Google Pixel 7a vs HMD Vibe: A Detailed Comparison of Performance, Camera, and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Google Pixel 7a is the superior choice. Its Tensor G2 chipset delivers significantly faster performance and superior AI capabilities, while its camera system is in a different league. However, the HMD Vibe presents a compelling option for those prioritizing extreme budget consciousness and basic smartphone functionality.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | HMD Vibe | 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 | 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, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 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 / 5G | 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 | 2025, September 11 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 11 | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 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 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 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 (1x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x Cortex-A76 & 4x Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T760 (6 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | 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 | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide) Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| 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, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4385 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Purple | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Models | - | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 |
HMD Vibe
- Superior performance with the Google Tensor G2 chipset
- Exceptional camera quality and computational photography features
- Guaranteed software updates and a clean Android experience
- Higher price point compared to the HMD Vibe
- May experience some thermal throttling under sustained heavy load
Google Pixel 7a
- Extremely affordable price
- Decent battery life for basic usage
- Functional and reliable for essential smartphone tasks
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Pixel 7a
- Limited camera capabilities and image quality
Display Comparison
The Pixel 7a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1070 nits, compared to an assumed lower peak brightness on the HMD Vibe (typical of its price segment). This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize OLED panels, the Pixel 7a’s higher brightness and potentially wider color gamut offer a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. Details regarding the HMD Vibe’s panel technology (e.g., refresh rate, PWM dimming) are currently unavailable, but the Pixel 7a’s display is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 7a’s camera system is a major differentiator. While specific sensor details are missing for the HMD Vibe, the Pixel 7a leverages Google’s computational photography expertise. The Pixel 7a excels in low-light conditions and offers features like Super Res Zoom and Cinematic Blur. The HMD Vibe will likely offer a more basic camera experience, suitable for casual snapshots, but lacking the advanced features and image quality of the Pixel 7a. The absence of details regarding OIS on the HMD Vibe further suggests a less sophisticated camera system.
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2, fabricated on a 5nm process, features a prime Cortex-X1 core clocked at 2.85 GHz, alongside Cortex-A78 performance cores. This architecture is designed for demanding tasks and AI processing. In contrast, the HMD Vibe utilizes the Unisoc T760 (6nm), with a mix of Cortex-A76 and A55 cores. While the Unisoc chip is efficient, its core configuration and clock speeds are significantly lower, resulting in noticeably slower app loading times, multitasking, and gaming performance. The Tensor G2’s integrated machine learning capabilities also enable features like Magic Eraser and improved voice recognition, unavailable on the HMD Vibe.
Battery Life
The Pixel 7a has an endurance rating of 76 hours, indicating solid battery life despite a likely smaller capacity than some competitors. The HMD Vibe’s battery capacity is unknown, but its less power-hungry Unisoc T760 chipset could potentially offer comparable longevity under light usage. Both devices support 18W wired charging, but the Pixel 7a adds the convenience of 7.5W wireless charging and PD3.0 support for faster wired charging with compatible adapters. This provides greater flexibility for users.
Buying Guide
Buy the HMD Vibe if you need a functional smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light browsing, and your budget is extremely limited. You'll appreciate its simplicity and affordability. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prioritize a high-quality camera, smooth performance for demanding apps, and a feature-rich software experience with guaranteed updates. It's a worthwhile investment for users who value a premium experience without the flagship price tag.