iQOO Neo 7 vs Google Pixel 7a: A Deep Dive into Performance and Photography

The iQOO Neo 7 and Google Pixel 7a represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The iQOO Neo 7 prioritizes raw performance and blazing-fast charging, while the Pixel 7a focuses on Google’s renowned computational photography and software experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing gaming and rapid charging, the iQOO Neo 7 is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 8200 chipset and 120W charging significantly outperform the Pixel 7a. However, the Pixel 7a’s superior camera processing and software support make it the better choice for photography enthusiasts and those deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Neo 7 Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - IndiaHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 - India1, 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, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India1, 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
Announced2023, February 162023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, February 16Available. Released 2023, May 10
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.8 x 76.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 x 3.03 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
Weight193 g (6.81 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 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)OLED, HDR, 90Hz
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 8200 (4 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G610 MC6Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 13, Funtouch 13Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 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, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)-
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavICGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging120W wired, 50% in 10 min, 100% in 25 min18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsInterstellar Black, Frost BlueCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
ModelsI2214GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
PriceAbout 440 EUR€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980

vivo iQOO Neo 7

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging
  • Powerful Mediatek Dimensity 8200 chipset
  • Potentially better thermal management for gaming

  • Camera performance likely inferior to Pixel 7a
  • Software updates may be less frequent than Pixel 7a

Google Pixel 7a

  • Exceptional camera quality and image processing
  • Clean Android experience with guaranteed updates
  • Bright and vibrant display

  • Significantly slower 18W charging
  • Tensor G2 chipset may throttle under sustained load

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a boasts a measured peak brightness of 1070 nits, providing excellent visibility in direct sunlight. While the iQOO Neo 7’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s likely to be slightly dimmer. The Pixel 7a’s OLED panel delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks, typical of the segment. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rates are likely fixed, impacting battery efficiency during prolonged use compared to adaptive refresh rate displays.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7a’s camera system is a key strength, leveraging Google’s computational photography prowess. While sensor sizes aren’t specified, the Pixel 7a’s image processing algorithms are renowned for their dynamic range and detail. The iQOO Neo 7’s camera capabilities are less emphasized in the provided data. The Pixel 7a’s video recording capabilities are also likely to be superior, benefiting from the Tensor G2’s dedicated image signal processor. The absence of details on the iQOO Neo 7’s camera suggests it may not compete directly with the Pixel 7a in image quality.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The iQOO Neo 7 utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 8200 (4nm), featuring a 3.1 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core. The Pixel 7a is powered by Google’s Tensor G2 (5nm). While the Tensor G2’s Cortex-X1 cores clock slightly higher at 2.85 GHz, the Dimensity 8200’s more efficient 4nm process and optimized core configuration generally translate to superior sustained performance, particularly in graphically intensive tasks. The iQOO Neo 7 is likely to exhibit less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 excels in AI-driven tasks, enhancing features like voice recognition and image processing.

Battery Life

The Pixel 7a has an endurance rating of 76 hours, indicating respectable battery life. However, the iQOO Neo 7’s 120W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving 50% charge in just 10 minutes and a full charge in 25 minutes. The Pixel 7a’s 18W charging, while supporting PD3.0, is significantly slower. This difference in charging speed dramatically impacts usability, allowing the iQOO Neo 7 to quickly top up during short breaks. While the Pixel 7a’s endurance rating suggests a larger battery capacity, the iQOO Neo 7’s faster charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Neo 7 if you need a phone for demanding mobile games, frequent fast charging, and aren't heavily invested in the Google ecosystem. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prioritize camera quality, a clean Android experience with guaranteed updates, and seamless integration with Google services, even if it means sacrificing some raw processing power and charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 8200 in the iQOO Neo 7 get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 8200’s 4nm process is more efficient than older chipsets, reducing heat generation. While some throttling is inevitable, the iQOO Neo 7 is likely to maintain higher frame rates for longer periods compared to the Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2, which is known to throttle more aggressively under sustained load.
❓ How does the Pixel 7a’s camera perform in low-light conditions?
The Pixel 7a excels in low-light photography thanks to Google’s Night Sight mode and advanced image processing algorithms. It captures detailed and well-exposed images even in challenging lighting conditions, often surpassing competitors in the same price range.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Pixel 7a sufficient for daily use?
While 18W charging is adequate, it’s significantly slower than the iQOO Neo 7’s 120W charging. Expect a full charge to take well over an hour, which may be inconvenient for users who need a quick top-up.
❓ What kind of gaming performance can I expect from the Pixel 7a?
The Pixel 7a can handle most mobile games at medium to high settings. However, demanding titles may experience frame drops and throttling during extended gaming sessions due to the Tensor G2’s thermal limitations.