Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 8: Should you upgrade?

The Pixel 7a is a really latest telephone, however it’s nonetheless technically part of Google’s last-generation {hardware} now that the Pixel 8 is hitting cabinets. In the event you have been an early adopter of the 7a, you may even be contemplating an improve to entry all the newest bells and whistles. So is it price buying and selling in that telephone and paying the distinction?

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

The following change you’ll discover is the show. Whereas the Pixel 8’s display screen is just marginally greater at 6.2 inches, and has the very same decision because the 7a, it might 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 telephone, in addition. Whereas the 7a has an IP67 score, a plastic again, and Gorilla Glass 3 up entrance, the 8 improves to IP68 and Gorilla Glass Victus on each the back and front. Meaning a extra resilient show and higher waterproofing, although you’ll nonetheless need a case, since glass is inherently susceptible to cracking in exhausting 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 know-how, permitting you to make use of a nano-SIM and/or eSIM. In the event you’re on the slicing 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 development and barely bigger show, however aside from that, the telephones are extraordinarily comparable. They’re each based mostly on the design cues of the Pixel 7, together with the rear digicam bar, and at a fast look you may also have a robust time telling the three telephones aside. The Pixel 8 (above) is a bit 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 (under) ships in Charcoal, Sea, Snow, and (extra hardly ever) Coral, however the 8 is offered in Obsidian, Hazel, and Rose.

We’re nonetheless getting ready our evaluate of the Pixel 8, so count on samples down the street, however for now we are able to say that whereas the whereas the telephone really has diminished megapixel counts, you’re getting higher digicam tech total. 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 important (wide-angle) cameras.

The 7a isn’t a slouch, as you may inform from our picture samples under. 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 contemplate the Pixel 8’s cameras a significant cause to improve in case you demand higher low-light taking pictures, or particular software program options Google isn’t planning to port again to the 7a.

Whereas we’ll have to wrap testing to see the way it performs in real-world situations, the Pixel 8 is supplied with a bigger 4,575mAh battery, so you may count on a lift over the 7a’s mediocre runtime. In principle that needs to be helped by a dynamic refresh fee and optimizations in Google’s Tensor design. You need to nonetheless plan to cost each evening, and probably top-up noon in case you interact in any heavy video or gaming periods. Cellphone 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, however 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. In the event you recurrently end up pissed off with the 7a’s sluggish refills, this may very well be an incentive to modify.

Word 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 companion’s telephone or your earbuds are on their final legs.

Right here in fact is the principle disadvantage to getting a Pixel 8. Even the most affordable mannequin is $699, which can be an excellent 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 in case you’re amongst them, you may contemplate the the Pixel 8 a bridge too far.

The Pixel 7a first launched in Might 2023. The Pixel 8 is offered 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.

Actually, most likely not. The 7a is just a few months outdated as of this writing, and in case you purchased one, it’s possible since you have been making an attempt to avoid wasting money whereas getting many of the Pixel 7’s core options. If you wish to improve your Pixel with out placing a significant dent in your funds, you’re higher off ready for the inevitable Pixel 8a in 2024, or maybe a 9a or 10a.

The improve may very well be price it in case you’ve been utilizing the 7a for some time and discover it extra limiting than you anticipated. Its battery life and charging speeds go away one thing to be desired, in spite of everything, and there could also be one thing particularly interesting concerning the Pixel 8’s digicam tech, whether or not it’s higher low-light taking pictures or an AI-based picture or video function. Heck, you may work within the outside solar usually sufficient that the 8’s show might save numerous eyestrain.