Google Pixel 7a: The pros and cons
View(s):- The Google I/O conference revealed a few interesting devices and this week we look at the Pixel 7a
By Mahesh De Andrado
Perhaps the most awaited, but also slightly confusing announcement was the Google Pixel 7a. Most awaited due to it being the perfect device for those who want to experience their first pixel device, confusing for the price that Google has set for it.
The Pixel 7a brings everything that the Pixel 7 has, but at a lower price ($499). There’s the same Tensor G2 chip, a 6.1” 1080×2400 pixel 90Hz OLED display protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. There’s 128GB of non-expandable storage and 8GB of RAM, and there’s a 4,385mAh non-removable battery with 7.5W wireless charging capability too. While all these sound good on paper, it’s the little things that start to creep up that make you second guess getting the Pixel 7a.
Behold the Google Pixel 7a in all its glory(Image Credits: NotebookCheck)
For starters, the battery capacity compared to the Pixel 6a is less. Added to that, there are reports of the battery life of the Pixel 7a not being too good either. Pixels were not really known for their battery life, but adding a 90Hz refresh rate while also reducing the battery capacity is asking for a bit too much trouble. The Pixel 7a also does have a higher megapixel primary camera than the Pixel 7 (64MP on the Pixel 7a vs 50MP on the Pixel 7), but the sensor is not as large as the one on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. This in turn might result in not so optimal low light photography, even with Google’s vast array of software optimization.
Then there’s the price. For just $100 more, you can get the Pixel 7 ($599) or the Pixel 6a for $449, which is $50 cheaper than the Pixel 7a. If you dig a little deeper, you can find the Pixel 6a for $ 329.99 on Amazon, making it almost $170 cheaper. Added to that, the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G comes in at $450 too, and you get a 6.4” AMOLED 120Hz display. Granted, the Tensor G2 chip is much faster, but the A54 is no slouch either.
Don’t get me wrong. The Pixel 7a is a good buy. It’s a Pixel so you’re guaranteed software updates and Google’s software tweaks for the next couple of years. But the fact that you can get either the Pixel 6a for a bargain, or the Pixel 7 for just a bit more, makes me feel like Google is poking themselves in the foot (rather than shooting themselves).
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