• Google Pixel 7 on white background
    Google Pixel 7

    The Pixel 7 doesn't overwhelm us with mind-blowing gimmicks, and that's exactly why we love it. Instead, it embraces refinement and addresses the frustrations we had with its predecessor, the Pixel 6, while introducing subtle enhancements that justify its price tag.

  • Google Pixel 6a smartphone
    Google Pixel 6a
    $200 $349 Save $149

    The Pixel 6a is a compact, budget-friendly smartphone that actually feels premium. While it doesn't necessarily drop jaws, it offers decent performance in every department, so much so that it could make you feel like you're getting more than you paid for.

When the Google Pixel 6a was first announced, we eagerly anticipated how it would stack up against the higher-end Pixel 6. Upon reviewing and comparing both models, we found very little disparity in their performance, which led us to conclude that the Pixel 6a was a more enticing investment. And to date, it remains one of the best budget Android phones. However, with the arrival of the improved but costlier Pixel 7, replacing the Pixel 6, our curiosity is once again piqued. So, does the Pixel 7 offer enough enhancements to justify the extra expense, or would you be better off sticking with the older, affordable Pixel 6a? Let's find out.

Price, availability, and specs

The Pixel 7, like its predecessor, launched at $600 for the 128GB model and a higher amount for the 256GB model. Having been on the market for quite some time now, it can be found on sale for as low as $500. And depending on whether you choose to go for the Lemongrass (green), Snow (white), or Obsidian (black) variant, these prices may vary.

On the other hand, the Pixel 6a, priced at $450 upon launch, can now be snagged for as low as $340. And similar to the Pixel 7, it’s available in three colors, including Sage (green), Chalk (white), and Charcoal (black). Overall, both phones are well-priced, but the 6a holds the advantage of being about $160 cheaper.

Examining the specifications of both phones, the Pixel 7 outshines the Pixel 6a. But while it dominates the spec sheet in various categories, it's crucial to note that superior specs do not necessarily guarantee overall superiority. Still, notable areas where the Pixel 7 stands out include an upgraded chipset, faster charging and wireless charging capabilities, advanced water resistance, larger RAM and ROM capacities, and a higher refresh rate.


  • Google Pixel 7Google Pixel 6a
    SoCGoogle Tensor G2Google Tensor
    Display6GB
    RAM8GB128GB
    Storage128GB, 256GB4,410mAh
    Battery4,355mAhUSB-C
    PortsUSB-CAndroid 13
    Operating SystemAndroid 138MP, f/2.0
    Front camera10.8MP, f/2.2, 92.8° FoVNFC
    ConnectivityNFC152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9mm
    Dimensions155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm178g
    Weight197gIP67
    IP RatingIP68

Design

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The Pixel 6 lineup first introduced Google’s new signature visor look on the back, with the camera sensors sitting in a bar stretching across the phone. While the Pixel 6a and Pixel 7 stay true to this design, the Pixel 6a looks more like the Pixel 6 — the phone frames and camera bars come in black in all three available colors (Charcoal, Chalk, and Sage).

In comparison, the Pixel 7 offers colorful frames and camera bars that blend with the three phone color options (Obsidian, Snow, and Lemongrass). These uniquely colored frames and bars give the Pixel 7 a modern look, plus they make the visor look and feel more like a part of the phone than something just tacked on top of it.

The differences between the phones go beyond the color selection. The Pixel 6a's back is made of plastic, though you wouldn't notice at first glance. Google went with an incredibly high-quality plastic (3D thermoformed composite) that's almost impossible to tell apart from glass. We didn't even manage to scratch it up when we put it to the test with a knife.

google-pixel-7-review-2

The Pixel 7 consists of glass on the front and back, but it doesn’t really feel different from the Pixel 6a

One last point to consider when comparing the design is the size. The Pixel 6a comes in at 152.2-by-71.8-by-8.9mm, a tad smaller than the Pixel 7 at 155.6-by-73.2-by-8.7mm. Although the Pixel 7 is much easier to handle with one hand than many other flagship phones, the few extra millimeters shaved off the Pixel 6a make a difference in everyday life. The 6a is more compatible with a one-handed grip, and even when you slap one of the best Pixel 6a cases on it, you can still handle the phone with ease.

