Here’s why you should (and shouldn’t) buy the Google Pixel 7a right now

It’s been nearly a year since the Google Pixel 7a was released, and it’s still one of the cheapest Android smartphones available today. The Pixel 7a packs a compact 6.1-inch 90Hz OLED display, Android 14 OS, Tensor G2, and a powerful camera that takes great photos in any lighting condition, all for a (sometimes significantly) price of less than $500, which still makes it a steal Buyer’s first choice in 2024.

However, with numerous leaks about the Google Pixel 8a emerging, and rumors of it launching as early as next month at Google I/O 2024, you’ve got to be wondering – should you buy a Pixel 7a now or wait for the next generation? Pixel 8a? Leaks give us a good look at the upcoming budget Google smartphone. Here’s what we recommend you consider.

You should buy a Pixel 7a today if…

you want to save money

If you want to save money, you should consider buying a Pixel 7a right now. Currently, the Pixel 7a is $50 off on Amazon, bringing the price down to $450 from the original $500. And if you time your purchase carefully, you might even find it for as low as $374 (during the holiday season or during a sale). At this price, the Pixel 7a is undoubtedly an excellent choice.

Furthermore, according to leaker Yogesh Brar, there are rumors that the Pixel 8a price may increase by $50 in the United States (or €60 in Europe). It makes more sense to buy the Pixel 7a now at a discounted price — you can save nearly $150 by buying the Pixel 7a now and use the savings to buy accessories like cases, chargers, earbuds, and more.

You want a great camera experience

Aside from potential new software features, the Pixel 8a isn’t expected to be too different from the Pixel 7a, which itself featured several improvements over the Pixel 6a. The Pixel 8a is likely to feature the same camera setup as the Pixel 7a, including a 64MP main camera, a 13MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 13MP selfie camera. As mentioned above, aside from new software features, the Pixel 8a won’t be a huge upgrade over the Pixel 7a, at least in the camera department.

Overall, the Pixel 7a has a high-performance camera setup. We’re impressed with the camera setup on the device – check out the photos in our Pixel 7a review – and in particular the device’s ability to take great photos in almost all lighting conditions. The Pixel 7a even emerged as the top-performing phone in MKBHD’s blind camera test against 2023 flagship phones, which does tell you something about its camera. If you don’t mind not having a telephoto optical zoom camera (which you rarely get at this price point), the Pixel 7a is a solid choice.

You need a new phone now

If you’re looking for a new smartphone right now, you should consider buying the Pixel 7a. The Pixel 8a is still a few months away from release, but the Pixel 7a is available now (at a discount) and offers a very good overall value for money compared to many other Android phones.

You should wait for Pixel 8a if…

You want updated design and better display

Like previous models in the A series, the Pixel 8a will draw design inspiration from the regular and Pro models, following the Pixel 8’s rounded design. Leaked renderings (by smart award) suggests that the Pixel 8a will have rounded edges and a more curved back compared to the Pixel 7a, which should provide a better feel in the hand.

Not only is it a new design, but based on leaked dimensions, the Pixel 8a is also expected to be thinner and smaller than the Pixel 7a. And if you’re a fan of Pixel 8 and 8 Pro colors, you’ll love it because the Pixel 8a will reportedly be available in four colors: Obsidian (black), Porcelain (beige), Bay (light) blue) ) and mint (light green).

In the display department, the Pixel 8a is expected to have major upgrades such as a 120Hz refresh rate OLED panel compared to the Pixel 7a’s 90Hz panel. The new panel will also be brighter, with a peak brightness of 1,400 nits, compared to the Pixel 7a’s 1,000 nits. Additionally, Google is rumored to be using stronger glass protection for the Pixel 8a (Corning Gorilla Glass Victus) for improved durability. However, it should be noted that the display size will remain unchanged at 6.1 inches.

You want better specs

Finally, if you want better internal hardware, you should wait for the Pixel 8a. The Pixel 8a is expected to be powered by Google’s latest Tensor G3 chipset, although it may run at slightly lower clock speeds compared to the flagship model. Nonetheless, it will be a powerful processor with enough power to run the latest artificial intelligence features. The phone is likely to run Android 14 out of the box, with Android 15 in development and will include new AI and ML features such as Best Photo Capture, Magic Audio Eraser, and Smart Replies in Gboard.

However, it’s unlikely to support the Gemini Nano – similar to the Pixel 8. The only Pixel 8 model currently supporting Gemini Nano is the high-end Pixel 8 Pro. You can also expect a longer commitment to software upgrades, as its internal hardware is essentially the same as the Pixel 8/Pro, which Google offers seven years of upgrades.

Additionally, the Pixel 8a is rumored to come in two storage variants: 128GB and 256GB, while the Pixel 7a is only available in 128GB. If you need more storage, it might be worth waiting for the Pixel 8a. Finally, on the battery front, Google may increase the capacity from the Pixel 7a’s 4385 mAh to 4500 mAh, so the Pixel 8a may offer slightly better battery backup. The Pixel 8a is also expected to support 27W wired charging, an improvement over the Pixel 7a’s 18W charging.

in conclusion

So, should you buy the Pixel 7a now or wait for the Pixel 8a? Well, if you want to save money and want a reliable smartphone with a great camera experience, the Pixel 7a is an excellent choice, especially considering its current discounted price. It offers a native Android experience and comes with tons of artificial intelligence features.

On the other hand, if you’re craving a newer design, better display capabilities, and improved internal hardware, it might be worth waiting for the Pixel 8a. While the price may be slightly higher, the smoother 120Hz refresh rate OLED panel, slimmer and more comfortable design, powerful Tensor G3 chipset, and larger battery may be worth the wait.