Motorola S50 Neo vs. Google Pixel 7a: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Powerhouses
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing camera quality and software experience, the Google Pixel 7a is the clear winner. Its Tensor G2 chip, while not the fastest, offers a smoother, more refined experience, and its camera consistently delivers excellent results. However, the Motorola S50 Neo provides a viable alternative for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize efficiency.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola S50 Neo | Google Pixel 7a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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 | SA/NSA/Sub6 | 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 / CDMA / 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 | 2024, June 25 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, June 28 | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back or silicone polymer (eco leather) back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 73.1 x 7.6 mm (6.37 x 2.88 x 0.30 in) | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 171 g or 173 g (6.03 oz) | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~91.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR, 90Hz |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide) | 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@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical); unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4385 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Olivine, Surf, Gray | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Models | XT2427-4 | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 |
| Price | - | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 |
Motorola S50 Neo
- Faster 30W wired charging
- Potentially better battery efficiency with Snapdragon 6s Gen 3
- More affordable price point
- Less powerful processor compared to Tensor G2
- Inferior camera system
- Likely slower software updates
Google Pixel 7a
- Superior camera quality and image processing
- More powerful Tensor G2 processor
- Guaranteed software updates and features
- Slower 18W wired charging
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
- Higher price
Display Comparison
The Pixel 7a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1070 nits, compared to the S50 Neo’s unspecified brightness. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the S50 Neo’s panel technology isn’t detailed, the Pixel 7a’s OLED panel offers superior contrast and color accuracy. The Pixel 7a’s smaller bezels also contribute to a more immersive viewing experience. The absence of LTPO on either device suggests neither offers adaptive refresh rates for power saving.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 7a’s camera system is a major differentiator. While specific sensor details are missing for the S50 Neo, the Pixel 7a’s image processing capabilities, powered by the Tensor G2’s ISP, are renowned for their dynamic range and computational photography features. The Pixel 7a excels in low-light conditions and offers features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur. The S50 Neo likely relies more on hardware limitations, and while it may produce acceptable images in good lighting, it won’t match the Pixel 7a’s consistency and advanced features. We can assume the Pixel 7a has OIS, which the S50 Neo may lack.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 (5nm) is architecturally more advanced than the Motorola S50 Neo’s Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6nm). The Tensor G2 features a tri-cluster configuration with Cortex-X1 performance cores clocked at 2.85 GHz, offering a substantial performance advantage over the S50 Neo’s Kryo 660 Gold cores at 2.2 GHz. While the 6nm process of the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 offers some efficiency gains, the Tensor G2’s 5nm node and more sophisticated architecture provide superior overall performance, particularly in AI-driven tasks and image processing. The Pixel 7a is likely to handle demanding games and applications with greater ease.
Battery Life
The Pixel 7a has an endurance rating of 76 hours, suggesting good battery life despite its 18W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging. The Motorola S50 Neo counters with 30W wired charging, potentially offering faster top-ups. However, the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3’s efficiency may allow the S50 Neo to achieve comparable real-world battery life, despite potentially having a smaller capacity. The Pixel 7a’s PD3.0 support offers faster charging with compatible chargers, while the S50 Neo lacks this standard.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola S50 Neo if you need a dependable daily driver with a focus on battery efficiency and are comfortable with a more basic software experience. It’s ideal for users who prioritize practicality over premium features. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prefer a superior camera system, a cleaner Android experience with guaranteed updates, and a more powerful processor for demanding tasks, even if it means sacrificing some battery life and paying a higher price.