iQOO Neo8 vs. Google Pixel 7a: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The vivo iQOO Neo8 and Google Pixel 7a represent distinct philosophies in the mid-range smartphone space. The iQOO Neo8 prioritizes raw performance with its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, while the Pixel 7a focuses on intelligent features powered by Google’s Tensor G2 chip. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best experience for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing gaming and demanding tasks, the iQOO Neo8 is the clear winner thanks to its superior chipset and blazing-fast 120W charging. However, the Pixel 7a’s exceptional camera and seamless software experience make it the better choice for photography enthusiasts and those deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Neo8 Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 28, 34, 38, 39, 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 bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 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 / CDMA / 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, May 232023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, May 23Available. Released 2023, May 10
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, glass or leather backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.7 x 77 x 8.5 mm (6.48 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
Resolution1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, 1300 nits (peak)OLED, HDR, 90Hz
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 13, Funtouch 13 or OriginOS 3 (China)Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF, OIS Auxiliary lens64 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
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, 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 -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-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 9 min18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsRed, Mint, BlackCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
ModelsV2301AGWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
PriceAbout 330 EUR€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980

vivo iQOO Neo8

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging
  • Superior processing power with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • Potentially better thermal management

  • Camera performance likely trails the Pixel 7a
  • Software experience may not be as refined as Pixel

Google Pixel 7a

  • Exceptional camera quality and computational photography
  • Clean and intuitive software with guaranteed updates
  • Strong AI features powered by the Tensor G2

  • Significantly slower charging speeds
  • Less powerful chipset for demanding tasks

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a boasts a measured peak brightness of 1070 nits, providing excellent visibility outdoors. While the iQOO Neo8’s display specs aren’t provided, its market positioning suggests a comparable AMOLED panel. However, the Pixel 7a’s display is known for its color accuracy, crucial for photo and video editing. 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 is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging the Tensor G2’s image signal processor (ISP) to deliver exceptional image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. While the iQOO Neo8’s camera specs are not detailed, it’s unlikely to match the Pixel 7a’s software-driven enhancements. The Pixel 7a’s video capabilities are also strong, benefiting from Google’s advanced stabilization algorithms. The iQOO Neo8 will likely focus on hardware specifications, but without knowing sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance.

Performance

The iQOO Neo8’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) is a significant advantage over the Pixel 7a’s Google Tensor G2 (5nm). The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 features a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, offering superior single-core performance compared to the Pixel 7a’s Cortex-X1 cores at 2.85 GHz. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions. While the Tensor G2 excels in AI-related tasks, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 dominates in raw processing power.

Battery Life

The Pixel 7a’s endurance rating of 76 hours suggests respectable battery life, but this is a lab-based metric. The iQOO Neo8’s 120W wired charging is a game-changer, capable of charging 50% in just 9 minutes. This drastically reduces downtime compared to the Pixel 7a’s 18W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging. While the iQOO Neo8’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging mitigates concerns about a potentially smaller battery size.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Neo8 if you need uncompromising performance for gaming, video editing, or other resource-intensive applications, and value incredibly fast charging speeds. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prioritize a best-in-class camera experience, a clean and intuitive software interface with guaranteed updates, and intelligent features like Magic Eraser and Call Screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the iQOO Neo8 get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a powerful chip, its 4nm process node and potential for advanced cooling solutions (not specified in the data, but common in gaming phones) should mitigate significant overheating. However, sustained high loads will inevitably generate heat, and performance throttling is possible, though likely less pronounced than with older generation chips.
❓ How does the Google Tensor G2's AI capabilities translate to real-world benefits on the Pixel 7a?
The Tensor G2 excels in tasks like voice recognition, image processing, and on-device translation. This manifests as features like Magic Eraser for removing unwanted objects from photos, Call Screen to filter spam calls, and improved voice assistant responsiveness. These features enhance the overall user experience and differentiate the Pixel 7a from competitors.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Pixel 7a sufficient for daily use?
While 18W charging isn't slow, it's considerably slower than the iQOO Neo8's 120W charging. It will take significantly longer to fully charge the Pixel 7a, potentially requiring overnight charging. Users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly will find the iQOO Neo8 more convenient.