Poco M7 Plus vs Google Pixel 8a: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing camera quality and long-term software support, the Google Pixel 8a is the superior choice. Its Tensor G3 chip and exceptional image processing deliver a consistently better experience, despite the Poco M7 Plus offering faster charging and a potentially lower price point.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Poco M7 Plus | Google Pixel 8a |
| 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, 20, 28, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66 - G6GPR (International) |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G6GPR (International) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, August 13 | 2024, May 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, August 19 | Available. Released 2024, May 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 168.5 x 80.5 x 8.4 mm (6.63 x 3.17 x 0.33 in) | 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.86 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 217 g (7.65 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~374 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~430 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.9 inches, 116.9 cm2 (~86.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 144Hz, 700 nits (typ), 850 nits (HBM) | OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 2 major Android upgrades, HyperOS 2 | Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens | 64 MP (16 MP eff.), 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, Ultra HDR, panorama, Best Take |
| 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) | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, dual/tri-band (market/region dependent) |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired 18W reverse wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless Bypass charging |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 7000 mAh | Li-Po 4492 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Chrome Silver, Aqua Blue, Carbon Black | Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe |
| Models | - | GKV4X, G6GPR, G8HHN, G576D |
| Price | ₹ 11,371 | $ 229.98 / C$ 417.99 / £ 279.00 / € 299.99 / ₹ 33,300 |
| SAR | 0.86 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) | - |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 40:06h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class A (270 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Xiaomi Poco M7 Plus
- Faster 33W wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Less powerful processor
- Inferior camera performance
- Shorter software support lifespan
Google Pixel 8a
- Superior camera quality and image processing
- More powerful Tensor G3 processor
- Long-term software support and updates
- Slower 18W wired charging
- Higher price point
- No reverse wireless charging
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 8a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1508 nits, making it far more usable in direct sunlight compared to the Poco M7 Plus (brightness data unavailable). While the Poco M7 Plus’s panel specifics are unknown, the Pixel 8a’s brightness advantage is substantial. The Pixel 8a’s display technology likely benefits from Google’s color calibration expertise, offering more accurate colors. The absence of LTPO on either device suggests neither offers adaptive refresh rates for power saving.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 8a’s camera prowess is driven by Google’s renowned computational photography. While sensor sizes are unknown for both devices, the Pixel 8a’s image processing pipeline excels in dynamic range, detail preservation, and low-light performance. The Poco M7 Plus likely relies more on hardware specifications, and while it may offer decent results in optimal conditions, it won’t match the Pixel 8a’s consistently high image quality. The Pixel 8a’s focus on software optimization means it will likely deliver superior photos and videos, even with a potentially similar sensor.
Performance
The Google Pixel 8a’s Tensor G3, built on a 4nm process, represents a significant architectural leap over the Poco M7 Plus’s 6nm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3. The Tensor G3’s nona-core configuration, featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core, provides superior single-core performance crucial for responsive app launches and smooth multitasking. While the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3’s octa-core setup is adequate for everyday tasks, the Tensor G3’s more advanced CPU architecture and integrated AI capabilities will shine in demanding applications and image processing. The Pixel 8a’s performance advantage is further amplified by its likely faster RAM (LPDDR5x assumed) compared to the Poco M7 Plus.
Battery Life
The Pixel 8a’s endurance rating of 40:06h and active use score of 11:25h demonstrate exceptional battery life, supported by 1000 charge cycles indicating long-term battery health. While the Poco M7 Plus’s battery capacity is unknown, the Pixel 8a’s efficiency and larger battery (implied by endurance) provide a clear advantage. The Poco M7 Plus’s 33W wired charging is faster than the Pixel 8a’s 18W charging, offering quicker top-ups, but the Pixel 8a’s overall endurance minimizes the need for frequent charging. The Pixel 8a also offers 7.5W wireless charging and bypass charging, features absent on the Poco M7 Plus.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M7 Plus if you need a phone primarily for basic tasks, media consumption, and value fast charging. Its Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 is sufficient for everyday use and the 33W charging is a significant advantage. Buy the Google Pixel 8a if you prioritize camera performance, a smooth software experience with guaranteed updates, and a more refined overall user experience, even if it means sacrificing some charging speed.