When I first got my hands on the Pixel 7a, little did I know that it would completely change my outlook on the world around me. Previously, I would stroll through tree-lined streets and pass by beautiful artwork without truly appreciating the hidden character and forgotten memories of the buildings in Delhi. It was only when I started capturing photos with the Pixel 7a that I began to see the intricate details in a whole new light. This device is not just another phone with a camera; it’s a smart camera embedded in a phone’s body. I use it every single day, and let me tell you, it’s incredible. Now, let me share my review of the Pixel 7a with you.
Price and Why I Love Photography
The Google Pixel 7a (8GB RAM/128GB storage) is priced at Rs 43,999 in India, as reviewed. Photography has always held a special place in my heart. From my childhood exposure to cameras to encountering professional photographers during my college days at the ghats of Benaras, my passion for street photography was sparked by those interactions. As I delved into journalism, I incorporated the principles I learned from those fascinating individuals into my daily life. Reviewing various cameras, including smartphones, further honed my skills over the years. Although I don’t consider myself a professional photographer, I thoroughly enjoy the art. When readers ask me whether they should invest in a professional camera or a smartphone with excellent photography capabilities, I always emphasize that the fundamentals of photography remain unchanged. It’s not about the number of megapixels or the advanced sensor technology. In the end, it all comes down to the subject and key settings.
The Impressive Camera of the Pixel 7a
In favorable lighting conditions, the Pixel 7a’s camera excels in capturing breathtaking shots. Equipped with a 64MP f/1.9 main camera with OIS and a wider view at 25mm equivalent, as well as 16MP pixel-binned images, it delivers impressive results. The 13MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle camera with a 14mm equivalent also provides excellent detail and produces photos with accurate and natural colors. While it may not replace a professional mirrorless camera, I was pleasantly surprised by the shots captured with the Pixel 7a. Take, for instance, the shot of the peacock wall art. Previously, phone cameras lacked the ability to capture subjects realistically, a flaw I have highlighted numerous times in my reviews. However, this camera defaults to HDR mode and does an exceptional job of preserving details in both shadows and highlights, offering an impressive dynamic range across the frame. The Pixel 7a’s camera performs well in various lighting conditions, consistently producing visually pleasing pictures. The sky appears blue, trees look green, and reds look vibrant. Occasionally, images may appear slightly saturated, but overall, the camera manages to maintain the authenticity of the captured subject.
The Pixel 7a excels in capturing portrait shots, even indoors. While its 2x digital zoom produces reasonably good results, it lacks the crispness of a dedicated telephoto lens. The 13MP selfie camera, though fixed focus, effectively blurs the background and performs well across different skin tones. One noteworthy feature I discovered while testing the Pixel 7a is its ability to offer a complete photography solution. From shooting and post-processing to editing, sharing, and printing, the Pixel 7a provides a comprehensive solution in the palm of your hand. The camera app itself is impressive, simple, and user-friendly. While it may not offer pro or expert modes, Google intended users to experience the Pixel 7a as a camera that’s always with you. The goal is to capture great photos with a smartphone camera without the need for advanced settings, relying on AI to handle the rest. However, this doesn’t mean that the Pixel 7a restricts users to default camera settings. You have the flexibility to adjust white balance and exposure manually, and in the advanced options, you can enable RAW+JPEG shooting.
Exciting Features and Design
The Pixel 7a boasts numerous impressive features, and one of my personal favorites is the Magic Eraser. This innovative tool can magically remove unwanted subjects from an image. Additionally, the Photo Unblur feature is designed to restore sharpness to blurry photos, even with older images stored in your library.
From a design perspective, the Pixel 7a draws inspiration from the flagship Pixel 7 series, but there are significant differences between the two. The device showcases a more pronounced rear camera strip with a brushed, matte aluminum finish. The camera bar not only adds a unique identity to the Pixel 7a but also protects the camera lenses from scratches.
In terms of size, the Pixel 7a is comparable to the iPhone 14, offering a compact and well-built form factor. The plastic back contributes to a comfortable grip, although it tends to pick up fingerprints and highlight scratches. Despite the difference in construction compared to the Pixel 7, the Pixel 7a is IP67 water- and dust-resistant, allowing it to withstand submersion in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. The plastic back also enables wireless charging. However, it’s worth noting that the Pixel 7a lacks a headphone jack, necessitating the purchase of compatible headphones or earbuds such as Pixel Buds. On the bright side, the stereo speakers on the Pixel 7a are louder and offer a wider soundstage.
A Crisp Display and Smooth Performance
Sporting a 6.1-inch OLED display, the Pixel 7a strikes a balance between size and usability. It falls between the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, offering an optimal screen size for activities such as watching movies, playing games, and reading news websites on the go. Despite being a Full HD+ screen, the display produces sharp and crisp visuals. While it may not have a curved design or support a 120Hz refresh rate like some competitors, the Pixel 7a still offers a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, ensuring seamless scrolling through your Instagram feed.
Powered by Google’s Tensor G2 chipset with 8GB of RAM, the Pixel 7a delivers satisfactory performance for day-to-day tasks. Although it may not surpass the A-series chips found in iPhones, the Tensor G2 ensures smooth web browsing, seamless long exposures in the camera app, and features like Photo Unblur and Smart HDR.
Battery Life and Software Excellence
Pixel smartphones have had a reputation for mediocre battery life, and unfortunately, the Pixel 7a doesn’t bring a significant change in this aspect. The 4,385-mAh battery can get you through a day, but it might not be the most comfortable experience. On lighter usage days, such as checking emails and general web browsing, the battery lasts a full day. However, during hectic workdays, the battery struggles to last a full day on a single charge. Battery life can vary depending on the specific apps used. The Pixel 7a supports fast charging, but it does not come with a charger, so you will need to purchase one separately, adding to the overall cost.
When it comes to software, the Pixel lineup shines. Google’s version of Android on its Pixel devices offers a clean interface that is less cluttered compared to other brands like Xiaomi or Vivo. The Pixel 7a launches with Android 13, providing users with Material You theme options and enhanced security features. Google avoids gimmicks and delivers an experience that simply works. Exclusive features like Magic Eraser and Call Screen further enhance the overall software package. It’s important to note that Pixel devices receive three years of Android version updates and five years of security updates, which is longer than what many other manufacturers offer.
Is the Pixel 7a Worth Considering?
The Pixel 7a is an intriguing smartphone. While it aims to be a more affordable alternative to the high-end Pixel lineup, it does not fall into the budget category that previous Pixel A-series devices were known for. If you’re wondering why you should consider the Pixel 7a, it all comes down to its exceptional camera performance. Google has shattered the notion that phone cameras need to be “just good enough.” The Pixel 7a delivers camera capabilities that rival those of dedicated cameras more than any other smartphone before it. However, as someone fully invested in the Apple ecosystem, I won’t be keeping the Pixel 7a. My iPhone 14 meets my needs, and I don’t see the Pixel 7a replacing it anytime soon. But as a camera enthusiast, I must say that the Pixel 7a impresses me. If you’re an Android user, I strongly encourage you to consider the Pixel 7a over other smartphones in a similar price range. Its camera performance alone makes it a compelling choice.
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