Pixel 9a vs Pixel 7a: Here’s why I would upgrade

The Pixel 7a was one of many first A collection units to ascertain itself as a severe competitor to different mid-range units, however loads has modified prior to now two years. The most recent Pixel 9a has a spread of updates which may not be groundbreaking, however I feel they’re sufficient to noticeably take into account an improve.

We nonetheless want to check and evaluate the Pixel 9a earlier than we are able to make any definitive conclusions, however on paper, It seems to be like a wonderful system. In case you nonetheless have a Google Pixel 7a and are tempted by the Pixel 9a, right here’s why I might make the leap and improve now.

The principle cause I might improve from the Pixel 7a to the Pixel 9a is, unquestionably, battery life. The Pixel 7a has a measly 4,385mAh battery. Regardless of Google’s assurances of 24 hours of battery life, the telephone by no means persistently made it by way of a full day without having a top-up earlier than bedtime throughout our testing interval.

In distinction, the Pixel 9a has been particularly designed to pack a bigger battery, which now hits 5,100mAh. That’s greater than any Pixel telephone, together with the Pixel 9 Professional XL, and it’s prompted Google to up its promise from 24+ hours of battery life to 30+ hours on a single cost. We’ll take a look at these claims as soon as we get our palms on the system, however even making it by way of a full day can be a transformative change.

One other massive improve is the display. Whereas I feel the 6.1-inch 90hz OLED show remains to be greater than serviceable in 2025, the Pixel 9a kicks issues as much as a 6.3-inch 120hz pOLED show. The bigger, sooner, and brighter panel brings the A collection to close parity with many flagship shows, and take it from me: when you expertise a top-notch show, it’s onerous to return.

Powering that new display is Google’s top-of-the-line chip, the Tensor G4. That is the present flagship chip, and the identical silicon discovered within the Pixel 9 Professional collection. Along with being extra highly effective, it’s additionally extra environment friendly than the Tensor G2 discovered within the Pixel 7a, which we discovered to run sizzling.

When it comes to cameras, the upgrades are extra delicate. On paper, you would possibly anticipate the 64MP primary shooter on the Pixel 7a to be higher than the 48MP sensor on the Pixel 9a, however as we’ve seen for years, megapixels don’t inform the complete story. The Pixel 9a’s new shooter has Macro Focus for up shut and private pictures, and the broader aperture ought to permit for higher mild seize and a shallower depth of subject. The 13MP ultrawide and selfie cameras seem like the identical on each units, however the improved picture processing on the Tensor G4 would possibly make a distinction there, too. We’ll put the brand new lenses by way of the ringer in our testing, however the Pixel 9a ought to carry out higher, regardless of having fewer megapixels.

Clearly, the Pixel 9a is the superior telephone. We nonetheless want to finish our testing, nevertheless it’s trying like the most effective mid-range handset Google has ever launched.

If you have already got a Google Pixel 7a, there are some the explanation why you would possibly need to maintain off on upgrading to the Pixel 9a. The telephone is just two years previous, in any case, so that you’ve nonetheless received three extra years of updates earlier than it falls off on the software program aspect. The Pixel 9a comes with seven years of updates, however there’s nonetheless loads of time on the clock for each.

However that brings up an fascinating level: each units have lengthy replace commitments from Google, however in addition they each solely have 8GB of RAM. With new software program options and extra demanding apps launching yearly, I don’t assume 8GB will reduce it a couple of years down the road.

For a extra future-proof system, you’ll must improve to one thing with a bit extra energy, just like the flagship Pixel 9 Professional, which has twice as a lot at 16GB of RAM. Alternatively, you could possibly simply wait a couple of extra years till the A collection provides an choice with extra RAM. If the Pixel 7a remains to be serving you nicely at present, it’s going to certainly final for a minimum of one other 12 months or two.

The opposite cause to carry off is that most of the options coming to new Pixel telephones can even land on previous Pixel telephones. For instance, the newest March Pixel drop introduced Gemini Stay to all units newer than the Pixel 6, which incorporates the Pixel 7a. Some options are unique to the flagship collection, however these received’t come to the Pixel 9a both, so that you’re lacking out both approach.

In different phrases, till there’s a major {hardware} improve, I don’t assume you’ll really feel any main FOMO.

• Google Pixel 9a: Begins at $499
• Google Pixel 7a: Launched at $499

For brand new patrons, the Pixel 9a is clearly the higher purchase. The easy incontrovertible fact that it has a real all-day battery is sufficient to change my opinion, however there’s extra to it than that. The show, chipset, and dedication to updates are on par with what we see from most flagship telephones, which may’t be stated concerning the getting older Pixel 7a.

Nonetheless, the Pixel 7a isn’t any slouch and will comfortably final a couple of extra years. If that’s all you’re on the lookout for and you discover a terrific deal, it may be a better option for you. In spite of everything, saving that cash at present could aid you purchase an excellent higher telephone in a 12 months or two.