Google Pixel 6a vs. ZTE Blade A7P: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Google Pixel 6a and ZTE Blade A7P represent opposite ends of the smartphone spectrum. The Pixel 6a, while an older model, boasts Google’s custom Tensor chip and a focus on computational photography. The Blade A7P, on the other hand, is a budget-focused device aiming for affordability. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs and budget.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Google Pixel 6a is the clear winner. Its Google Tensor chipset delivers significantly superior performance and a vastly improved camera experience. While the ZTE Blade A7P offers a lower price point, the performance gap is substantial, making the Pixel 6a a worthwhile investment for those prioritizing speed and features.

PHONES
Phone Names	ZTE Blade A7P	Google Pixel 6a

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 66, 71	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada)
5G bands	-	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada)
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	-	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International)

Launch
Announced	2021, December	2022, May 11
Status	Available. Released 2021, December	Available. Released 2022, July 21

Body
Build	-	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions	165.2 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.50 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)	152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight	170 g (6.00 oz)	178 g (6.28 oz)
	-	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size	6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio)	6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	OLED, HDR
	-	Always-on display

Platform
CPU	Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53	Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek MT6762D Helio P22 (12 nm)	Google Tensor (5 nm)
GPU	PowerVR GE8320	Mali-G78 MP20
OS	Android 11	Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	No
Internal	32GB 3GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM
	eMMC 5.1	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Dual	13 MP 2 MP	12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm
Features	LED flash	Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single	5 MP	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video	-	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR, panorama
Single	5 MP	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video	-	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP	5.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	Yes
Positioning	GPS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C	USB Type-C 3.1
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

Battery
Charging	Wired	18W wired, PD3.0
Type	Li-Ion 3200 mAh	Li-Po 4410 mAh

Misc
Colors	Blue	Chalk, Charcoal, Sage
Models	Z6252CA	GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L
Price	About 110 EUR	$ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 94h
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)

ZTE Blade A7P

Significantly faster processor for smooth performance
Superior camera quality and image processing
Faster charging with PD3.0 support

Higher price point
May be slightly larger and heavier

Google Pixel 6a

Extremely affordable price
Good battery endurance
Lightweight and compact design (likely)

Slow processor and limited performance
Inferior camera quality
Slower charging speeds

Display Comparison

The Pixel 6a’s display shines with a measured peak brightness of 876 nits, offering excellent visibility even outdoors, a feature the Blade A7P likely lacks given its budget positioning. While both phones share a similar endurance rating of 94 hours, the Pixel 6a’s infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The Blade A7P’s display specifications are not provided, suggesting a lower-quality panel optimized for cost savings.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 6a’s camera prowess is a major selling point, leveraging Google’s computational photography expertise. While specific sensor details are missing for both, the Pixel 6a’s image processing capabilities are renowned. The Blade A7P, given its price point, likely features a simpler camera system focused on basic image capture. The absence of details regarding OIS or advanced features on the Blade A7P further highlights the Pixel 6a’s advantage in image quality and low-light performance.

Performance

The performance disparity is stark. The Google Pixel 6a’s Google Tensor chip (5nm) features a complex octa-core configuration – 2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1, 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 – designed for AI and machine learning tasks. This contrasts sharply with the ZTE Blade A7P’s MediaTek MT6762D Helio P22 (12nm) and its octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. The 5nm process node of the Tensor chip provides significantly better power efficiency and thermal performance, translating to sustained performance during demanding tasks. The Blade A7P will struggle with anything beyond basic app usage.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 94 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Pixel 6a benefits from 18W wired charging with PD3.0 support, offering faster and more efficient charging compared to the Blade A7P’s unspecified wired charging. While the Blade A7P may offer similar longevity, the Pixel 6a’s faster charging minimizes downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Blade A7P if you need a functional, extremely affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and battery life is paramount. Buy the Google Pixel 6a if you prioritize a smooth user experience, excellent camera quality, and long-term software support, even if it means spending more upfront. The Pixel 6a is ideal for users who value photography and demand responsive performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Google Tensor chip in the Pixel 6a prone to overheating during extended gaming sessions?

While the Tensor chip is powerful, Google has implemented thermal management solutions to mitigate overheating. While it may get warm during prolonged gaming, it's unlikely to experience significant throttling compared to the Helio P22 in the Blade A7P, which would likely throttle much sooner due to its less efficient architecture.

❓ How does the software support compare between the Pixel 6a and the ZTE Blade A7P?

The Pixel 6a benefits from Google’s commitment to timely software updates and security patches, guaranteeing several years of support. The ZTE Blade A7P, being a budget device, will likely receive limited software updates, potentially leaving it vulnerable to security risks over time.

❓ Will the ZTE Blade A7P be able to run demanding apps like PUBG Mobile smoothly?

The ZTE Blade A7P’s MediaTek Helio P22 processor is not designed for demanding games like PUBG Mobile. While it may be possible to run the game at the lowest settings, expect significant frame rate drops and a generally poor gaming experience. The Pixel 6a, with its Tensor chip, will provide a much smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.