Google’s new mid-range Pixel 7a smartphone faces tough competition from last year’s Pixel 6a. I’ve tested out the 7a to see how it stacks up to its predecessor. Here’s an in-depth look at what’s new, what’s unchanged, and how the Pixel 7a compares overall.
Design and Hardware
At first glance, the Pixel 7a looks very similar to the 6a:
- Identical 6.1″ OLED display with 1080p resolution
- Nearly the same plastic unibody design with metal camera visor
- Single hole-punch front camera in center
- Rear fingerprint sensor
But there are some notable hardware differences:
- Pixel 7a is taller, thicker, and heavier than the 6a
- 7a feels more premium with its metal camera frame
- Visor sits flush on 7a instead of raised on 6a
- New sage green color option (6a was just black or white)
Display:
- 7a adds 90Hz refresh rate versus 60Hz on 6a
- Brighter 500 nit typical max brightness vs 450 nits on 6a
- Otherwise same FHD OLED panel on both
Performance and Battery:
- 7a has newer Tensor G2 chip vs original Tensor in 6a
- Extra 2GB RAM (8GB vs 6GB)
- Slightly smaller 4366mAh battery in 7a vs 4410mAh in 6a
But surprisingly similar battery life despite higher refresh screen.
Cameras:
- New 64MP main + 12MP ultrawide sensors on 7a
- But photo quality very close to 12 + 12MP shooters on 6a
- 7a captures slightly brighter shots with better shadows
Other Changes:
- 7a upgrades selfie cam to 13MP with 4K video (8MP 1080p on 6a)
- Stereo speakers sound nearly identical
- Headphone jack remains
- 5G support on both
Summary:
The Pixel 7a refines the 6a formula but hardware changes are subtle. 90Hz display is the most meaningful upgrade. Cameras, performance, and battery life see minor improvements.
Software and User Experience
No surprises here as both 6a and 7a offer the same smooth stock Android 13 experience:
- Clean UI with Material You dynamic theming
- Fluid navigation and animations
- Helpful Google features like live translate built-in
The 7a feels a bit snappier thanks to its newer chip and extra RAM. But general UI navigation is quite similar.
Camera Performance
Given their different camera hardware, I expected to see bigger differences in the photo and video quality. But Pixel’s computational photography delivers remarkably consistent results across the 6a and 7a:
Daytime Photos
- Almost identical image processing and characteristics
- 7a lifts shadows slightly more revealing extra detail
- Otherwise very difficult to tell apart
Low Light Photos
- Nearly equal night time performance
- 7a opts for a more realistic tone vs 6a’s bluish cast
- But both capture an impressive amount of detail in dim conditions
Video Recording
- 7a can shoot 4K 30fps from both rear and selfie cameras
- 6a limited to 1080p video from selfie cam
- Quality advantage goes to 7a but not a massive change
Special Modes
- 7a gains long exposure light trail feature not on 6a
- Otherwise offer identical selection of creative modes
The 7a has the edge in image quality, but unless you scrutinize side-by-side comparisons, you’d likely be very happy with the 6a’s camera performance as well.
Pricing and Value
- Pixel 7a launched at $449 but now costs $499
- Pixel 6a originally retailed for $449 but heavily discounted
- 7a hard to justify at $50 premium over typical 6a sale price
- But 7a arguably better value compared to 6a’s MSRP
Verdict:
The Pixel 7a makes smart improvements over the 6a. But original 6a offered tremendous value, especially at its discounted price. At $499, I wish Google stuck with 6a’s $449 tag.
Still, if you missed out on the 6a deals, the 7a delivers a flagship-quality experience at a mid-range cost. Just don’t expect massive leaps over last year’s model. For most, the 6a remains good enough at its lower price point.