Pixel 6a and Pixel 7 are very similar to each other. The Pixel 7 is a slight upgrade over the Pixel 6 and 6a, so there aren’t many design differences.

Display

Given the size difference between the Google Pixel 7 and the Pixel 6a, it’s no surprise that the displays aren’t identical. The Pixel 6a’s screen is a bit smaller at 6.1 inches, compared to 6.3 inches on the Pixel 7. They both offer a 1080x2400 FHD+ resolution, a 20:9 aspect ratio, and an always-on option.

The Pixel 6a only falls short when it comes to the refresh rate, which is locked at a measly 60Hz compared to 90Hz on the Pixel 7. Nonetheless, this isn't an absolute setback, as you might not even notice the lack of a higher refresh on the 6a, especially if you’re upgrading from an older phone. Also, the 6a screen isn’t nearly as bright as the Pixel 7.

Coming to the aspect of durability, the Pixel 7's display is fortified with the tough Gorilla Glass Victus from 2020. So, in the event of an accident, you can expect it to survive in good condition, especially if you slapped on a good screen protector. Contrarily, the Pixel 6a's screen is covered with the not-so-tough Gorilla Glass Victus 3 from over a decade ago. Thus, if you end up choosing it, you'd certainly want to reinforce its display with one of the best Pixel 6a screen protectors.

Software

google-pixel-7a-vs-pixel-6a-2

We don’t need to spend a lot of time on software. After all, both Pixel phones run Google’s enhanced Android flavor. The key difference is long-term software support. The Pixel 6a launched in July 2022 with Android 12, meaning it’s eligible for three more software updates up to Android 15. After that, the 6a will receive two more years of security patches through July 2027. The Google Pixel 7 launched in October 2022 with Android 13, so it will receive one more major Android update than the Pixel 6a. On the security front, Pixel 7 will receive updates until October 2027.

The Google Pixel 7 software also packs a few exclusive features, such as automatic voice message transcription in Google Messages. Also, the Recorder app can distinguish between different speakers in the transcript. You can also yell, "Silence!" to instantly mute an incoming call; there is no need to say, "Hey, Google." The Pixel 7 additionally provides snore and cough detection when plugged in while you sleep.

Following the software update in December 2022, Pixel 7 owners can enjoy a free Google-provided VPN and a new Clear Calling feature for better call quality in loud environments.

Performance and battery life

The Google Pixel 7's fingerprint scanner in use.

The Pixel 7 and Pixel 6a share a similar hardware setup, with both featuring custom-made Google chipsets. The Pixel 7 launched with the new Google Tensor G2, while the Pixel 6a comes with the first Gen Tensor chip that debuted in the Pixel 6. Since the Tensor G2 wasn't that big of an SoC update, the Pixel 6a is still competitive with the Pixel 7 in terms of performance. To the extent that you can pretty much expect it to handle everything you throw at it with the same grace as the Pixel 7.

Notwithstanding, if you live in an area with below-average mobile connectivity, you might want to opt for the Pixel 7. That's because the Tensor G2 chip greatly outperforms the Tensor G1 in mobile radio reception and connectivity. Another aspect where the Tensor G2 comes out on top as the better chipset is in the heat department. We noticed the Pixel 6a getting hotter slightly quicker than the Pixel 7, especially when using the camera and while it was charging.

Regarding storage and RAM, the Pixel 6a comes with 128GB of storage, just like the entry-level model of the Pixel 7. And the Pixel 6a offers 6GB of RAM, while the Pixel 7 offers 8GB. (This extra 2GB won't make much difference in everyday activities).

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When it comes to the fingerprint sensor, the Pixel 7 is more reliable than the Pixel 6a. Although both phones include upgraded hardware compared to the Pixel 6, the Pixel 7, being the later device, packs on more improvements. That said, the Pixel 6a's fingerprint sensor works just fine compared to other devices in the same price bracket.

