Google I/O 2023 was quite eventful. At the annual developer’s conference, the company showcased how it has been focusing on incorporating more AI-centric features in its services, along with a sneak peek of the latest version of Android, Android 14. Apart from software developments, there were some massive hardware announcements at the event as well. The company showcased its entry into the world of foldables, the Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet.
The one device that many overlooked in the process was the humble Pixel 7a. The latest phone from the popular, affordable 'a' series of Pixel phones, it did get a bit lost a bit amongst the other high-profile announcements. But that certainly does not mean the phone does not deserve attention. The Pixel 7a follows in the footsteps of its predecessors and brings the Pixel experience in an affordable, compact smartphone package.
Pixel 7a: The Latest a-rated Pixel
The phone sports a 6.1-inch full-HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, topped with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. This is backed by the same Google processor that powers the high-end Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, the Tensor G2, paired with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage (there is only one storage and RAM variant).
The dual camera setup on the back features a 64-megapixel main sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS) and Google’s special Super Res zoom up to 8X and a 13-megapixel lens with a 120-degree field of view. The front also carries a 13-megapixel selfie camera with 95 degree ultra-wide field of view. The phone is powered by a decent 4,300mAh battery and comes with support for Qi-certified wireless charging (a first in the Pixel a-range).
This being a Pixel you obviously get clean Android on the phone. The device comes with Android 13 out of the box along with assured updates which means it will get Android 14 as soon as it rolls out. Also, because it is a Pixel, software smarts are given. The Pixel 7a also stands out from other smartphones in the market thanks to the distinct camera bar running horizontally along the back — a design that is typical of recent Pixel phones.
However, the Pixel 7a comes with a price tag of Rs 43,999 which may be affordable by Pixel standards but is definitely on the higher side when compared to the competition. While the ‘no charger’ trend has become a common sight in the high-end zone, it is still a rarity at this price point which is why the Pixel 7a coming without a charger could be a problem. To top this, there is no support for real fast charging on the phone either. You get maximum 18W charging support which is a bit of a downer in this fast-charge weather. While one gets IP67 rating with the 7a, the phone’s plastic back paired with the now-ancient Gorilla Glass 3 on the front would definitely be a turn-off for many.
Given this, it is no surprise that even though the 7a is a Pixel phone from the house of Google, it faces very stiff competition. So if you are considering investing in the Pixel 7a, you can take a look at these five alternatives as well:
OnePlus 11R: OnePlus Back In Flagship Killer Mode
Price: Rs 39,999
OnePlus has had a solid flagship slaying track record and after a brief break, the brand has returned to this positioning with the OnePlus 11R. The OnePlus 11R is basically everything the Pixel 7a is not. It comes with a bigger 6.74-inch display with a higher refresh rate of 120Hz as compared to the Pixel 7a.
It brings 100W fast charging support to a 5,000mAh battery and there is a 100W adapter in the box, both of which the Pixel 7a lacks.
The OnePlus 11R also has a 16GB RAM and 256GB storage variant which is double the amount of RAM and storage you can get with the 7a.
While there are no Hasselblad tassels that dangle with the OnePlus 11R, it does come with some decent camera power in the form of a 50-megapixel main sensor with OIS, although its 8-megapixel ultrawide and 2-megapixel macro sensors are a little on the lower side.
The OnePlus 11R also runs on a high-end processor from Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, which is basically capable of handling all of your everyday chores as well as most of the high-end chores you put it through, without skipping a beat.
Like the Pixel 7a, the OnePlus 11R too has a distinct design thanks to its massive circular camera unit which hugs the top left side of the phone. And even though the OnePlus 11R has its own UI on top of Android 13, its OxygenOS is hands down one of the cleanest skins out in the market, giving you close-to-stock Android feels.
Xiaomi 12 Pro: Xiaomi's Amazing Entertainer
Price: Rs 44,999
Xiaomi has been known for its budget segment smartphones but the brand has managed to make a mark in the high-end market as well in recent times. One of its premium offerings that could be a pain for the Pixel 7a is the Xiaomi 12 Pro. The Xiaomu 12 Pro may be more than a year old but it still packs a punch of powerful specs paired with unique design. The phone is powered by the slightly old but still powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and comes with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage.
