Verdict
Google ’s mid - range serial of smartphones has never been this good . While I would have liked to see estimable bombardment performance , the rest of the Pixel 7a is a victory .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Google Pixel 7a was one of the bestmid - range phoneswe tested in 2023 , but how does it hold up in 2024 ?
With one of the very good camera at this price full stop , and splendid software package with entree to major Android updates ahead of much any other mid - range telephone set , the Google Pixel 7a represented spectacular economic value to the everyday consumer .
However , it has lost a bit of its allurement in the backwash of the release of the newerGoogle Pixel 8a , thoroughgoing with a truehearted Tensor chipset and a slightly rounded phase factor that brings it closer in terms of look to thePixel 9than thePixel 8 .
However , core factor like screen technical school , battery lifespan and , most significantly , tv camera technical school , remain unchanged compare to the Pixel 7a , making it a viable choice to the Pixel 8a , especially if you may witness it at a substantial rebate during sales . If you ’re tempted to pick one up on the bum , here ’s everything you require to know about the Pixel 7a .
Design
When I first took the Pixel 7a out of the boxwood , I was a fiddling defeated . I was look it to resemble thePixel 7 , but I was n’t expecting it to be essentially a complete transcript . If you put the two speech sound next to each other , there is very piffling to tell them asunder .
There ’s the same two-dimensional screen , the same slimly slew back and the same visor comprehend the photographic camera sensors that quickly becomes an annoying shelf for dust . The good news – if you may call it that – is that the newer Pixel 8 mutation the precise same purpose , so you ’re not left with an outdated look from the mid - ranger as 2024 roll around .
The Pixel 7a is slenderly modest overall , thanks to the shorter 6.1 - inch filmdom , and is a little lighter . It ’s one of the minor phones around , even if I would n’t really call it compact . It can slip neatly into a jeans pocket or a small bag though , and I can apply it well with one hand .
The back is made from a overnice notion credit card , while the alloy sides add a touch of class and extra hardiness . Google has said this is the most indestructible A - serial gadget yet and the aluminium trapping is made from 100 % recycle content – or about 11 % of the phone itself .
Google place over the Charcoal version for reappraisal , which is more grey than disastrous . It ’s not my favourite hue I have to admit , and the darker tad makes the back of the phone a magnet for fingermark after just a few minutes of manipulation . The lighter , more vibrant Coral and Sea versions are far more fun colours to go for .
The 7a has anIP67rating , which is slimly humble than theIP68rating for the Pixel 7 but remains a welcome addition in this cost range .
Screen
One of the Pixel 7a ’s bigger upgrades is found in the display . Like the Pixel 7 , the 7a now supports up to a 90Hz refresh rate , that ’s a notable improvement over the 6a ’s 60Hz silver screen – although it is outflank by the new Pixel 8 ’s 120Hz display . Still , the extra zero in scrolling is noticeable when the two phones are next to each and it generally induce moving through the UI more pleasing .
TheSmooth Displayoption will also move between 60Hz and 90Hz , dropping down to the slower option to save battery when you ’re watching video , for illustration .
It remains a 1080pOLEDpanel too , with cryptical blacks and plenty of detail considering there ’s only a 6.1 - in space to fulfil . This is a unspoilt screen for the price . Dive into streaming apps like Netflix and supported cognitive content will playback in HDR ( although there ’s noDolby Vision ) apply an supererogatory boost to color .
The display also domiciliate a fingermark sensor for unlocking the phone . Google has had a passably pitiable story of properly optimising these sensors – on the Pixel 6 serial it was particularly poor – and it ’s not keen here .
About one of every 10 effort to unlock the phone failed and the sensing element seems to demand a very specific mechanical press in a specific place . The whole sensor is just a bit small . There isFace Unlocktoo , and while it ’s not as secure ( nor can it be used for say-so for good apps ) it is much fast and far more reliable .
Performance
The Pixel 7a is powered by the same Tensor G2 chipset you ’ll feel inside thePixel 7 Proand thePixel Fold . At launch , that made it a flagship - level microchip , although it has since been replaced by the Tensor G3 in the Pixel 8 , making it aslightlyless tempting choice in late 2023 .
This flake ca n’t rival the top options from Qualcomm or Apple , and there are far quick phones at this cost – the £ 579Nothing Phone ( 2)being a famed example – but Google ’s approaching has always privilege overture outside of perfect speed . Tensor ensures television camera processing is immediate and that all the AI features built into the software run with minimum fuss .
It ’s still a libertine piece of Si though , encounter Call of Duty Mobile with few hiccups and achieve workaday task with comfort . There ’s also 8 GB RAM and 128 GB of storage – a clean standard brace for a Pixel equipment .
There ’s 5 gibibyte ( both sub6 andmmWavedepending on your localisation ) andWiFi 6Esupport if you ’ve puzzle a suitable router .
Software
One of the biggest reasons to plump out for the 7a over a likewise - price phone that might charge quicker or execute better in benchmarks is the Google software experience . Not only are software updates plentiful and fast , but Google has also build numerous tremendously utile AI acquisition into the computer software .
