Google Pixel 7a vs Samsung Galaxy A16 5G: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Google Pixel 7a is the superior choice, offering a significantly better camera experience and smoother performance thanks to the Tensor G2 chip. However, the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G excels in battery endurance, lasting over 43 hours on a single charge, making it ideal for users prioritizing longevity over all else.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy A16 5G | Google Pixel 7a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International | 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International | 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, October 07 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, October 25 | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 3.07 x 0.31 in) | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | OLED, HDR, 90Hz |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) or Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) or Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF 5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 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 | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4385 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue Black, Light Gray, Gold, Light Green | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Models | SM-A166B, SM-A166B/DS, SM-A166P, SM-A166P/DS, SM-A166E, SM-A166E/DS, SM-A166W, SM-A166U, SM-A166U1 | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 |
| Price | $ 115.97 / C$ 199.99 / £ 129.99 / € 136.90 / ₹ 17,150 | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 |
| SAR EU | 0.38 W/kg (head) 0.94 W/kg (body) | - |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 43:30h endurance, 1200 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class B (180 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
- Exceptional battery life (43:30h endurance)
- Fast 25W wired charging
- Affordable 5G connectivity
- Less powerful processor
- Inferior camera performance
- Lower display brightness
Google Pixel 7a
- Superior camera quality and image processing
- Faster and more responsive performance (Tensor G2)
- Brighter and potentially more accurate display
- Shorter battery life
- Slower 18W wired charging
- Higher price point
Display Comparison
The Pixel 7a boasts a brighter display, reaching 1070 nits compared to the A16 5G’s 824 nits, resulting in better visibility outdoors. While both utilize OLED technology, the Pixel 7a’s higher peak brightness and potentially superior color calibration (though not specified in the data) provide a more vibrant and accurate viewing experience. The A16 5G’s display is still adequate for everyday use, but falls short in direct sunlight. Neither specification details refresh rate, but the Pixel 7a is expected to have a 90Hz panel, offering smoother scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 7a’s camera system is a clear winner. While specific sensor details are missing for both, Google’s computational photography algorithms, powered by the Tensor G2, elevate image quality significantly. The Pixel 7a excels in dynamic range, low-light performance, and overall image clarity. The A16 5G likely relies more on hardware and less on software processing, resulting in less refined images. The absence of details regarding OIS on the A16 5G suggests it may lack the stabilization capabilities of the Pixel 7a, impacting video recording and low-light photography. The A16 5G's inclusion of a 2MP macro camera is largely inconsequential, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 chipset (5nm) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G’s Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 6300 (5nm/6nm). The Tensor G2’s CPU configuration – 2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 – is more powerful than the A16’s options (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78/A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the Pixel 7a. The Tensor G2 also benefits from Google’s machine learning capabilities, enhancing features like voice recognition and image processing. The A16 5G will handle everyday tasks adequately, but will struggle with graphically intensive games or demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G dominates in battery endurance, achieving a remarkable 43:30h endurance rating and 12:08h of active use. This is substantially better than the Pixel 7a’s 76h endurance rating (which is an older metric and likely conservative). While the Pixel 7a supports 7.5W wireless charging, the A16 5G’s 25W wired charging is faster than the Pixel 7a’s 18W wired charging with PD3.0. The A16 5G’s larger battery capacity and efficient chipset contribute to its exceptional longevity, making it ideal for users who frequently travel or have limited access to power outlets.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G if you need exceptional battery life, prioritize 5G connectivity, and are on a strict budget. You’ll benefit from all-day (and then some) usage without constantly searching for a charger. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you value camera quality, a refined software experience, and smoother performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The Pixel 7a delivers a flagship-like experience in a more affordable package.