This combination makes the phone a pro at handling businesses of all kinds, intense or daily usage.
The front of the phone is all about that beautiful tall, quad-HD 6.73-inch display which comes with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. This combined with quad speakers tuned by SOUND by Harman Kardon and with support for Dolby Atmos makes the 12 Pro truly an entertainment master.
The phone also comes with a triple camera setup on the back, where all three cameras are of 50 megapixels each. The main one comes with support for OIS, the second one is ultra-wide, while the third one is telephoto.
They make the phone capable of delivering some stunning pictures in both good and low light that can go head to head with most flagship devices.
The phone also comes with a 4,600mAh battery which can get drained by the end of the day but gets charged in no time at all, thanks to 120W fast charging support.
Those who prefer a clean, uncluttered interface might find MIUI on the Xiaomi 12 Pro a little overwhelming but the UI lets you do a lot with the phone which is more than one can say for plain ones.
iQoo 9T: Speedy And Stylish
Price: Rs 44,999
Vivo's sister brand iQoo has been launching some really power-packed devices with eye-catching designs which made the brand a staple main course on the table. The iQoo 9T launched last year was one such powerful and good-looking smartphone.
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip along with 8GB/12GB and 128GB/256GB RAM and storage options, the iQoo 9T is an extremely efficient smartphone that is at home in the high-end gaming one and will just as breezily move through daily chores and any other power hungry tasks.
The phone has a vibrant, tall, 6.78-inch full-HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The triple camera set up on its back comprises a 50-megapixel main sensor with OIS, a 13-megapixel ultrawide, and a 12-megapixel telephoto, all of which are very capable sensors but the star of the iQoo 9T camera show is the main sensor, which works very well in both well and dimly lit conditions.
There is a 4,700mAh battery, with 120W fast charging support and a charger in the box as well. The design of the phone makes it a head-turner, especially the Legend colour option which has a textured white back with Blue, Red and black stripes running vertically along the back.
The FunTouchOS interface of the phone is quite cluttered and has a lot of bloatware even for those who like loaded skins, but the phone is definitely a challenger in this price band.
iPhone SE (2022): Pint-Sized Dynamite
Price: Rs 45,000 (approx)
Some might be surprised to see the iPhone SE 2022 in this list because let’s face it, if it comes down to numbers or even design, the iPhone SE is perhaps the weakest in this list — the display is a small LCD HD one, the battery life is not great and the phone comes with big bezels, and a home button below the display. But the iPhone SE does have a few aces up its sleeve too.
The phone is powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chipset which remains one of the most powerful processors in the smartphone market and is similar to the chip that exists on the latest iPhone 14.
And because it is an iOS device, the phone will get updates for much longer and regularly as compared to any other devices on this list (perhaps even the Pixel 7a). The single-camera might seem uber-old school in this day and age, but in good light conditions, it can match the performance of many multiple-camera setups, especially when it comes to point-and-shoot and shooting regular videos.
It might look a little old in design terms but the form factor is quite compact, making it perhaps the only flagship-level device out there which can be used easily with one hand. The phone comes with support for wireless charging and also features stereo speakers.
It remains a great option for anyone wanting an iPhone experience on a tight budget and could well be a massive headache for the Pixel 7a.
Google Pixel 7: The OG Pixel
Price: Rs 49,999
It was launched at Rs 59,999 but its being available at Rs 49,999 at the time of writing lands the Pixel 7 in this list. This means that if you can stretch your budget a bit beyond the Rs 43,999 price tag of the Pixel 7a, you would be able to get a proper Pixel, instead of having to compromise with an ‘affordable’ one.
The added bucks do bring added value. Instead of plastic, you get a more premium glass back on the Pixel 7 and at the front, you get Corning Gorilla Glass Victus which is a massive step up from Gorilla Glass 3 on the 7a.
There is a slightly bigger 6.3-inch display and even though the megapixel count of the cameras of Pixel 7 is a bit low at 50 megapixels and 12 megapixels as compared to the 7a, the cameras on the phone are better performers. The phone is also more sturdy thanks to IP68 rating and well, you get all the Pixel benefits such as timely updates, smart software features and clean Android in a way more premium-looking package, for only a few bucks more. Talk of sibling rivalry!
