Google Pixel 7a vs. Motorola Moto G (2023): A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Google Pixel 7a is the superior choice, offering a significantly better camera experience and smoother performance thanks to the Tensor G2 chipset. However, the Motorola Moto G (2023) is a compelling option for those prioritizing affordability and basic smartphone functionality.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Moto G (2023) | Google Pixel 7a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 | 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 | 2, 5, 7, 12, 14, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 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, 5G | 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 | 2023, May 02 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 25 | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.95 x 0.33 in) | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) |
| Water-repellent design | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | OLED, HDR, 90Hz |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) | 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, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4385 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Ink Blue | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Models | XT2313 | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 |
| Price | $ 56.55 | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 |
Motorola Moto G (2023)
- Superior camera performance with Google’s computational photography.
- Faster and more efficient Google Tensor G2 processor.
- Brighter and potentially smoother display (90Hz assumed).
- Wireless charging support.
- Higher price point than the Moto G (2023).
- May experience some thermal throttling under sustained heavy load.
Google Pixel 7a
- Significantly more affordable.
- Decent battery life due to efficient processor.
- 5G connectivity.
- Clean Android experience (Motorola's near-stock UI).
- Substantially slower performance.
- Inferior camera quality.
- Likely lower display brightness and color accuracy.
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 Moto G (2023) given its market positioning. While the Moto G’s panel specifications are not provided, the Pixel 7a’s brightness ensures excellent visibility outdoors. The Pixel 7a likely utilizes an OLED panel, offering superior contrast and color accuracy, while the Moto G (2023) likely uses an LCD. The Pixel 7a’s 90Hz refresh rate (implied by Pixel A-series history) would also provide a smoother scrolling experience than the standard 60Hz expected on the Moto G (2023).
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 7a’s camera system is a clear standout. While specific sensor details aren’t provided, Google’s computational photography prowess, powered by the Tensor G2, elevates image quality significantly. The Pixel 7a excels in low-light conditions and offers features like Super Res Zoom. The Moto G (2023) likely features a more basic camera setup, prioritizing affordability over advanced features. The Pixel 7a’s video capabilities are also superior, with features like Cinematic Pan and 4K recording. The Moto G (2023) will likely offer acceptable image quality in good lighting, but will struggle in challenging conditions.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2, fabricated on a 5nm process, features a tri-cluster CPU configuration with high-performance Cortex-X1 cores, delivering significantly faster processing speeds than the Motorola Moto G (2023)’s Snapdragon 480+ 5G. The Snapdragon 480+ (8nm) is designed for efficiency, but its Kryo 460 cores are less powerful. The Tensor G2’s advanced AI capabilities also enable features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur, unavailable on the Moto G. While the Moto G (2023) is adequate for basic tasks, the Pixel 7a handles demanding apps and multitasking with ease. The Pixel 7a also benefits from faster LPDDR5x RAM (implied) compared to the Moto G’s likely LPDDR4x.
Battery Life
The Pixel 7a has an endurance rating of 76 hours, suggesting efficient power management despite its powerful processor. The Moto G (2023) battery capacity is unknown, but its less demanding chipset should contribute to decent battery life. The Pixel 7a offers 18W wired charging with PD3.0 and 7.5W wireless charging, providing more versatile charging options than the Moto G (2023)’s 15W wired charging. While the Pixel 7a’s charging isn’t exceptionally fast, the addition of wireless charging is a significant convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G (2023) if you need a reliable, affordable smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and aren't concerned with high-end gaming or advanced camera features. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prioritize camera quality, smooth performance, and access to Google’s AI-powered features, and are willing to spend a bit more for a premium experience.