OnePlus 6T McLaren vs Google Pixel 7a: A Detailed Showdown

The OnePlus 6T McLaren, a legacy device known for its speed, faces off against the Google Pixel 7a, a modern mid-range champion. Both offer compelling features, but cater to different priorities. This comparison dives deep to help you decide which phone is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Pixel 7a wins overall thanks to its superior camera, modern chipset, and software support. However, the OnePlus 6T McLaren still holds appeal for those prioritizing raw performance and fast charging on a budget, though its age is a significant factor.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 6T McLaren Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 711, 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1024/150 MbpsHSPA, 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
Announced2018, December 11. Released 2018, December 132023, May 10
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, May 10
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions157.5 x 74.8 x 8.2 mm (6.20 x 2.94 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
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)193.5 g (6.84 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.41 inches, 100.9 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOptic AMOLEDOLED, HDR, 90Hz
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 630Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, OxygenOS 10Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 10GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual16 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.6", 1.22µm, PDAF, OIS 20 MP (16 MP effective), f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm, PDAF64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 Dirac HD sound-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging30W wired, 50% in 20 min18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
TypeLi-Po 3700 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpeed OrangeCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
Models-GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
PriceAbout 700 EUR€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980
Tests
Performance AnTuTu: 292716 (v7) GeekBench: 9005 (v4.4)-

OnePlus 6T McLaren

  • Fast Charging (30W)
  • Good Performance (for its age)
  • AMOLED Display
  • Relatively Affordable

  • Outdated Chipset
  • Limited Software Updates
  • Weaker Camera
  • Shorter Battery Life

Google Pixel 7a

  • Excellent Camera
  • Clean Android Experience
  • Guaranteed Software Updates
  • Bright Display
  • Wireless Charging

  • Slower Charging (18W)
  • Tensor G2 can be inconsistent
  • Higher Price

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a boasts a significantly brighter display (1070 nits) compared to the OnePlus 6T McLaren, offering better outdoor visibility. While the 6T McLaren's AMOLED screen is vibrant, it lacks the Pixel's peak brightness. Resolution is comparable, but the Pixel's modern panel provides a more enjoyable viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7a's camera is the clear winner. Google's computational photography is unmatched, delivering consistently excellent photos and videos in various conditions. The OnePlus 6T McLaren's camera is adequate but lacks the Pixel's dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance. The Pixel also offers features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur.

Performance

The OnePlus 6T McLaren's Snapdragon 845 was a powerhouse in its time, and it still delivers respectable performance. However, the Google Pixel 7a's Google Tensor G2 chipset offers a noticeable performance boost, especially in AI-powered tasks and machine learning applications. The 7a's newer architecture also contributes to better power efficiency.

Battery Life

The Pixel 7a demonstrates exceptional battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 76 hours. The OnePlus 6T McLaren's battery life is considerably shorter, though its 30W fast charging can quickly top it up. Wireless charging is a Pixel 7a exclusive.

Buying Guide

The OnePlus 6T McLaren is ideal for budget-conscious users who value speed and don't need the latest camera technology or software updates. The Google Pixel 7a is perfect for those prioritizing a fantastic camera, clean Android experience, and guaranteed software updates for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the OnePlus 6T McLaren still worth buying?
It can be a good budget option if you prioritize speed and don't need the latest features or software updates. However, its age is a significant drawback.
❓ How long will the Google Pixel 7a receive software updates?
Google guarantees 3 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates for the Pixel 7a.
❓ Which phone has better performance for gaming?
The OnePlus 6T McLaren, despite its older chipset, can still handle many games well. However, the Pixel 7a's Tensor G2 offers a smoother experience in demanding titles.
❓ Does the OnePlus 6T McLaren have 5G?
No, the OnePlus 6T McLaren does not support 5G connectivity.