Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 7 Pro: A Detailed Comparison

Google's Pixel lineup offers fantastic Android experiences, but choosing between the 7a and 7 Pro can be tricky. Both phones boast impressive cameras and the Tensor G2 chip, but they cater to different users and budgets. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which Pixel is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Pixel 7 Pro offers a superior display, more versatile camera system, faster charging, and longer battery life. However, the Pixel 7a provides excellent value with a great camera and performance at a significantly lower price point. The 7 Pro is the premium choice; the 7a is the smart buy.

PHONES
Phone Names Google Pixel 7a Google Pixel 7 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GWKK3, G0DZQ1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GE2AE
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK31, 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 - GE2AE
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / 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, G82U81, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GP4BC
Launch
Announced2023, May 102022, October 06
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, May 10Available. Released 2022, October 13
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight193.5 g (6.84 oz)212 g (7.48 oz)
 IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~512 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.6 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR, 90HzLTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetGoogle Tensor G2 (5 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G710 MP7Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgradesAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual64 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, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single-10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Triple-50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, AF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2USB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless23W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4385 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsCharcoal, Snow, Sea, CoralObsidian, Snow, Hazel
ModelsGWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8GP4BC, GE2AE, GFE4J
Price€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980€ 248.84 / $ 204.00 / £ 259.99 / ₹ 36,999
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 83h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 796369 (v9) GeekBench: 3187 (v5.1) GFXBench: 34fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Google Pixel 7a

  • Excellent value
  • Great camera for the price
  • Compact and pocketable
  • Smooth 90Hz display
  • Clean Android experience

  • Slower charging
  • Less versatile camera system
  • Smaller battery
  • No telephoto lens

Google Pixel 7 Pro

  • Superior display (larger, smoother, brighter)
  • More versatile camera system (telephoto lens)
  • Longer battery life
  • Faster charging (wired & wireless)
  • Premium design
  • Reverse wireless charging

  • Higher price
  • Larger size may not be ideal for everyone

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7 Pro boasts a larger 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display with a dynamic refresh rate (10-120Hz) and a peak brightness of 1090 nits, offering smoother scrolling and vibrant visuals. Its contrast ratio is effectively infinite. The Pixel 7a features a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1070 nits. While still excellent, the 7 Pro's display is noticeably more premium and immersive.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7 Pro's camera system is significantly more versatile. It includes a 50MP main lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. The Pixel 7a features a 64MP main lens and a 13MP ultrawide lens. Both phones deliver excellent image quality thanks to Google's computational photography, but the 7 Pro's telephoto lens provides greater zoom capabilities and creative options.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Google Tensor G2 chipset, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks and demanding apps. While the hardware is identical, the 7 Pro might have slightly better thermal management due to its larger size, potentially sustaining peak performance for longer periods. However, in typical usage, the difference is minimal.

Battery Life

The Pixel 7 Pro has a larger battery and generally offers longer battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 83 hours. The Pixel 7a's battery provides a respectable endurance rating of 76 hours. The 7 Pro also supports faster 23W wired and wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging, while the 7a is limited to 18W wired and 7.5W wireless charging.

Buying Guide

The Pixel 7a is ideal for budget-conscious users who want a flagship-level camera and smooth performance without breaking the bank. It's perfect for everyday use, social media, and capturing memories. The Pixel 7 Pro is for users who demand the best possible display, a more advanced camera system with telephoto capabilities, faster charging, and extended battery life. It's a great choice for photography enthusiasts and power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Pixel 7a worth the price?
Absolutely! The Pixel 7a offers incredible value, delivering flagship-level features at a mid-range price. It's a fantastic option for those on a budget who still want a great camera and smooth performance.
❓ Is the Pixel 7 Pro worth the extra money?
If you prioritize a premium display, a more versatile camera system with telephoto zoom, faster charging, and longer battery life, then the Pixel 7 Pro is worth the investment. However, if you're on a tighter budget, the Pixel 7a provides an excellent experience for a lower price.