ZTE nubia Neo 2 vs Google Pixel 7a: A Deep Dive into Performance and Photography
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing camera quality and a polished software experience, the Google Pixel 7a is the clear winner. However, gamers and those seeking maximum performance-per-dollar will find the ZTE nubia Neo 2 a compelling alternative, despite its charging and software compromises.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE nubia Neo 2 | Google Pixel 7a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 71, 77 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 | 2024, February 28 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, Q2 | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166 x 76.1 x 8.5 mm (6.54 x 3.00 x 0.33 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 | 208 g (7.34 oz) | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | OLED, HDR, 90Hz |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.3 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T820 (6 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 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, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless |
| Type | 6000 mAh or 5200 mAh | Li-Po 4385 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Sunfire Yellow, Frost Silver, Storm Gray | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Models | Z2352N | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 |
| Price | € 179.00 | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 |
ZTE nubia Neo 2
- Faster 33W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Potentially better gaming performance due to the Unisoc T820.
- More affordable price point.
- Inferior camera system compared to the Pixel 7a.
- Less refined software experience and potentially slower updates.
Google Pixel 7a
- Exceptional camera quality with Google’s computational photography.
- Smooth and consistently updated Android experience.
- Brighter and more color-accurate display.
- Slower 18W charging.
- Higher price compared to the nubia Neo 2.
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 7a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1070 nits, compared to an unstated peak brightness for the nubia Neo 2. This translates to better visibility outdoors. While the nubia Neo 2’s panel specifications are unknown, the Pixel 7a’s color accuracy and brightness are demonstrably superior. The Pixel 7a’s display is likely to offer a more pleasant viewing experience for media consumption and everyday use, though the nubia Neo 2 may prioritize a higher refresh rate to benefit gaming.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 7a excels in camera capabilities thanks to Google’s renowned computational photography. While specific sensor details are missing for the nubia Neo 2, the Pixel 7a’s image processing algorithms, combined with its likely larger sensor and OIS, will produce superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The Pixel 7a’s video recording capabilities are also expected to be significantly better. The nubia Neo 2 may offer a usable camera for casual snapshots, but it won’t compete with the Pixel 7a’s consistently excellent results.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2, fabricated on a 5nm process, offers a more efficient and powerful architecture than the ZTE nubia Neo 2’s 6nm Unisoc T820. The Tensor G2’s octa-core configuration, featuring Cortex-X1 performance cores clocked at 2.85 GHz, provides a substantial advantage in single-core and multi-core performance. While the nubia Neo 2’s Cortex-A76 cores are capable, the Tensor G2’s architecture and process node translate to better sustained performance and thermal management, crucial for demanding tasks. The Pixel 7a’s superior GPU will also deliver a smoother experience in graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
The Pixel 7a has an endurance rating of 76 hours, indicating strong battery life. The nubia Neo 2 features 33W wired charging, significantly faster than the Pixel 7a’s 18W charging with PD3.0 and 7.5W wireless charging. While the Pixel 7a’s battery efficiency may offset the lower charging speed for some users, the nubia Neo 2 will offer quicker top-ups. The actual 0-100% charge time for the nubia Neo 2 will be considerably less than the Pixel 7a.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Neo 2 if you need a phone primarily for mobile gaming and demand the most processing power for the price. Its Unisoc T820 chipset offers a strong performance profile for demanding titles. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prefer a superior camera system, a clean and consistently updated Android experience, and a brighter, more color-accurate display, even if it means sacrificing some raw gaming horsepower.