Google Pixel 7 vs. 7a
Google Pixel phones offer a great deal in terms of visuals and performance, but if you’re deciding between the 7 and 7a models, which is the right one for you?
We’ve put the Pixel 7 vs. the Pixel 7a and examined each phone’s core features, helping you identify the best one for your needs.
Both the Pixel 7 and 7a are available in three vibrant colour styles, alongside 128GB storage.
Which model is the smallest?
If you’re looking for a smaller device that is more pocket-friendly, the Pixel 7a is your phone of choice here.
As we discussed in our review, at 152mm in height and possessing a 6.1” display, the 7a fits snugly away with little effort. In comparison, the Pixel 7 has a 6.3” screen, and is a good 3mm taller.
Whether you’re on-the-go and travelling around, or you like to quickly take out your phone to snap a picture, the discreet form factor of the Pixel 7a makes it the better choice when prioritising portability.
Which of these has the best display?
Impressively, there’s little separating the Pixel 7a and 7 models in the display department, despite the 7a being the entry-level handset.
Both have a crisp, beautiful 1080p OLED panel, with identical 90Hz refresh rates to maintain a smooth experience throughout. HDR support is also built into each phone, so you’re getting those pristine, true-to-life contrasts that HDR brings.
The biggest dividing line between the Pixel 7 and 7a is screen size, which will determine the best display for you. If you desire a larger viewing experience to play games and watch videos on, the Pixel 7’s 6.3” screen will fulfil that need. However, the 7a offers an equally great time, on a more portable device, too.
Which of these has the best performance?
Stunning visuals mean little if you’re missing stable and fast performance. This isn’t a concern on either the Pixel 7 or 7a, thanks to the efficient Tensor G2 processor.
This excellent chipset provides a significant amount of performance for both phones to stretch their legs. Games run silky smooth when the action is amped up, and switching between apps is met with minimal stutter. Performance is further supported by 8GB RAM (random access memory) to give each handset more bandwidth to work with.
Due to the Pixel 7 and 7a offering very similar performance then, neither can be considered the de facto choice. Both are fantastic powerhouses that are suitable for many uses, be it gaming, productivity or photography.
Which of these has the best camera?
Speaking of photography, fantastic cameras and Pixel phones come hand-in-hand; a parallel that rings true with the Pixel 7 and 7a.
The latter of the two stands out as the top camera choice. This is due to the Pixel 7a’s inherent portability as the smaller, lighter device, and the higher pixel counts in its camera array. More pixels are essential when cropping and editing images whilst maintaining detail, so if you do this regularly, the 7a is the must-have phone. Even if you don’t, however, the technology on offer still cements it as a top contender amongst the most impressive camera phones and Pixel handsets.
The mightily impressive Photo Unblur feature is also available on the 7a, which can be used to remove blurriness from new photos, and clear up your existing image library.
Which of these has the best battery?
In terms of raw battery capacity, the Pixel 7a takes the crown with 4385mAh. Whilst this puts it ahead of its mid-range sibling, the Pixel 7 is the recommended phone if battery life is vital in your next handset, due to better wireless charging technology.
The Pixel 7 comes equipped with faster wireless charging, meaning you can recharge it on-the-go more quickly than the 7a. Given how much we use our phones when commuting, such as on the train or other transportation, it pays to have a device that can not only last most of the day, but also power back up in good time. The Pixel 7 is more than up to the task.
Battery Share is the icing on the cake. This technology enables you to charge Qi-certified devices by sharing battery power with the Pixel 7, for example a pair of earbuds.
Which of these has 5G?
Both the Pixel 7 and 7a support lightning-fast 5G wireless connectivity out of the box, as well as Android 13 and three years of software updates.
Putting the Pixel 7 vs. the 7a reveals stand-out highlights for both phones, with both suiting a wide variety of uses. If you have a Pixel 6 handset and want a detailed comparison against the flagship Pixel 7, check out our expert breakdown of how the two shape up when put side-by-side.