The Google Pixel 7 also comes with a 4,355mAh battery, while the Pixel 6a features a larger 4,410mAh battery. However, this disparity doesn't translate directly into the battery life. The 2nd Gen Tensor chip is very power-efficient, so you can expect the Pixel 7's battery life to be just as good as the Pixel 6a's. In fact, it might even be slightly better than the 6a's under the same conditions of display brightness and refresh rate (60Hz).

In terms of charging, the Pixel 7 is a tad bit faster, supporting up to 20W, as opposed to 18W on the 6a. Furthermore, unlike the Pixel 6a, the Pixel 7 offers the added advantage of wireless and reverse charging at the same speed of 20W. This gives you the liberty of charging your device without tinkering with ports or plugs.

Camera

google-pixel-7-vs-6a-3

On the camera front, the Google Pixel 6a and 7 have the same basic setup. You get a primary camera, an ultrawide camera, and a selfie camera, but there are significant differences in the camera hardware. The Pixel 7 offers a 50MP Quad Bayer camera that combines four megapixels into one, giving you a high-quality 12MP final image in most circumstances. The Pixel 6a only offers 12.2MP, but both phones share the same 12MP 114-degree wide-angle camera.

With the 50MP sensor, the Pixel 7's camera is captivating with augmented zoom capabilities. As you crop farther in when you take a picture, the camera automatically uses only that area of the sensor, resulting in photos with much better clarity and sharpness. The Pixel 7 also has a new night mode that allows you to take images in the dark in about half the time you'd take them in the Pixel 6a. Plus, the Pixel 7 night photos often look better.

Pixel-6a-review-renamed-with-dashes (11)

The Pixel 7 series also features a new unblur option in Google Photos to help salvage portraits you would otherwise need to discard. Unblurring works impressively well and can greatly improve slightly blurry or out-of-focus images, but it's not the must-have killer feature.

On the selfie front, the Pixel 7 features an upgraded 10.8MP camera with a wider 92 degrees field of view, which is a small improvement compared to the Pixel 6a's 8MP camera with 84 degrees.

The Pixel 7 offers an all-around better camera experience than the Pixel 6a. If a great camera is one of your most important factors, the Pixel 7 is the winner. However, the Pixel 6a does have a good camera setup, especially for its price. Pixel phones have always dominated the best camera phones lineup, and frankly, the Pixel 6a and Pixel 7 totally reflect such a reputation.

Which is right for you?

Both the Pixel 6a and Pixel 7 offer great value for their price. Therefore, regardless of which you decide to go for, you can rest assured you'll be getting the biggest bang for your buck. Nevertheless, only one of these phones can be the absolute best for you, and it largely depends on your present position. If you're currently using an older device and you're looking to upgrade, the Pixel 7 is undoubtedly the way to go. It ever slightly surpasses the Pixel 6a in every aspect, offering refined performance and other slight advancements. So, you definitely won't regret spending the extra $150 or so.

Google Pixel 7 on white background
Google Pixel 7
Preferred choice

Ideal mid-range Pixel

The Pixel 7 doesn't overwhelm us with mind-blowing gimmicks, and that's exactly why we love it. Instead, it embraces refinement and addresses the frustrations we had with its predecessor, the Pixel 6, while introducing subtle enhancements that justify its price tag.

If you already own the Pixel 6a and you're satisfied with its performance, shoving out a whole $600 to upgrade to the Pixel 7 would probably be a bad idea. That's because, as an average user who's gotten pretty accustomed to the Pixel 6a, you won't notice much of a difference between it and the Pixel 7 in terms of performance.

Google Pixel 6a smartphone
Google Pixel 6a
Runner-up

Best budget smartphone

$200 $349 Save $149

The Pixel 6a is a compact, budget-friendly smartphone that actually feels premium. While it doesn’t necessarily drop jaws, it offers decent performance in every department – so much so that it could make you feel like you’re getting more than you paid for.