Big moves in budget circles [Video]

With some substantial upgrades, the Pixel 7a improves on the Pixel 6a formula without a significant price increase. Is it worth the upgrade though? Here’s everything you need to know.

It’s hard to argue with the previous Pixel A formula. Mixing in some key specs such as a camera system with a competent processor and an attractive price brings out the best in the Pixel without the huge financial outlay.

thanks for the Cassitive To sponsor 9to5Google on YouTube!

hardware

With the Pixel 6a sitting at the end of the Pixel 6 series and the Pixel 7a sitting at the end of the Pixel 7 series, the designs overlap previous and current flagships. The camera bar is where the most notable changes come in. Google mimicked the metal “camera bar” of the Pixel 7 on its latest A-series model. It’s actually plastic while the 6a retains the glass panel that was prominent on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.

The changes don’t stop there. Somewhat unfortunately, the matte black side rails have been removed. Instead, it’s matte metal around the bezel. This has a twofold effect. First, it should help with durability with fewer issues with paint chips and chips. It also frames the screen differently. Reduce the visual impact of large bezels because the frame color is different from the screen edges.

Display quality is one of the biggest differentiators. Every smartphone is still rated at 1080p – which is pretty good for a screen this size. The caveat here is that the Pixel 6a screen is clocked at 60Hz while the Pixel 7a now has a 90Hz screen. Content flows well and the added frames elevate every interaction with your phone. It’s set to 60Hz at 7a out of the box, so we’d recommend turning it on right away.

The combination of a higher refresh rate and increased brightness makes it one of the most significant upgrades to the Pixel A-series phone since its inception. One of the nicer bonuses is that since the slabs are the same size, you can actually use Pixel 6a screen protectors this year, too — I’d recommend this one Three packs.

The only thing to note is the weight gain. The Pixel 6a comes in at 178g, and the Pixel 7a has added some heft at 193g. It may not seem like much, but it could be important to you. You also get additional color options this year with 4 for 3 only on the Pixel 6a.

Programming

Both phones run the latest Android 13 and the core experience remains identical. A few exceptions is the inclusion of Google One VPN for the Pixel 7a. This is completely free and offers free VPN service to all users for at least 5 years.

While the in-display fingerprint scanners are mostly identical and reliable, the 7a has also gained support for software-based face unlock. This is a nice extra unlock option and it’s just as smooth as it is with the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro.

The software package may be identical but the update schedule is naturally different. The 6a has received one of the three promised OS updates and will be eligible for Android 15. While the Pixel 7a is set to get Android 14 through Android 16. With 5 years of security patches also available, you’ll get support for up to July 2027 and July 2028, respectively.

One of the most notable performance improvements is the higher refresh rate screen. This enhances interactions and while 6a is not slack, it does feel slower as a result. The RAM boost to 8GB should also mean the 7a gracefully steps out with more apps that can take advantage of the added memory.

battery

With similar dimensions come similar internal cell sizes, but last year’s Pixel 6a has the advantage here — not by much. There are a few factors that come into play when it comes to the lifespan of each phone. First, the Pixel 6a has a 60Hz screen. The first generation Tensor processor seems to be more power hungry in our experience.

Even with the screen set to 90Hz, the Pixel 7a can get close to the Pixel 6a’s lifetime levels. It can last longer at 60Hz and with the improved Tensor G2 power draw. Either phone can be relied on all day long and can handle some heavy usage without experiencing issues.

Upgrades have come to 7a’s charging options. Wired charging sticks at 18W, which takes a few hours to charge your phone to 100%. The defining piece is undoubtedly the addition of wireless charging. It’s annoying at a maximum of 7.5W, but you can now use the Pixel Stand and enjoy the ability to charge without plugging in cables.

cameras

If you want the best camera, the Pixel 7a offers the first A-series upgrade since 2019. Google ditched the 12MP Sony IMX363 camera and also improved the ultrawide and selfie cameras. Visually, you may not notice subtle differences at first, but the added sharpness and larger 64MP main sensor are a great combination for crisp, pixel-clear images.

Zoom is where you’ll see massive improvements though. The larger main sensor enables improved Super Res Zoom. The sensor cropping and improved processing mean that 2x photos will look much better, while 8x photos are much better on the Pixel 7a versus the 6a.

A number of functions have not been carried over to the Pixel 6a while the Pixel 7a benefits from a slew of 7 Series options including improved 8x zoom, guided bezel, Real Tone 2.0, and more. Some of this is based on Tensor G2 processor improvements but may be important to some people. It gains these options while also including all 6a still image and recording functions such as Locked Focus, Cinematic Pan, and more.

The ultrawide improvements seem minimal at first, but when you use the camera you can zoom out to 0.6x instead of 0.6x. This extra 6-stop increase in your field of view can be useful by allowing you to get a little more frame before you hit the shutter button.

Selfie shots are also improved with a big bump from 8MP on the Pixel 6a to 13MP on the 7a. This upgrade was necessary to enable Face Unlock, which requires high-resolution facial data.

Pixel 6a vs. Pixel 7a: Which should I choose?

about the upgrade: 9to5Google He often makes specific recommendations about the product. Sometimes, we may suggest not to Upgrade, for various reasons including, but not limited to: increased device cost, negligible performance gains, or environmental impact. Whether or not to upgrade is always your call, but our goal is to help you make as informed a decision as possible.

For anyone on a budget or looking for a backup device, Google made the sensible decision to keep the Pixel 6a in the lineup for another year. However, the Pixel 6 may be a better choice if you want to opt for an older model. However, Google made the right decision keeping the 6a at $349, and it’s still a great entry-level package.

The Pixel 7a hits many of the marks that previous Pixel flagships have targeted. This makes it one of the most compelling budget options in every region in which it will be sold. $499 gets you a lot of a phone. It also suffers a bit from its predecessor. The Pixel 7 has some significant upgrades that make it worth a look.

In our eyes, the Pixel 7a is the improved A-series device we should have seen Google launch last year. Sure, it seems a year too late but it has enough in the tank to be a great affordable Android phone for years to come.