Google’s Pixel 7A: The Biggest Features I Want on the Rumored Phone

Google’s Pixel 6A was my favourite Android telephone underneath $500 final 12 months, which suggests Google has quite a bit to dwell as much as for its rumored Pixel 7A. That’s very true as the corporate faces extra competitors within the finances telephone house from Samsung, which simply introduced the $450 Galaxy A54 5G.

The $449 Pixel 6A is actually a smaller, cheaper model of the Pixel 6, Google’s flagship telephone from 2021. The Pixel 6A has the identical Tensor processor and common design because the Pixel 6, however with a lower-resolution, 12-megapixel essential digital camera and some different compromises. But its comparatively low value, stable pictures for the worth and enticing design made it a best choice for Android followers procuring on a finances.

Google acquired quite a bit proper with the Pixel 6A, however that does not imply there is not room for enchancment. For instance, I typically felt the Pixel 6A’s display was too dim, and its lack of wi-fi charging feels antiquated in 2023.

Google hasn’t talked about any particulars about its upcoming product launch plans. But if the corporate maintains the identical product launch technique as final 12 months, the Pixel 7A may seem as quickly as this summer season. Here’s what I’d wish to see.

Same display measurement, however smoother and brighter

The Pixel 6A’s 6.1-inch display measurement is ideal for individuals who choose smaller telephones, so I’m hoping the Pixel 7A inherits this trait. It rounds out Google’s Pixel household properly by guaranteeing there is a small, medium and huge possibility inside the lineup.

However, I hope to see show upgrades in different areas. Google may enhance the brightness on the Pixel 7A, for instance, contemplating I used to be typically tempted to crank the brightness above 50% on the Pixel 6A, even when indoors. That’s one space the place Samsung not often has a difficulty, particularly within the Galaxy S22 and S23 lineups.

I’d additionally wish to see the next refresh charge on the Pixel 7A. Since Google’s A-series telephones aren’t meant to have all of the thrives you’d discover on a flagship telephone, a regular refresh charge could appear cheap for the Pixel 7A. The downside, although, is that top refresh charges are now not reserved only for premium units. Budget telephones like final 12 months’s Galaxy A53 5G and even Motorola’s Moto G 5G have refresh charges which might be greater than the usual 60Hz, leading to smoother scrolling. That makes the Pixel 6A really feel slightly behind, although it excels over these competing units in different methods, just like the digital camera.

Luckily, Google may deal with this with the Pixel 7A, if a leak from developer Kuba Wojciechowski seems to be true. Wojciechowski claims to have discovered particulars within the Android codebase indicating that the Pixel 7A may have the next, 90Hz refresh charge, which might match the Pixel 7’s.

Wireless charging

Another characteristic lacking from the Pixel 6A is wi-fi charging. The means to cost your telephone on a wi-fi charging pad as a substitute of by plugging it in might not appear to be a deal breaker for most individuals. But just like excessive refresh charges, wi-fi charging would not really feel prefer it needs to be a premium characteristic in 2023, particularly since it has been frequent on most telephones for the final 5 years. That mentioned, many competing telephones on this worth vary do not help wi-fi charging both, other than the $429 iPhone SE.

Thankfully, the Pixel 7A might certainly acquire wi-fi charging, if Wojciechowski‘s findings are correct.

More assured Android updates

Google’s Pixel telephones are among the many first to get new Android software program updates. Google, nevertheless, would not provide Android model updates for so long as Samsung does. Samsung supplies 4 generations of Android model updates, whereas Google presents solely three. Considering Google is the purveyor of Android, and that Pixel telephones are anticipated to offer the best Android expertise, I’m hoping Google considers extending help sooner or later. And not only for the Pixel 7A, however for all upcoming Pixel telephones.

Face Unlock

The Pixel 7 and seven Pro help the flexibility to unlock your telephone along with your face, not like the Pixel 6. Since that performance primarily depends on the Pixel 7’s front-facing digital camera, not like Apple’s Face ID, which creates a depth map of your face, I do not see any motive why Google could not simply carry this characteristic to the Pixel 7A. Samsung’s Galaxy A53 5G, which was in the identical worth vary because the Pixel 6A at launch, additionally helps facial recognition.

If the Pixel 7A does acquire the Pixel 7’s Face Unlock, simply keep in mind that Google cautions it is not as safe as utilizing the fingerprint reader or a PIN. Because of this, it is meant for unlocking your telephone extra conveniently, reasonably than authenticating purchases.

Photo Unblur

One of the largest methods Google differentiates its Pixel telephones from different Android units is by offering software program and digital camera options you possibly can’t get elsewhere. One of my favourite additions to the Pixel 7 is a characteristic referred to as Photo Unblur, which sharpens previous images that will’ve been taken out of focus. If the Pixel 7A runs on the identical Tensor G2 processor because the Pixel 7 and seven Pro, it will probably help Photo Unblur, too. And I hope it does, as a result of throughout my evaluation, I used to be significantly impressed with how nicely it sharpened a photograph of me from 10 years in the past.

Google has a chance to make its subsequent A-series Pixel telephone much more compelling by including options that needs to be commonplace in 2023 — specifically wi-fi charging and a display with the next refresh charge. Google will naturally have to make some compromises with the Pixel 7A to maintain its worth aggressive and keep some separation from the Pixel 7. But even with the options talked about above, there’s nonetheless lots that will distinguish the Pixel 7 from its cheaper sibling, like a bigger display, the next decision digital camera, a bigger storage possibility and extra RAM. 

We’re hoping to search out out extra about Google’s upcoming Pixel plans at its Google I/O developer convention in May.