TCL Stylus vs Google Pixel 7a: A Head-to-Head Showdown

Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. The TCL Stylus offers a unique stylus experience at an affordable price, while the Google Pixel 7a boasts Google's renowned camera and software. Let's break down these two contenders to help you decide which one deserves your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Google Pixel 7a is the clear winner, offering superior performance, a vastly better camera, and a smoother software experience. While the TCL Stylus provides a stylus and lower price point, the Pixel 7a's overall quality and features make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL Stylus Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 41, 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 bands25, 41, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub61, 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
Announced2022, June 022023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, June 02Available. Released 2023, May 10
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions169.6 x 76.5 x 9 mm (6.68 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight213 g (7.51 oz)193.5 g (6.84 oz)
 StylusIP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionNEGCorning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.81 inches, 110.1 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)OLED, HDR, 90Hz
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 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)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 12, TCL UI 4.0Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 4GB RAM128GB 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
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm-
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 5 MP, 115˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAhLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsLunar BlackCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
ModelsT779WGWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
PriceAbout 240 EUR€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980
SAR1.25 W/kg (head)     1.25 W/kg (body)-

TCL Stylus

  • Integrated Stylus
  • Affordable Price
  • Decent Display
  • Expandable Storage (likely)

  • Lower Performance
  • Less Capable Camera
  • Slower Charging
  • Less Premium Build

Google Pixel 7a

  • Excellent Camera
  • Smooth Performance
  • Clean Android Experience
  • Wireless Charging
  • High Brightness Display

  • Higher Price
  • Slower Charging than some competitors
  • No expandable storage

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a's display shines with a measured peak brightness of 1070 nits, making it significantly easier to see outdoors. While the TCL Stylus likely has a decent display, it lacks the Pixel 7a's brightness and color accuracy. The Pixel 7a also likely has a higher resolution, contributing to a sharper image.

Camera Comparison

Google's Pixel phones are renowned for their cameras, and the 7a is no exception. It delivers exceptional image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions, thanks to Google's computational photography. The TCL Stylus's camera is likely adequate but won't match the Pixel 7a's detail, dynamic range, and overall image processing.

Performance

The Google Pixel 7a's Google Tensor G2 chipset and octa-core CPU (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) provide a substantial performance advantage over the TCL Stylus's Mediatek Dimensity 700. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the Pixel 7a.

Battery Life

The Pixel 7a boasts an impressive endurance rating of 76 hours, suggesting significantly better battery life than the TCL Stylus. While both phones have 18W wired charging, the Pixel 7a also includes 7.5W wireless charging, adding convenience.

Buying Guide

The TCL Stylus is ideal for students or anyone who values a stylus for note-taking or creative tasks and is on a tight budget. The Google Pixel 7a is perfect for photography enthusiasts, those who prioritize a clean Android experience, and users seeking a well-rounded, high-performing mid-range phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the TCL Stylus have expandable storage?
Most TCL Stylus models offer expandable storage via a microSD card slot, which is a significant advantage for users who need extra space.
❓ Is the Pixel 7a worth the extra money compared to the TCL Stylus?
Yes, if you prioritize camera quality, performance, and a clean Android experience, the Pixel 7a is well worth the extra investment. The TCL Stylus is a good option if you need a stylus and are on a very tight budget.