Google Pixel 7a vs. Motorola Moto G05: A Detailed Comparison

The Google Pixel 7a and Motorola Moto G05 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 computational photography and Tensor G2 chip. Conversely, the Moto G05 prioritizes longevity and affordability, focusing on maximizing battery life and offering a reliable, if less flashy, experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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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 G05 excels in battery endurance, lasting considerably longer on a single charge, making it ideal for users prioritizing longevity over all else.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G05 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 bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 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, December 172023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, January 13Available. Released 2023, May 10
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, silicone polymer back (eco leather)Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions165.7 x 76 x 8.2 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.32 in)152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight188.8 g (6.67 oz)193.5 g (6.84 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 6Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzOLED, HDR, 90Hz
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G81 Extreme (12 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 15Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB 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
FeaturesLED flash, HDRDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1.12µm13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@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
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB 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, proximityFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
Type5200 mAhLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsPlum Red, Fresh Lavender, Forest Green, Misty BlueCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
ModelsXT2523-2, XT2523-3, XT2523-11GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
Price€ 82.38 / $ 108.00 / £ 77.00 / ₹ 7,316€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980
EU LABEL
Battery60:22h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass B (180 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Motorola Moto G05

  • Superior camera performance with Google’s computational photography
  • Faster and more efficient Google Tensor G2 chipset
  • Brighter and more vibrant display
  • Wireless charging and PD3.0 support

  • Shorter battery life compared to the Moto G05
  • Higher price point

Google Pixel 7a

  • Exceptional battery endurance (60:22h)
  • More affordable price
  • Long-lasting battery health (1000 cycles)
  • Reliable performance for basic tasks

  • Significantly slower processor
  • Inferior camera quality
  • Less vibrant display

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1070 nits, compared to the Moto G05’s unspecified brightness. This translates to superior visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the Moto G05’s panel technology isn’t specified, the Pixel 7a likely utilizes an OLED panel offering richer colors and deeper blacks. The Pixel 7a’s display is also likely to have a higher refresh rate (though not specified), contributing to smoother scrolling and animations. The G05’s display is likely a standard LCD, prioritizing cost savings over visual fidelity.

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 dynamic range, low-light performance, and overall image clarity. The Moto G05’s camera capabilities are likely more basic, focusing on providing acceptable results in good lighting conditions. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the G05 will hinder low-light photography and video recording. The Pixel 7a’s video capabilities are also expected to be superior, offering features like 4K recording and advanced stabilization.

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 2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 cores, 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture, combined with the 5nm fabrication, delivers significantly higher processing power and efficiency compared to the Moto G05’s MediaTek Helio G81 Extreme (12nm). The G05’s octa-core CPU (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding games or multitasking. The Tensor G2’s integrated AI capabilities also enhance features like voice recognition and image processing, areas where the G05 will fall behind.

Battery Life

The Motorola Moto G05 claims an impressive 60:22h endurance rating, suggesting exceptional battery life. This is likely achieved through a combination of a large battery capacity (unspecified) and the power efficiency of the Helio G81 Extreme. The Pixel 7a, with a reported 76h endurance rating, also offers respectable battery life, but falls short of the G05’s longevity. Both phones support 18W wired charging, but the Pixel 7a adds the convenience of 7.5W wireless charging and supports PD3.0 for faster wired charging speeds. The G05’s 1000 cycle battery claim suggests a focus on long-term battery health.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G05 if you need a phone that can reliably last through two full days of moderate use, and prioritize battery life above all else. You’ll appreciate its affordability and dependable performance for everyday tasks. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you value a best-in-class camera, a fluid user experience powered by Google’s Tensor G2, and features like wireless charging and a brighter, more vibrant display. You’re willing to trade some battery life for a more premium overall experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the MediaTek Helio G81 in the Moto G05 struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Helio G81 is a mid-range chipset and will likely struggle to run demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings. You’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings significantly to achieve playable frame rates, and even then, expect some stuttering. The Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How does the Pixel 7a's image processing compare to the Moto G05 in low-light conditions?
The Pixel 7a’s image processing is dramatically superior in low-light conditions. Google’s Night Sight mode utilizes computational photography to capture significantly brighter and more detailed images with less noise. The Moto G05 will produce noticeably darker and grainier images in low light due to its less advanced image processing capabilities and lack of OIS.
❓ Is the 7.5W wireless charging on the Pixel 7a significantly slower than the 18W wired charging?
Yes, 7.5W wireless charging is considerably slower than 18W wired charging. Expect a full wireless charge to take several hours, while wired charging will be much faster. However, wireless charging offers convenience, allowing you to top up your phone without plugging it in.