Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 6 Pro: A Detailed Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Pixel 6 Pro offers a larger, brighter display, faster charging, and slightly better battery life. However, the Pixel 7a provides a more compact design, a newer Tensor G2 chip, and a more affordable price point. For most users, the 7a strikes a better balance of features and value.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Google Pixel 7a | Google Pixel 6 Pro |
| 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, 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, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GLUOG, G8VOU |
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G8VOU |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / 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 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GLUOG | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 10 | 2021, October 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 10 | Available. Released 2021, October 28 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) | 163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) | 210 g (7.41 oz) |
| IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~512 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 110.6 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR, 90Hz | LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| 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 (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) | Google Tensor (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G710 MP7 | Mali-G78 MP20 |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | 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 | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.22µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 104mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 4x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm | 11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.22µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| 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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| - | Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless | 23W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4385 mAh | Li-Ion 5003 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral | Cloudy White, Sorta Sunny, Stormy Black |
| Models | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 | GLUOG, G8VOU, GF5KQ |
| Price | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 | € 199.99 / $ 204.99 / £ 275.00 / ₹ 29,699 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 84h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 585485 (v8), 719815 (v9) GeekBench: 2831 (v5.1) GFXBench: 39 fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Google Pixel 7a
- More compact design
- Brighter display (1070 nits)
- Newer Tensor G2 chip
- More affordable price
- Slightly shorter battery life
- No telephoto lens
- Slower charging (18W wired, 7.5W wireless)
Google Pixel 6 Pro
- Larger, immersive display
- Longer battery life (84h)
- Faster charging (23W wired/wireless)
- Reverse wireless charging
- Telephoto lens for optical zoom
- Larger size may not suit everyone
- Older Tensor chip
- Higher price
Display Comparison
The Pixel 6 Pro boasts a larger 6.7-inch OLED display with a peak brightness of 846 nits and an infinite contrast ratio, offering a more immersive viewing experience. The Pixel 7a features a 6.1-inch OLED display with a measured peak brightness of 1070 nits, making it noticeably brighter outdoors. While the 6 Pro's size is a plus for media consumption, the 7a's brightness gives it an edge in sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both Pixels excel in camera performance, thanks to Google's computational photography prowess. The Pixel 6 Pro has a more versatile camera system with a telephoto lens for optical zoom. The Pixel 7a, while lacking a dedicated telephoto, utilizes Super Res Zoom to achieve impressive results. Image quality is generally excellent on both, with the 6 Pro potentially offering more flexibility due to its zoom capabilities.
Performance
Both phones are powered by Google's Tensor chips, but the Pixel 7a utilizes the newer Tensor G2. While the CPU differences are minor, the G2 generally offers slightly improved performance and efficiency. Both phones handle everyday tasks and moderate gaming with ease, but the 6 Pro's larger cooling system might prevent throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Pixel 6 Pro holds a slight advantage in battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 84 hours compared to the Pixel 7a's 76 hours. The 6 Pro also supports faster 23W wired and wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging, a feature absent on the 7a.
Buying Guide
The Pixel 7a is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize a compact size, excellent camera quality, and a smooth Android experience. The Pixel 6 Pro is a better choice for those who want a larger, more immersive display, faster charging, and don't mind a slightly higher price tag.