Google’s Pixel “A” series is designed for the budget smartphone segment worldwide, but it doesn’t always align with the “budget” segment in India. For example, the Pixel 3a was launched in India for Rs. 10,000. The Pixel 6a was the first smartphone in the series that even remotely justified its price tag of 39,999 rupees. 43,999 introductory price. However, in our review we found that it still lacked top-notch panache compared to the competition and that it lagged behind on some basic features.
With the launch of the Pixel 7a, Google seems to have taken a huge leap forward and has gone full throttle, be it in specs, design or premium features. Let’s take a closer look at what’s new and different about it.
The Google Pixel 7a is only available with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, but it comes in three colors: Charcoal, Snow, and Sea. The device is priced at Rs. 43,999 in India, which is the same price the Pixel 6a launched at. The scope of delivery does not yet include a charger, only a USB Type-C to Type-C cable and a quick-change adapter.
The Google Pixel 7a’s design has received a refreshed look. The front display gets Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, while the backs (above and below the camera strap) are still plastic. The camera strap and frame now have an improved look that’s very similar to the Pixel 7 series. The band itself, with the two rear-facing cameras, is now metal and blends seamlessly with the rounded metal frame on the sides.
The Google Pixel 7a has a similarly sized display as the Pixel 6a, but offers an additional 90 Hz refresh rate
Like the previous model, the Pixel 7a has also retained an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. All in all, it looks and feels quite premium, especially compared to the older Pixel 6a.
The display has also been improved. It still has the same form factor as the previous model, but the refresh rate has been increased to 90Hz. The 6.1-inch Full HD+ OLED display also has support for HDR playback. Aside from offering a smooth experience, the Android 13 software is also said to be useful when playing fast-paced games.
The improved camera hardware in the Pixel 7a benefits from the Tensor G2 SoC with new features such as long exposure camera modes
Another big upgrade in the Google Pixel 7a is the Tensor G2 SoC. This processor is also found in premium devices like the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. For the first time ever, Google has equipped a Pixel A series device with 8GB of RAM, as previous models were only limited to 4GB or 6GB.
The cameras have also been revised. There’s now a 64MP main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which should (in theory) help capture better zoomed images thanks to Google’s Super Res Zoom feature. There’s a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera included in the box, and you get a 13-megapixel selfie camera up front, both of which are also upgraded over the previous model.
The Google Tensor G2 SoC in the Pixel 7a also enables new camera features like Unblur in the Photos app, faster night vision, and long exposure modes not possible on the Pixel 6a.
The Google Pixel 7a looks quite premium with its refreshed design
Only the battery capacity has decreased a bit. It’s down to 4,385 mAh from the previous 4,410 mAh on the Pixel 6a. Google has equipped the Pixel 7a with wireless charging, a feature that has gradually made its way into many other mid-range devices such as the Nothing Phone 1.
Google’s Pixel 7a looks like a solid upgrade over the Pixel 6a. It definitely feels more premium, both in terms of design and additional features. But are these upgrades enough to compete with the current range of Android phones in India, and more importantly, does it justify its price? We find out in our detailed test report.
