Design and Build

The Google Pixel 7a comes with an aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 3 front, and a plastic back. The combination of these materials greatly reduces the cost while giving the product some toughness. At the dimensions of 6.0 x 2.8 x 0.35 inches (152.0 x 72.9 x 9.0 mm) and a mass of 6.8 ounces (193.5g), it is easy to hold and carry around due to its compactness and light weight. The color choices are Charcoal, Sea, and Coral, and the fingerprint sensor is under the display but without face unlock. The USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port can be used for both eSIM and nano-SIM, which are the types of portable memory specific to small, portable devices. Although the IP67 level permits water and dust protection, the plastic back suggests an unsophisticated design in comparison with glass on the Pixel 7 model.

• Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 3, plastic back
• IP67 rating (water and dust resistance up to 1 meter for 30 minutes)
• Under-display fingerprint sensor, no face unlock
• USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port
• Physical nano-SIM + eSIM

Pixel 7a Display

The billboard representative of the Pixel 7a introduces a 6.1-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 (429 PPI) and a 90Hz refresh rate. The screen is compatible with HDR10, but it does not possess features such as 120Hz and LTPO that are present in the models of higher price. A display with 1000 nits peak brightness is bright enough for sunny days, but still, it is only half the brightness of the Pixel 8a’s which is 2000 nits. Although having an endowed 3rd version of Gorilla Glass, the screen only gains the most basic protection, hence the reason why the display is still prone to scratches.

• 6.1-inch OLED
• 1080 x 2400 resolution, 429 PPI
• HDR10 support
• 1000 nits (peak)
• Gorilla Glass 3 protection
• 90Hz refresh rate

Performance and Software

The Pixel 7a comes with the Google Tensor G2 chip (5nm) bearing an 8-core CPU, a Mali-G710 MP7 GPU, and Titan M2 security chip in combination with 8GB LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB storage ($499), which, unfortunately, is non-expandable. Shipping with Android 13 (upgradeable to Android 15), the phone is supported by 3 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates until May 2028. It has the same processor as the Pixel 7 but has a weaker function for thermal management when playing games.

The Tensor G2 delivers strong performance for its price, but the 128GB storage and lack of expandable storage limit its appeal. Users praise the camera and software but criticize battery life and overheating.

Camera System

The Pixel 7a is designed with a dual main camera that consists of 64MP (f/1.89, 26mm, OIS) and 13MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV), as well as a 13MP front camera (f/2.2) without autofocus capability. The use of Google's computational photography produces high-quality images, which put it in a better position than many of the mid-range rivals, but it even has a slightly blurred look in comparison with a 50MP sensor of Pixel 8. Moreover, the video has been limited to 4K 60fps.

Battery and Charging

With a 4385mAh battery, the Pixel 7a has a battery life of about 10 hours for video playback or 8–10 hours with average use, which is underwhelming for a device in its class. It also comes with an 18W wired charging system (50% in 35 minutes) and without a wireless charging feature. It doesn't come with a charger either. Users have the same issue with battery life, and they complain about the quick drain during heavy tasks.

• 4385mAh battery
• Up to 10 hours video playback, ~8–10 hours real-world
• 18W wired charging (50% in 35 min)
• No wireless charging
• No charger included (USB-C cable only)

Connectivity

The Pixel 7a is compatible with 5G (sub-6GHz), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), and Bluetooth 5.3. It has a nano-SIM and eSIM but is without mmWave, UWB, and satellite connectivity. The GPS in the phone supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS. Coverage is mostly fine, but some people said that they lost 5G connection once in a while.

• 5G modem (sub-6GHz)
• Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Physical nano-SIM + eSIM
• No mmWave, UWB, or satellite connectivity
• GPS: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS

Pricing and Availability

The Pixel 7a was priced at $499 for 128GB, and pre-orders started on May 10, 2023, but the products did not hit the stores until the next day when they were accessible from Google Store, carriers, and vendors such as Amazon. The item is often available at discounted prices of $249–$300, making it a preferred choice among budget-conscious consumers. The phone has a great value, but it's worth mentioning that the Pixel 8a is newer and it comes with the same price range of $499.