Google Pixel Fold vs Pixel 7a: The Ultimate Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Pixel Fold is a foldable powerhouse offering a unique form factor and larger screen real estate, justifying its premium price. The Pixel 7a remains a fantastic mid-range option with a superb camera and excellent value, making it ideal for budget-conscious users who don't need a foldable.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Google Pixel Fold | 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, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 | 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, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave | 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 / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 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 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, June 27 | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | Unfolded: 139.7 x 158.7 x 5.8 mmFolded: 139.7 x 79.5 x 12.1 mm | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 283 g (9.98 oz) | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) |
| IPX8 water resistant | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1840 x 2208 pixels (~378 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.6 inches, 183.3 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Foldable OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1450 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR, 90Hz |
| Cover display: OLED, 120Hz, HDR, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 5.8 inches, 1080 x 2092 pixels, 17.4:9 ratio, 408 ppi 1200 nits (HBM), 1550 nits (peak) | 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 | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 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 |
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10.8 MP, f/3.1, 112mm (telephoto), 1/3.1", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 10.8 MP, f/2.2, 121˚, (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.25µm | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Cover camera: 9.5 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 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, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wired, PD3.0 Wireless | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4821 mAh | Li-Po 4385 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Porcelain, Obsidian | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Models | G9FPL | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 |
| Price | € 670.87 / $ 389.26 / £ 899.99 | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 |
Google Pixel Fold
- Unique foldable design
- Larger, versatile display
- Excellent camera system with multiple lenses
- Premium build quality
- High price
- Potentially shorter battery life
- Heavier and bulkier than the 7a
- Unknown battery capacity
Google Pixel 7a
- Excellent value for money
- Flagship-level camera performance
- Compact and portable design
- Impressive battery life (76h endurance)
- Smaller display
- Slower charging speeds
- Less premium materials
- No telephoto lens
Display Comparison
The Pixel Fold's standout feature is its foldable 7.6-inch OLED display, offering a tablet-like experience. The Pixel 7a features a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 1070 nits max brightness, which is impressive for its price. While the 7a's display is sharp and vibrant, the Fold's larger size and flexibility provide a significant advantage for productivity and entertainment.
Camera Comparison
Both Pixels deliver exceptional camera performance thanks to Google's computational photography. The Pixel 7a excels in its price range, offering excellent image quality and features. The Pixel Fold has a versatile camera system with multiple lenses, including ultrawide and telephoto, providing more creative options. While the Fold's camera is generally excellent, the 7a's consistent performance and value make it a strong contender.
Performance
Both devices share the Google Tensor G2 chipset, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks and demanding applications. However, the Fold's larger size allows for potentially better thermal management, preventing throttling during extended use. The 7a's smaller size might lead to slightly warmer temperatures under heavy load.
Battery Life
The Pixel 7a boasts an impressive endurance rating of 76 hours, suggesting superior battery life. The Pixel Fold's battery capacity is unknown, but the larger display and foldable design likely consume more power, potentially resulting in shorter battery life compared to the 7a. Charging speeds are also different, with the 7a having slower wired and wireless charging.
Buying Guide
The Google Pixel Fold is for those who crave a large, versatile display for multitasking, media consumption, and a premium experience. The Pixel 7a is perfect for users seeking a flagship-level camera and smooth performance without breaking the bank, prioritizing value and portability.