Google Pixel 7a Test – A photo genius

The Google Pixel 7a is the reflection of the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro but in a mid-range version. Find out in our uncompromising test.

Google continues its quest for the perfect Android smartphone and gives us the Google Pixel 7a. Like the Pixel 6a before it, it is shaking up the ranks of the mid-range segment. Is the Pixel 7a better than its predecessor? The answer lies in our unsponsored test.

Follow this link to buy the Pixel 7a. An offer does not propose it at this time with the charger at 509€. Or Click here

Pixel 7a – Design and ergonomics

The appearance of the Pixel 7a is heavily inspired by that of the Pixel 7 but with a more compact format. With the generalization of XL size smartphones, we forget that handling a smaller smartphone is very pleasant. You can browse the entire screen with your thumb.

Its small dimensions give it a good grip (72.9 x 152.4 x 9mm) especially since its lines are all rounded. It took a few grams compared to the Pixel 6a but it doesn’t feel in the hand. Its weight goes from 178g to 193g.

At the back, the glass shell is of the most beautiful effect but it still marks fingerprints. They are even more visible on the black model. It is covered at the top by a metallic strip which houses the camera. This band gives the Pixel 7a perfect stability when laid flat.

screen

THE Pixel 7a has a screen the same size as the Pixel 6a. Its diagonal measures 6.1 inches. This panel occupies 83% of the front of the device. Google has unfortunately not reduced the size of the black frame that surrounds it. It is still as thick as ever, which is surprising for a smartphone with such pretensions.

This Full HD screen offers a refresh rate that varies between 60Hz and 90Hz. We could have expected Google to take the plunge towards 120Hz, but there is already progress. Remember that the Pixel 6a screen did not exceed 60Hz.

The brightness level also improves. The Pixel 7a hits peaks of 800nits. We can see the difference compared to the Pixel 6a which painfully reached 550nits. Therefore, checking out the Pixel 7a screen won’t be a problem for you.

We quickly pass on the quality of this OLED screen. The colors are rich and the blacks deep. We would have just appreciated an option with tones customizable.

Performances

Pixel 7a runs on the same processor as Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. The Tensor G2 is the second generation chip developed by Google. It comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

Google is not looking for pure power with its processor. The company has instead optimized it to get the most out of its services and Android. That’s what makes the Pixels and the Pixel 7a so special.

That doesn’t mean you can’t play the latest big 3D games. The Pixel 7a does not lack power. The Genshin Impact game launches with graphics and frame rate set to low. You can push the settings to the medium level while maintaining good fluidity.

The back shell tends to heat up slightly but that does not prevent playing. The audio part is not exceptional. The Pixel 7a has two speakers but the sound is slightly unbalanced. The one used for calls is slightly weaker.

Autonomy

Google is balancing the battery of the Pixel 7a. With a capacity of 4385mAh, it’s slightly smaller than the Pixel 6a and a bit larger than the Pixel 7. It still gives it a good day’s worth of battery life. It all depends on your game and video consumption, but you can fall into the arms of Morpheus with a few remaining battery percentages.

For example, a 20-minute game of Genshin Impact consumes 5% battery. A daily recharge is therefore inevitable for the Pixel 7a the next day.

Unfortunately the charging block is not provided in the box as for all Pixels. It will therefore be necessary to buy one or take that of another smartphone. That’s what we did.

We charged the Pixel 7a with a 25W Samsung pack. The battery recovered 100% energy after almost 2 hours of charging. That’s long compared to the competition. To pass the pill, the Google smartphone has an asset hidden under its shell. The battery becomes compatible with 7.5W wireless charging.

The picture

The Pixel 7a does not flaunt an impressive number of photo sensors. He only has two. The rear module consists of a 64MP Sony IMX787 sensor and a 13MP ultra wide-angle.

The great strength of the Pixel 7a is in the photo processing algorithms. A photo may seem at first glance missed but a few fractions of seconds later after passing through Google’s mill, the shot becomes splendid. Without any exaggeration, we can say that the daytime photos are great.

Sharpness, colors, contrast, the control is perfect. The colors are realistic and the photos are very detailed. The Pixel 7a also handles strong light or backlighting very well. It is the same observation for indoor photos. The smartphone demonstrates good light management as you can see in the photos from the Norman Foster exhibition at the Pompidou Museum.

The Pixel 7a lacks optical zoom. It performs digital magnifications X2 up to X8. Google is once again demonstrating the power of its algorithms. You can appreciate the level of detail even with an X8 zoom.

Night shots, portraits and ultra wide-angle

We are more reserved on the ultra wide-angle. The sensor respects the colorimetry of the main camera and the shots are not overexposed. However, he suffers from a very strong sense of aspiration. The edges of the photo are stretched and completely distorted.

THE Pixel 7a is a portrait specialist. The contours are particularly precise. The AI ​​detects the slightest strand of hair to apply a custom Bokeh effect.

Note that the intensity of the background blur is adjustable before taking the photo but also afterwards. Access to the settings is very simple. Just touch on the screen to make them appear.

If you like to take nighttime trips around the city to take photos, the Pixel 7a will prove to be an excellent companion. Dusk, complete darkness or scenes with multiple lighting, it meets all challenges. It does not distort the colors. You get what you see on the screen.

It removes all traces of noise while maintaining a high level of detail. The result is impressive.

What we think

The Google Pixel 7a is a concentrate of Google know-how in a compact smartphone offered at a tight price.

Pixel 7a is currently sold at 509€. For this price, you touch a smartphone that offers a unique Android experience. Everything seems simple and fluid.
To access it you will have to make some concessions.

Google is still cautious on certain points such as the recharging speed or the screen refresh rate compared to the competition. Apart from these details, the Pixel 7a proves to be a versatile, balanced and above all excellent smartphone in photography.

If you’re looking for a €500 photo genius, the Pixel 7a is the smartphone for you.
Follow this link to buy the Pixel 7a. An offer does not propose it at this time with the charger at 509€. Or Click here
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Pixel 7a – The complete technical sheet