Google Pixel 7a review: It’s got everything you need and more for just $499 #GeekLeap

Google’s A-series telephones have been a number of the greatest offers available on the market courting again to the unique Pixel 3a. And whereas the price of latest gadgets has crept up a bit, they’ve additionally grow to be extra well-rounded. However with the Pixel 7a, it looks like Google has nailed the steadiness 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 once you think about its design, the Pixel 7a delivers all the things I like concerning the common Pixel 7 for $100 much less. So should you’re the form of one who simply needs a strong cellphone for an important value, the Pixel 7a has all the things you want.

Design

From the surface, the 7a appears to be like like a carbon copy of the usual Pixel 7. It’s received a well-recognized two-tone design with IP67 water resistance and an virtually equivalent digital camera bar. However should you peer just a little 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 despite the fact that the 7a options what Google calls thermal-formed polycarbonate (a flowery manner of claiming “good plastic”) on its again, it just about feels the identical too. The truth is, I needed to faucet a coin on the again of the cellphone to ensure, as a result of up till then I believed 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 charge. 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 cellphone, it’s a really welcome improve. And once you mix that with a Tensor G2 chip, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, you find yourself with a extremely clean consumer expertise. Textual content simply glides down the display once you’re scrolling via web sites. And whereas its smaller show means the 7a in all probability isn’t going to be a cell avid gamers first alternative for handsets, I nonetheless had a blast enjoying titles starting from extra demanding fare like Honkai: Star Rail to informal stuff like Marvel Snap.

Cameras

As for pictures, the 2 huge adjustments 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 principally each different cellphone 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 number of the extra superior options like a devoted zoom, in terms of pure photograph high quality this $499 cellphone greater than holds its personal.

For instance, in a daytime shot of a flower Pixel 7a did a manner 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 inferior to having a devoted telephoto lens. Additionally, despite the fact that I don’t love taking selfies, I gotta say pics look sharp there too.

In low mild, Google’s Evening Sight mode stays among the many greatest within the enterprise, although the Pixel 7a’s 64-MP digital camera does add just a little extra noise to pictures 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 steadiness in comparison with the S23 Extremely whereas nonetheless preserving lots of particulars. It’s solely once you zoom in that you simply 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 received 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 basically near what we received from final yr’s Pixel 7 (17:54) and an hour longer than the Pixel 7 Professional’s time of 16:42. Nonetheless, for individuals who want a extremely long-lasting system, larger telephones just like the OnePlus 11 and S23 Extremely are nonetheless the higher alternative, with each telephones lasting over 19 hours on our checks.

I additionally actually admire the addition of Qi wi-fi assist, even when charging speeds cap out at 7.5 watts. After I’m charging the cellphone in a single day or making an attempt to maintain the cellphone topped up in the course of the day, the comfort of slapping a cellphone on a wi-fi pad can’t be beat. Apart from, should you 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 system that packs a pleasant display that’s now even higher because of a 90Hz refresh charge, strong efficiency and cameras that may grasp with rivals twice its value. And now for 2023, you get useful upgrades like assist for wi-fi charging, to not point out all the nice 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 definitely worth the value of a 7a.

My two minor complaints are that whereas the 7a’s audio system are typically tremendous, they sound a bit shallow. And, should you’re somebody who cares about mmWave 5G, you’ll must shell out an additional $50 to get assist for that (and that mannequin is barely obtainable from Verizon). As an entire, the 7a is form of a shock as a result of it delivers 95% of what you get from the usual Pixel 7, however for $100 cheaper. Often, system makers don’t cannibalize their very own gadgets like this. However Google didn’t draw back and the result’s a giant 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.