Google’s latest value-oriented Pixel smartphone is here. Today, at its I/O 2023 keynote, the company introduced the $499 Pixel 7A. In terms of design, it’s harder than ever to call a “budget” A-series phone apart from the Pixel 7 released last fall. Amid high competition at the 7A’s price point, Google has added new features like a high-refresh display, wireless charging, and an improved camera.
Like the standard model, the Pixel 7A has an aluminum camera bar and metal side rails. It’s powered by the same Tensor G2 chip as the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, which means you can expect the same software tricks like Photo Enabler and improved voice-to-text dictation. The phone’s 6.1-inch 1080p OLED display is now (Finally) runs at up to 90Hz, and those smooth animations make it stand out against competing phones from Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus and other brands.
The Pixel 7A comes with 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM and will be offered in three colors: Dark Grey, White, Blue and Coral. The phone is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, and its display uses the now pristine Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The base $499 phone supports sub-6 5G, but some carriers will offer a millimeter wave (mmWave)-compatible model for $549. .
The primary rear camera moves from the tried-and-true 12-megapixel sensor that the A-series has long used in favor of a new 64MP module. Google claims the sensor is 72 percent larger than the one on the 6A and can capture 44 percent more light. You get all the usual Google Photos signature features (Real Tone, Magic Eraser, Photo Unblower, etc.), and the long-exposure motion effects first seen on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are coming to the 7A. Nightside is now twice as fast as it was in 6A.
The Pixel 7A is the first budget smartphone to support wireless charging, and the Pixel gets up to 7.5 watts of juice when placed on a stand or a compatible Qi charger. You’re limited to 18-watt charging using the included USB-C cable.
A few weeks ago, Google slashed the regular Pixel 7 to $449. If that were the case the 7A would have been a tough bargain. But with the latest Pixel now joining the lineup, sales of the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro have slowed as Google squeezes more space between each product heading into summer. Based on the spec sheet, it comes across as the best A-series Pixel Google has ever released – and our review backs it up, so read on for more details.
