixel 7a is ideal for users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and a modern display. It's a great choice for photography enthusiasts and those wanting a smooth, responsive experience. The Pixel 4a is best suited for budget-conscious buyers who need a reliable phone for basic tasks and appreciate a clean Android experience, but are willing to compromise on performance and features.