Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 7a: What’s the Difference? Which One Should You Buy?

The Google Pixel 8a recently made its debut in India and globally. The Pixel 8a retains a lot of the functionality as the vanilla Pixel 8, while retaining some key aspects of the Pixel 7a. In our last comparison, we looked at how the Pixel 8a stacked up against the Pixel 8.

Now, let's dive into the full specifications of the Pixel 8a and its predecessor the Pixel 7a to find out which of the two offers better value for money.

Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 7a: Full Specs Compared

Design, Display, Build

The build quality on both Pixels is still the same with Gorilla Glass 3 protection on the front, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame. Both devices even feature an IP67 rating. However, the main difference here lies in the design of the Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a.

The Pixel 8a opts for rounded corners, which should make it more comfortable to use as opposed to the sharper edges on the Pixel 7a. The Pixel 8a swaps out the glossy back for a matte-textured rear panel. The Pixel 7a comes in Charcoal, Snow, Sea, and Coral shades, while the Pixel 8a is offered in Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, and Aloe color options.

Google has upgraded the display on the Pixel 8a, going from 90Hz to 120Hz. Moreover, the screen on the Pixel 8a also has a 40% higher peak brightness than that on the Pixel 7a. Additionally, both phones also support the Always-on display mode.

Performance, Battery, Software

Performance is the biggest area of improvement with the incorporation of the new Tensor G3 chip on the Pixel 8a. Not only does the Tensor G3 bring improvements in CPU and GPU performance, but it also offers a substantial leap in on-device AI operations.

The Pixel 8a has a slightly larger battery than its predecessor, although charging capabilities are the same on both devices. While this may not translate to any battery life gains, the Tensor G3 chip's 4nm process ensures better efficiency.

Both the Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a run stock Android 14, although the latter was released with Android 13. The one major downside for Pixel 7a users is the promised three Android OS updates and five years of regular security patches.

On the other hand, the Pixel 8a offers seven years of Android OS updates as well as seven years of regular security updates and Feature Drops. The Pixel 8a also offers more in terms of AI software integration, although the main highlight here is the promise of Gemini Nano support following the new Feature Drop.

Cameras

In terms of camera hardware, both phones are evenly matched with the same 64 MP primary sensor, 13 MP ultrawide lens, and 13 MP selfie camera. Video recording capabilities are the same on both phones as well. The gains for the Pixel 8a will come courtesy of the Tensor G3 chip and its upgraded ISP.

Moreover, the Pixel 8a also supports Real Tone coloring for video recording, ensuring accurate skin color reproduction. We haven't tested the cameras on the two phones but expect the Pixel 8a to have the edge in this area.

Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 7a

With a starting price tag of Rs 52,999, the Pixel 8a fetches a more premium price compared to the Pixel 7a, which currently sits at Rs 39,999. While the Pixel 8a retains the same cameras and build quality as the Pixel 7a, the former has gotten a substantial upgrade.

The key highlights are the upgraded Tensor G3 chip and brighter OLED display, although the rounded design on the Pixel 8a is also more comfortable to use. Additionally, the Pixel 8a also offers minor gains in power efficiency and camera performance.

However, the real star of the show is software support, where the Pixel 7a falls short of its successor by a huge margin. So despite the Rs 13,000 price difference, we believe the Pixel 8a is worth it. However, the Pixel 7a can be a cost-effective option for those simply looking for a good Google smartphone without breaking the bank.