Moto E7 vs. Pixel 4a 5G: Which Budget Phone Delivers the Best Value?

The Motorola Moto E7 and Google Pixel 4a 5G represent distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Moto E7 prioritizes affordability, while the Pixel 4a 5G aims to deliver a near-stock Android experience with 5G connectivity at a slightly higher price point. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best balance of features and performance.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a smooth experience, better camera capabilities, and 5G connectivity, the Google Pixel 4a 5G is the clear winner. While the Moto E7 offers exceptional value for basic tasks, the Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 4a 5G provides a significantly more responsive and future-proof experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto E7 Google Pixel 4a 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe, AsiaHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - Europe1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 Sub6, mmWave (market dependant)
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Asia-
Launch
Announced2020, November 24. Released 2020, December 092020, September 30
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, November 05
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions164.9 x 75.7 x 8.9 mm (6.49 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)153.9 x 74 x 8.2 mm (Sub-6) or 8.5 mm (Sub-6 and mmWave)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)168 g (5G Sub-6); 171 g ( 5G Sub-6 and mmWave) (5.93 oz)
 Water-repellent coating-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~413 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.2 inches, 95.7 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDOLED, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 620
OSAndroid 10Android 11, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro)12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 107˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single5 MP, f/2.28 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging10W wired18W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 3885 mAh
Misc
ColorsMineral Gray, Aqua Blue, Satin CoralJust Black, Clearly White
Models-GD1YQ, G025I, G025E, G025H, G6QU3
PriceAbout 110 EURAbout 140 EUR

Motorola Moto E7

  • Extremely affordable price point
  • Potentially longer battery life due to less demanding hardware
  • Simple and straightforward Android experience

  • Significantly slower performance
  • Inferior camera quality
  • Limited 5G connectivity

Google Pixel 4a 5G

  • Faster and more responsive performance
  • Superior camera quality with Google’s image processing
  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
  • Faster charging with PD2.0

  • Higher price point
  • Potentially shorter battery life compared to Moto E7 (though optimized)
  • May receive fewer software updates than other Pixel devices

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific panel details (like brightness in nits) are unavailable for the Moto E7, its market positioning suggests a standard LCD panel. The Pixel 4a 5G also utilizes an LCD, but benefits from Google’s image processing, likely resulting in more accurate color reproduction. The real difference lies in the processing power driving the display; the Snapdragon 765G will handle UI animations and video playback more smoothly than the Helio G25.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 4a 5G’s camera system is a major advantage. While specific sensor sizes aren’t provided, Google’s computational photography prowess elevates image quality significantly. The Snapdragon 765G’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is far more capable than the one found in the Helio G25, enabling features like Night Sight and improved HDR processing. The Moto E7 likely relies heavily on software enhancements to compensate for its less powerful hardware, but will struggle to match the Pixel’s dynamic range and detail in challenging lighting conditions. Ignoring the typical 2MP macro lens found on both, the Pixel's main sensor and processing will deliver superior results.

Performance

The performance gap between these two phones is substantial. The Motorola Moto E7’s Mediatek Helio G25, built on a 12nm process, features a split-core CPU configuration (2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53). This is geared towards efficiency, but struggles with demanding tasks. Conversely, the Google Pixel 4a 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm) employs a tri-cluster architecture (Kryo 475 Prime, Gold, and Silver) offering significantly higher single-core and multi-core performance. The 7nm process also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. Gamers and power users will overwhelmingly prefer the Pixel 4a 5G.

Battery Life

The Moto E7’s focus on affordability likely means a larger battery capacity, though specific numbers are unavailable. However, the Pixel 4a 5G’s more efficient Snapdragon 765G chipset and optimized software will likely result in comparable, if not better, real-world battery life. Furthermore, the Pixel 4a 5G supports 18W wired charging with PD2.0, offering significantly faster charging speeds than the Moto E7’s 10W charging. This means less time tethered to an outlet.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto E7 if you need a highly affordable smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and battery life is your top priority. Buy the Google Pixel 4a 5G if you prefer a faster processor for smoother multitasking and gaming, a superior camera system for capturing high-quality photos and videos, and the benefits of 5G connectivity for faster data speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Moto E7 struggle with popular apps like TikTok or Instagram?
Yes, the Helio G25 chipset in the Moto E7 is likely to exhibit noticeable lag and slowdown when running demanding apps like TikTok or Instagram, especially when multitasking. The Pixel 4a 5G’s Snapdragon 765G will provide a much smoother and more responsive experience.
❓ Does the Pixel 4a 5G's 5G connectivity actually make a difference in real-world use?
The benefit of 5G on the Pixel 4a 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. In areas with strong 5G signals, you’ll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G LTE. However, if 5G coverage is limited, the difference may be negligible.
❓ Is the camera on the Pixel 4a 5G good enough for casual photography and social media?
Absolutely. The Pixel 4a 5G’s camera excels in casual photography, delivering excellent image quality in most lighting conditions. Google’s image processing automatically enhances photos, making them shareable on social media without requiring extensive editing.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone?
The Moto E7, with its 10W charging, will likely take over 3 hours to fully charge. The Pixel 4a 5G, supporting 18W PD2.0 charging, can reach a full charge in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, offering a much faster charging experience.