Google Pixel 7a review: Remarkable value, but a new model is imminent

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With its flagship-level performance and camera quality, Google's Pixel 7a blurs the line between affordable "mid-range" and premium phones.

When it was released in May 2023, it was essentially a slightly smaller and less expensive version of the flagship Pixel 7, and even the Pixel 7 Pro, to an extent. In fact, it was so similar in all the important ways that the Pixel 7a put into question the base Pixel 7's existence.

In 2024, living alongside the current-generation Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro with newer processors, the Pixel 7a is still the clear option for anyone who wants a great phone without spending $700 or more. Though we expect Google to launch a new "A"-series model soon, the Pixel 7a is easily the best Android phone you can buy on a budget currently, especially when it's so often discounted from its $499 starting price.

Design: The definitive Pixel look, just less premium

The Pixel 7a's design is immediately recognizable as a Google phone with its sharp corners and raised camera bar on the back, and you could easily mistake it for the flagship base Pixel 8.

But there are some telltale signs that the Pixel 7a lacks premium qualities. For one, it's rather thick at 0.35 inches. The black borders around the display are also on the thick side.

The Pixel 7a's frame is made of metal, but its back is plastic. It's a high-quality plastic that looks like clear glass, and it's hard to tell the difference by looking at it. At 6.8 ounces, the Pixel 7a is rather heavy for a phone with a 6.1-inch screen. It's perfectly manageable, however. 

Display: A smooth 90Hz OLED panel

For a mid-range phone released in 2023, the Pixel 7a's 6.1-inch 1080p OLED display running at a 90Hz refresh rate is typical, and it's nearly as smooth as the Pixel 8's 6.2-inch 1080p OLED display running at 120Hz display. The screen is bright, its colors are rich, and its contrast is superb, thanks to the OLED panel.  

There are some phones in the mid-range category that use smoother 120Hz displays. However, those phones can also deliver stuttered performance as a result, as their underpowered processors aren't up to the task of powering a 120Hz display as smoothly as a premium phone can. The Pixel 7a's 90Hz refresh rate provides a consistently smooth experience, and it's much better than the previous 60Hz standard.

Performance: Google's Tensor G2 processor is still quick and snappy

The Pixel 7a runs on a slightly underclocked version of the Google Tensor G2 processor that runs the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. Still, the Pixel 7a feels snappy in 2024 when running typical popular apps for emailing, messaging, social media, games, web browsing, and so on. 

Google says it'll keep delivering Android updates to the Pixel 7a until May 2026, as well as security updates until May 2028. Between 2026 and 2028 is about the lifetime I'd expect from the Tensor G2 processor before the phone starts to feel noticeably sluggish to the point that you might want to upgrade. 

Cameras: Two superb lenses

The Pixel 7a's 64MP main camera and 13MP ultrawide camera capture beautiful photos with Google's signature look that includes deep contrast, plenty of depth, plenty of detail, and natural, rich color.

As is the case with all of Google's phones, some photos taken by the Pixel 7a can appear darker, and it's often because Pixel phones avoid over-brightening for the sake of making them artificially pleasing. In return, you're usually rewarded with rich colors and depth of detail. 

The Pixel 7a's photo can also look dark to avoid the risk of overexposure. In the example below, the Pixel 7a can capture all the details in the cat's bright white fur, while some other mid-rangers can brighten the photo too much and void those brighter details. 

The Pixel 7a suffers from occasionally blurry results when taking photos of moving subjects, like pets or my toddler — something the Pixel 8 handles better. 

The Pixel 7a doesn't have a dedicated zoom lens, but then again, nor does the base Pixel 8. Instead, Google's Super Res Zoom uses software to get closer digitally while delivering some usable shots — something difficult to achieve for digital zoom. Still, nothing beats a dedicated zoom lens, but I don't expect one on a mid-range phone like the Pixel 7a. 

Battery life: Stellar, with average charging speeds

The Pixel 7a ended our battery stress test with a 60% charge remaining, which is on par with and even outperformed some more expensive phones with similar or larger screens. For instance, it even tied the 6.7-inch Galaxy S24 Plus.

In a nutshell, it means the Pixel 7a's battery life is exceptional for its size and price, though it won't change a typical daily charging habit. 

Our battery test puts all the phones we test through five runs of the Geekbench 6 app, two runs of the intensive 3DMark Wild Life Stress Test, two hours of video streaming, and one hour of music streaming while connected to Bluetooth headphones. 

The Pixel 7a supports up to 18W fast charging. It's not as fast as the 25W or greater charging speeds on premium phones, but it gets the job done.

For wireless charging, the Pixel 7a supports up to 7.5W charging speeds, which is slow but acceptable and convenient to have if you need to charge while sitting at a desk for a while.

5G support and price: The Pixel 7a vs. the Pixel 7a from Verizon

The Pixel 7a comes in two variants. You can buy a $499 unlocked model from Google, third-party retailers, AT&T, and T-Mobile, which supports "sub6" 5G networks that perform slightly better, if not similarly, than the incumbent LTE networks. 

Then, there's a Verizon-exclusive Pixel 7a that costs $549 and supports Verizon's Ultra Wideband 5G networks, which offer significantly faster speeds where such coverage is available. 

Verizon's Ultra Wideband 5G network is not yet widespread, however, and it's quite limited compared to its sub6 5G network — you could go through an entire day without ever connecting to the carrier's faster Ultra Wideband 5G network. With that in mind, Verizon subscribers don't necessarily need to buy the Verizon model, as you could buy an unlocked model that supports sub6 5G networks. 

That said, Verizon is constantly expanding its Ultra Wideband 5G networks. The rollout is slow, but if you buy the Ultra Wideband 5G model of the Pixel 7a from Verizon for just $50 more, you'll have a device that's ready to support its Ultra Wideband 5G network.

Should you buy the Google Pixel 7a?

The Pixel 7a should be at the very top of your list if you're looking to spend $500 (or less with a discount) on a phone, as it's the best budget Android phone available at the moment. 

However, the Pixel 7a is in the 11th month of its lifecycle, which means we're expecting a new "A"-series Pixel to be launched soon. It could mean the Pixel 7a gets a price cut, or perhaps the next model will be more tempting. 

It's significantly more affordable than the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, and it can be recommended against the Pixel 8, which I feel is overpriced despite the newer processor and 120Hz display. 

For its price, the Pixel 7a does come with some trade-offs. Its thick casing and plastic back distinguish it from the thinner, more premium builds of the Pixel 8, which are made of glass and metal. The 7a's 6.8-ounce weight is also a bit cumbersome for its 6.1-inch screen size.