Google Pixel 7a
Announced May 10, 2023
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
Google Pixel 7a is a well-rounded midrange device that packs high-tier processing and an excellent camera system into a compact frame. That said, it suffers from slow charging speeds, mediocre battery life, and thicker screen bezels that feel dated compared to some rivals.
Weighted from 70 reviewer scores
Pros
- Excellent camera performance and image quality
- Fast Tensor G2 processor and smooth 90Hz display
- Helpful software features and consistent update support
- Handy additions like wireless charging and IP67 water resistance
- Compact, comfortable design with premium build quality
Cons
- Painfully slow wired and wireless charging speeds
- Average or underwhelming battery life
- Thick, noticeable display bezels
- Lack of a dedicated telephoto lens
- Tendency to overheat during demanding tasks
- Launch price $499–$549 (USD)
- Main camera 64MP f/1.89 + 13MP Ultrawide
- Video 4K 30p
- Display 6.1-inch OLED 90Hz
- Chipset Google Tensor G2 8GB
What the Reviewers Say
All 70 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 9/10
The Pixel 7a stands out as one of the best phones $500 can buy.
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Strongly recommended. Its high resolution images, with improved selfie camera and 4K video recording make the Google Pixel 7a perform better than more expensive alternatives.
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This is a good phone, and I think a lot of people will get it and really like it, but for the price I would actually rather go for the Pixel 7.
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[T]he Google Pixel 7a for 500 gives you an awesome phone, but if you care about photos, videos, Pixel 7 is better.
- The Verge 7/10
While the Pixel 6A was the best midrange Android phone if you care most about the camera, the Pixel 7A is the best midrange Android phone — period. The screen isn’t quite as nice as the Galaxy A54’s, but it’s improved enough to satisfy most people.
- WIRED 8/10
If you want a well-rounded Android phone, you should get the Pixel 7A. It's just as capable and attractive as the similarly great Galaxy A54 5G; both are devices I'd recommend, though the software extras you get with the Pixel are nice.
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The Google Pixel 7a is brilliant for photography, capturing lovely-looking images but the battery is lacking and could leave you without power a lot quicker than we'd like. The price is pretty decent, though, and will only get better over time.
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The Pixel 7a is the best mid-range Android phone available. It squeezes even more of the premium smartphone experience into a smaller, cheaper model.
- Android Authority 9/10
The Pixel 7a is Google's most refined mid-range entry yet, adding an upgraded camera setup, 90Hz refresh rate, and wireless charging to a perfectly palm-able design.
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The Pixel 7a's all the phone you do need though right now and it should last long into the future too.
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Wireless charging, a better camera, a more capable chipset and a faster display make the Pixel 7a a tempting buy in 2024, even with the newer Pixel 8a readily available in most markets. It’s not entirely perfect, but when available at a discount, there’s a lot to like.
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The Google Pixel 7a is a fun little device with helpful features. It might not be the phone of the year, but it is certainly the best small handset on the market right now.
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Google's $499 Pixel 7a is the best midrange Android phone you can buy right now. It offers fantastic performance for the price, features above-average cameras, and includes software niceties not widely available on other Android phones.
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The Google Pixel 7a is like a gas-guzzling roadster. It's faster than it should be, looks great in photos, and needs to be refueled often along the way.
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There’s a lot to like about the improvements Google made to the Pixel 7a, which practically matches the Pixel 7 feature for feature.
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The Pixel 7a is a simple device that packs a nice screen that's now even better thanks to a 90Hz refresh rate, solid performance and cameras that can hang with rivals twice its price.
- Digital Trends 6/10
If you’re looking at the Pixel 7a by itself, it’s a pretty capable device for just $499.
- CNET 8.9/10
The Pixel 7A feels like the best value for Pixel fans right now. While you miss out on certain Pixel 7 extras, like battery share, the camera’s Action Pan mode, a larger screen and slightly faster charging, none of those omissions feels like a deal-breaker.
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The Pixel 7a might be the best Pixel Google has ever built. The price-to-performance ratio is off the charts good and the camera is better than ever thanks to a huge camera hardware upgrade.
- Android Police 8/10
The Pixel 7a earns my recommendation, but not without some massive caveats that weren't present in previous A-series devices. Google might impress me with its camera results and its software experience, but none of that matters if a phone can't survive to bedtime.
- PhoneArena 6.1/10
At $499, the Pixel 7a is a budget phone done right, with more than acceptable shortcomings and lots of other redeeming features and qualities. Those make it arguably a better buy than the premium Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.
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[T]he 7a gets closer to the 'high-end' models than any previous offering with an 'a' in its name, and comes in at a not-insignificant [...]
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Again, a really nice mid-ranger for those of you who want a nice phone with things like wireless charging, water resistance, and good cameras, but you don't want to spend the crazy bucks of today's flagship phones cost. It's certainly a strong contender.
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The Google Pixel 7a once again claims the title of the best budget phone and my pick for the best phone under $500. The OnePlus 11 is the only option below $1,000 that I think is worth considering over the Pixel 7a and that’s if gaming on your phone is one of your top uses.
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[T]he Google Pixel 7a seems to be a very good phone to buy if you want the Google experience, the quick software updates, the excellent, excellent cameras.
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The Pixel 7a is a great device when viewed with the lens of a budget phone. The choices Google has made to reduce the price don't impact the user experience, and for $500, while $50 more at launch when compared to its predecessor, the Pixel 6a, it is a value-for-money offering.
- XDA 9/10
At $499, the Pixel 7a is an easy recommendation in the midrange space. It has a better camera, more intelligent software, and a more capable chip than the Samsung Galaxy A54.
