Google Pixel 7a reader-testers: it’s time to take stock!

Upon receiving the Google Pixel 7a, I immediately liked its ergonomics and design. Compact and light, it offers an excellent grip. I was able to transfer everything from my phone to the Google Pixel 7a without any issues, including Samsung apps. Despite some reflections, I found the screen to be of very good quality. On the other hand, I regret the unusual positioning of the buttons (volume, ignition, etc.), even if I think you have to get used to it over time. To unlock the device, the fingerprint reader and facial recognition are really great. It’s better than on Samsung smartphones, and worthy of a last generation iPhone.

Regarding the photo part, the results are impressive. The image processing is extremely good. Same observation for the video which is as good, or even better than on my Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. In use, Google applications (Gmail, Maps, YouTube, etc.) work wonders. I love Google’s interface which is very intuitive and much easier to understand than those of the competition. The device is very pleasant to use for watching videos. To listen to music at work or in the car, for example, the speaker volume is in my opinion a little too low. I really liked the setting of routines with the alarm clock, as well as the quality of call reception. For sport, GPS location is precise and efficient. Battery life is fine, but charging speed is disappointing. It is a smartphone model with an unbeatable price-quality ratio, which I love so much that I wonder what level the Pro version can be.

Owner of the venerable Google Pixel 4a, the handling of the Google Pixel 7a immediately exudes a feeling of a high-end product. This is due in particular to the use of glass on both sides and aluminum on the edges. The grip is good thanks to the rounded edges. In the back, a protuberance allows to house the camera. Quite discreet, it does not unbalance the phone placed on a table, because it covers the width of the phone.

Its weight close to 200 g is aligned with the current market, but it still weighs not far from 50% more than the Google Pixel 4a. The difference is certainly obvious, but it did not bother me so far. I appreciated the stereo rendering with a loudspeaker at the top of the front panel and another on the edge at the bottom of the phone. The rendering is softer and warmer than that of my Google Pixel 4a, while having a volume that can go a little higher in the decibels. This is ideal for listening to a song on the go.

On the photo side, the rendering of the standard wide-angle sensor is quite satisfactory. I was surprised to see that the Google Pixel 4 performed roughly evenly in good light conditions. The Google Pixel 7a, however, makes the difference in low light with sharper photos and a night mode more faithful to human vision.

Where I really admired is about the ultra wide-angle sensor which delivers very accurate and very detailed photos in broad daylight. For photography of architecture and urban spaces, the ultra wide-angle is a delight, and I enjoyed shooting with such a permissive focal length. As for the front module, I tested it less, but I can at least say that it takes very good selfies.

Beyond the visual and audio benefits, the phone is in line with previous Google models: the experience is fluid, easy and without frills. The original Google Pixel 7a features work well. The possibilities in terms of translation, in particular via Google Lens, are considerable and make it possible to reduce the gap between languages. On the autonomy side, I was disappointed to see that the recharge was slower than on the Google Pixel 4a, even if this is not a handicap.

At first glance, I found there wasn’t much in the box of the Google Pixel 7a. The design seemed to me more low-cost high-end, and the screen seemed too small to me. At my age, I really prefer big screens. First impressions that turned out to be misleading. The design is finally far from being low-cost and the 6.1-inch screen size with its ultra-thin bezels is more than enough. For the first time in a long time, I can use a smartphone with one hand, which does not displease me.

The supplied USB-C to USB-C cable allowed me to transfer almost all the data from my old phone to the Google Pixel 7a using Quick Switch. A very nice surprise of extraordinary simplicity and speed. Although I’ve never had difficulty transferring my data from an old phone to a new one with my Google account and my Drive, it’s even easier and faster. A truly innovative and interesting solution, especially for novices.

Although I’m used to using 6.6-inch models, the Google Pixel 7a’s Oled quality, 90Hz refresh rate, and screen colors make it very pleasant to use on a day-to-day basis. I quickly got used to the size difference. Not to mention the fingerprint reader on the screen, which is a marvel of speed and efficiency.

Navigation by gestures is very intuitive and natural. Special mention for the refined Android version (without software overlay), which offers a particularly fluid experience with perfect integration of Google products.

Although I’m not a big fan of photography, it’s still a very nice surprise. Not only does the device do the job, but the processing of photos by the phone and the AI ​​is more than impressive! This is especially true for night shots. The results are so amazing that it made me want to take more photos.

To my surprise, the battery, whose management is very well designed, is one of the other strong points of this model. It is ultimately almost flawless for the Google Pixel 7a, the use of which is disconcertingly simple and fluid.

I really like the design of the Google Pixel 7a. The color of my model (ocean blue) is superb and the device has the advantage of not being sensitive to fingerprints. Light and not too big, its size suits me perfectly. It is a smartphone that can be easily operated with one hand. I regret that there is not a pre-installed screen protector, but this one seems quite robust nonetheless.

The positioning of the volume buttons and the switch is reversed compared to the majority of other telephones, but we adapt to it very quickly. In terms of autonomy, the device lasts a good day. It’s a shame that it can’t last at least 48 hours, but it charges very quickly (about 1 hour 30 minutes), even with a conventional cable. Regarding the photography part, I tested the magic eraser in particular, as well as the long exposure and I found it really not bad at all.

In use, the device is extremely fluid and responsive, but it heats up a bit when watching videos. Instant subtitles are really handy for translating explainer videos and songs. Face recognition and fingerprint reader work well when there is enough light. Otherwise, it is possible to use a code or pattern to unlock the phone.

Question safety, the green icons reassure on the state of the telephone. I like the widgets that can be put on the home screen, especially the one with photos that change regularly. Special mention for the double storage of applications (in a drop-down menu or on the following pages), which is very practical. Although a bit expensive, the Google Pixel 7a combines a beautiful design with an ideal form factor and very good features. Once in hand, you don’t want to let go! It is a model that I recommend.

To sum up

After a few weeks spent with the Google Pixel 7a, our four readers are now taking stock of their experience. Their opinions converge on many points, including the photo quality of the device and the processing of shots via artificial intelligence. Capable of perfecting day and night shots like never before, it literally amazed our readers. Same observation for the neat design and the form-factor considered ideal for holding the smartphone with one hand. The quality of the screen, the refined and no-frills version of the latest version of Android, as well as the perfect integration of Google services (Gmail, YouTube, Maps, etc.), are also unanimous among our testers of the day. . Not to mention the fingerprint reader and the facial recognition system to unlock the device, which made a very strong impression. The unusual positioning of the power and volume buttons, on the other hand, disturbed our readers, but all concede that it is only a matter of time to get used to them. In terms of functionality, some particularly appreciated the mode of transferring content from their old Quick Switch phone, while others were impressed by Google Lens’ revolutionary translation capabilities, or the quality of call reception. If the autonomy of about a day satisfied our readers on the whole, they would have liked a faster recharge. Apart from the points of detail to be improved, it is a very positive assessment for our testers, who all recommend the Google Pixel 7a.