Google Pixel 7a hands-on review

Introduction

The latest member in the Google Pixel series is the new Pixel 7a, which is also part of the company's more accessible a-series of devices. Starting at $499, the Pixel 7a shares the spot with the Pixel 4a 5G as the most expensive a-series Pixel yet and is only $100 less than the Pixel 7.

Suddenly, then, the cheaper a-series phone doesn't seem all that cheap anymore. After all, why not spend the $100 extra if you are getting a better phone with the Pixel 7? But that's the conundrum here, as things aren't as clear-cut as you might think. The question isn't why wouldn't you spend extra for the Pixel 7. The question is, why would you?

Google Pixel 7a specs at a glance:

• Body: 152.0x72.9x9.0mm, 194g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back; IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min).
• Display: 6.10" OLED, HDR, 90Hz, 1080x2400px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 429ppi; Always-on display.
• Chipset: Google Tensor G2 (5 nm): Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55); Mali-G710 MP7.
• Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM; UFS 3.1.
• OS/Software: Android 13.
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm, 1/1.73", 0.8µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS; Wide (main): 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 1.12µm.
• Front camera: 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm.
• Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS; Front camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps.
• Battery: 4385mAh; 20W wired, PD3.0, 18W wireless.
• Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; Wi-Fi 6e; BT 5.3; NFC.
• Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical); stereo speakers.

You see, the Pixel 7a is about as close to the Pixel 7 as an a-series phone has ever gotten. Looking through the spec sheet, both phones have a surprising number of similarities. Both have a similar resolution display refreshing at 90Hz. Both have the exact same Tensor G2 chip inside and very similarly sized batteries. The Pixel 7a even adds wireless charging, something that has been missing on a-series phones in the past.

The differences then come down to the camera configuration and the display size. The camera figures all boast of a higher megapixel count on the Pixel 7a but we know that rarely amounts to anything. And the display is smaller, which means the phone itself is also smaller. Not necessarily a bad thing.

So it's an interesting matchup then and the more expensive Pixel 7 will have to fight harder than its predecessor to justify its existence. Let's see how the Pixel 7a performs.

Unboxing

The Pixel 7a ships in extremely minimal packaging that is barely bigger than the phone itself. Aside from the phone, all you get in the box is a USB-C charging and data cable as well as a USB-C male to USB-A female adapter.

The somewhat barebones packaging is a good way to save cost and the environment but buyers in this segment are often looking for more value and it doesn't help Google's case that most of its competitors are offering at least a charger in the box, with many also providing a case.