Google Pixel 7a assessment: It’s obtained the whole lot you want and extra for simply $499

Google’s A-series telephones have been a few of the finest offers available on the market relationship again to the unique Pixel 3a. And whereas the price of latest gadgets has crept up a bit, they’ve additionally turn into extra well-rounded. However with the Pixel 7a, it looks like Google has nailed the stability between value and efficiency. We’re speaking a Tensor G2 chip, a 90Hz show, wi-fi charging and a higher-res rear cam–all beginning at simply $499. And whenever you consider its design, the Pixel 7a delivers the whole lot I like in regards to the common Pixel 7 for $100 much less. So if you happen to’re the sort of one that simply desires a strong telephone for an awesome value, the Pixel 7a has the whole lot you want.

Design

From the surface, the 7a appears like a carbon copy of the usual Pixel 7. It’s obtained a well-known two-tone design with IP67 water resistance and an nearly similar digital camera bar. However if you happen to peer a bit of nearer you’ll discover a pair variations like a barely smaller 6.1-inch OLED display (versus 6.3 for the common Pixel 7) and a really barely thicker and barely lighter physique. And regardless that the 7a options what Google calls thermal-formed polycarbonate (a elaborate method of claiming “good plastic”) on its again, it just about feels the identical too. Actually, I needed to faucet a coin on the again of the telephone to ensure, as a result of up till then I assumed each telephones used the identical materials.

Efficiency

In the meantime in entrance, the 7a nonetheless will get a stunning full HD (2400 x 1080) OLED show with an in-screen fingerprint sensor, besides now it encompasses a 90Hz refresh price. Granted, that’s not fairly as quick as you get on the Pixel 7 Professional or different flagships, however coming from the 60Hz panel on final yr’s telephone, it’s a really welcome improve. And whenever you mix that with a Tensor G2 chip, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, you find yourself with a extremely easy person expertise. Textual content simply glides down the display whenever you’re scrolling by means of web sites. And whereas its smaller show means the 7a in all probability isn’t going to be a cell players first selection for handsets, I nonetheless had a blast taking part in titles starting from extra demanding fare like Honkai: Star Rail to informal stuff like Marvel Snap.

Cameras

As for images, the 2 massive modifications are that the Pixel 7a encompasses a new high-res 64-MP major cam in again, whereas the 13-MP selfie digital camera can document movies in 4K. Up to now, the Pixel A-line has crushed mainly each different telephone in its value vary. So this time to present the 7a extra of a problem I in contrast it to each the Pixel 7 Professional and the S23 Extremely. And whereas the 7a doesn’t have a few of the extra superior options like a devoted zoom, in the case of pure picture high quality this $499 telephone greater than holds its personal.

For instance, in a daytime shot of a flower Pixel 7a did a method higher job of preserving particulars and highlights in comparison with an identical shot by the S23 Extremely. And in a pic of a dandelion, the Pixel 7a captured each fluffy seed. You don’t get a devoted telephoto lens, however Google’s Tremendous Res can produce some high quality long-range photos. Although, as you possibly can see when in comparison with the S23 Extremely, it’s nonetheless not so good as having a devoted telephoto lens. Additionally, regardless that I don’t love taking selfies, I gotta say pics look sharp there too.

In low gentle, Google’s Evening Sight mode stays among the many finest within the enterprise, although the Pixel 7a’s 64-MP digital camera does add a bit of extra noise to images than I anticipated. In a nighttime shot of a mural, regardless of the Pixel 7a’s pic wanting a contact underexposed, it has a greater white stability in comparison with the S23 Extremely whereas nonetheless preserving a whole lot of particulars. It’s solely whenever you zoom in that you just discover a bit of additional graininess. And in one other image taken at a area people backyard, the 7a produced a pic that’s actually near what I obtained from telephones twice its value.

Battery life

One other spotlight is that the mix of a comparatively small display and a decent-sized 4,385 mAh battery leads to nice longevity. On our native video rundown take a look at, the Pixel 7a lasted 17 hours and 41 minutes which, unsurprisingly, is de facto near what we obtained from final yr’s Pixel 7 (17:54) and an hour longer than the Pixel 7 Professional’s time of 16:42. Nonetheless, for many who want a extremely long-lasting gadget, larger telephones just like the OnePlus 11 and S23 Extremely are nonetheless the higher selection, with each telephones lasting over 19 hours on our assessments.

I additionally actually admire the addition of Qi wi-fi help, even when charging speeds cap out at 7.5 watts. After I’m charging the telephone in a single day or attempting to maintain the telephone topped up in the course of the day, the comfort of slapping a telephone on a wi-fi pad can’t be beat. In addition to, if you happen to want some juice in a jiffy, there’s nonetheless the choice of wired charging at 18 watts, which isn’t blazing, nevertheless it’s ok.

Wrap-up

I’ve at all times appreciated that Google has by no means tried to do an excessive amount of with its Pixel A telephones. The Pixel 7a is a straightforward gadget that packs a pleasant display that’s now even higher due to a 90Hz refresh price, strong efficiency and cameras that may hold with rivals twice its value. And now for 2023, you get useful upgrades like help for wi-fi charging, to not point out all the good present Pixel-specific options like Maintain For Me, Clear Calling and my private favourite–the Pixel Recorder app. If you happen to’re somebody who must document conversations or interviews on the common, I’d argue that app by itself is well worth the value of a 7a.

My two minor complaints are that whereas the 7a’s audio system are usually high quality, they sound a bit shallow. And, if you happen to’re somebody who cares about mmWave 5G, you’ll need to shell out an additional $50 to get help for that (and that mannequin is simply accessible from Verizon). As an entire, the 7a is sort of a shock as a result of it delivers 95% of what you get from the usual Pixel 7, however for $100 cheaper. Often, gadget makers don’t cannibalize their very own gadgets like this. However Google didn’t shrink back and the result’s an enormous win for shoppers. Would I prefer to have a devoted zoom lens or a bigger display? Positive, however that’s [kind of] why the Pixel 7 Professional exists.