Google Pixel 7a vs. iPhone 14: Worth the price difference?

Google has officially announced the Google Pixel 7a. How does the Google Pixel 7a compare to the iPhone 14? And is it worth the price difference?

Google launches Google Pixel 7a

Google has launched the Google Pixel 7a, the affordable version of the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro. The specifications of the phone are now clear, as is the design of the device.

The Google Pixel 7a is one of the competitors of the iPhone 14, especially because of the much more favorable price. How do the phones compare to each other? We list a number of differences for you.

1. Pixel 7a and iPhone 14 design

The design of the iPhone 14 is not much different from previous iPhones. The phone is again provided with a notch and has no home button. The iPhone 14 also looks slightly sleeker due to the thinner screen bezel and slightly rounder corners. The iPhone 14 has a glass back and is available in the colors midnight, starlight (white), red, blue, purple and yellow.

The Google Pixel 7a has a completely different design. For example, there is a striking camera bar on the back of the smartphone. The back of the Pixel is made of plastic with a glossy finish. The beam and frame have a matte finish. The device is available in four colours: white, grey, blue and orange.

2. Screen and format of the devices

The iPhone 14 has a 6.1-inch OLED screen, a height of 14.7 cm, a width of 7.2 cm and a thickness of 0.8 cm. The device weighs 172 grams and has a screen with a refresh rate of 60Hz. In this screen you can see a notch, also called the notch. The notch houses the TrueDepth camera for Face ID and the front camera of the iPhone.

The Google Pixel 7a has the same size display with a 6.1-inch AMOLED screen. The phone is 15.2 cm high, 7.3 cm wide, 0.9 cm thick and weighs 193.5 grams. The Pixel 7a has no notch, so the screen has no notch. Google’s smartphone has a better refresh rate of 90Hz. The Pixel also has a fingerprint scanner, but it is incorporated under the screen.

In terms of screen, the Pixel 7a is not much inferior to the iPhone 14. In addition, the Pixel 7a has an always-on screen, the iPhone 14 has to do without that function.

3. Software major difference between iPhone 14 and Google Pixel 7a

Perhaps the most significant difference between the Pixel 7a and the iPhone 14 is the software. The iPhone runs on Apple’s iOS 16 and the Pixel 7a on Google’s Android 13. Both operating systems have their own pros and cons. It is mainly a matter of personal preference and habituation.

Google introduced a completely new design (Material You) and useful privacy functions with Android 12. Android 13 builds on this and mainly implements small improvements. This way you get even more options to customize the appearance of Android and there will be standard color themes.

In iOS 16, Apple focuses more on personalizing the operating system. For example, you have a completely new access screen in iOS 16. It is important to mention that with iOS you often receive updates for years to come, with both new functions and security updates. It is slightly different with Android, where you will receive major updates for the next three years. These will only be security updates after that.

4. Phone cameras

The Google Pixel 7a has two cameras on the back, a 64- and a 13-megapixel camera. The second camera has a wide viewing angle, which makes it easier to take photos of landscapes. With the Pixel 7a, you can take photos of 16 megapixels as standard.

The iPhone 14 has two 12-megapixel cameras on the back. On paper, the iPhone has a poorer camera, but you will notice little difference in practice. The Pixel 7a does have more functions for editing photos, such as the Magic Eraser to remove objects.

5. Storage and processor

The Pixel 7a contains the Tensor 2 chip, Google’s own chip. There is 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage with the Google Pixel 7a. The iPhone 14 runs on the A15 Bionic chip, a chip from Apple. With the iPhone 14 you have more choice in terms of storage: the phone is available with 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB. The iPhone 14 has 6 GB of RAM as standard.

The battery capacity of the Google Pixel 7a is 4385 mAh, compared to 3279 mAh in the iPhone 14. The Pixel 7a lasts 24 hours more, according to Google, while the iPhone 14 gives you about 20 hours. The battery of the Pixel 7a therefore lasts just a little longer. For more memory you have to go to the iPhone 14.

Is the price difference worth it?

So the Google Pixel 7a and the iPhone 14 are two completely different phones. The iPhone 14 is a high-end phone, while the Google Pixel 7a is sold for a much lower price. The main difference here is the storage space and the operating system. Do you use the phone intensively and do you need a lot of storage? Then the iPhone 14 is the right choice.

The big difference, of course, is the operating system. The Pixel 7a runs on Android 13, the iPhone 14 on iOS. Apple often provides updates for years to come, while this is only three years with the Pixel 7a. The iPhone 14 lasts longer and gets new functions for longer.

The iPhone 14 is currently on sale for €860, while you get the Google Pixel 7a for €509. So a big difference. It therefore depends on your personal preference and your budget which phone you ultimately choose. Do you have a higher budget? Then the iPhone 14 is a good phone for the long term. At a lower budget, the Pixel 7a is a great phone.

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