Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 8: Must you improve?

The Pixel 7a is a really latest cellphone, nevertheless it’s nonetheless technically part of Google’s last-generation {hardware} now that the Pixel 8 is hitting cabinets. If you happen to 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 value buying and selling in that cellphone and paying the distinction?

There are some appreciable variations right here, maybe probably the most important being the transfer from a Tensor G2 processor to the Tensor G3. Except for normal efficiency enhancements we’re nonetheless testing for our evaluation, the G3 is meant to spice up the AI capabilities Pixel telephones are recognized for. In actual fact you’ll want a Pixel 8 to use a few of Google’s newest photograph and video choices, together with Finest Take, Magic Editor, and Audio Magic Eraser.

The subsequent change you’ll discover is the show. Whereas the Pixel 8’s display screen is barely marginally larger at 6.2 inches, and has the very same decision because the 7a, it may well get extraordinarily brilliant — 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 fee, which permits it to be smoother than the 7a with out extreme energy consumption.

The Pixel 8 is a more durable cellphone, besides. Whereas the 7a has an IP67 ranking, 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 laborious falls.

Additionally important 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. If you happen to’re on the chopping 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 extensively adopted but, so don’t fear about that an excessive amount of.

We’ve already talked about the Pixel 8’s more durable building and barely bigger show, however other than that, the telephones are extraordinarily related. They’re each based mostly 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 somewhat 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 totally different shade choices — the 7a (beneath) ships in Charcoal, Sea, Snow, and (extra not often) Coral, however the 8 is accessible in Obsidian, Hazel, and Rose.

We’re nonetheless making ready our evaluation of the Pixel 8, so anticipate samples down the street, however for now we will say that whereas the whereas the cellphone really has diminished megapixel counts, you’re getting higher digital camera tech general. 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 embody issues like a Macro Focus mode and Cinematic Blur, though each telephones can shoot as much as 4K at 60fps on their fundamental (wide-angle) cameras.

The 7a isn’t a slouch, as you’ll be able to inform from our photograph samples beneath. It nonetheless helps lots of the similar software program options because the Pixel 8, resembling 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 serious purpose to improve if you happen to demand higher low-light capturing, or particular software program options Google isn’t planning to port again to the 7a.

Whereas we’ll must wrap testing to see the way it performs in real-world situations, the Pixel 8 is provided with a bigger 4,575mAh battery, so you’ll be able to anticipate a lift over the 7a’s mediocre runtime. In idea that must be helped by a dynamic refresh fee and optimizations in Google’s Tensor design. It is best to nonetheless plan to cost each night time, and probably top-up noon if you happen to have interaction in any heavy video or gaming periods. 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, nevertheless 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. If you happen to often end up pissed off with the 7a’s sluggish refills, this may very well be an incentive to change.

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 accomplice’s cellphone or your earbuds are on their final legs.

Right here after all 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 reasonably priced smartphone for a lot of consumers, and if you happen to’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 accessible 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, most likely not. The 7a is only some months outdated as of this writing, and if you happen to purchased one, it’s probably since you had been attempting to avoid wasting money whereas getting a lot of the Pixel 7’s core options. If you wish to improve your Pixel with out placing a serious dent in your finances, you’re higher off ready for the inevitable Pixel 8a in 2024, or maybe a 9a or 10a.

The improve may very well be value it if you happen to’ve been utilizing the 7a for some time and discover it extra limiting than you anticipated. Its battery life and charging speeds depart one thing to be desired, in any case, and there could also be one thing particularly interesting in regards to the Pixel 8’s digital camera tech, whether or not it’s higher low-light capturing or an AI-based photograph or video characteristic. Heck, you would possibly work within the out of doors solar typically sufficient that the 8’s show may save loads of eyestrain.