Google Pixel 7a, the most affordable offering in the Pixel 7 series, was launched at the recent Google I/O developer’s conference. At the price of Rs 43,999, the phone enters the budget flagship zone, bringing the same processor that is seen on the much more expensive Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, at a much lower price. But it is by no means a runaway winner.
Standing in its way is the phone that many say has put OnePlus back in its flagship-killing mode, the OnePlus 11R. The OnePlus 11R starts at a lower price than the Pixel 7a and boasts some very impressive specs and features. But is it actually better than the latest Google phone?
Which of the two should you go for on a budget of Rs 40,000 to Rs 45,000? Let us try and work that out.
Google Pixel 7a Vs OnePlus 11R: Design, Appearance
This is a battle between two very different yet typical design languages. While the Pixel 7a follows the design of the Pixel 7 but in a smaller form factor, the OnePlus 11R is a clone of the OnePlus 11. The Pixel 7a has the typical Pixel "camera bar" on its back while the OnePlus 11R has a large spherical camera unit that is exactly similar to the one on the OnePlus 11 but minus the Hasselblad branding.
Both phones come with tall displays with narrow bezels and also have curved sides and slightly curved backs. However, the OnePlus 11R has a curved display, which looks more premium.
The Pixel 7a is the more compact of the two devices, 152mm in height as against the 163.4mm of the OnePlus 11R, although the OnePlus 11R is slightly slimmer at 8.7mm against 9mm. The OnePlus 11R is also heavier than the Pixel 7a — 204 grammes against 193 grammes — but feels lighter because this weight is distributed over a larger area. Those who prefer a more compact device might like the Pixel 7a, which also comes with IP67 dust and water resistance which the OnePlus 11R lacks, and has a metal frame as against the plastic one on the OnePlus 11R.
That said, the OnePlus 11R has Gorilla Glass 5 protection on its display, which is superior to the now-oldish Gorilla Glass 3 on the Pixel 7a.
We also think the OnePlus 11R has a more premium feel, with glass on the front and back as well as that curved display. The glitter on the back of the Sonic Black variant also makes it very eye-catching.
The Pixel 7a on the other hand, has a plastic back with a glossy finish that can pick up smudges. The metallic camera bar does look impressive, but it cannot match the overall impact the OnePlus 11R makes.
Winner: OnePlus 11R
Google Pixel 7a Vs OnePlus 11R: Display
The OnePlus 11R has a clear advantage here, with a larger 6.74-inch fluid AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rates, as compared to the 6.1-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and 90Hz refresh rate on the Pixel 7a.
OnePlus 11R even has a slightly higher resolution (2,772x1,240 pixels) as compared to the resolution on (2,400x1080 pixels) on the Pixel 7a, giving it a higher pixel density of 450ppi as compared to 429ppi on the Pixel. Unless you are a big fan of smaller displays, there is only one winner here.
Winner: OnePlus 11R
Google Pixel 7a Vs OnePlus 11R: Processor, RAM
Although the Pixel 7a is powered by the same Google Tensor G2 processor that is found on the more expensive Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, it still loses out in sheer performance terms to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip on the OnePlus 11R.
The Tensor G2 adds a number of smart features to the Pixel 7a and also enables it to do more in photography, but if what you are looking for is sheer power alone, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a clear winner. In terms of memory, both devices use UFS 3.1 storage, but the OnePlus 11R has slightly faster RAM — LPDDR5X as compared to LPDDR5.
While the Pixel 7a has a single RAM and storage variant — 8GB+128GB — the OnePlus 11R has an 8GB+128GB model as well as a 16GB+256GB variant. Again, the OnePlus 11R wins this round easily.
Winner: OnePlus 11R
Google Pixel 7a Vs OnePlus 11R: Cameras
The Pixel range has been known for its camera brilliance and the Pixel 7a is no exception. Its 64-megapixel main sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS) delivers excellent stills and videos in terms of both detail and colour reproduction.
The 13-megapixel ultrawide and 13-megapixel selfie snapper also serve up superb results. The OnePlus 11R's 50-megapixel main sensor with OIS turns in a very good performance too but cannot match the Pixel 7a, especially in terms of details. Its 8-megapixel ultrawide camera is not in the same league as the Pixel 7a's 13-megapixel ultrawide, and the 2-megapixel macro camera seems more decorative than effective.
The 16-megapixel selfie camera on the OnePlus 11R does take nice photos, but again, it cannot really match the Pixel 7a's selfie snaps and videos.
As expected, the Pixel 7a steamrolls the OnePlus 11R in this round.
