Pixel 7A Review: Basically Google’s Pixel 7 for $100 Less

Excellent news, Pixel followers: the Pixel 7 simply acquired $100 cheaper. Properly, not likely. But it surely may as nicely have. Regardless that Google nonetheless expenses $599 for its flagship Pixel, it simply launched the $499 (£449, AU$749) Pixel 7A — which incorporates most of the similar advantages at a cheaper price. (See our full Pixel 7A preorder information for the present finest offers, together with a $50 reward card at Amazon, and a free case and headphones on the Google Retailer.) 

Google introduced the Pixel 7A at Google I/O, its annual developer convention the place it sometimes introduces new merchandise and updates to present ones. Aside from the Pixel 7A, which is out there now, Google additionally debuted the Pixel Fold, a brand new Pixel Pill and a slew of recent AI-powered options for search and different providers.  

Clearly, Google took suggestions on the Pixel 6A under consideration with its newest entry-level telephone. The Pixel 7A features a 90Hz display for smoother graphics and scrolling, together with wi-fi charging and face unlock. Although these is probably not must-haves for everybody, they’re widespread options that the Pixel 6A lacked. 

In any other case, the Pixel 7A has the identical Tensor G2 processor because the Pixel 7, a brand new 64-megapixel fundamental digital camera and a 6.1-inch display identical to its predecessor. Because the Pixel 7A runs on Google’s cell processor, you possibly can count on most of the similar Pixel-specific options seen on different gadgets, just like the telephone app’s Maintain for Me setting, Google’s Recorder app and the corporate’s Actual Tone photograph processing tech, which is supposed to render pores and skin tones extra realistically. 

Taken collectively, these adjustments assist bridge the hole between the Pixel 7A and the Pixel 7. On the similar time, it may additionally make the shopping for choice extra difficult in case you’re searching for a brand new Pixel machine. 

Watch this: Pixel 7A Evaluation: A Step Ahead for Google’s Price range Telephone

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Google Pixel 7A appears to be like rather a lot just like the Pixel 7 

Just like the Pixel 6A, the Pixel 7A borrows design cues from its pricier predecessor. That features the digital camera bar, which has a matte metallic end that nearly matches the one on the Pixel 7. The Pixel 7A’s digital camera strip is barely thinner than the Pixel 7’s, marking one of many few noticeable bodily variations between the 2 gadgets. The Pixel 7A can be obtainable in several shade choices in contrast with the Pixel 7. You possibly can choose up Google’s cheaper telephone in white, black, mild blue or  vivid orange, whereas the Pixel 7 is available in white, mild yellow or black.

The Pixel 7A is engaging for a telephone on this value vary, very similar to the Pixel 6A. A part of me wonders if Google’s strategy to design with its A-series telephones motivated Samsung to up its recreation, too. The Galaxy A54 5G, which prices $450 and is Samsung’s direct competitor to the Pixel 7A, has a shiny end that makes it really feel extra premium than final 12 months’s Galaxy A53 5G.  

The Pixel 7A has a 6.1-inch display; the identical measurement because the Pixel 6A’s and barely smaller than the 6.3-inch display on the Pixel 7. In case you choose smaller telephones, it’s possible you’ll discover the Pixel 7A simpler to make use of with one hand in contrast with the Pixel 7. I personally discover 6.1 inches to be the proper display measurement for a telephone, because it offers sufficient area to comfortably learn and watch movies with out feeling overwhelming to function. 

The most important change Google made to the Pixel 7A’s display is its skill to modify the refresh charge between 60Hz and 90Hz relying on what’s on the display. With this setting turned on, navigating the working system and scrolling by means of apps felt clean and slick. Honestly, I did not at all times discover an enormous distinction in contrast with the Pixel 6A, which has a regular 60Hz display.

However there have been some circumstances when flipping by means of my Twitter feed felt noticeably speedy on the Pixel 7A. Regardless, it is nice to see Google incorporating extra premium options into its inexpensive gadgets, particularly as increased refresh charges are beginning to turn into the norm.

It additionally helps Google keep extra aggressive with Samsung, which frequently trickles high-end options all the way down to its personal price range Galaxy telephones. The Galaxy A54 5G can improve its refresh charge as much as 120Hz, for instance, much like Samsung’s high-end Galaxy S gadgets. 

Google additionally says it bumped up the Pixel 7A’s brightness, which might deal with one among my largest complaints in regards to the Pixel 6A. Sadly, I did not discover a lot of a distinction. Although I had no drawback utilizing the Pixel 7A at 50% brightness or decrease indoors, I nonetheless needed to crank it as much as between 75% and 100% open air.  

Each the Pixel 7A and Galaxy A54 5G are able to reaching 1,000 nits of brightness at their most setting. Nonetheless, even at decrease settings, the Galaxy A54 5G’s display regarded noticeably brighter alongside the Pixel 7A’s. 

