The Pixel 7a is a really latest telephone, however it’s nonetheless technically part of Google’s last-generation {hardware} now that the Pixel 8 is hitting cabinets. In the event you had been an early adopter of the 7a, you would possibly even be contemplating an improve to entry the entire newest bells and whistles. So is it price buying and selling in that telephone and paying the distinction?

There are some appreciable variations right here, maybe essentially the most vital being the transfer from a Tensor G2 processor to the Tensor G3. Other than common efficiency enhancements we’re nonetheless testing for our evaluation, the G3 is meant to spice up the AI capabilities Pixel telephones are identified for. In truth you’ll want a Pixel 8 to take advantage of a few of Google’s newest picture and video choices, together with Finest Take, Magic Editor, and Audio Magic Eraser.

The following change you’ll discover is the show. Whereas the Pixel 8’s display is simply marginally larger at 6.2 inches, and has the very same decision because the 7a, it could actually get extraordinarily shiny — as much as 2,000 nits peak, which is greater than sufficient to be clear and legible in direct daylight. The Pixel 8 additionally has a dynamic 60-120Hz refresh charge, which permits it to be smoother than the 7a with out extreme energy consumption.

The Pixel 8 is a harder telephone, besides. Whereas the 7a has an IP67 score, a plastic again, and Gorilla Glass 3 up entrance, the 8 improves to IP68 and Gorilla Glass Victus on each the back and front. Which means a extra resilient show and higher waterproofing, although you’ll nonetheless desire a case, since glass is inherently vulnerable to cracking in onerous falls.

Additionally vital are the Pixel 8’s cameras, battery, and charging tech. We’ll cowl these in-depth in a second. For now we’ll level out that solely the Pixel 8 has 256GB storage choice, in addition to dual-SIM expertise, permitting you to make use of a nano-SIM and/or eSIM. In the event you’re on the reducing fringe of wi-fi tech, some fashions assist Wi-Fi 7, relying on the nation the place you purchase them. Even Wi-Fi 6E hasn’t been broadly adopted but, so don’t fear about that an excessive amount of.

We’ve already talked about the Pixel 8’s harder building and barely bigger show, however other than that, the telephones are extraordinarily comparable. They’re each primarily based on the design cues of the Pixel 7, together with the rear digital camera bar, and at a fast look you would possibly also have a robust time telling the three telephones aside. The Pixel 8 (above) is a bit of smaller and lighter than the 7a, strictly talking, however not sufficient to matter.

There are some seen variations, together with a extra seamless edge on the Pixel 8. The telephones even have completely different colour choices — the 7a (beneath) ships in Charcoal, Sea, Snow, and (extra not often) Coral, however the 8 is on the market in Obsidian, Hazel, and Rose.

We’re nonetheless getting ready our evaluation of the Pixel 8, so anticipate samples down the highway, however for now we are able to say that whereas the whereas the telephone really has lowered megapixel counts, you’re getting higher digital camera tech total. Its sensors use wider pixels, which ought to assist with low-light sensitivity and noise, and each of its rear cameras profit from laser-detect auto-focus. Distinctive video capabilities embrace issues like a Macro Focus mode and Cinematic Blur, though each telephones can shoot as much as 4K at 60fps on their most important (wide-angle) cameras.

The 7a isn’t a slouch, as you possibly can inform from our picture samples beneath. It nonetheless helps lots of the identical software program options because the Pixel 8, akin to Magic Eraser, Face Unblur, and Actual Tone, even when (as talked about) choices like Magic Editor require the newer {hardware}. We’d solely take into account the Pixel 8’s cameras a significant purpose to improve for those who demand higher low-light capturing, or particular software program options Google isn’t planning to port again to the 7a.

Whereas we’ll have to wrap testing to see the way it performs in real-world circumstances, the Pixel 8 is provided with a bigger 4,575mAh battery, so you possibly can anticipate a lift over the 7a’s mediocre runtime. In concept that must be helped by a dynamic refresh charge and optimizations in Google’s Tensor design. You need to nonetheless plan to cost each night time, and probably top-up noon for those who interact in any heavy video or gaming classes. Telephone makers proceed to prioritize show and pace enhancements over battery life — for higher and for worse.

The Pixel 8 additionally advantages from 27W wired charging. That isn’t spectacular by present smartphone requirements, however it’s higher than the 18W cap on the 7a, which occurs to be what the 8 can obtain wirelessly when paired with a 2nd gen Pixel Stand. The 8’s wi-fi capability does shrink to 12W with different Qi chargers, but even that’s blazing quick subsequent to the 7a’s 7.5W. In the event you frequently end up annoyed with the 7a’s sluggish refills, this could possibly be an incentive to modify.

Observe additional that whereas the Pixel 8 helps Google’s Battery Share reverse wi-fi charging, that choice is lacking on the 7a. Whereas it’s unimportant to most individuals, it may be lifesaver if a companion’s telephone or your earbuds are on their final legs.

Right here in fact is the primary disadvantage to getting a Pixel 8. Even the most cost effective mannequin is $699, which can be a very good deal for its related specs, however that’s nonetheless $200 greater than a 7a. $499 is already stretching the definition of an inexpensive smartphone for a lot of buyers, and for those who’re amongst them, you would possibly take into account the the Pixel 8 a bridge too far.

The Pixel 7a first launched in Could 2023. The Pixel 8 is on the market as of October 11, 2023 within the US (together with Puerto Rico), Canada, the UK, Eire, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Japan, Taiwan, India, Singapore, and Australia.

Truthfully, in all probability not. The 7a is just a few months outdated as of this writing, and for those who purchased one, it’s doubtless since you had been attempting to save lots of money whereas getting many of the Pixel 7’s core options. If you wish to improve your Pixel with out placing a significant dent in your price range, you’re higher off ready for the inevitable Pixel 8a in 2024, or maybe a 9a or 10a.

The improve could possibly be price it for those who’ve been utilizing the 7a for some time and discover it extra limiting than you anticipated. Its battery life and charging speeds go away one thing to be desired, in spite of everything, and there could also be one thing particularly interesting concerning the Pixel 8’s digital camera tech, whether or not it’s higher low-light capturing or an AI-based picture or video function. Heck, you would possibly work within the outside solar usually sufficient that the 8’s show may save numerous eyestrain.