Google Pixel 7a

At Rs. 137,999, the Google Pixel 7a makes sense for buyers who want a compact phone with a strong camera and clean, long-supported software. It is weaker value for gamers or anyone who needs fast charging.

Its main advantages are the 64MP camera, the Tensor G2 chip shared with the Pixel 7, IP67 dust and water protection, wireless charging and excellent haptics. Its disadvantages are 18W charging, average battery life, a Gorilla Glass 3 screen with thick bezels, and heat during long gaming.

The Google Pixel 7 costs Rs. 144,999, only a little more, and adds a bigger, brighter screen, a glass back with IP68 and faster charging. Verdict: buy the 7a if compact size matters; otherwise the Pixel 7 is worth the small stretch.

The Pixel 7a has a 6.1-inch OLED display at 1080 x 2400 resolution with a refresh rate of up to 90Hz. The 90Hz mode is off by default: turn on Smooth Display in settings, as the phone feels noticeably choppier at 60Hz.

Colours are accurate, touch response is good and HDR playback works well on Netflix and Prime Video, so streaming looks rich. The fingerprint sensor under the screen is fast and well placed.

The limits are brightness and build. Reports differ on outdoor visibility, and in strong summer sun the brightness can drop after 10 to 15 minutes. Viewing from an angle shows colour shifting and banding, the bezels are thicker than on rivals, and the glass is the older Gorilla Glass 3.

The Google Tensor G2 with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage delivers the same everyday speed as the Pixel 7. Apps open smoothly without stutters, and updates fixed early problems with overheating, battery drain and the camera stopping during recording.

For gaming, PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile hold a stable 60fps on lowered settings, while heavy titles like Genshin Impact are only playable on medium. After about 30 minutes of heavy gaming the phone gets quite hot and frame rates drop. In Pakistan's long summers, expect more warmth during extended use.

Signal is fine for most city users, but reception is weaker than on many phones, so it is not ideal for areas with poor coverage. The stereo speakers are decent, and the haptics are among the best on Android.

The 64MP main camera with OIS is the reason to buy this phone. Photos come out sharp with accurate, slightly vibrant colours in daylight and at night, after a brief moment of processing.

Portraits and selfies show better skin tones and pleasing background blur, but edge detection around subjects is unreliable, and 2x portraits lose detail because there is no telephoto lens. The 13MP ultrawide has a wide field of view and outperforms many rivals at this price. The 13MP selfie camera handles social media well.

Video reaches 4K 60fps on both rear cameras and 4K 30fps on the front, with good dynamic range outdoors. Stabilisation is not flagship-level and focus can hunt at times, so a gimbal helps for serious video work.

The Pixel 7a has a 4385 mAh battery. Real-world screen-on time ranges from about three to five hours depending on use and the 90Hz setting. Most users get through a full day, but heavier users may need to charge by early evening. Used units can show worn battery health, so check it before buying.

Charging is slow. Wired charging is rated at 18W: about 35% in half an hour, and a full charge takes around two hours. No charger is included in the box.

It also supports 7.5W wireless charging. It is too slow to add much charge while navigating, but it works well for overnight top-ups on a bedside or desk pad.

The Pixel 7a launched with Android 13 and has since been updated to Android 17, and it still runs smoothly. Google promised three years of OS updates at launch; its official support page now lists the Pixel 7a among phones that get five years of updates from their US release, which points to support until around May 2028.

The interface is clean with no bloatware. Useful features include call screening, Hold for Me, Now Playing song recognition, on-device voice typing, the Recorder app's transcription and Material You colour theming. Updates have also brought Circle to Search and Gemini features.

Customisation is more limited than on some Android skins, but the A-series gets almost the same smart features as Google's more expensive Pixels.