Google Pixel 7a vs. HTC A101 Plus: A Detailed Comparison

The Google Pixel 7a and the HTC A101 Plus represent opposite ends of the smartphone spectrum. The Pixel 7a aims to deliver a flagship-adjacent experience at a mid-range price, leveraging Google’s Tensor G2 chip and renowned camera capabilities. The HTC A101 Plus, conversely, focuses on affordability, utilizing a Unisoc T606 chipset and prioritizing essential functionality. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Google Pixel 7a is the superior choice. Its significantly more powerful Tensor G2 chipset, coupled with a brighter display and vastly superior camera system, justifies the price difference. However, the HTC A101 Plus offers a compelling option for those on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic smartphone functionality.

PHONES
Phone Names HTC A101 Plus Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 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
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / 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
Announced2024, May 032023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, May 03Available. Released 2023, May 10
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions256.6 x 168.2 x 7.5 mm (10.10 x 6.62 x 0.30 in)152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight501 g (1.10 lb)193.5 g (6.84 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~207 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size10.95 inches, 347.7 cm2 (~80.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDOLED, HDR, 90Hz
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetUnisoc T606 (12 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP1Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 14Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual13 MP Secondary lens64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
FeaturesLED flashDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Video1080p4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video-4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningUnspecifiedGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connectorUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band
Features
SensorsYesFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging10W wired18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
Type7000 mAhLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray, SilverCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
Models-GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
PriceAbout 150 EUR€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980

HTC A101 Plus

  • Extremely affordable price point.
  • Functional for basic smartphone tasks.
  • Acceptable battery life for light usage.

  • Significantly underpowered processor.
  • Likely poor camera performance.
  • Slow charging speed (10W).

Google Pixel 7a

  • Powerful Google Tensor G2 chipset.
  • Excellent camera system with Google’s AI features.
  • Bright and vibrant OLED display.
  • Faster charging with wireless charging support.

  • Higher price point.
  • May be overkill for basic users.
  • Not expandable storage.

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1070 nits, compared to an assumed lower brightness on the HTC A101 Plus (spec not provided). This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. While the A101 Plus’s panel specifications are unknown, the Pixel 7a’s OLED panel offers superior contrast and color accuracy. The Pixel 7a’s 90Hz refresh rate (not specified for A101 Plus) also contributes to a smoother scrolling experience, a noticeable benefit for everyday use.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7a’s camera system is a major differentiator. While specific sensor details aren’t provided, Google’s computational photography prowess, powered by the Tensor G2, delivers exceptional image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Pixel 7a excels in both photo and video capture. The HTC A101 Plus’s camera capabilities are likely to be significantly more limited, given its budget positioning and the Unisoc T606’s image signal processor (ISP). The absence of optical image stabilization (OIS) on the A101 Plus (assumed) further disadvantages it in low-light scenarios.

Performance

The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2, built on a 5nm process, features a prime Cortex-X1 core clocked at 2.85 GHz, alongside Cortex-A78 and A55 cores. This architecture is designed for demanding tasks like AI processing and gaming. In contrast, the HTC A101 Plus utilizes the Unisoc T606 (12nm), with a less powerful core configuration of Cortex-A75 and A55 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz. The Tensor G2’s superior process node and core design result in significantly faster processing speeds and improved efficiency, making the Pixel 7a the clear winner for users who multitask, game, or use resource-intensive applications.

Battery Life

The Pixel 7a has an endurance rating of 76 hours, indicating solid battery life. While the A101 Plus’s battery capacity is unknown, its 10W wired charging is considerably slower than the Pixel 7a’s 18W wired charging with PD3.0 and 7.5W wireless charging. The Pixel 7a’s faster charging speeds allow for quicker top-ups, minimizing downtime. The Tensor G2’s efficiency, despite its power, contributes to competitive battery performance, offsetting the potential impact of a smaller battery capacity (not specified).

Buying Guide

Buy the HTC A101 Plus if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and your budget is under $150. You're willing to compromise on performance and camera quality for affordability. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prioritize a smooth user experience, excellent camera capabilities, and access to Google’s AI features, and are willing to spend around $400. You value performance and a better overall smartphone experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Unisoc T606 in the HTC A101 Plus capable of running popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Unisoc T606 can technically run PUBG Mobile, expect significantly reduced graphics settings and potential frame rate drops. The chipset lacks the processing power and GPU performance to deliver a smooth gaming experience, especially in demanding scenarios. It's best suited for casual gaming or less graphically intensive titles.
❓ How does the Pixel 7a's Tensor G2 handle sustained performance during long gaming sessions?
The Tensor G2, while powerful, can exhibit some thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. However, Google has implemented software optimizations to mitigate this, and the Pixel 7a generally maintains a playable frame rate for most games. The 5nm process helps with thermal efficiency compared to the A101 Plus's 12nm chip.
❓ Does the HTC A101 Plus support over-the-air (OTA) software updates?
HTC's update track record has been inconsistent in recent years. It's unlikely the A101 Plus will receive frequent or long-term software updates, potentially leaving it vulnerable to security risks and missing out on new features. The Pixel 7a, on the other hand, is guaranteed several years of Android updates and security patches directly from Google.
❓ What type of charging protocol does the HTC A101 Plus use, and how long does it take to fully charge?
The HTC A101 Plus uses a standard 10W wired charging protocol via Micro-USB (assumed). Given the likely smaller battery capacity, a full charge will likely take between 2.5 to 3.5 hours. This is significantly slower than the Pixel 7a's 18W PD3.0 charging.