Member-only story
Google Pixel 7a Review — vs Pixel 7 and Pixel 6a!
Is Google’s latest budget phone STILL budget?
I enjoy this time of the year. It’s when the big tech companies finally start to show us what they’ve been working on.
Google, as always, has beaten Apple to it in the smartphone stakes, announcing both the Pixel Fold and the Pixel 7a. You can expect my full review of the former as soon as I get my hands on it, but I’ve had my mitts on the Pixel 7a for the last week.
Is Google’s latest budget smartphone worth the £50 price hike over the Pixel 6a? And how does it stack up against the Pixel 7? Is it all a bit too close for comfort?
Let’s find out.
Pricing and specs
The Pixel 7a costs £449, which is £50 more expensive than its predecessor. However, for that, you get quite a phone — at least on paper.
The 7a packs in the latest Google Tensor G2 chip, 8GB of RAM, a 6.1-inch display, and a 64MP main camera system. There’s just one storage option on the table, which is 128GB, but there are some tasty upgrades including a 90Hz refresh rate (that should keep the critics at bay, finally), a more premium design, and wireless charging.
At first glance and when placed side-by-side with the Pixel 6a, the Pixel 7a looks like a very tempting upgrade. But how does that spec sheet manifest itself when you put Google’s latest budget device to use in everyday life?
Design and display
As noted, the Pixel 7a is a deceiving device when it comes to design, fit, and finish. It looks and feels far more premium than its relatively modest price tag suggests it should.