Winner: Pixel 7a
Google Pixel 7a Vs OnePlus 11R: Software
Both phones come with Android 13 out-of-the-box. But the similarity ends there.
The OnePlus 11R comes with OxygenOS on top of Android 13, while the Pixel 7a has no UI on top of Android 13. OxygenOS is a very clean UI, but even it pales in front of the totally clutter-free Android on the Pixel 7a.
What's more, the Pixel 7a comes with a number of smart features such as Clear Calls and Transcriptions, which the OnePlus 11R lacks. The Pixel 7a is also likely to get software updates more often and more speedily than the OnePlus 11R (it is a Pixel after all).
All of this pretty much makes the Pixel 7a the winner of this round by a mile.
Winner: Pixel 7a
Google Pixel 7a Vs OnePlus 11R: Gaming, Multimedia
Its more powerful processor and larger and higher resolution display make the OnePlus 11R a better option than the Pixel 7a for gaming as well as viewing content. It is not as if the Google phone handles games badly, it is just that the OnePlus 11R handles them much better, thanks to its superior hardware muscle. Both phones come with very good stereo speakers as well.
We think the Pixel 7a's speakers sound better than the ones of the OnePlus 11R, but this is not enough to overturn the OnePlus device's lead in processor and display. If you are going to watch a lot of content on your phone and/or want a gaming beast, the OnePlus 11R is the device for you.
The Pixel 7a does well in this department, but cannot match the OnePlus 11R.
Winner: OnePlus 11R
Google Pixel 7a Vs OnePlus 11R: Battery, Charging
This is an interesting round. The OnePlus 11R comes with a 5000mAh battery, while the Pixel 7a has a slightly smaller 4,385mAh one. However, thanks perhaps to its smaller display and/or better software and hardware integration, the Pixel 7a actually lasts a little longer on a single charge as compared to the OnePlus 11R. Both phones comfortably got us through a little more than a day of usage on one charge, but the Pixel 7a seemed to last about an hour more.
That advantage is, however, offset by the OnePlus 11R's support for 100W fast charging and also has a 100W charger in the box, allowing it to recharge in half an hour.
The Pixel 7a, on the other hand, charges at a very modest 18W and has no charger in the box. But the Pixel 7a recovers ground by coming with support for wireless charging, which the OnePlus 11R lacks. It is a battle between the faster charging, larger battery of the OnePlus 11R against the slightly longer lasting battery of the Pixel 7a, which also has wireless charging support.
We are calling this one a tie.
Winner: Tie
Google Pixel 7a Vs OnePlus 11R: General performance
When it comes to handling regular tasks like Web browsing, social networking, mail and messaging, both phones are pretty much on the same level. The Pixel 7a, however, does have a number of smart functions and also handles regular tasks a little more seamlessly than the OnePlus 11R.
Both phones are good with calls and have decent (but not super fast) in-display fingerprint scanners, but the smaller form factor of the Pixel 7a makes it easier to handle. The dust and water resistance accompanying the Pixel 7a also make it a better option to use in different conditions.
The Google phone takes this round.
Winner: Pixel 7a
Google Pixel 7a Vs OnePlus 11R: Price
The Pixel 7a is available at Rs 43,999 for its single 8GB+128GB RAM and storage variant. The OnePlus 11R on the other hand is available for Rs 38,999 for 8GB+128GB and also has a 16GB+256GB variant at Rs 44,999.
This price difference makes the OnePlus 11R the better option If budget is a constraint — you get the same RAM and storage variant for Rs 4,000 less and can get double the RAM and storage at only Rs 1,000 more than the price of the sole Pixel 7a model.
Winner: OnePlus 11R
Google Pixel 7a Vs OnePlus 11R: Final Verdict
On paper, it might seem as if the OnePlus 11R is the runaway winner of this contest — it does win more rounds.
However, the Pixel 7a scores on three very important parameters — cameras (where it wins hands down), software, and general usage.
The Pixel's more compact frame will also be an attraction for those who prefer smaller phones, which are rapidly becoming a rarity.
It is also worth noting that the Pixel 7a's distinct design has its own appeal and while its processor might not be as good as the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in high-end gaming, it does bring a number of smart functionalities to the Pixel 7a that the OnePlus 11R lacks.
What's more, the Pixel 7a is more likely to stay up to speed with the latest Android than the OnePlus 11R. This makes the choice between them a very tough one.
Let us simplify: If you want a compact phone that's smart, has a great camera and up-to-date software, the Pixel 7a is the one for you. However, if what you are looking for is a more flashy design, great gaming, and lots of processor power, the OnePlus 11R wins.