The Google Pixel 7a, an affordable new smartphone in the Pixel lineup, was unveiled at the Google I/O 2023 event.. As it succeeds the Google Pixel 6a, let’s compare both devices and tell you the similarities and differences of these fine Google phones, as well as answer the big question: Pixel 7a vs 6a – which one should I buy?
With 4.5 stars, the Pixel 6a was rated really well in our test report. This year’s model even goes a step further, and so the Pixel 7a gets the maximum 5 stars in Camila’s test. What can the 2023 device do better that makes it perform so well despite the higher price? This is exactly what we are going to get to the bottom of and, as always, start with the overview of the specifications.
Google Pixel 7a vs Google Pixel 6a: side-by-side comparison
| 2023 Model | 2022 Model | |
| Product | Google Pixel 7a | Google Pixel 6a |
| Display | 6.1″ OLED display with 90 Hz FHD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels) at 429ppi 90Hz refresh rate | 6.1″ OLED display with 60 Hz FHD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels) at 429ppi 90Hz refresh rate Up to 1,000 nits (peak brightness 1,500 nits) |
| SoC | “Google Tensor G2” processor | “Google Tensor G” processor |
| Storage | 8GB LPDDR5 RAM 128GB UFS 3.1 storage | 6GB LPDDR5 RAM 128GB UFS 3.1 storage |
| Software | Andriod 13 | Andriod 13 |
| Rear camera | 13MP | f/2.2 aperture | 1.12 µm pixel size | FoV 95º ultra wide field of view | 8MP | Aperture f/2.0 | Sensor size 1.12 µm |
| IP | IP 67 | IP 67 |
| Battery pack | 4,385mAh 18 watt wired charging | 4,410mAh 18 watt wired charging |
| Connectivity | 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) mit 2,4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz, Bluetooth v5.3 + BLE, NFC, Google Cast, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS und BeiDou | 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) mit 2,4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz, Bluetooth v5.3 + BLE, NFC, Google Cast, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS und BeiDou |
Google Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 6a: Design und Display
In terms of design, the “small” pixels are based on the larger siblings in the same series. This is particularly evident in the iconic camera bar on the back. So the 6a follows the design language of the Pixel 6, while the camera system on the 7a, like the Pixel 7 (test) or Pixel 7 Pro, is a bit more inconspicuous and discreet.
Apart from that, not much has really changed in terms of optics.The measurements of both devices are nearly the same, but the newcomer weighs an additional 16 grams, which is still within an acceptable range.Both models are still IP67-certified and are made of plastic, aluminum and glass. In terms of color, only charcoal (anthracite) remains – instead of “Sage” and “Chalk”, the Pixel 7a now has “Sea”, “Snow” and “Coral”, which is exclusive to the Google Store.
With the display, too, everything immediately looks as if nothing has changed: There is also a 6.1″ OLED panel with the FHD+ resolution of 2,400 x 1,080 px, pixel density of 429 ppi and 20:9 format. You can see that something has changed pretty quickly during operation, because the new device repeats images at 90 instead of 60 Hz.
Google Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 6a: SoC and performance
As expected, Google has given its 2023 cell phone the current Tensor G2 for the slimmer budget. In addition, the Pixel 7a now has 8 GB of RAM instead of the 6 GB of the Pixel 6a. What does that bring? You can see that in the benchmark comparison below. But keep in mind that 7a was posted with Geekbench 6, the predecessor with Geekbench 5.
| Google Pixel 7a | Google Pixel 6a | |
| 3DMark Wild Life | 6618 | 5762 |
| 3D Mark Wild Life Stress Test | Best Loop: 6590 Schlechter Loop: 4980 | Best Loop: 4941 Schlechter Loop: 2860 |
| Geekbench 5 / 6 | Single: 1417 Multi: 3549 | Single: 1038 Multi: 2890 |
The significantly improved performance can be seen above, but the Pixel 7a offers another advantage: the higher stability in graphics performance. Both cell phones have no problems with overheating.
When it comes to storage, Google is still stingy with 128 GB, and logically there is no slot for a memory card. A pity. When it comes to connectivity, little to nothing has changed either.
Google Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 6a: Kamera
Alright now! In the Pixel 6a we found two 12 MP snaps at the back. Google didn’t splash out and gave the Pixel 7a a big upgrade with the 64 MP shooter. Instead of 12 MP for the ultra-wide-angle camera, it’s around 13 MP there, and selfies are now shot with 13 instead of 8 MP. So much for the raw numbers.
The main sensor in the Pixel 7a dominates the scenery both during the day and at night. In other words, you can take crisp, sharp, true-color and detailed photos in all lighting conditions. The Pixel 6a performed decently at best, especially with night photos, but without any major outliers.
Google Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 6a: Software
Here the two boxes present themselves again in beautiful unity. No wonder, because of course the (still) current Android 13 has long been running on the Pixel 6a, which was once delivered with Android 12. Both are guaranteed the major Android updates for three years, as well as five years of support for security updates.
Of course, this means that the Pixel 6a is lagging behind or that support ends a year earlier. In return, the device benefits from the occasional feature dumps, just like the Pixel 7a. This means that you will always get exclusive functions, so your smartphone will even get better over time.
Google Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 6a: battery and fast charging
Really fast quick charging! If you urgently need this, look into the tube with the Pixel 6a as well as with the Pixel 7a. At 18 W the ass is already off. Google has reduced the battery of the Pixel 7a compared to the previous model from 4,410 mAh to 4,385 mAh. Or to put it another way: With this drastic reduction, you can play Genshin Impact about 20 seconds less with the Pixel 7a.
Okay, what I’m writing is nonsense, because the battery in the new a model is actually very efficient and manages an amazing and unusually good 16 hours and nine minutes in the PCMark benchmark test! Stamina is certainly not a problem, but it wasn’t even with the almost equally good Pixel 6a. The problem is that you can’t find the charging plug in the packaging.
Google Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 6a: price and availability
The initial price of the Pixel 6a was $449, but it has been reduced to $349 by Google to coincide with the release of the Pixel 7a. There is a chance that the best deals for the Pixel 6a could bring the price down even further, as certain retailers have offered it for less than $300. It’s worth noting that this may have been a tactic by retailers to sell off their remaining stock before the launch of the Pixel 7a.
Conclusion
Let’s sum up! Even if both devices look very, very similar, something has really happened! Compared to the previous year, with the new model you benefit from a higher refresh rate on the display, better performance, longer battery life including wireless charging and, above all, a greatly improved camera. If you also see both devices lying next to each other in the store, you should also consider that the newer smartphone will be supplied with software for a year longer.
Can you do without these improvements and want to take advantage of the current street price? Then you can’t go wrong with the Pixel 6a either. Both are simply really good smartphones for this price range. But for me personally, the pendulum swings clearly in the direction of the Pixel 7a.