Pixel 7A’s digital camera takes nice pictures

The Pixel 7A has a powerful digital camera that produced outcomes much like the Pixel 7’s. The Pixel 7A has a 64-megapixel fundamental digital camera and a 13-megapixel ultrawide digital camera, as proven beneath, each of which have the next decision than the Pixel 7’s fundamental and ultrawide digital camera.

Regardless that the Pixel 7A’s fundamental digital camera has extra megapixels than the step-up mannequin, Google says the Pixel 7’s fundamental digital camera is extra mild delicate and, extra importantly, has a bigger sensor. However more often than not, I may barely inform the distinction between pictures taken on the Pixel 7A and the Pixel 7. There have been some cases the place the Pixel 7 captured extra element, however I needed to zoom in on my monitor to inform. I even thought the Pixel 7A did a greater job than the Pixel 7 at capturing a portrait of my husband close to a window in a mixture of indoor and outside lighting.

The Pixel 6A has an amazing digital camera that snaps crisp and colourful pictures, particularly for a telephone underneath $400. Nonetheless, I observed the Pixel 7A generally uncovered the topic higher, as proven within the zoomed photograph of a cease signal beneath and the photograph of my husband. The Pixel 6A was additionally noticeably slower than the Pixel 7A when taking pictures in Evening Mode. (Because the Pixel 6A was slower, my cat moved midshot, as you possibly can see beneath). 

I typically choose the Pixel 7A’s digital camera over the Galaxy A54’s, since Samsung’s telephone made colours look over uncovered when taking pictures open air. However the Galaxy A54 5G carried out nicely in just a few of my exams, particularly when taking pictures low-light pictures. It additionally has a more in-depth digital zoom than the Pixel 7A, Pixel 7 and Pixel 6A, although its photograph got here out grainier.

The Pixel 7A’s 13-megapixel entrance digital camera can take an amazing selfie. Throughout my testing in opposition to the Pixel 7, Pixel 6A and Galaxy A54, the 7A’s selfie was my favourite as a result of it had the correct mix of element, shade accuracy and softening to make my face look flattering. 

The Pixel 7A can shoot 4K video at as much as 60 frames per second, identical to the Pixel 7, and photographs shot on the 2 telephones regarded very comparable. 

You additionally get most of the similar digital camera taking pictures modes, backend tech and modifying methods discovered on the Pixel 7, similar to Magic Eraser, Picture Unblur and Actual Tone, which you’ll learn extra about in my Pixel 7 overview. Nonetheless, the Pixel 7A would not have the Pixel 7’s Motion Pan, which focuses sharply on a transferring topic and blurs the background. But it surely does have Lengthy Publicity mode, not like the Pixel 6A, which has neither of these options. 

The underside line: Regardless that the Pixel 7 technically has a extra superior digital camera in accordance with Google, the Pixel 7A’s digital camera can be simply superb for informal photographers. The Pixel 7A ought to be a lot ample for the typical telephone consumer who primarily desires to take nice pictures of holidays, household gatherings and social events. Those that really need the most effective digital camera on a Pixel telephone ought to go for the Pixel 7 Professional, which has a devoted telephoto lens and different extras.

Pixel 7A has stable battery life and features wi-fi charging

The Pixel 7A can get by means of a full day on a single cost, although battery life will at all times differ relying on the telephone’s settings and which apps you are utilizing. My expertise diverse a bit relying on my circumstances. 

On a lighter day of use spent largely at residence, I used the Pixel 7A for primary duties like checking e-mail, enjoying video games for 10 minutes, exporting just a few movies and taking pictures for roughly 20 minutes. I had 41% of my battery left after about 16 hours. 

However on a busier day, once I commuted into the workplace, streamed music for about an hour throughout my subway experience and made a video name, the battery was down to twenty% after about 13 hours of use. I attempted to maintain the brightness at 50% on each days, however there have been instances on each events once I set it increased whereas open air. Throughout my testing, I additionally left the excessive refresh charge setting turned on and the always-on show choice switched off — each of these can affect battery efficiency.

I ran a 45-minute endurance check that consists of streaming video, making a video name, enjoying video games, shopping social media, and basic miscellaneous use to see how a lot these actions would drain the battery after a full cost. The Pixel 7A had 92% of its battery left after that check, which places it on par with the Galaxy S23 (91%) however decrease than the Pixel 7 (94%).

I additionally streamed a YouTube video to see how a lot doing so would drain the battery over the course of three hours. The Pixel 7A carried out barely higher than the Pixel 7 on this check, although the outcomes had been shut. 

One main side new to the Pixel 7A is wi-fi charging. Although the flexibility to energy up your telephone by resting it on a appropriate charger has been normal on many telephones for years, it is sometimes lacking from budget-minded gadgets. The Pixel 6A would not have wi-fi charging, for instance, and neither does the Galaxy A54 5G.

The Pixel 7A’s wi-fi charging pace is slower than the Pixel 7’s (7.5 watts versus 12W on the Pixel 7 with a appropriate qi-certified charger), and it took half-hour to cost from 37% to 47%. 

