Google Pixel 7A Review: A Budget Phone That Competes with ‘Pro’ Phones

A few years ago, spending over $900 on a smartphone seemed justified. Nowadays, it’s hard to find a reason to justify it. The era of high-priced “Pro” phones is ending, and affordable smartphones have become comparable in features to high-end ones. The Google Pixel 7A, the company’s new $500 smartphone, is proof of this trend and a chance to save money. After testing it for a week, I highly recommend it to most Android users.

To understand this shift towards affordable smartphones, it’s essential to look at the market’s history. Android phones used to have shorter lifespans since they received software updates for only two years. This was because many manufacturers used chips and devices from different suppliers, making it challenging to develop operating systems that could keep up with them all. Samsung’s high-end Galaxy phones, which cost anywhere from $700 to $1,000, have faired better, receiving software updates for a few more years than other Android phones due to their tight control on the devices’ design. However, with its acquisition of smartphone maker HTC, Google developed its mobile chip, Tensor, which powers the Pixel line of devices. As a result, Google can guarantee five years of software updates on its Tensor-powered Pixel phones, providing consumers with longer-lasting support and a smarter phone.

Pixel 7A vs ‘Pro’

The Pixel 7A offers many of the same features as the more expensive Pixel 7 Pro. The main difference is the screen size, with the Pixel 7A having a 6.1-inch screen compared to the 6.7-inch screen of the Pixel 7 Pro. The size difference is subjective and depends on your body type, but the Pixel 7A’s smaller size makes it easier to hold with one hand and fits nicely in a pocket. The Pixel 7 Pro also has a triple-lens camera that allows for higher resolution focusing, though both phones have the same camera software, including night mode and a tool to enhance blurry photos. The Pixel 7A’s dual-lens camera performs excellently, with photos looking sharp, detailed, and on par with those taken by the Pixel 7 Pro’s camera. Lastly, the Pixel 7A’s battery lasts as long as a full day of regular use, matching the Pixel 7 Pro’s long-lasting power.

Are High-End Smartphones Worth It?

The line between budget and high-end smartphones is blurring, raising questions about the value of pricey, “Pro” phones. Companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google claim their expensive phones are designed for “pro” users, but the idea of a “pro” smartphone user is more of a marketing gimmick. Most people rely heavily on their phones for work, school, and personal use, so the choice of a phone depends on your needs and favorite operating system. Choosing a budget phone like the Pixel 7A may be the smart choice, even if marketers suggest otherwise.