Google Pixel 7a to Debut with 64MP Camera, 90Hz Display, and Tensor G2
Could this be the next beloved Google smartphone? The Pixel 7a boasts specs that closely rival the flagship Pixel 7, but with a more affordable starting price of ₹44,000 in India – the same as last year’s launch price for the 6a. In the United States, the phone is priced at $500, while Europeans can expect to pay around €510. For comparison, the Pixel 6a is priced at $450 in the US and €460 in Europe. The older 6a model, on the other hand, is starting to feel outdated with its lower-resolution main camera, 60Hz display, and absence of wireless charging.
The Pixel 7a introduces several notable advancements to the Pixel “a” series. Firstly, its 6.1-inch OLED display now boasts a 90Hz refresh rate, matching that of the Pixel 7 (although the latter has a slightly larger 6.3-inch display). The resolution is FHD+, and the phone is protected by Gorilla Glass 3.
In terms of durability, the phone is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance. It features a metal frame and a plastic back, with Google emphasizing its use of recycled aluminum, glass, and plastic in the construction process. For instance, the visor is made entirely from recycled aluminum. The available colors are Charcoal, Sea, and Snow, while the Coral color variant is exclusive to the Google Store.
Another significant upgrade is the adoption of the Tensor G2 chipset, paired with 8GB of LPDDR RAM (up from 6GB in the 6a) and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage. This configuration matches that of the Pixel 7, ensuring comparable performance for various computational tasks. Additionally, Google pledges to provide 5 years of security updates for the device.
The Pixel 7a introduces the Super Res Zoom feature, capable of up to 8x zoom, thanks to its new 64MP camera (compared to the 12MP camera on the 6a). The sensor is a 1/1.73-inch Quad Bayer sensor, although it is slightly smaller than the one found on the Pixel 7 (50MP 1/1.31-inch), resulting in 0.8µm pixels before binning. However, it does come with optical image stabilization (OIS).
The ultra-wide camera features a 13MP sensor (1.12µm) and a 120° f/2.2 lens, benefiting from Dual Pixel autofocus. The front-facing camera has also been upgraded to 13MP (1.12µm) with a fixed-focus 95° lens (f/2.2). The rear camera can record 5K video at up to 60fps, while the front camera supports a maximum of 4K at 30fps.
The Pixel 7a supports both sub-6GHz and mmWave versions of 5G, although mmWave compatibility will be available only on select regional models. It is a dual-SIM device with one physical nano-SIM slot and one eSIM.
Powering the device is a 4,385mAh battery, supporting up to 20W wired charging. For the first time in the “a” series, wireless charging is also available, with a maximum charging speed of 18W. It’s worth noting that the bottom port is USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, but the retail box includes only a USB C-to-C cable with USB 2.0 wiring, requiring users to provide their own charger.
Published on 05/19/23 4:26 | by Rawa John
