Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 7: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Pixel 7 offers a superior display, faster charging, and longer battery life. However, the Pixel 7a provides excellent value with a similar core experience and impressive camera capabilities at a more accessible price point. The Pixel 7 is the overall winner for those prioritizing premium features.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Google Pixel 7a | Google Pixel 7 |
| 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, 38, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GQML3 |
| 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, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - GQML3 |
| 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, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GVU6C | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 10 | 2022, October 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 10 | Available. Released 2022, October 13 |
| 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) | 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm (6.13 x 2.88 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) | 197 g (6.95 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) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~416 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 96.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR, 90Hz | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 nits (peak) |
| 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 (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G710 MP7 | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | Android 13, 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 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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 | 50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm | 10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 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 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| 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 7.5W wireless | 20W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 20W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4385 mAh | Li-Ion 4355 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral | Obsidian, Lemongrass, Snow |
| Models | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 | GVU6C, GQML3, GO3Z5 |
| Price | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 | € 199.00 / $ 179.26 / £ 189.99 / ₹ 28,499 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 96h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -26.2 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 813114 (v9) GeekBench: 3288 (v5.1) GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Google Pixel 7a
- Excellent camera for the price
- Smooth Android experience
- Compact and lightweight
- Good performance
- Shorter battery life
- Slower charging
- No wireless charging
- Less premium build
Google Pixel 7
- Brighter and better display
- Longer battery life
- Faster charging (wired & wireless)
- Versatile camera system with telephoto lens
- Premium build quality
- Reverse wireless charging
- Higher price
- Can get warm under heavy load
Display Comparison
The Pixel 7 boasts a brighter display (974 nits vs 1070 nits, though the 7a's peak brightness is impressive) and a theoretically infinite contrast ratio, offering a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. While both have excellent color accuracy, the Pixel 7's larger size and slightly better panel give it an edge. The Pixel 7a's display is still very good, but not quite at the same level.
Camera Comparison
Both Pixels excel in photography, thanks to Google's computational photography prowess. The Pixel 7 has a slightly more versatile camera system with an additional telephoto lens, offering greater zoom capabilities. Image quality is excellent on both, but the Pixel 7's telephoto lens provides more creative options. Low-light performance is exceptional on both.
Performance
Both phones share the same Google Tensor G2 chipset, meaning performance in everyday tasks and most apps will feel very similar. However, the Pixel 7's slightly better thermal management might allow it to sustain peak performance for longer periods. Gaming performance will be comparable on both devices.
Battery Life
The Pixel 7 significantly outperforms the Pixel 7a in battery life, offering an endurance rating of 96 hours compared to the 7a's 76 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage between charges. The Pixel 7 also supports faster wired and wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging, which the 7a lacks.
Buying Guide
The Google Pixel 7a is ideal for budget-conscious users who want a flagship-like camera and a smooth Android experience without breaking the bank. The Google Pixel 7 is perfect for users who demand the best possible display, faster charging, and extended battery life, and are willing to pay a premium for those features.