Google Pixel 7a vs. Huawei Nova 10 SE: A Detailed Comparison

The Google Pixel 7a and Huawei nova 10 SE occupy a similar price bracket, but cater to vastly different priorities. The Pixel 7a brings Google’s renowned computational photography and the Tensor G2 chip to a more accessible price point, while the nova 10 SE focuses on rapid charging and a streamlined user experience. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Google Pixel 7a is the superior choice. Its Tensor G2 chipset delivers significantly better performance and future-proofing, coupled with Google’s exceptional camera software. While the nova 10 SE boasts impressive 66W charging, it can’t match the Pixel 7a’s overall capabilities.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 10 SE Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - BNE-LX1HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - BNE-LX11, 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, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - BNE-LX31, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GHL1X, G82U8
Launch
Announced2022, October 052023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 25Available. Released 2023, May 10
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions162.4 x 75.5 x 7.4 mm (6.39 x 2.97 x 0.29 in)152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight184 g (6.49 oz)193.5 g (6.84 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 90HzOLED, HDR, 90Hz
 Always-On DisplayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 680G 4G (6 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G710 MP7
OSEMUI 12, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 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
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)-
Triple108 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (BNE-LX1 only)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (ultrasound)Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired 5W reverse wired18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsStarry Silver, Mint Green, Starry BlackCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
ModelsBNE-LX1, BNE-LX3, BNE-AL00GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
PriceAbout 170 EUR€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980

Huawei nova 10 SE

  • Significantly faster processor with the Google Tensor G2
  • Superior camera performance and image processing
  • Guaranteed software updates and security patches

  • Slower charging speed (18W)
  • Potentially lower battery endurance compared to nova 10 SE

Google Pixel 7a

  • Extremely fast 66W wired charging
  • Simple and streamlined user experience
  • Potentially longer battery life due to efficient chipset

  • Less powerful processor, limiting performance in demanding tasks
  • Inferior camera capabilities compared to the Pixel 7a

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a’s display shines with a measured peak brightness of 1070 nits, offering excellent visibility even in direct sunlight – a crucial advantage over the nova 10 SE, whose display brightness is not specified. While both likely utilize OLED panels, the Pixel 7a’s higher brightness and Google’s color calibration expertise provide a more vibrant and accurate viewing experience. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rates are likely fixed, impacting smoothness compared to higher-end phones.

Camera Comparison

Google’s Pixel phones are renowned for their computational photography, and the 7a is no exception. While specific sensor details aren’t provided, the Pixel 7a leverages Google’s Tensor G2 chip for advanced image processing, including features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur. The nova 10 SE’s camera system is less detailed in the provided specs, suggesting a more conventional approach. The Pixel 7a’s superior processing power will likely result in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Ignoring the likely low-resolution macro lens on the nova 10 SE, the Pixel 7a’s video capabilities are also expected to be superior due to the Tensor G2’s dedicated image signal processor.

Performance

The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2, built on a 5nm process, features a tri-cluster configuration with high-performance Cortex-X1 cores, delivering significantly more processing power than the Huawei nova 10 SE’s Snapdragon 680G. The 680G, fabricated on a 6nm node, is geared towards efficiency rather than raw speed; its Cortex-A73 cores are older architecture and will struggle with demanding tasks. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive gaming experience on the Pixel 7a. The Pixel 7a also benefits from potentially faster RAM (likely LPDDR5x) compared to the nova 10 SE.

Battery Life

The Huawei nova 10 SE’s standout feature is its 66W wired charging, allowing for a significantly faster 0-100% charge compared to the Pixel 7a’s 18W charging. While the Pixel 7a boasts a reported 76-hour endurance rating, this is a complex metric. The nova 10 SE’s faster charging mitigates concerns about battery life, allowing for quick top-ups throughout the day. The Pixel 7a also supports 7.5W wireless charging, a feature absent on the nova 10 SE, offering added convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 10 SE if you prioritize extremely fast charging and a simple, uncluttered software experience, and are less concerned with demanding applications or top-tier camera performance. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you value a powerful processor, exceptional camera capabilities powered by AI, and guaranteed software updates directly from Google, even if it means slower charging speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 680G in the nova 10 SE struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 680G is a mid-range chipset and will likely require significant graphics settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates in demanding games like Genshin Impact. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential stuttering, especially during intense combat sequences. The Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How does the Pixel 7a's camera perform in low-light conditions compared to the nova 10 SE?
The Pixel 7a excels in low-light photography thanks to Google’s Night Sight mode and the Tensor G2’s image processing capabilities. It captures brighter, more detailed images with less noise than the nova 10 SE, which likely relies on more traditional low-light processing techniques. Expect a noticeable difference in image quality in challenging lighting scenarios.
❓ Is the lack of 5G connectivity on the nova 10 SE a significant drawback?
Yes, the nova 10 SE’s use of a 4G chipset is a limitation, especially as 5G networks become more widespread. Users in areas with 5G coverage will experience significantly slower data speeds compared to the Pixel 7a, which supports 5G. This impacts streaming, downloading, and overall internet browsing.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Pixel 7a with the 18W charger?
While the Pixel 7a supports 18W charging, the included charger is often lower wattage. A full charge from 0-100% typically takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours. This is considerably slower than the nova 10 SE’s 66W charging, which can fully charge the phone in around 30-40 minutes.