Pixel 7A efficiency and different options

The Pixel 7A runs on Google’s Tensor G2 processor, which feels clean and fluid when performing day by day duties, whether or not that is enjoying a cell recreation, scrolling by means of apps or snapping pictures. 

Efficiency isn’t a priority on main smartphone releases from corporations like Apple, Google, Samsung and OnePlus. But it surely’s price mentioning for a telephone at this value, as a result of cheaper telephones can generally include efficiency hiccups, as was the case once I reviewed the Galaxy A53 5G final 12 months.

On a regular basis efficiency felt speedy, however I did discover that the Pixel 7A exported video a bit extra slowly than Google’s different Pixels and Samsung’s Galaxy A54 5G. On common, it took about 22.5 seconds for the Pixel 7A to export a 30-second 4K video to 1080p in Adobe Premiere Rush, which is slower than the Pixel 6A (20.2 seconds), Pixel 7 (18.3 seconds) and Galaxy A54 5G (15.6 seconds).

Nonetheless, that Tensor G2 chip is extra in regards to the Pixel-specific options you get, moderately than pace alone. These embrace Google’s Recorder app, Dwell Translate and Picture Unblur. Google’s Pixel telephones even have some useful phone-calling options, like Maintain for Me, which permits Google to attend on the road in your stead. Tips like these assist set Pixel telephones aside from different Android gadgets, although Samsung is attempting to catch up by bringing extra Galaxy-specific methods to its personal gadgets. 

The Pixel 7A launches with Android 13 and can get three years of Android model updates and 5 years of safety updates. That matches the Pixel 7 and seven Professional, nevertheless it’s nonetheless behind Samsung, which pledges 4 generations of Android OS updates and 5 years of safety updates. 

Pixel 7A, Pixel 7 or Pixel 6A: Which do you have to select?

Given all of the similarities between the Pixel 7 and 7A, deciding between the 2 could be difficult. Google is preserving final 12 months’s Pixel 6A within the lineup for a newly discounted value of $349, making it a tempting alternative for these on a price range.

My recommendation? After spending just a few days with the Pixel 7A, I am unable to give you a compelling purpose to decide on the Pixel 7 as a substitute. The Pixel 7A has the identical processor, an amazing fundamental digital camera and the identical quantity of reminiscence and storage. By including wi-fi charging and a smoother display to the Pixel 7A, Google fastened the 2 main options the Pixel 6A was lacking. 

The Pixel 6A nonetheless has a lot to supply at its new value, together with a succesful digital camera and Google’s Pixel-specific software program options. In case you choose to economize and do not thoughts sacrificing wi-fi charging, face unlock, and further photograph instruments like lengthy publicity mode, the Picture Unblur modifying instrument and sooner evening mode seize, then the Pixel 6A remains to be a worthwhile alternative.

Nonetheless, it is price contemplating Google’s software program replace cycle. Because the Pixel 7A launched later than the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6A, it will get Android model updates for an extended time period. That might be purpose to decide on the Pixel 7A over the 6A.

Pixel 7A total ideas

The Pixel 7A looks like the most effective worth for Pixel followers proper now. When you miss out on sure Pixel 7 extras, like battery share, the digital camera’s Motion Pan mode, a bigger display and barely sooner charging, none of these omissions looks like a deal-breaker. In my expertise, digital camera efficiency is comparable between the 2 — actually sufficient to fulfill the typical particular person. 

With the Pixel 7A, it is clear Google is leaning into aggressive pricing as a serious a part of its effort to deliver extra Android customers into the world of Pixel. My solely concern is that Google could also be blurring the road a bit an excessive amount of between its A-series Pixel and common Pixel. Do not get me mistaken, I am glad Google introduced many of the options I requested for to the Pixel 7A. It simply means I will be anticipating extra from the Pixel 8.

How we check telephones

Each telephone examined by CNET’s opinions crew was truly utilized in the true world. We check a telephone’s options, play video games and take pictures. We look at the show to see if it is vivid, sharp and vibrant. We analyze the design and construct to see how it’s to carry and whether or not it has an IP-rating for water resistance. We push the processor’s efficiency to the extremes utilizing each standardized benchmark instruments like GeekBench and 3DMark, together with our personal anecdotal observations navigating the interface, recording high-resolution movies and enjoying graphically intense video games at excessive refresh charges.

All of the cameras are examined in quite a lot of circumstances from vivid daylight to darkish indoor scenes. We check out particular options like evening mode and portrait mode and examine our findings in opposition to equally priced competing telephones. We additionally take a look at the battery life by utilizing it day by day in addition to working a collection of battery drain exams.

We take into consideration extra options like help for 5G, satellite tv for pc connectivity, fingerprint and face sensors, stylus help, quick charging speeds, foldable shows amongst others that may be helpful. And we after all stability all of this in opposition to the worth to provide the verdict on whether or not that telephone, no matter value it’s, truly represents good worth.