HMD Bold vs Google Pixel 7a: A Detailed Comparison for Smart Buyers
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing camera quality and a smooth software experience, the Google Pixel 7a is the clear winner. However, the HMD Bold offers a compelling value proposition for those on a tighter budget who don't require top-tier performance or advanced camera features.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | HMD Bold | Google Pixel 7a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / 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 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | - | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | - | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~262 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.1 cm2 | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | OLED, HDR, 90Hz |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T7200 (12 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | 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 | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, (wide), AF Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless |
| Type | 5000 mAh, user replaceable | Li-Po 4385 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black; other colors | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Models | - | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 |
| Price | About 80 EUR | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 |
HMD Bold
- More affordable price point
- Faster wired charging (20W)
- Potentially longer battery life (depending on capacity)
- Significantly weaker performance
- Inferior camera system
- Likely limited software updates
Google Pixel 7a
- Superior performance with Google Tensor G2
- Excellent camera quality and features
- Guaranteed software updates and AI features
- Higher price
- Slower wired charging (18W)
- Wireless charging is relatively slow (7.5W)
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 7a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1070 nits, compared to an assumed lower brightness on the HMD Bold (spec not provided). This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the HMD Bold’s display specifications are unknown, the Pixel 7a’s panel likely offers superior color accuracy and viewing angles. The Pixel 7a’s display is also likely to have a higher refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and animations, a feature likely absent on the HMD Bold.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 7a’s camera system is a major differentiator. While specific sensor details are not provided, Google’s computational photography prowess, powered by the Tensor G2, elevates image quality significantly. The Pixel 7a excels in low-light photography and offers features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur. The HMD Bold’s camera capabilities are likely more basic, focusing on providing acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions. The absence of details regarding OIS or advanced features suggests a simpler camera experience.
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Google Pixel 7a’s Google Tensor G2 (5nm) chipset, with its Cortex-X1 and A78 cores clocked at 2.85GHz and 2.35GHz respectively, delivers significantly more processing power than the HMD Bold’s Unisoc T7200 (12nm). The Tensor G2’s architecture, built on a smaller 5nm process, also provides better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. The HMD Bold’s Cortex-A75 and A55 cores, while capable, are older and less efficient. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
Battery Life
The Pixel 7a’s endurance rating of 76 hours suggests excellent battery life, despite its 18W wired and 7.5W wireless charging capabilities. The HMD Bold’s 20W wired charging is slightly faster, but the overall battery performance will depend on the battery capacity (not provided). The Pixel 7a’s PD3.0 support also offers more versatile charging options. The Tensor G2’s efficiency likely contributes to the Pixel 7a’s impressive endurance, offsetting the lower charging wattage.
Buying Guide
Buy the HMD Bold if you need a reliable, functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and prioritize affordability above all else. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you value a superior camera system, faster performance for demanding apps, and Google’s guaranteed software updates and AI features, even at a higher price point.