Realme Neo7 vs. Google Pixel 7a: A Deep Dive into Performance and Photography

The Realme Neo7 and Google Pixel 7a represent distinct philosophies in the mid-range smartphone market. The Neo7 aggressively targets performance with the latest MediaTek silicon, while the Pixel 7a leverages Google’s Tensor G2 chip and renowned computational photography. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your priorities.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw processing power and rapid charging, the Realme Neo7 is the clear winner. However, the Google Pixel 7a excels in camera quality and offers a more refined software experience, making it ideal for photography enthusiasts and those deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme Neo7 Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 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 bands1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / 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 112023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, December 11Available. Released 2023, May 10
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions162.6 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm (6.40 x 3.01 x 0.34 in)152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight213 g (7.51 oz)193.5 g (6.84 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCrystal Armor glassCorning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR, 1600 nits (HBM), 6000 nits (peak)OLED, HDR, 90Hz
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUImmortalis-G720 MC12Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 15, Realme UI 6.0Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.95", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanoramaHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 23mm (wide)13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), 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/6/7, dual-bandWi-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
Charging80W wired18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 7000 mAhLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, SilverCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
ModelsRMX5060GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
PriceAbout 280 EUR€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980

Realme Neo7

  • Significantly faster processor with Dimensity 9300+
  • Ultra-fast 80W wired charging
  • Potentially better thermal management due to 4nm process

  • Camera performance is an unknown quantity
  • Realme’s UI may not appeal to all users

Google Pixel 7a

  • Exceptional camera quality and computational photography
  • Clean and consistently updated Android experience
  • Google’s AI-powered features (Magic Eraser, Call Screen)

  • Slower charging speed (18W)
  • Less powerful processor compared to the Dimensity 9300+

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a boasts a measured peak brightness of 1070 nits, providing excellent visibility outdoors. While the Neo7’s display specifications are currently unavailable, Realme typically equips its devices with vibrant AMOLED panels. The Pixel 7a’s display is likely to offer superior color accuracy and potentially a smoother experience if it utilizes an LTPO panel (unconfirmed), dynamically adjusting refresh rates for power efficiency. The Pixel 7a’s brightness advantage is particularly noticeable for users who frequently consume content in direct sunlight.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7a is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging Google’s image processing algorithms to deliver consistently excellent photos and videos. While specific sensor details are unavailable for the Neo7, the Pixel 7a’s camera system benefits from Google’s software optimizations, including features like Super Res Zoom and Night Sight. The Pixel 7a’s strength lies in its ability to extract detail and dynamic range in challenging lighting conditions. The Neo7 will need a very capable sensor and image processing pipeline to compete, but the Tensor G2’s dedicated image signal processor (ISP) gives the Pixel 7a a distinct advantage in image quality and video stabilization.

Performance

The Realme Neo7’s Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4nm) is a significant leap forward, featuring a unique core configuration with one Cortex-X4 prime core at 3.4GHz, three more Cortex-X4 cores at 2.85GHz, and four Cortex-A720 efficiency cores. This contrasts sharply with the Pixel 7a’s Google Tensor G2 (5nm) which utilizes a 2x Cortex-X1 + 2x Cortex-A78 + 4x Cortex-A55 setup. The Dimensity 9300+’s newer architecture and higher clock speeds promise substantially greater CPU and GPU performance, particularly in demanding tasks. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 9300+ also contributes to improved thermal efficiency compared to the 5nm Tensor G2, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Neo7 is likely to dominate benchmarks and real-world performance tests.

Battery Life

The Pixel 7a has an endurance rating of 76 hours, indicating solid battery life. However, the Realme Neo7 compensates with its 80W wired charging, a massive advantage over the Pixel 7a’s 18W charging and 7.5W wireless charging. The Neo7 can likely achieve a full charge in under 30 minutes, while the Pixel 7a will take considerably longer. This difference in charging speed is crucial for users who prioritize convenience and minimal downtime. While the Pixel 7a’s battery endurance is respectable, the Neo7’s charging speed offers a compelling trade-off.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme Neo7 if you need uncompromising performance for gaming, demanding applications, or frequent multitasking, and value incredibly fast 80W charging. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prioritize exceptional camera capabilities, a clean and consistently updated Android experience, and benefit from Google’s AI-powered features like Magic Eraser and Call Screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 9300+ in the Realme Neo7 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 9300+'s 4nm process node and advanced thermal management features are designed to mitigate overheating. While sustained peak performance will generate heat, it's expected to throttle less aggressively than the 5nm Tensor G2 in the Pixel 7a, offering more consistent frame rates over extended periods.
❓ How does the Pixel 7a's camera perform in low-light conditions compared to other phones in its class?
The Pixel 7a consistently ranks among the best in low-light photography, thanks to Google’s Night Sight mode and computational photography algorithms. It excels at capturing detail and reducing noise in challenging lighting scenarios, often surpassing competitors with larger sensors but less sophisticated software.
❓ Does the Realme Neo7 support high refresh rate gaming, and what frame rates can be expected in popular titles like PUBG Mobile?
While the exact display refresh rate of the Neo7 is unknown, the Dimensity 9300+ is capable of driving high refresh rate displays. Expect smooth gameplay at 60fps or higher in PUBG Mobile, potentially reaching 90fps depending on the game settings and display capabilities. The powerful GPU will ensure a fluid and responsive gaming experience.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Pixel 7a slow compared to other modern smartphones?
Yes, 18W charging is relatively slow compared to the 65W or 80W charging found on many modern smartphones, including the Realme Neo7. A full charge will take significantly longer on the Pixel 7a, making it less convenient for users who need a quick power boost.