Poco M6 Pro vs Google Pixel 7a: A Detailed Comparison for Smart Buyers
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing camera quality and software experience, the Google Pixel 7a is the superior choice. However, the Poco M6 Pro offers a compelling value proposition for those focused on raw performance and affordability, particularly gamers on a budget.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro | Google Pixel 7a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 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, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA | 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 | 2023, August 05 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August 05 | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm (6.64 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 550 nits | OLED, HDR, 90Hz |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 613 | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | Android 13, MIUI 14 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens | 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, HDR | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 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 | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4385 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Power Black, Forest Green | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Models | 23076PC4BI | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 |
| Price | ₹ 9,990 | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 |
Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro
- More affordable price point
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 offers good performance for the price
- Potentially longer battery life due to less demanding chipset (speculation)
- Inferior camera system compared to the Pixel 7a
- Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
- Likely less frequent software updates
Google Pixel 7a
- Superior camera quality and image processing
- Powerful Tensor G2 chipset for smooth performance
- Clean and consistently updated Android software
- Higher price tag
- May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load
- Wireless charging is relatively slow at 7.5W
Display Comparison
The Pixel 7a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1070 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Poco M6 Pro’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be considerably dimmer. The Pixel 7a’s OLED panel also benefits from Google’s color calibration, offering more accurate and vibrant colors. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means neither offers adaptive refresh rates for power saving, but the Pixel 7a’s superior brightness and color accuracy give it a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 7a is expected to excel in camera performance, leveraging Google’s computational photography prowess. While specific sensor details aren’t provided, Pixel phones are renowned for their image processing, delivering excellent dynamic range and detail. The Poco M6 Pro’s camera specifications are not detailed enough to make a direct comparison, but it’s likely to rely more on hardware than software for image quality. The Pixel 7a’s video capabilities are also likely to be superior, benefiting from the Tensor G2’s image signal processor (ISP). The absence of details regarding OIS on the Poco M6 Pro suggests the Pixel 7a will offer more stable video recording.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 (5nm) utilizes a tri-cluster configuration with 2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 cores for peak performance, 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 cores for sustained tasks, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. This contrasts with the Poco M6 Pro’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) which features 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Tensor G2’s more powerful Cortex-X1 cores and 5nm process provide a substantial performance advantage in demanding applications and AI tasks. While the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is efficient, the Pixel 7a will handle multitasking and graphically intensive games with greater ease. The 4nm process on both chips contributes to improved thermal efficiency, but the Tensor G2’s larger die size may lead to more noticeable throttling under prolonged heavy load.
Battery Life
The Pixel 7a has an endurance rating of 76 hours, indicating solid battery life. Both phones support 18W wired charging with PD, and the Pixel 7a adds 7.5W wireless charging. While the Poco M6 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, the Pixel 7a’s endurance rating suggests it can comfortably last a full day of moderate use. The addition of wireless charging on the Pixel 7a provides added convenience, even if the charging speed is relatively slow. The similar charging wattage means 0-100% times will likely be comparable, but the Pixel 7a’s optimized power management could result in slightly faster overall charging times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro if you need a phone primarily for gaming and everyday tasks, and value maximizing performance per dollar. Its Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost in this price bracket. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prioritize camera quality, a clean and consistently updated software experience, and features like call screening and Magic Eraser, even if it means paying a premium.