Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 8: Exploring the Evolution

Every year, phone upgrades usually only bring small changes. The Pixel 8 is a good example of this trend. Google’s newest low-end phone has a new processor, better AI photo editing tools, a mode just for macro photography, and a camera that’s a little better than the Pixel 7. This shows that Google is putting more emphasis on AI, which will play a key role in future Pixel devices.

The $699 Pixel 8 and the $599 Pixel 7 are both good options for people who want a reliable phone with a medium-sized screen and a great camera. The Pixel 8 might not be very different from the Pixel 7, but the fact that it will get software updates for seven years makes it stand out.

This makes sure that the Pixel 8 stays up-to-date until 2030, getting new versions of Android, security patches, and special Pixel “feature drops.” Even though the Pixel 8 seems like a small upgrade, it will last a long time, making it a smart choice for people who want to buy a phone that will last.

Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 8: Pricing

When it comes to price, the Google Pixel 7a and Pixel 8 have different ranges that suit different budgets. Based on its starting price of $449, the Pixel 7a is a great deal for people who want a cheap option that doesn’t skimp on important features.

The Pixel 8, on the other hand, costs $599 and is aimed at people who want a high-end experience with the newest hardware and software. Even though the Pixel 8 costs more because it has better specs, the Pixel 7a is still a great option for people who want to save money and get the best value.

Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 8 Comparison Table

Ultimately, the choice between the Pixel 7a and Pixel 8 depends on individual priorities and budget considerations.

Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 8: Design

More similarities than differences can be found between the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 7a when it comes to their designs. The Pixel 8 does, however, have a much better screen-to-body ratio than previous Pixel phones. In light of this, the Pixel 8 comes out on top in this category. The Pixel 8’s 6.2-inch screen is bigger than the Pixel 7a’s 6.1-inch screen, but the Pixel 8 is a little smaller overall.

The difference in screen size that can be used isn’t very big, but the smaller border around the screen is a nice change for looks. When it comes to looks, both phones come in a wide range of colors that are very different from one another. You can get the Pixel 7a in four colors: charcoal, snow, sea, and coral (only in the US).

You can get the Pixel 8 in three different colors: rose, hazel, and obsidian.Despite these differences, both phones still have the main features that make them from the same family. It has a flat front screen, a two-tone color scheme, and a unique camera bar on the back with a matte aluminum cover. Of course, most people will use a case to hide all of these details anyway.

Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 8: Display

The screens of the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 7 are where Google’s two smartphones begin to diverge from one another. The display on the Pixel 8 measures 6.2 inches, making it marginally smaller than the 6.3-inch display on the Pixel 7. Because the Pixel 8 has physically smaller dimensions than the Pixel 7, it is a better option for people who are looking for a phone that is on the more compact side.

When compared to the Pixel 7, which had 1,400 nits of brightness, the Pixel 8’s screen has a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits, making it noticeably brighter. The refresh rate of the display on the Pixel 8 can be increased to up to 120Hz, which is a significant improvement over the Pixel 7’s 90Hz display. However, depending on what you’re doing on your phone, the difference may not be noticeable.

Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 8: Software

The Pixel 8 series has a head start because it is the first to ship with Android 14 out of the box. This gives it a competitive advantage. In the meantime, Google’s Pixel 7a is still shipping with Android 13, but users shouldn’t be too concerned because an update to Android 14 should be arriving pretty soon. Android 14 includes a plethora of brand-new features, in addition to some much-appreciated productivity and security enhancements.

However, Google has truly upped the ante in the arena of software support by offering an impressive seven years of operating system and security updates for the Pixel 8 series of smartphones. The Pixel 7a has been on a path that includes three guaranteed operating system updates, and it is expected that these updates will conclude around the year 2025 with the launch of Android 16.

If you are the type of person who likes to keep their phone for as long as possible, the Pixel 8 is an excellent choice for you because it will continue to receive updates well into the year 2030, making it a clear winner in terms of long-term support and future-proofing.

Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 8: Cameras

The cameras and image processing on Google’s Pixel phones are among their most notable features. It is difficult to choose between the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 7a because neither phone falls short in either department. One could say that the Pixel 8’s camera is state-of-the-art, what with its Night Sight video mode, Best Take photo merging, and the brand-new Audio Eraser feature for getting rid of video background noise. However, the Pixel 7a’s front-facing camera and rear-facing camera array each feature a higher-resolution image sensor.

When compared to the 50MP wide sensor and 12MP ultra-wide sensor found on the Pixel 8, the Pixel 7a’s 64MP wide sensor and 13MP ultra-wide sensor produce sharper, more detailed images. Similarly, the Pixel 7a’s ultra-wide 13MP selfie camera outperforms the Pixel 8’s 10.5MP version.

While this is an advantage for the Pixel 7a, today’s cameras capture an unbelievable amount of detail regardless, so don’t put too much stock in the number of megapixels. In this case, I think the Pixel 8’s superior image processing capabilities make it the best smartphone for taking photos, regardless of its otherwise average hardware. You can’t go wrong with either phone, though, because both have excellent cameras.

Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 8: Performance and Battery

If you compare the Pixel 8 to the Pixel 7a, the Pixel 8 has Google’s Tensor G3 chipset and the Pixel 7a has the older Tensor G2. This might look like the kind of yearly small update that’s common for mobile CPUs, but there’s a lot more to the story behind the update. The Tensor G2 had some problems, especially with how well it handled heat and how well its batteries worked.

The Tensor G3 has a unique 9-core architecture with four Cortex-A715 performance cores, four Cortex-A510 efficiency cores, and a new Cortex-X3 prime core designed for high-performance tasks. This special setup should make a big difference in how fast the processor works and how much power it uses. As expected, it made better thermal management and longer battery life in our test.

Both phones have almost the same battery sizes, but the Pixel 8 will last a lot longer on the Tensor G3 because it is much more efficient now. The Pixel 8 can be charged faster with a wired connection than the Pixel 7a, which can only be charged with 18W. However, both phones charge about the same amount of time overall. The Pixel 8 also has faster 18W wireless charging and the added bonus of being able to charge itself backwards, which the Pixel 7a does not have.

Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 8: which one should you buy?

In the end, the best way to decide which phone is right for you is to try out both of them in person and see which one feels more natural to you. You can go to a Google Store or a carrier store to compare the features of the phones in person and see them side-by-side. You can also read reviews written by other customers to find out what they think of the two phones by reading those reviews.