Realme 12 Pro 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 superior choice. Its Tensor G2 chip, while not a raw performance leader, delivers a smoother, more refined experience, especially in computational photography. However, the Realme 12 Pro offers significantly faster charging and potentially better value for budget-conscious buyers.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme 12 Pro | 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 | 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, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 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 | 2024, January 29 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, January 29 | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.35 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 | 190 g (6.70 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 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM), 950 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR, 90Hz |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 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 |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS 32 MP, f/2.0, 47mm (telephoto), 1/2.75", PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (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, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | 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 | 67W wired, 50% in 19 min | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4385 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Models | RMX3842 | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 |
| Price | € 219.59 / $ 746.80 / ₹ 24,490 | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 |
Realme 12 Pro
- 67W SuperVOOC charging for incredibly fast top-ups
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Modern design aesthetic (based on Realme's recent offerings)
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is less powerful than the Tensor G2
- Realme UI may not appeal to all users
- Camera performance likely lags behind the Pixel 7a
Google Pixel 7a
- Google Tensor G2 offers superior performance and AI capabilities
- Exceptional camera quality with Google’s image processing
- Clean Android experience with guaranteed software updates
- Slower 18W charging
- Higher price compared to the Realme 12 Pro
- Battery life, while good, isn't class-leading
Display Comparison
The Pixel 7a boasts a measured peak brightness of 1070 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Realme 12 Pro’s display specifications aren’t provided, Realme typically equips its Pro models with AMOLED panels. The Pixel 7a’s display technology is likely superior due to its higher peak brightness and Google’s color calibration expertise. The Pixel 7a’s display is also likely to have a higher contrast ratio, resulting in richer blacks and more vibrant colors. The absence of LTPO on either device suggests neither offers adaptive refresh rates for optimal power efficiency.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 7a’s camera system is a key differentiator. While specific sensor details aren’t provided, Google’s computational photography expertise elevates image quality significantly. The Tensor G2’s image signal processor (ISP) excels at noise reduction, dynamic range optimization, and detail preservation. The Realme 12 Pro’s camera specifications are not detailed enough to make a direct comparison, but Realme often focuses on high megapixel counts. However, megapixel count isn’t everything; the Pixel 7a’s software processing is likely to produce more consistently pleasing results, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Pixel 7a’s video capabilities are also expected to be superior due to the Tensor G2’s dedicated video processing hardware.
Performance
The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 (5nm) chipset, featuring a prime Cortex-X1 core clocked at 2.85 GHz, offers a significant performance advantage over the Realme 12 Pro’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm). The Tensor G2’s architecture is designed for machine learning tasks, enhancing features like voice recognition and image processing. While the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is a capable chip, its Cortex-A78 cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, are less powerful than the X1 in the Tensor G2. The 5nm process node of the Tensor G2 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Realme 12 Pro will likely handle everyday tasks smoothly, but the Pixel 7a will excel in demanding applications and gaming.
Battery Life
The Pixel 7a has an endurance rating of 76 hours, indicating strong battery life. While the Realme 12 Pro’s battery capacity isn’t specified, its 67W wired charging is a major advantage. This allows for a 50% charge in just 19 minutes, significantly faster than the Pixel 7a’s 18W charging with PD3.0. The Pixel 7a also supports 7.5W wireless charging, a feature absent on the Realme 12 Pro. The faster charging of the Realme 12 Pro is ideal for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly, while the Pixel 7a offers longer overall battery life between charges.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 12 Pro if you need blazing-fast 67W charging and prioritize a phone that can quickly top up between uses, and if you're comfortable with Realme UI. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prefer a clean Android experience, exceptional camera performance with Google’s image processing, and long-term software support, even if it means slower charging speeds.