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The Pixel 7a is a great offering in the mid-range offering performance that sits it in a competitive place.
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After some battery wobbles that had me temporarily concerned, I've quickly come to regard the Google Pixel 7a as the best affordable phone you can buy right now. It's got the power, the cameras and the looks to impress.
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All told, the Pixel 7a is one of the most well-rounded mid-priced handsets I’ve put to the test in a number of years and is a worthy recipient of our Best Buy award.
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With zippy performance, a battery that can go all day between top ups, and a pair of cameras that take superb photos for the cash, the Google Pixel 7a once again proves an A-series is almost all the phone an Android fan needs.
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I think this is an awesome phone and it's a really good upgrade if you're going to be coming from a Pixel 6 or Pixel 6a.
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[T]he Google Pixel 7a should be at the top of your considerations list.
- How-To Geek 7/10
In a vacuum, it's extremely easy for me to recommend the Google Pixel 7a. For just under $500, you get an Android smartphone with all of the performance you might need and an amazing camera that you can take anywhere.
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The Pixel 7a is another affordable triumph from Google, balancing a premium feature set with an affordable price point, and in the process causing some real problems for its mid-range rivals.
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The Google Pixel 7a delivers the best A-series experience yet, with much-desired improvements like the 90Hz refresh rate display, wireless charging, and the company’s latest Tensor G2 processor.
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If you want a compact Pixel that's maybe a tad easier to use with one hand, or looking to save some cash, get the Pixel 7a.
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The Pixel 7a 64MP main and 12MP ultrawide camera pairing basically matches the photo quality I saw from the Pixel 7 and finally adds the fun long exposure mode to Google’s cheaper A-series.
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The Pixel 7a gives you everything the Pixel 7 offered, just with a slightly smaller screen and $100 shaved off the price.
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The Google Pixel 7a may be the most expensive "budget" Pixel phone, but it also gets a series of improvements that make it the best choice in its price range.
- IGN 8/10
The Pixel 7a is a great mid-range phone. It’s got high-tier processing, especially for AI-enhanced features like voice dictation, and holds up in everyday use.
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[I]t does offer pretty stunning value for money at this sort of price point.
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For its price, it's looking like great value for money if you want a very good camera in a budget phone.
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I think Google has compromised in the right areas to deliver a well-balanced phone here.
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But in conclusion, I'm a big fan of the Google Pixel 7a. I think this device proves that most people don't need to be spending $1,000 on a flagship smartphone and instead they can go this route, save some money and still get a really good experience.
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At the end of the day, the Google Pixel 7a one week later to me is a solid device that provides a lot to Pixel fans. And even though I do think that the price is fair, it's unfortunately in a weird space right now where it's not really the best option to go with.
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I think it's a solid option to consider.
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The Google Pixel 7a gives you almost all the goodies from more expensive Pixels at a lower price.
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I do think it's worth upgrading to the Pixel 8 this year over the 7a in most circumstances.
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It's like Google heard that and decided to completely flip the script altogether because this time around the Google Pixel 7a is clearly the phone to get over the more expensive Pixel 7.
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After testing the Google Pixel 7a, I'm struck by just how few compromises Google has made with this handset, and how it avoids the typical pitfalls for budget phones.
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The Google Pixel 7a is a mid-range phone with a more affordable price than the Pixel 7 Pro or Pixel 7.
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With its pretty impressive updates, solid Android support (five years’ worth of updates) and its impeccably good camera, the Pixel 7a is a very compelling proposition right now. In fact, we’d argue it is one of the best value options on the market.
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Now overall, the pixel 7A feels super solid, especially for a phone at this price range.
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[...] I love the Google Pixel 7A, easy to hold and use with one hand, has great build quality, has a good display, the performance it offers is good for the price and the cameras are the best.
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This is a truly great mid-range phone, and if you've got $450 to spend on a phone, this is a fantastic option.
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[T]his is one of the best phones I've used in 2023, primarily because of what it offers for what it costs.
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I'm very happy with the Google Pixel 7A. Most of the time it felt comparable, almost the same as if I'm using the Google Pixel 7.
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With all that being said, the Google Pixel 7a is still a reasonably priced phone with flagship-quality cameras and plenty of helpful smart features that I really like.
- Nick Ackerman 7.5/10
You, it just does, it shines in every area good enough that really makes it a total, it's a really good overall total value package, and for that reason, I totally recommend it and I love it.
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[I]f you're in a market for something new, small, and you love all things Google like their cameras, the software, and all the pixel exclusive features, then the Pixel 7a is the best Android phone that you can buy for five hundred dollars.
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It's a great phone for its price, and I would go on to say that it's basically the Pixel 7, but cheaper.
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[I]t becomes really impressive and a complete package in a hurry.
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At the end of the day, you’re getting a whole lot of phone for $500. Performance and battery life are fantastic, and the camera experience is one of—if not the best—for this price point.
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If you can't afford an iPhone and want a smartphone that looks great, takes sharp pictures, and has the performance and features of a much more expensive device, the Pixel 7a is a fantastic option.
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If you want one of the best Android devices on the market that doesn’t come with a four-figure price tag, the Pixel 7a is it - but Google themselves don’t seem interested in conveying that message to you.
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[T]he Google Pixel 7a is a fantastic phone.
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In my humble opinion, the Pixel 7a is almost, and almost, a slam dunk device except for two things, which if they were present on the Pixel 7a would have made this the best mid-range and a slam dunk device.
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There is a lot to like in this phone, from design and build to display to cameras and user interface. You get a very well balanced phone which ticks pretty much all the boxes.
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There are plenty of worthy upgrades crammed into this punchy, solid handset [...]
