Pixel 7a Review: An Upgrade at a Pocket-friendly Price

Over the years, Google Pixel has carved a niche for itself. Its incredible camera abilities and fascinating image-processing algorithms created a customer base over time. The much-awaited Google Pixel 7a doesn’t fail to surprise us in a few ways but does come with its share of nominal setbacks.

In this comprehensive review, we take you through the different facets of the phone in detail, jot down the pros and cons, and share our final verdict. Well, without further do, let’s dive right into this review!

If you look at Google 7 and the affordable Google 7a, you’ll know a clear choice is Google 7a. The mobile is perhaps the only one that comes closest to the higher range in terms of its features and product offerings. Although there are a few setbacks in terms of its battery life, charging speed, and performance, what takes the cake is its camera features and the latest Tensor processor.

Key Features

The Google Pixel 7a:

Design

The overall design looks premium, but you can see a few subtle differences between Google Pixel 7 and 7a if you’re an aficionado. The cover comes in different colours, including Charcoal, Sea, Snow, and Coral. Know that the last one is exclusively available at Google Stores. Like 6a, even this has a rear panel for the camera with a metallic finish. However, this is where you can feel the minute difference between the phone and its predecessor, 7. The mobile is slick, has a good feel, and seems inviting to users. However, it is also slightly slippery. So we’d recommend using it with a case.

Display

The display is quite similar to Google 6a. However, there are two notable differences. Firstly, the screen refresh rate has gone up from 60Hz to 90Hz. This makes a significant difference in the user experience as they can move between apps and multitask seamlessly. The upgrade is significant because all the predecessors in this range (with ‘a’) didn’t have a screen refresh rate which hindered the user experience.

The second upgrade is the fingerprint reader built-in with the 6.1-inch HD OLED screen. The reader was quite jarring in Google 6a, but in Google 7a, this feature is much better. However, it can be improved further in the upcoming models. The HDR-10-certified display was accurate and didn’t hinder the experience when viewed outdoors under the sharp sunlight.

Camera

Google Pixel has a way of surprising us and remaining consistent with its best features across several phones. Google 7a is no exception to this norm. Specs-wise, the rear camera includes 64MP and 13MP sensors. The front camera is bumped up from 8MP to 13MP.

The quality of pictures is incredible and quite consistent across various modes and lighting scenarios. Whether it’s a low-lit or a well-lit area, the photo quality seems consistent. The Night Sight mode seems pretty fast too, and you can also unblur some of the photos with minor blur due to shaking.

When it comes to the front camera, the frame seems smaller in 7a when compared to 6a. Furthermore, the low-light pictures of 6a seemed slightly better with regard to the colors and detailing. On the other hand, the rear camera supersedes the one in 6a in every way. The detailing is better, the Night Sight mode enables you to capture better photos of moving objects, and the colors are much better in 7a than in 6a.

Furthermore, with the help of the new Google Tensor G2 processor (I will get to this in a minute.), you can click different kinds of pictures and use the camera for different photography tricks. The downside is that while taking a video in 4K, the phone tends to get heated.

Battery, Processor, & Performance

The battery is smaller in size than in Google 6a. But the phone seems heavier than its predecessor. This could be because wireless charging is added. However, the battery life is relatively low, and for people who use their phone intensively, the phone wouldn’t last for 24 hours. The box doesn’t come with any charger, as usual. However, the major drawback is that the battery charges very slowly. It would take an average of 90 to 120 minutes for the phone to fully charge. The good part is that 7a comes with a wireless charging feature. This is the first mobile in the series to come with the said feature.

After the camera, the next best thing is the processor, Google Tensor G2. This is Google’s latest processor, which is fast and much better than all its predecessors. The processor helps with multiple facets of the phone. It enables better camera features, supports the 90Hz screen refresh rate, and allows intensive usage. The 8GB RAM also supports multitasking between apps and also allows gaming on the phone.

Verdict

In summary, Google 7a does come with its drawbacks but also offers several features that compensate for the cons. Many of these features are found only in premium versions, and thus the phone is worth the money you spend on it.