Pixel 7a: Google's mid-range phone excelled in our test despite higher price

The Google Pixel 7a is Google's mid-range smartphone which now features a solid processor, new features such as wireless charging, as well as a nominally improved USB port. Its bright OLED screen has a refresh rate of 90 Hz and the device's case is made out of recycled aluminum. The smartphone has 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage. It runs on Android 13 and not only will it receive regular updates, these updates will also be delivered for up to five years.

The Pixel 7a's cameras take pretty pictures and videos - although, its zoom and wide-angle features are a little weaker than expected. The phone's runtimes are good and it supports 5G as well as W-Fi 6E. In turn, its scope of delivery is reduced to just the basics and the smartphone suffers from quite noticeable OLED flickering at low brightness levels. All-in-all, the Pixel 7a really is a great mid-range smartphone made by Google, which even proves to be a bit of competition for their own Pixel 7, as price-wise, there isn't very much between them anymore.

Are the 50 extra dollars worth it? Looking at the global market situation, it was at least to be expected, but Google also offer a whole lot more for the price, too: Wireless charging, a 90-Hz display, a modern SoC, more RAM, an improved camera (especially the front-facing camera), long update supply and free VPN all make this quite an attractive offer indeed. Even taking into consideration that the USB port wasn't that much quicker than that of the Pixel 6a in our test and the SoC was throttled under load. The phone is still relatively future-proof. 

And an added bonus: The Pixel 7a's prices are already falling, as Amazon, for example, are currently offering the phone for $489.33.