Google Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 6a: Is The Newer BETTER?
The Pixel 7a has landed, but how will it compare to the Pixel 6a? Let’s find out…
KEY TAKEAWAYS – Google Pixel 7a vs. Google Pixel 6a
- Display: Pixel 7a has a 6.1-inch FHD+ 90Hz OLED display, while Pixel 6a has a 6.1-inch FHD+ 60Hz OLED display.
- Processor: Pixel 7a comes with a Google Tensor G2 SoC, which is more powerful than the Google Tensor SoC found in the Pixel 6a.
- RAM and Storage: Pixel 7a has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, while Pixel 6a has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
- Camera: Pixel 7a features a dual-lens 64MP main + 13MP ultrawide rear camera system, while Pixel 6a has a dual-lens 12.2MP main + 12MP ultrawide rear camera.
- Battery: Pixel 7a has a 4,300mAh battery with 18W fast charging and 7.5W wireless charging, while Pixel 6a has a 4,410mAh battery with 18W fast charging.
- Security: Pixel 7a comes with the Titan M2 security chip, Face Unlock, and Fingerprint sensor, while Pixel 6a has a Titan M security chip and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Operating System: Pixel 7a launches with Android 13, while Pixel 6a launched with Android 12, which has now been updated to Android 13.
- Other Features: Pixel 7a has have stereo speakers and IP68 water and dust resistance, just like Pixel 6a. Both phones also come with Google Assistant.
The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are currently impressing people all over the globe, reviewers included. Following on from the Pixel 6 series, Google has really hit its stride with the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.
The cameras are better, Tensor G2 is now more refined and useful, and there don’t seem to be quite as many hardware issues, bugs, and foibles with the Pixel 7 series as there were with the Pixel 6 series.
Pixel 7a is finally here, which brings all of the goodness from the new Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro to Pixel a series. When compared to its predecessor, Pixel 7a brings a host of upgrades such as a better display, camera, performance and more.
Let’s now take a look at how the Pixel 7a will compare to the Pixel 6a, and check which is the better phone for you!
Design
There are minimal changes in design between Pixel 7a and Pixel 6a. Both phones come with the signature Pixel design language we saw with the Pixel 6 series and the Pixel 7 series. The camera bar stays prominent on the back, with the Pixel 7a now coming with a colour matching the phone’s back panel, while the Pixel 6a has the whole camera bar blacked out. This change aligns with the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro design.
Pixel 7a is available in 4 colours – Sea, Charcoal, Snow and Coral. Pixel 6a is available in 3 colours – Charcoal, Chalk and Sage.
Display
Pixel 7a finally brings the much-awaited high refresh rate display to Pixel a series of phones which was stuck with 60Hz when the competitors from Samsung and Motorola switched to high refresh rate displays years ago. Better late than never.
Pixel 7a and Pixel 6a come with a 6.1-inch OLED display with a resolution of FHD+ (1080 x 2400). The Pixel 7a display has a refresh rate of 90Hz, while the one on Pixel 6a is set at 60Hz. Both the displays are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, a much older version of the strengthened glass.
Performance
Google updated Pixel 7a with the Tensor G2 SoC used in Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, while the Pixel 6a uses the first-generation Tensor SoC. While Tensor G2 isn’t a flagship chipset, it is a great chipset for the price offered by the phone. It might also be one of the best SoCs in the segment, better than the Exynos 1280 chipset in the Samsung Galaxy A54.
The RAM on Pixel 7a has been upgraded to 8GB from the 6GB RAM of Pixel 6a.
Camera
Google Pixel 7a and Pixle 6a use a dual camera setup on the back consisting of a primary camera and a secondary ultrawide camera. Since its inception, Google has been using the same sensor, the 12.2 MP Sony IMX363 sensor, for Pixel a series. The same sensor was featured in Pixel 6a, Pixel 5a, Pixel 4a and Pixel 3a. Google has finally decided to upgrade the camera on Pixel a series by using a 64 MP Sony IMX 787 sensor. Pixel 7a has a 13 MP ultrawide secondary camera with a field of view of 120°, while Pixel 6a has a 12MP ultrawide camera for secondary with a field of view of 114°. Google has also upgraded the selfie shooter of the Pixel a series, upgrading to a 13 MP sensor, while all the other phones until the Pixel 6a used an 8 MP selfie camera.
Battery
Pixel 7a has a slightly smaller battery than Pixel 6a, coming in a 4300 mAh compared to the 4410 mAh of the latter. Both phones come with the same 18W fast charging. Pixel 7a finally brings wireless charging to Pixel a series, as Pixel 7a comes with 7.5W Qi wireless charging.
Software & User Experience
Pixel 6a was launched with Android 12 out of the box, which has since been updated to Android 13. Pixel 7a, on the other hand, launched with Android 13. Pixel phones come with Google’s own custom skin, unofficially named Pixel UI, with some exclusive AI features on top of stock Android. It has Pixel-specific features such as call screening, live caption, motion sense, magic eraser and more.
Specs Comparison Table
| Specification | Google Pixel 7a | Googel Pixel 6a |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm | 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm |
| Weight | 192.7g | 178g |
| Build | Glass front, Plastic back & Aluminium frame | Glass front, Plastic back & Aluminium frame |
| SIM | Nano-SIM, eSIM | Nano-SIM and eSIM |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Display size | 6.1 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Display type | OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels | 1080 x 2400 pixels |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz | 60Hz |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Processor | Google Tensor G2 | Google Tensor |
| CPU | Octa-core (2×2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2×2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2×2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2×2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Mali-G710 MP7 | Mali-G78 MP20 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Main camera | 64 MP, ƒ/1.89, 1/1.73″ | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 1/2.55″ |
| Ultra-wide camera | 13 MP, f/2.2, 120° | 12 MP, f/2.2, 114° |
| Selfie camera | 13 MP, ƒ/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 |
| Battery capacity | 4300 mAh | 4410 mAh |
| Charging speed | 18W | 18W |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi wireless charging | N/A |
| Operating system | Android 13 | Android 13 |
| Price | $499 / £449 / €509 | $349 / £349 / €409 |
Price & Value For Money
Here’s the pricing of Pixel 7a:
Here’s the pricing of Pixel 6a:
Pixel 6a was launched for $449, which has seen a price cut after a year, which makes it $150 cheaper than Pixel 7a, which launches for a higher price of $499.
Conclusion
Google Pixel 7a is a great upgrade to last year’s Pixel 6a. It is a true upgrade over its predecessor; the Pixel 7a has a better display, processor, camera, and more. It also brings wireless charging to Pixel a series. But the price difference between the Pixel 7a and Pixel 6a needs to be considered while making a decision, as the Pixel 7a costs $499/£449/€509 while Pixel 6a costs $349/£349/€409. That’s a significant difference, and if you choose Pixel 6a instead of Pixel 7a, you’re essentially getting a similar experience for almost two-thirds of the price. But Pixel 6a doesn’t give you all the upgrades Pixel 7a comes with.
The $499 price tag of Pixel 7a also puts it dangerously close to the price of $599 of Pixel 7. You can choose Pixel 7 instead of Pixel 7a to get a better camera system, display, and charging. If you get Pixel 7 for a better price or on discount, just get Pixel 7.
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