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11th May 2023

REVIEW: Google Pixel 7A is the best mid-range phone on the market right now

Rory Cashin

Pixel 7A

If you’re looking for a great phone with a very reasonable price tag…

When we reviewed the Google Pixel 7 about six months back, we put it in line with the latest iPhone, as the new device had a just-as-good camera, but arrived about €600 cheaper than its competitor. Jump forward to the Pixel 7A, which launches itself into the mid-tier in terms of price range, where its biggest competitor is usually the latest Samsung device, as their cameras are usually top of the range.

That is not the case here, as the Pixel 7A has learned all of the lessons laid out by its bigger, more expensive predecessors, and in some cases, even has more impressive specs that the Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro. The main rear camera is 64-megapixels, compared to the 7 and 7 Pro’s 50-megapixels, but this is balanced out by having a physically smaller sensor.

What this all means is that while some of the more high-end options for your photo taking on the Pixel 7 Pro aren’t present – there’s no telephoto lens, for example – when it comes to regular, day-to-day camera use, the 7A is practically just as good as the 7 Pro.

There is also a 13MP ultrawide lens, and a 13MP front-facing camera to play around with, while video can record at 4K/60fps, so literally every aspect of your image capturing is about as good as it can be, outside of dropping closer to two grand on a device.

pixel 7a

The Google Pixel 7A is built for day-to-day use

Beyond the camera, the phone itself is a very pretty, very durable device, with a 6.1-inch screen, and casing available in four colours: Snow, Charcoal, Sea, and Coral. although the final colour is a Google Store exclusive.

Google claims that the battery can last up to 72-hours in Extreme Battery Saver mode (although we never put this declaration fully to the test), but should last 24 hours off a single charge, under reasonable usage throughout the day. We’ve never claimed to be reasonable users when it comes to our phones, but the phone didn’t get close to dying. And for the first time in a A-class of phones, the Pixel 7A supports wireless charging, if that is something that is important to you.

There are also high-end processors, memory capacities, and security and transfer capabilities which can be dug into further if they are high on your must-have list for your new phone, but it comes down to this: if you’re looking spend some money (but not too much money) on a new phone with a great camera, sleek look and brilliant optimisation, then this should be the one you’re buying.

The Google Pixel 7A is available to buy for €509 right now on the official Google Store.

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