Google's Pixel 7a remains to be nice in 2024

Key Takeaways

The Pixel 7a is similar to the Pixel 8a
Google’s Pixel 7a nonetheless gives nice digicam high quality
The Pixel 7a contains necessary AI options and it isn’t but clear how helpful Gemini Nano is

All eyes might at the moment be on the Pixel 8a and its skill to run Google’s Gemini AI model on-device, however I do not really feel the necessity to improve. The Pixel 7a is over a yr previous now, but it surely’s obtained greater than sufficient oomph to get me and virtually everybody via day-to-day duties.

Like earlier A-series Pixel telephones, Google launched the Pixel 7a as a strategy to provide among the flagship Pixel 7 and seven Professional {hardware} and software program at a extra inexpensive worth. It appears to be like a bit like a Pixel 7, and might run all the identical software program it does, it simply does not price $700 or extra. In truth, the Pixel 7a began from such an excellent place hardware-wise, it has many primary options in frequent with the Pixel 8a, too.

With the Pixel 8a debuting on the identical $499 worth, there’s nothing flawed with simply going with the newer telephone, however in case you’re willing to hunt for a deal, or like me, you already personal a Pixel 7a, there are many causes to not improve. With regards to {hardware} and software program, there’s nonetheless rather a lot that makes the Pixel 7a a worthy different to the Pixel 8 or 8a.

Associated

Google Pixel 8 vs Pixel 7a: What’s the difference?

The Pixel 7a is a heck of a deal – however do you have to decide up the newer Pixel 8 as an alternative? Listed here are all the small print you want.

The Pixel 7a nonetheless feels premium

A final hurrah for the Pixel 7 design

A Pixel 7a being held with its back facing forward.

Because the launch of the Pixel 6, Google’s smartphones have regarded… distinctive. The tech large makes use of the identical aluminum and glass development as Apple and Samsung, however with vivid colours, two-tone patterns, and a distinguished digicam bump that makes a Pixel simply identifiable from a distance. The Pixel 7a is the final vanguard of the exhausting edges of the Pixel 7a line, and ignoring my boring Charcoal mannequin, which is mainly a darkish grey, there are many colourful choices to select from, like a lightweight orange “Coral” or bluish-gray “Sea.”

The Pixel 7a is solidly constructed, too. It is barely thicker than the unique Pixel 7 and seven Professional, and feels heavier, too, however the additional thickness and weight make the telephone simpler to carry and tougher to unintentionally drop in my expertise. Plus, even when it is cheaper, you continue to get the {hardware} options you’d need from a flagship telephone, together with Face Unlock, a speedy in-display fingerprint reader, 18W wired charging, and seven.5W wi-fi charging. The Pixel 8a is newer, however apart from its show and Tensor G3 chip, it doesn’t provide a lot better.

The Pixel 7a’s cameras are greater than sufficient

The Pixel 7a has a 64-megapixel predominant digicam, 13-megapixel ultrawide, and 13-megapixel selfie digicam on the entrance. You will get extra choices from a Pixel 7 or 8 Professional, however I can not confidently say anybody wants that additional lens. Like all latest Pixel cameras, the Pixel 7a is competent in just about all situations, producing cool, contrast-y pictures that really feel instantly able to put up after you’re taking them. And Google’s Evening Sight characteristic nonetheless works effectively while you’re in low mild conditions that want some assist to be seen.

The pictures expertise is pushed by what Google’s in a position to pull-off on the software program aspect of issues relatively than uncooked {hardware} energy, and that is true on the Pixel 7a in the identical method that it’s the Pixel 8a. You is perhaps restricted in what sorts of picture edits the Pixel 7a can do on-device, however even newer options just like the Pixel 8’s Magic Editor can be found on older Pixels in case you use Google Pictures.

A blue Pixel 8a in hand against an orange background.

Associated

Should you buy the Google Pixel 8a or wait for the Pixel 9?

With the Pixel 9 proper across the nook, is the Pixel 8a a smart purchase?

You may get all of the AI you really want on the Pixel 7a

Gemini is not mandatory for Google’s greatest options

Google dedicated to supporting the Pixel 7a with three years of working system updates and 5 years of safety updates when it first launched it. That covers you till 2027 by way of new options, which, primarily based on Google’s present trajectory, will in all probability principally be targeted on AI. In my view, although, you have already obtained all of the AI you want in Android 13, the model of Android the Pixel 7a shipped with.

I actually do not assume the 7a will really feel prefer it’s lacking these newer AI options

Two of Google’s greatest AI-powered options, Magic Eraser and automated transcriptions within the Recorder app, have been out there for years at this level, they usually work completely on the Pixel 7a. The benefit the Pixel 8a, 8, and 8 Pro have of working on Gemini Nano, a smaller model of Google’s AI mannequin, has not born fruit but, neither is it clear it’s going to vastly change the common smartphone consumer’s life, even when it is perhaps helpful.

Working Android 14, with all of the customization choices and deep Google integration you’d count on from a Pixel, I actually do not assume the 7a will really feel prefer it’s lacking these newer AI options. It is a good telephone as is, and since it is a Pixel, it is a much better Android expertise out of the field than you’d get from an analogous midrange Samsung or Motorola telephone. Google retains issues clear, and largely helps you to ignore its extra experimental options in case you do not wish to use them.

Associated

Pixel 9 rumor roundup: Everything we know so far

Google’s next-gen Pixel 9 flagship lineup is predicted to land this fall — here is what rumors point out to us proper now.

The Pixel 7a feels prefer it might have been launched this yr

The endurance of the Pixel 7a is a testomony to all of the work Google’s executed bettering the Pixel line through the years. The corporate nonetheless runs right into a concerning amount of issues manufacturing its flagship telephones, however they’re all sometimes ironed out by the point the cheaper A-series model is launched. The Pixel 7a is not any completely different. Total, I believe Google’s push to extra deeply combine its AI merchandise with its personal {hardware} is thrilling, but it surely’s not mandatory in case you simply want an excellent Android telephone. Or, at the least not but.

Till the true worth of Gemini rears its head, the Pixel 7a represents every part Google has gotten good at making its personal smartphones, and little it is unhealthy at. You may nonetheless get a terrific expertise from a Pixel 8a if you’d like a brand new telephone, however I believe the Pixel 7a is value . Google’s not promoting it at a reduction, however discover a deal from one other on-line retailer and see if you cannot save a couple of bucks. I believe you may be completely happy that you just did.

Pixel 7a

The Pixel 7a is Google’s 2023 mid-range telephone. It succeeds the Pixel 6a, and sits alongside the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional, providing numerous nice specs and options and bridging the hole much more between flagship and mid-range.