Google Pixel 7a review: This new Pixel has grown

The Google Pixel 7a was unveiled at I/O 2023 earlier this month, making it the fourth-generation Pixel a series phone on the market. The new Pixel 7a seems to build on Google’s focus on offering an affordable Pixel to people who don’t want to buy the flagship Pixel. However, Google has narrowed the gap between the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7a features this year.

The company has switched to a custom Tensor G-series chip since the launch of the Pixel 6 series. This year, you’ll have the Tensor G2 at the top of Google’s flagship and mid-range missions. But at Rs 43,999, the Pixel 7a is by no means affordable in a market like India where buyers are spoiled for choice. So what could be the main things that make the Pixel 7a a worthwhile purchase in the range? We will give you the answer in this review.

Google Pixel 7a review: What’s cool?

The first thing you’ll notice about the Pixel 7a is its compact design. With a 6.1-inch display, you have a small form factor that has become a rarity in most segments. But when you hold the Pixel 7a, you realize that the little phone is still very attractive.

There have been some changes in the design, especially the use of a plastic body panel at the back, but the body is made of aluminum, which makes the phone easy to hold and a tight grip. The rear camera module also has some cutouts, but overall the Pixel 7a is identical to the premium Pixel 7.

The 6.1-inch screen gets an OLED panel, and this year you have a 90Hz refresh rate display, which is an upgrade from the Pixel 6a’s 60Hz display. The panel colors are vibrant and you have different settings to suit your preferences. Having a high refresh rate screen is a definite plus as it makes scrolling smooth and the overall experience is pretty good.

Now we’re talking about the Pixel 7a’s cameras, which have also been updated with a new 64-megapixel primary sensor, along with a 13-megapixel ultra-wide sensor. These cameras combined with Google Computational Photography give you natural tones and excellent details in your photos. Even in low light, the quality of the photos will impress you. It’s fair to say that the Pixel 7a’s cameras are up to par with the best in the segment, with big improvements over its predecessor thanks to the overall package.

Pixel phones give you the best software experience with a standard user interface, and with Android 13, the Pixel 7a gives you premium features on a budget. On top of that, Google is offering three OS updates for the Pixel 7a, meaning you’ll get Android 16, plus two more years of security updates. You get the Pixel 7a’s IP67 rating, wireless charging support, and a selfie camera.

The Pixel 7a’s performance is mixed, but let’s talk about the good parts first. The Tensor G2 is a capable chip, but no match for flagship hardware. Make no mistake, you can still enjoy browsing the web, following social media and playing games. Most of these are the main reasons why you buy a phone and the Pixel 7a easily delivers on that front.

Google Pixel 7a review: What’s not so cool?

The Pixel 7a has a lot going for it, but even then you have to talk about the cons because it costs over Rs 40,000. First, the Tensor G2 chip has the same thermal management issues we’ve seen in the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. The Pixel 7a has a smaller battery than the Pixel 6a, but even then the hardware should make up for the battery life well, which is not the case here. As we said, the Tensor G2 is good in terms of performance, but when you’re competing against phones with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, the stakes are much higher.

Once again, Google is limiting the availability of the Pixel 7a to a single 128GB storage variant. Yes, we understand you have Google Drive storage, but most people would still prefer the 256GB option, especially since most phones come without a microSD card slot.

This brings us to the next point of concern with the Pixel 7a, its battery life. The average screen-on time we got during our tests is about 4.5 hours, which is not what we expected from a 6.1-inch compact phone.

Charging support is limited to 18W and the wireless charging unit only gives you a speed of 5W, which is not very fast. It also has no headphone jack, and no charger in the box either.

Google Pixel 7a Review: Should You Buy It?

The Pixel 7a has shown signs of growth. It’s picked up a lot of features from the premium Pixel 7, but to keep the cost down there’s been some cuts that aren’t exactly deal breakers. The cameras have been updated, the screen quality is now better and the overall user experience of the phone will keep most of you satisfied.

However, the Tensor G2 is the elephant in the room, and Google needs to find a solution to fix the issues with the Tensor chip, mostly related to thermal management, which has a direct impact on the phone’s battery life. If you want a premium Pixel experience, the Pixel 7a gives you the chance to experience the Pixel camera, Android and compact design in the so-called premium budget market. If heavy performance isn’t your cup of tea, the Pixel 7a is worth a try.

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