The Pixel 7 series is available worldwide and includes two models: the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro. Both gadgets, like their predecessors, have the new second-generation Tensor chipset and smart software features. Right now, the Pixel 7 series is your best bet for an affordable Google-made smartphone as your primary device, but if you don’t want to spend up to $600 on a new model, the Pixel 6a is a cheaper Google phone on the market.
If you’re undecided between the cheaper Pixel 6a and the $200 more expensive Pixel 7, we’ll try to answer this question based on your needs. So, which Pixel phone should you buy on a budget, the Pixel 7 or the Pixel 6a?
Related: Google Pixel 7 Pro vs Pixel 6 Pro: What’s The Difference?
Table of Contents
Design
The Pixel 6a clearly belongs to the same family as the Pixel 7 series. Both phones have a horizontal camera bar that extends on both sides. They have rounded edges, a front-facing punch-hole camera, and new color choices. However, the Pixel 7 has a glass back, while the Pixel 6a has a plastic back. In addition, the camera bar on the new Pixel 7 has a brushed metal finish, unlike the glass one on the 6a model.
The Pixel 7 is also longer and larger than the Pixel 6a in terms of size (155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm vs 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm). The new model is considerably heavier, weighing 197 grams as opposed to 178 grams for the 6a. So, without a doubt, the Pixel 6a is trimmer and more portable than the Pixel 7 series. Another distinction is that the Pixel 7 is IP68-certified, but the Pixel 6a is merely IP67-certified. The new Pixel model is available in Obsidian, Lemongrass, and Snow hues, while the 6a is available in Chalk, Charcoal, and Sage.
Overall, the new Pixel 7 offers a modest design edge over the previous model since it looks and feels more quality. However, the 6a is more compact and lighter, making it suitable for one-handed use. At the end of the day, design is always a matter of personal preference, and this is true for these two models as well.
Display
The two versions also have different screens. The Pixel 7, Google’s most recent and most costly gadget, features a slightly bigger 6.3-inch AMOLED display with 90Hz refresh rate and 1400 nits brightness, as well as Corning gorilla glass victus protection. The Pixel 6a, on the other hand, has a smaller 6.1-inch OLED screen that is just HDR certified. As you may expect, the older model lacks a high refresh rate screen, placing it at a disadvantage.
Camera
On the surface, the Pixel 7 may not appear to be a substantial advance over the Pixel 6a. The 7 has a 50MP f/1.9 aperture primary camera with OIS and a secondary 12MP ultra-wide sensor. The Pixel 6a, on the other hand, has a 12.2MP f/1.7 sensor and a 12MP ultrawide sensor (similar to the Pixel 7).
However, improvements in camera functionality and processing give the Pixel 7 an advantage over its predecessor. The new Pixel is also capable of shooting 10-bit HDR films. The Pixel 7 has a 10.8MP wide selfie camera on the front, as opposed to the Pixel 6a’s 8MP sensor.
Specs & Performance
The Pixel 6a, as an older model, has the first generation Google Tensor chipset clocked at 2.80GHz with Mali-G78 MP20 GPU, whereas the Pixel 7 has the latest second generation Google Tensor G2 clocked at 2.85GHz with Mali-G710 MP7 GPU. The new Tensor chip is faster and smarter than the first-generation model, allowing for more smart features on the device. In terms of configuration, the Pixel 7 is available with up to 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, whilst the Pixel 6a is only available with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
There aren’t many distinctions in terms of connectivity. Both phones support Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC. However, the Pixel 7 has tri-band Wi-Fi as compared to the 6a’s dual-band, and the USB-C version has been increased to 3.2 versus 2.1.
Battery
The two models’ battery capacities and charge times are comparable. The Pixel 7 has a 4355mAh battery with 20W wired charging, whereas the Pixel 6a has a 4410mAh battery and 18W wired charging. The Pixel 7’s new support for 20W wireless and reverse wireless charging is a major distinction.
Price & Availability
The Pixel 7 begins at $599 (roughly Php34,390) in the United States. The Pixel 6 launched at the same $599 (around Php34,390) in the US last year but is now available at lower prices throughout the world.
Conclusion
Overall, the Pixel 7 is an obvious improvement in terms of camera, battery (wireless charging), and computing power. However, if you don’t mind the loss of wireless charging and capabilities such as speedier night vision or high-quality blur-free photographs, the Pixel at roughly $300-400 is also a decent choice in 2022.