The Recorder app for example is the expert in the concern for transcription , while the f number at which the unrecorded Translate services translates is marvellous and very useful . There ’s also the raft of Call Assist feature film introduce with the Pixel 7 including enhancements to caller ’s vocalization and easy ways to bypass long - wind phone menu choice .
The best part is that the experience should go along to meliorate over the next span of class , with Google committing to three OS ascent and five age of security patches that ’ll take it through to Android 16 . It ’s not quite as industry - leading as the seven OS upgrades offered by the Pixel 8 , but it ’s among the best you ’ll get hold at the sub-£500 Leontyne Price head .
Camera
The big reason to plump for the Pixel 7a is the photographic camera , as I do n’t cogitate there ’s anything this capable on the market for the monetary value . Whether it ’s daylight or night , the master photographic camera here is reliable and does n’t require endless tinkering to get good shots all the prison term .
Google has raise the primary camera when compared to the 6a , with a fresh 64MP sensing element doing the majority of the heavy lifting . There ’s also fasterNight Sight(that ’s the depressed light shooting modal value that combine multiple exposures to boost idle ) thanks to the extra speed of the Tensor G2 , and a fresh 13MP ultrawide lens .
There ’s no dedicated rapid climb camera , but I have found the AI - influenced Super - res Zoom churns out good results than I would gestate from digital zoom . Next to a standardiPhone 14 ’s zoom , the Pixel 7a can keep on more particular at 2x .
It ’s difficult not to be impressed with the images I have taken with the Pixel 7a , from the detail retained in the wiener ’s fur and the food to the natural colours and noise - free dark shots . Google continues to apply direct contrast - enceinte processing , with a potent focus on bringing out colours and deepen shadows . Colours do pop , but not with the same burst of saturation found on theSamsung Galaxy S23 , instead they ’re more realistic and less gimcrack .
This skill at producing colouring material continues when you ’re shooting portraits , with the Pixel 7a doing a grand job at producing accurate variegate skin tones . It can be laborious to secernate the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 7a ’s consequence when you ’re taking photos during the solar day .
Google has done an excellent job of ensuring the colour from both rearward cameras meet up , so you may jump between the two and get a very like image . There ’s no spectacular increase in saturation or contrast when you flip between the wide and ultrawide – an issue I have found with many telephone set at this price .
Night Sight is certainly faster and more reliable than the Pixel 6a , often capturing a clear and true - to - life icon in a matter of seconds . In some instances , I found the nighttime performance advantageously , faster and more reliable than on aniPhone 14 Pro Max .
Video execution is warm , capturing unchanging video at varying resolutions and frame rates ( up to 4 M 60fps ) . The tasteful colour visibility from the picture taking side are visible here too . I am also a fan of the front 13MP camera , whichcontinues the rearward cam ’s power to capture nice , and exact , pelt tones .
Battery Life
One area where the Pixel 7a does feel slightly archaic is the consign stop number and its overall stamp battery performance .
While I am gladQi charging – a feature that made the $ 299Google Nexus 4standout style back in 2012 – has been added , both the wireless and pumped up tear hurrying are dumb . When a phone like the Realme GT3 can get a full 100 % care in less than 10 minute , the 110 minute required here is a spot of a disgrace .
It does n’t help that during the review menstruation I , on a couple of occasions , needed to give the Pixel 7a a billing mid - fashion through the day – a position where quicker load speed are especially notable .
For the most part , I usually felt confident the Pixel 7a would last a full day with it broadly speaking arrive at 5 - 10 % when I come to plugging it in . However , on some meddling days when my screen on fourth dimension was above five hr , I would take to give the phone an even succus - up to make trusted I would n’t be left with a completely eat gimmick before bed .
Thissort of endurance is to be expected from a speech sound that is smaller and , as a result , has a small bombardment . But , I would be firmly - pressed to sincerely recommend this to something who is constantly using the earphone , with the screen on , all daylight .
In more semisynthetic tests , the phone performs fairly well . An hour of Netflix cyclosis ate through 6 % which is better than I would bear , while result the phone unplug over an 8 - 60 minutes period with the covert off saw a bead of only 3 % .
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Should you buy it?
The Pixel 7a ticks a lot of boxes and get along with characteristic often ditch at this Mary Leontyne Price . A great camera , wireless charging , a sound IP rating and a 90Hz screen to name but a few .
The battery life is n’t bad – it ’s just not a phone that ’ll palm extended heavy use throughout a day and it wo n’t go multiple mean solar day between direction . It does n’t help oneself that load is slow compared to thebest Android phone .
Final Thoughts
Wireless charging , a better camera , a more capable chipset and a debauched display make the Pixel 7a a beguiling bargain in 2024 , even with the newer Pixel 8a readily useable in most markets . It ’s not exclusively perfect , but when available at a discount , there ’s a mickle to like .
Yes , you’re able to regain phones at a similar cost with better CRT screen or snappier silicon chip – however none of them manage an experience quite as complete as this . From the software full of innovative Google pinch that are severe to provide behind , to the photographic camera reliability in various stipulation to the handy extras like an information science rating and Qi charge this is a phone that ’s about more than specs on a page .
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