If you're looking for a powerful Android phone that delivers a modern experience without breaking the bank, the Google Pixel 7a is it. As the successor to the Google Pixel 6a, it has some big shoes to fill — and it does so without breaking a sweat. That phone made its mark as one of the best budget Android phones last year thanks to its powerful hardware, great cameras, and premium construction, and the 7a takes that experience to a whole new level.

As you might expect, this year's Pixel 7a pulls inspiration from last year's Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro, and although it can't quite measure up to the Pixel 8 series, it is a great, cheaper alternative to those two phones. In fact, in some ways, the Pixel 7a is actually better than the two flagships that came before it, perfectly setting up the 2023 A-series phone to be a budget home run. From its Tensor G2 chipset to a new 90Hz display, here's everything you need to know about the Google Pixel 7a.

Summary

• The Pixel 7a is a powerful Android phone that offers a modern experience at an affordable price, similar to its predecessor, the Pixel 6a.
• Inspired by Google's flagship devices, the Pixel 7a features the Tensor G2 chipset and a new 90Hz display, both on par with the more expensive Pixel 7.
• With high-end specs, including a 64MP main sensor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, the Pixel 7a continues Google's tradition of delivering its A-series phones with better performance and lower prices than the competition.

Google Pixel 7a: Design and specs

More than ever, the Google Pixel 7a is nearly indistinguishable from the Pixel 7. In its white colorway especially, the Pixel 7a reuses the same matte silver frame, the same glossy back, a two-camera setup (more on that below), and a flat display upfront. Comparing dimensions, Google's upcoming budget phone is nearly the same size as the Pixel 7, with last year's budget flagship measuring a bit wider, taller, and thinner overall.

Walk into your nearest carrier and hold the two phones side-by-side, and you'll notice a couple of additional changes. The camera visor — that signature bump that has become Google's iconic marker for its current design language — is thinner than the one on the Pixel 7. It all comes down to the Pixel 7a's camera sensor. Because it's smaller, Google could shrink the overall design into something more svelte. The camera bar also includes a matte aluminum cover, rather than opting for the basic glass on the previous gen. Still, the bezels around the display remain as chunky as ever.

What sets this phone apart from the rest of the company's lineup? Well, the Pixel 7a comes in two unique colors you won't find among the more neutral tones of the Pixel 7 series. A sky blue model keeps the pastel trend going, matching the more subdued colors of recent Google products, while the coral variant is far more in your face, looking more vibrant in person than the company's renders would have you believe. If you want that orange-ish shade, keep in mind it's a Google Store exclusive — no carriers or third-party retailers sell it.

Pixel 7a (left) vs. Pixel 7 (middle) vs. Pixel 7 Pro (right)

The Pixel 7a is powered by the same Tensor G2 chipset found in the mainline Pixel 7 series, alongside 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage. It's rocking a 6.1-inch FHD OLED panel that has been upgraded to 90Hz, bringing it closer to competition from Samsung and OnePlus, though you'll need to activate it in the settings out of the box.

It's powered by a 4,385mAh battery alongside 18W wired charging and — new this generation — wireless charging. Google limited its device to 5W wireless, so you'll want to keep this tool limited to the stands on your bedside table.

If the Pixels are known for one thing above all else, it's their cameras. Google is using a 64MP sensor here alongside a 12MP ultrawide lens that is about six degrees wider than the lens used on the Pixel 7. That main shooter is new to the Pixel lineup, but outside of the actual hardware being utilized here, it's business as usual.

Google is continuing to bin its images — down to 16MP here — and while its Super Zoom leaves something to be desired, 1x or 2x photos match the quality you'd expect from a Pixel phone. Google also upgraded the front-facing camera to 13MP, and, as a nice bonus, it supports face unlock for faster access to your smartphone.

Google Pixel 7a: Software

At this point, if you've used a recent Pixel phone, you likely know what to expect when it comes to hardware. Unlike its legacy Nexus phones, the Pixel series provides a unique take on Android, one focused on a clean aesthetic and providing you with tons of AI-powered tools and features. The Pixel 7a fails to break that trend, promising the same experience you've come to love on the Pixel 7 series at a lower cost.

Google also guarantees the same level of support as it does for its pre-Pixel 8 flagships, with three major OS upgrades having kicked off with Android 14 in October. Unfortunately, the seven years of full OS patches promised to Google's latest smartphones aren't coming in this generation.

Google Pixel 7a: Price and release date

While recent A-series entries stretched their release dates into the summer and beyond, Google is getting back to basics this year. The Pixel 7a went up for order on May 10th, right after Google wrapped up its keynote at I/O. As for in-store availability, you can also grab a new smartphone from your local Best Buy — not too shabby. It brings the A-series back to a May release for the first time since the original Pixel 3a in 2019.

Now for the bad news: Google raised its A-series pricing, bumping the Pixel 7a to $500. At that price, the Pixel 7a might be a hard sell — outside of those exclusive colors, there isn't a major feature that makes the 7a an obvious choice over its older sibling. That said, it has dropped as low as $374 on sale, so keep an eye out for steep discounts.

Not ready to upgrade yet?

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro remain our picks for the best Google phones you can buy today, but if you feel like that $700 starting price is just too high, the Pixel 7a might be the perfect phone for you. It's one of our favorite Android phones, thanks to its excellent price-to-performance ratio, but if you're looking for something even cheaper, just be patient. We've seen plenty of sales already, and more could be on the way very soon. And if you don't think you're ready yet, consider holding off for the Pixel 8a, which we've already seen a handful of leaks for.