Moto G86 Power vs. Google Pixel 7a: A Deep Dive into Battery, Performance, and Camera

The Motorola Moto G86 Power and Google Pixel 7a represent distinct philosophies in the mid-range smartphone market. The G86 Power aggressively targets users prioritizing all-day (and multi-day) battery life, while the Pixel 7a focuses on delivering a flagship-adjacent experience with Google’s Tensor G2 chip and renowned camera capabilities. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right device.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the Google Pixel 7a emerges as the stronger all-rounder. Its Tensor G2 chipset provides a smoother, more responsive experience, and its camera system is demonstrably superior. However, if battery life is your absolute top priority, the Moto G86 Power’s exceptional endurance is unmatched.

PHONES
Phone Names	Motorola Moto G86 Power	Google Pixel 7a

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 71 - EMEA & AP	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	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - EMEA & AP	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	2025, May 29	2023, May 10
Status	Available. Released 2025, July 30	Available. Released 2023, May 10

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), plastic frame, silicone polymer (eco leather) back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions	161.2 x 74.7 x 8.7 mm (6.35 x 2.94 x 0.34 in)	152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight	195 or 198 g (6.98 oz)	193.5 g (6.84 oz)
	-	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 4	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio)	6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	P-OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 4500 nits peak	OLED, HDR, 90Hz
	-	Always-on display

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - GlobalOcta-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - India	Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm) - GlobalMediatek Dimensity 7400 (4 nm) - India	Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPU	Mali-G615 MC2	Mali-G710 MP7
OS	Android 15, up to 2 major Android upgrades	Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM
	-	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Dual	50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF	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	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR, panorama
Single	32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.7µm	13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	-	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos)	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.4, A2DP, LE	5.3, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS	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/6, dual-band	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

Battery
Charging	30W wired	18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
Type	6720 mAh	Li-Po 4385 mAh

Misc
Colors	Pantone: Spellbound, Golden Cypress, Cosmic Sky, Chrysanthemum	Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
Models	XT2527-7	GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
Price	$ 472.00 / € 269.90 / ₹ 17,000	€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980

EU LABEL
Battery	67:39h endurance, 1000 cycles	-
Energy	Class A	-
Free fall	Class B (180 falls)	-
Repairability	Class B	-

Motorola Moto G86 Power

Exceptional battery life (67:39h endurance)
Faster 30W wired charging
Potentially more affordable price point

Less powerful processor than the Pixel 7a
Inferior camera system
No wireless charging

Google Pixel 7a

Superior performance with Google Tensor G2
Excellent camera quality and image processing
Wireless charging support

Shorter battery life compared to the G86 Power
Slower 18W wired charging
Generally higher price

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a boasts a brighter display, peaking at 1070 nits, offering superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Moto G86 Power (brightness data unavailable). While the G86 Power’s panel specifics are unknown, the Pixel 7a’s OLED panel delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Pixel 7a’s 90Hz refresh rate, though not specified for the G86 Power, likely provides a smoother scrolling experience. The Pixel 7a’s smaller bezels contribute to a more modern aesthetic.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7a’s camera system is a clear standout. While specific sensor details are missing for the G86 Power, the Pixel 7a’s image processing, powered by the Tensor G2, delivers exceptional dynamic range and detail in both photos and videos. Google’s computational photography algorithms excel in low-light conditions. The Pixel 7a’s video capabilities are also superior, offering features like Cinematic Blur. The G86 Power likely relies more on hardware for image quality, potentially struggling in challenging lighting scenarios. Ignoring any potential 2MP macro lenses on either device, the Pixel 7a’s main sensor and image processing pipeline are the key differentiators.

Performance

The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 (5nm) chipset, featuring a Cortex-X1 prime core, offers a significant performance advantage over the Motorola Moto G86 Power’s Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4nm) or 7400 (4nm). The Tensor G2’s architecture, with its focus on AI and machine learning, translates to faster image processing and improved voice assistant capabilities. While the Dimensity chips are efficient, the Tensor G2’s more powerful GPU will deliver a better gaming experience. The G86 Power’s Cortex-A78 cores are capable, but the Pixel 7a’s X1 core provides a noticeable boost in single-core performance. The Pixel 7a also benefits from faster LPDDR5x RAM, further enhancing responsiveness.

Battery Life

The Motorola Moto G86 Power truly shines in battery endurance, achieving a remarkable 67:39h rating. This is significantly longer than the Pixel 7a’s 76h (older rating, likely lower with current software). However, the Pixel 7a offers the convenience of 7.5W wireless charging, a feature absent on the G86 Power. The G86 Power’s 30W wired charging is faster than the Pixel 7a’s 18W wired charging with PD3.0, allowing for quicker top-ups, but the G86 Power’s longevity means you’ll need to charge it less frequently.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G86 Power if you need a phone that can reliably last two days on a single charge, frequently travel without easy access to power outlets, or prioritize value above all else. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prefer a more polished software experience, a significantly better camera for photos and videos, and a faster, more capable processor for demanding apps and games.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 7300/7400 in the Moto G86 Power struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?

While the Dimensity 7300/7400 is a capable chip, it won't deliver the same level of sustained performance as the Tensor G2 in demanding games. You'll likely need to lower graphics settings to maintain a smooth frame rate in titles like Genshin Impact, and may experience some thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.

❓ How does the Pixel 7a's camera perform in low-light conditions compared to the Moto G86 Power?

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 Moto G86 Power is likely to achieve, which will rely more on the sensor's inherent low-light performance.

❓ Given the battery endurance of the Moto G86 Power, how long can it realistically last with moderate usage (social media, calls, browsing)?

With moderate usage, the Moto G86 Power can easily last two full days, and potentially even three, on a single charge. The 67:39h endurance rating suggests it's designed for users who want to minimize charging frequency.

❓ Does the Pixel 7a support faster charging than its advertised 18W, and does it benefit from using a higher wattage charger?

While the Pixel 7a officially supports 18W charging with PD3.0, it can accept slightly higher wattage chargers (up to 21W) without issue, though the gains are minimal. The charging speed remains relatively slow compared to the Moto G86 Power’s 30W charging.