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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more affordable option while still getting a good overall experience, the Google Pixel 7a may suit your needs with its plastic body and slightly smaller screen. However, if you prioritize having a more premium feel to your device with a glass back, a higher peak brightness display for better visibility in direct sunlight, and possibly slightly longer battery life and improved camera features, including Ultra HDR compared to Auto HDR for videos, the Google Pixel 8 is the better choice. Keep in mind that the newer Pixel 8 will likely have better long-term support and performance due to its newer processor, though both phones offer a good set of features for their price points. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 7a
- The Google Pixel 7a has no clear advantages over the Google Pixel 8.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 8
- Good battery life
Key differences
Cost
$499
$639
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Google Pixel 7a has a price of $499 and the Google Pixel 8 costs $639.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
8.4
The Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 7a both have very good overall cameras quality.
The Google Pixel 7a offers a solid selfie experience and commendable photography capabilities that are complemented by a high resolution, satisfactory dynamic range, and effective low light performance. In contrast, the Google Pixel 8, while also delivering an impressive selfie camera, advances further with superior dynamic range and low light performance across general photography, enhanced by its more versatile camera system and superior video software experience.
Photo Quality
8.0
8.5
The Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 7a both have very good photos.
The Google Pixel 7a delivers very good selfies and the Google Pixel 8 offers excellent selfie quality, because the Pixel 8 builds upon the already satisfactory selfie performance of the Pixel 7a but with improved features such as better dynamic range, low light performance, and a more versatile camera system overall. Despite both having robust photo software, the Pixel 8 is designed with advancements that enhance the overall photo and selfie experience.
Video Quality
7.3
7.6
The Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 7a both have good videos.
The Google Pixel 7a provides a solid video experience with excellent stabilization and very good scores in dynamic range and low-light performance, also sporting very good microphone quality. On the other hand, the Google Pixel 8 offers slightly superior video qualities with excellent video stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance, along with top-notch software experience for video but at likely a higher price point due to its more recent release.
Battery
6.9 Hours
7.3 Hours
The Google Pixel 7a has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Google Pixel 8 has 7.3 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 7a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Google Pixel 8 is 6.2 inches.
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How the Google Pixel 7a and the Google Pixel 8 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 7a | Google Pixel 8 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$499 | $639 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | |||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 10, 2023 | October 12, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 428 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | TensorG2 | TensorG3 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 64 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.9 Hours | 7.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4385 mAh | 4575 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 7.5 W | 18 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.98" x 2.87" | 5.93" x 2.79" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.84 oz | 6.60 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 7 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | |
Color | |||
Color | Sea, Snow, Coral, Charcoal | Rose, Hazel, Obsidian | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 7a
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Allison Johnson | May 2023
"The Pixel 7a is the best midrange Android phone — period. The camera doesn’t always nail it, but it’s impressively capable for this class. And even though it’s pricier than last year’s model, it comes with some serious upgrades not often seen in this class, like wireless charging."
Google Pixel 8
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Dig into reviews and images
The Guardian
Samuel Gibbs | October 2023
"The fit, finish and feel is top notch. The phone is responsive and smooth. The battery life is decent. The main camera is excellent but the lack of an extended optical zoom is slightly disappointing, even if it has been a similar formula for Google for several years.
The 6.2in screen moves the Pixel 8 closer to the underserved market of smaller but top-end phones, of which there are only a handful to choose from. Google’s generative AI features are certainly novel, but it is the extended seven-year software support that truly sets it apart."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 7a or the Google Pixel 8
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
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Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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