Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 8: Should you upgrade?

The Pixel 7a is a very recent phone, but it’s still technically a part of Google’s last-generation hardware now that the Pixel 8 is hitting shelves. If you were an early adopter of the 7a, you might even be considering an upgrade to access all of the latest bells and whistles. So is it worth trading in that phone and paying the difference?

There are some considerable differences here, perhaps the most significant being the move from a Tensor G2 processor to the Tensor G3. Aside from general performance improvements we’re still testing for our review, the G3 is intended to boost the AI capabilities Pixel phones are known for. In fact you’ll need a Pixel 8 to exploit some of Google’s latest photo and video options, including Best Take, Magic Editor, and Audio Magic Eraser.

The next change you’ll notice is the display. While the Pixel 8’s screen is only marginally bigger at 6.2 inches, and has the exact same resolution as the 7a, it can get extremely bright — up to 2,000 nits peak, which is more than enough to be clear and legible in direct sunlight. The Pixel 8 also has a dynamic 60-120Hz refresh rate, which allows it to be smoother than the 7a without excessive power consumption.

The Pixel 8 is a tougher phone, to boot. Whereas the 7a has an IP67 rating, a plastic back, and Gorilla Glass 3 up front, the 8 improves to IP68 and Gorilla Glass Victus on both the front and back. That means a more resilient display and better waterproofing, though you’ll still want a case, since glass is inherently prone to cracking in hard falls.

Also significant are the Pixel 8’s cameras, battery, and charging tech. We’ll cover those in-depth in a moment. For now we’ll point out that only the Pixel 8 has 256GB storage option, as well as dual-SIM technology, allowing you to use a nano-SIM and/or eSIM. If you’re on the cutting edge of wireless tech, some models support Wi-Fi 7, depending on the country where you buy them. Even Wi-Fi 6E hasn’t been widely adopted yet, so don’t worry about that too much.

We’ve already mentioned the Pixel 8’s tougher construction and slightly larger display, but apart from that, the phones are extremely similar. They’re both based on the design cues of the Pixel 7, including the rear camera bar, and at a quick glance you might even have a tough time telling the three phones apart. The Pixel 8 (above) is a little smaller and lighter than the 7a, strictly speaking, but not enough to matter.

There are some visible differences, including a more seamless edge on the Pixel 8. The phones also have different color options — the 7a (below) ships in Charcoal, Sea, Snow, and (more rarely) Coral, but the 8 is available in Obsidian, Hazel, and Rose.

We’re still preparing our review of the Pixel 8, so expect samples down the road, but for now we can say that while the while the phone actually has reduced megapixel counts, you’re getting better camera tech overall. Its sensors use wider pixels, which should help with low-light sensitivity and noise, and both of its rear cameras benefit from laser-detect auto-focus. Unique video capabilities include things like a Macro Focus mode and Cinematic Blur, although both phones can shoot up to 4K at 60fps on their main (wide-angle) cameras.

The 7a isn’t a slouch, as you can tell from our photo samples below. It still supports many of the same software features as the Pixel 8, such as Magic Eraser, Face Unblur, and Real Tone, even if (as mentioned) options like Magic Editor require the newer hardware. We’d only consider the Pixel 8’s cameras a major reason to upgrade if you demand better low-light shooting, or specific software features Google isn’t planning to port back to the 7a.

While we’ll need to wrap testing to see how it performs in real-world conditions, the Pixel 8 is equipped with a larger 4,575mAh battery, so you can expect a boost over the 7a’s mediocre runtime. In theory that should be helped by a dynamic refresh rate and optimizations in Google’s Tensor design. You should still plan to charge every night, and possibly top-up midday if you engage in any heavy video or gaming sessions. Phone makers continue to prioritize display and speed enhancements over battery life — for better and for worse.

The Pixel 8 also benefits from 27W wired charging. That isn’t spectacular by current smartphone standards, but it’s better than the 18W cap on the 7a, which happens to be what the 8 can achieve wirelessly when paired with a 2nd gen Pixel Stand. The 8’s wireless capacity does shrink to 12W with other Qi chargers, yet even that’s blazing fast next to the 7a’s 7.5W. If you regularly find yourself frustrated with the 7a’s slow refills, this could be an incentive to switch.

Note further that while the Pixel 8 supports Google’s Battery Share reverse wireless charging, that option is missing on the 7a. While it’s unimportant to most people, it can be lifesaver if a partner’s phone or your earbuds are on their last legs.

Here of course is the main drawback to getting a Pixel 8. Even the cheapest model is $699, which may be a good deal for its associated specs, but that’s still $200 more than a 7a. $499 is already stretching the definition of an affordable smartphone for many shoppers, and if you’re among them, you might consider the the Pixel 8 a bridge too far.

The Pixel 7a first launched in May 2023. The Pixel 8 is available as of October 11, 2023 in the US (including Puerto Rico), Canada, the UK, Ireland, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Japan, Taiwan, India, Singapore, and Australia.

Honestly, probably not. The 7a is only a few months old as of this writing, and if you bought one, it’s likely because you were trying to save cash while getting most of the Pixel 7’s core features. If you want to upgrade your Pixel without putting a major dent in your budget, you’re better off waiting for the inevitable Pixel 8a in 2024, or perhaps a 9a or 10a.

The upgrade could be worth it if you’ve been using the 7a for a while and find it more limiting than you anticipated. Its battery life and charging speeds leave something to be desired, after all, and there may be something specifically appealing about the Pixel 8’s camera tech, whether it’s better low-light shooting or an AI-based photo or video feature. Heck, you might work in the outdoor sun often enough that the 8’s display could save a lot of eyestrain.