Google Pixel 7a vs Samsung Galaxy M13: A Detailed Comparison

The Google Pixel 7a and Samsung Galaxy M13 represent opposite ends of the Android spectrum. The Pixel 7a brings flagship-level camera capabilities and Google’s Tensor G2 processor to a mid-range price point, while the Galaxy M13 focuses on affordability and essential features. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone delivers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Google Pixel 7a is the superior choice. Its Tensor G2 chipset provides significantly faster performance and unlocks advanced features like Google’s computational photography. While the Galaxy M13 offers a lower price, the Pixel 7a’s overall experience justifies the cost for those prioritizing camera quality and responsiveness.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M13 Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 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, LTEHSPA, 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
Announced2022, May 272023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 01Available. Released 2023, May 10
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.33 in)152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)193.5 g (6.84 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypePLS LCDOLED, HDR, 90Hz
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetExynos 850 (8 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G52Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 12, One UI Core 4.1Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 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
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)-
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging15W wired18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsDeep Green, Orange Copper, Light BlueCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
ModelsSM-M135F, SM-M135F/DSNGWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
Price£ 139.99 / € 135.81€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980
SAR EU0.45 W/kg (head)     1.36 W/kg (body)-

Samsung Galaxy M13

  • Significantly faster performance with the Tensor G2 chip
  • Superior camera quality and computational photography
  • Faster charging and wireless charging support

  • Higher price point
  • May not have expandable storage

Google Pixel 7a

  • More affordable price
  • Potentially longer battery life due to lower power consumption
  • Likely has expandable storage via microSD card

  • Slow performance with the Exynos 850 chip
  • Inferior camera quality
  • Slow charging speed

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1070 nits, compared to the Galaxy M13’s unspecified brightness. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize LCD panels (given the price points), the Pixel 7a’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage. The M13’s display specifications are minimal, suggesting a focus on cost reduction rather than visual fidelity. We expect the Pixel 7a to offer superior color accuracy and viewing angles.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7a’s camera system is its standout feature. While specific sensor details are missing, Google’s computational photography prowess, powered by the Tensor G2, elevates image quality far beyond what the hardware alone suggests. The M13’s camera is likely a more standard affair, focusing on basic image capture. The Pixel 7a’s video capabilities will also be superior, benefiting from the Tensor G2’s image signal processor (ISP). The M13’s 2MP macro camera is likely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit compared to the Pixel 7a’s more sophisticated image processing.

Performance

The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2, built on a 5nm process, features a tri-cluster configuration with 2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 cores, 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This is a massive upgrade over the Samsung Galaxy M13’s Exynos 850 (8nm) with its homogenous octa-core setup of 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 and another 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. The Tensor G2’s more advanced architecture and smaller fabrication node deliver significantly faster processing speeds and improved efficiency, resulting in smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. The M13 will struggle with demanding games and applications.

Battery Life

The Pixel 7a has an endurance rating of 76 hours, indicating good battery life despite not having a massive capacity. The Galaxy M13’s battery capacity is not specified, but its 15W charging is significantly slower than the Pixel 7a’s 18W charging with PD3.0 support. The Pixel 7a also offers 7.5W wireless charging, a feature absent on the M13. While the M13 might offer comparable or slightly longer screen-on time due to its less powerful processor, the Pixel 7a’s faster charging and wireless charging options provide greater convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy M13 if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. You’ll appreciate its affordability and acceptable battery life. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prioritize camera quality, smooth performance for demanding apps, and access to Google’s latest software features, even if it means spending more upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 850 chip in the Galaxy M13 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850 is a relatively low-power chip, so overheating isn't a major concern. However, it will likely struggle to maintain consistent frame rates in demanding games, and you may experience noticeable throttling. It's not designed for intensive gaming.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Galaxy M13 actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited benefit. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. The Pixel 7a's superior image processing and potentially larger main sensor will deliver far better close-up results, even without a dedicated macro mode.
❓ Can the Google Pixel 7a handle graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates?
Yes, the Tensor G2 chip in the Pixel 7a is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high frame rates (60fps or higher) with smooth performance. The chip's GPU and optimized software will provide a significantly better gaming experience than the Galaxy M13.
❓ Does the Pixel 7a support faster data transfer speeds than the Galaxy M13?
While specific USB standards aren't listed, the Pixel 7a, being a more modern device, likely supports USB 2.0 or higher, offering faster data transfer speeds compared to the Galaxy M13, which may be limited to USB 2.0.