A Google Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 6a comparison can show all the modifications Google has made to its low-cost phone this year, which still appears to be the best low-cost phone available. Even though the Pixel 7a isn’t expected until later this year, we know enough about Google’s upcoming phone to have a general idea of some of the significant changes the company has in store.
The Pixel 7a, which will take the place of the Pixel 6a in Google’s lineup, faces a challenging task. The Tensor chipset, which made its debut with the Pixel 6 flagship, was used in the Pixel 6a, a less expensive model. The Pixel 6a delivered some top features of its own, including the best cameras we’ve seen in a phone for less than $500, despite being less expensive than its more expensive sibling.
While also fending off stepped-up competition from devices like the Samsung Galaxy A54, the Pixel 7a will be aiming to surpass that. Here’s how a Google Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 6a showdown is likely to pan out, keeping in mind that a lot could change once we know the full scope of Google’s planned changes.
Specs:
| Google Pixel 7a (rumored) | Google Pixel 6a | |
| Screen size | 6.1-inch OLED (2400 x 1080) | 6.1-inch OLED (2400 x 1080) |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz | 60Hz |
| CPU | Tensor G2 | Tensor G1 |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB |
| Rear cameras | 50MP, 12MP | 12.2MP main, 12MP ultrawide |
| Front camera | 8MP | 8MP |
| Battery size | 4,410 mAh | 4,410 mAH |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No |
| Colors | Black, white, sky blue | Black, white, lemongrass |
Price and Availability:
For $449, you can purchase a Pixel 6a that has 128GB of storage and 6GB of RAM. This price has recently dropped to $299 at Amazon(opens in new tab), which is probably a sign that Google is trying to get rid of excess stock before the Pixel 7 launch. This is one of the best Pixel 6a deals we’ve seen.
According to rumors, Google will unveil the Pixel 7a on May 10 at Google I/O 2023. After all, Google previewed the Pixel 6a at last year’s Google I/O before distributing the device in late July. Google is most likely to stick to the same schedule this year, despite some rumors suggesting the Pixel 7a won’t arrive until August.
Even more, ambiguity exists in the pricing. Given that Samsung is selling its Galaxy A54 for $449, it makes sense to assume that Google will aim to maintain that price. We could see a price increase due to rising component costs and more sophisticated features in the Pixel 7a, but we don’t believe it would exceed $500 if only to differentiate itself from the $599 Pixel 7.
This year’s A Series phone from Google might have more memory, with the Pixel 7a rumored to have 8GB of RAM. According to other rumors, Google may offer a 256GB configuration in addition to the base model’s 128GB.
Design:
The Pixel 7a is anticipated to look similar to the Pixel 6a, with a horizontal camera bar spanning the back of the device to house the two rear cameras. The A Series phones typically have slightly thicker bezels around the display in comparison to Google’s flagships, and preliminary Pixel 7a renders indicate that this Pixel 6a design element is likely to stick around.
A change made with the Pixel 7 could point to one Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 6a design difference. That phone has a camera bar that is much more polished than the one on the Pixel 6 because it is made of metal and has a matte finish. Since using less expensive materials is one way for Google to reduce costs, it is unknown if the fancier material would make it to the Pixel 7a. However, some leaks have suggested that the Pixel 7a’s camera bar will have a matte finish to match the Pixel 7’s.
These Pixel 7a renders show a new color that wasn’t present on the Pixel 6a: sky blue, in addition to the black and white options that Google has previously provided. If accurate, the sky blue shade would appear to replace Lemongrass, a yellow-green shade that is part of the Pixel 6a lineup.
Display:
The Pixel 7a should have a 6.1-inch OLED panel housed in a 6 x 2.8 x 0.35-inch frame, the same screen size as its predecessor. However, a faster refresh rate on the Pixel 7a could give it a significant advantage over the Pixel 6a.
No matter what is displayed on the screen, the Pixel 6a is locked at a 60Hz rate. The Pixel 7a, however, is rumored to have a 90Hz refresh rate option, which suggests it will have smoother scrolling capabilities. It’s unclear whether the Pixel 7a will automatically change its refresh rate or if users will have to turn the feature on and off. (Most phones offering faster refresh rates in this price range take the latter approach.)
Cameras:
It’s also possible that the Pixel 6a’s 12.2MP main lens and 12MP ultrawide shooter will be replaced. Based on the renders we’ve seen, the Pixel 7a will continue to have two rear cameras, but Qualcomm might improve the primary camera. Particularly, rumors suggest Google will use a 50MP sensor similar to the ones used in the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7, which would give the Pixel 7a an advantage over the Pixel 6a. Other rumors suggest that the Pixel 7a will have a 64MP main sensor.
As you can see, there are a lot of conflicting rumors in this area, with some claiming that Google will maintain the current camera setup. The hardware in Google’s flagship phone is superior, despite the fact that the Pixel 6a’s camera is excellent and ranks among our top camera phones. With the Pixel 7a, Google may continue to maintain a feature gap between the A Series Pixel and the entry-level flagship by forgoing camera hardware.
The final word? Regardless of whether the Pixel 7a receives a camera upgrade, you can anticipate that it will benefit from Google’s expertise in computational photography, including tools like Magic Eraser that the Pixel 6a supports. The Pixel 7’s Photo Unblur feature, which makes use of the Tensor G2 chipset, is likely to be extended to the Pixel 7a but not the Pixel 6a.
Performance:
The Tensor G2 is one Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 6a change about which we can be certain. We anticipate the Pixel 7a to use the Pixel 7’s silicon in the same way that the Pixel 6a did with the Tensor chipset it adopted last year.
Given that the Pixel 7 performs better on benchmark tests than the Pixel 6, this should result in performance gains. However, it also means that the call management tool will be improved along with a better machine learning core driving more AI-inspired features like real-time, on-device translation and transcription. Even though the Pixel 6a was a smartphone, the Pixel 7a is likely to have even more of those features.
Battery Life and Charging:
There haven’t been many rumors about the Pixel 7a’s battery, but the most reliable one suggested that it would be similar in size to the 4,410 mAh battery that powers the Pixel 6a.
That’s possibly not good news. The Pixel 6a performed significantly worse in our battery test than the average phone, lasting only 6 hours and 29 minutes while fully charged phones were expected to last until they ran out of power. Although there is a significant gap to close, we anticipate the Tensor G2 to handle power with a little bit more efficiency.
With the Pixel 7a, you could at least take advantage of more charging options. Wireless charging has always been a compromise on Google’s A-Series phones, including the Pixel 6a. However, according to one rumor, the Pixel 7a will be unique and support wireless charging.
Outlook:
The Pixel 6a has distinguished itself as one of the most noteworthy low-cost phones of all thanks to its superior cameras at a time when midrange phones have grown more impressive. The Pixel 7a will attempt to uphold that tradition, possibly with the aid of upgraded camera hardware, but almost certainly with the help of a new processor that enables you to do more with this low-cost phone.
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