At $374, the Pixel 7a is the only low-cost Android smartphone worth buying

google pixel 7a

$374 $499 Save $125

At $374, the Pixel 7a is an affordable Android experience like no other right now. With solid hardware, a great camera, and nice cosmetics you won’t find on other sub-$400 smartphones, this is the only deal to consider if you’re shopping on a budget.

Last week, I published a review of Motorola’s latest budget phone, and it’s safe to say I didn’t like it all that much. The Moto G Power 5G (2024) has a lot to offer, including fast charging, a unique synthetic leather back, and a built-in headphone jack, but even at $300, it’s not worth putting up with poor camera quality. Contains a large amount of advertisements within the software. Thankfully, the budget Android space is jam-packed with more options than ever before, and if you’re looking to splurge on a new smartphone for under $400 right now, the Pixel 7a is on sale. And frankly, it’s unbeatable.

You can currently purchase the Pixel 7a for $374. This is effectively the lowest price ever for this phone, going back to last year’s Black Friday discount price. Don’t be fooled by age. The Pixel 7a has a lot going for it, even though it’s almost a year old. In fact, if you’re looking for an affordable cell phone right now, I can’t think of any reason why. do not have Jump on this one above the competition.

Here’s what’s great about Pixel 7a

If you’re interested in the Pixel 7a, I recommend checking out my review from last year. I stand by almost every word of that review. If you want a quick summary of what the Pixel 7a does better than its competitors, the spec sheet is a great one. It runs on Tensor G2, the same chipset that powers the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and his $1,800 Pixel Fold. It has an easy-to-use 6.1-inch 90Hz OLED display. It’s not as big as what you’ll find on other budget devices, but it’s certainly better quality than the LCD panels used by Motorola. Neither of these elements are perfect, but each provides a well-rounded experience at this price.

You also get some elements that are pretty rare in the sub-$400 space, like wireless charging. 5W may not sound like a big deal, especially when a device like the Moto G Power can deliver power three times faster than he did, but this is better than previous A-series entries. , which makes sense. Similarly, IP67 water and dust resistance is a godsend for anyone who’s ever dropped their phone into a puddle, and for under $400 you’re unlikely to find anything more than a vague promise of “splash-proof.” there is no. Thankfully, it’s here.

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This year’s A-Series is closer to being a flagship model than ever before, for better or worse.

A lot has been said about the quality of Google’s A-series cameras, and that’s true of the Pixel 7a as well. This is, without a doubt, the best camera on a device under $400. No, this is probably the best camera on a smartphone under $400. 600 dollar. You won’t find a telephoto lens at this price, but you won’t be stuck with useless macro or depth sensors either. Instead, the excellent primary lens and robust ultra-wide-angle shooting equipment ensure fairly stable images.

However, the most important thing is Google’s update policy. No, the Pixel 8’s promised seven years of OS upgrades won’t be applied retroactively to the company’s older phones, but they will still have at least two more years of OS upgrades and four more years of security patches. Masu. That’s May 2026 and May 2028, respectively, but with Google switching to its own Tensor chips, we’re hoping those dates will last longer than expected. Only Samsung beats these numbers, and lower-end rivals like OnePlus and Motorola often fall short.

I’ll admit that the Pixel 7a wasn’t my favorite smartphone of 2023. In particular, my device had problems with battery drain right out of the box, and I had to completely wipe it after just a week of use (unfortunately, this was not the case with Pixels). But I’ve been using it again the last few days just to see how much it’s aged since the release of Android 14, and frankly, it’s pretty great. Yes, Tensor G2 has its issues, and Tensor G3 for good measure, but thanks to the magic that Google worked behind the scenes with Android 14, my headaches with this phone have been significantly reduced. it was done. If you’re an Android user and shopping on a budget and your limit is $400, this is for you.

google pixel 7a

$374 $499 Save $125

If you’re looking for a new device in the mid-range price range, the Google Pixel 7a ticks all the boxes. It has a great camera system, strong power, great software support, and great battery life. The price may be mid-range, but overall it feels closer to its flagship sibling.