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iQoo 11 review: a speedy phone that’s hard to find
3:00 pm | June 7, 2023

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

iQoo 11: Two-minute review

The iQoo 11 probably won’t be launching in the west, but as one of the first ever phones to run on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, it's worth acknowledging, even now some more widely available handsets use this chipset too.

While this Vivo sub-brand sells largely to the Asian market, it’s clearly mulling over a push into new territories at some point. There aren’t many Chinese brands that bother to supply their pre-launch test handsets with a UK power adapter, but iQoo did, which has to signify something.

Given the strength of the iQoo 11 package, we would welcome it (or a future handset) to our shores. Maybe the brand could take up OnePlus’s former role as market disruptor and flagship killer-in-chief.

An iQoo 11 from the front

(Image credit: TechRadar)

iQoo’s customary team-up with BMW sees a fairly generic design lifted by a white vegan leather back with a three-stripe decal. There’s a black option, but this themed one is way more fun.

The headline feature here, however, is that cutting-edge chipset, which instantly makes the iQoo 11 one of the most powerful smartphones on the market. The iQoo brand presents itself as gamer-friendly, and its latest phone certainly flies through demanding games like Wreckfest and Genshin Impact on maxed-out settings.

This gaming-friendly status is further enhanced by a 6.78-inch AMOLED display that’s similarly cutting-edge. Besides using the very latest Samsung E6 panel, it sports a rare combination of QHD sharpness and a 144Hz refresh rate, as well as getting really bright.

While the iQoo 11 won’t be joining the iPhone 14 Pro, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, and the Google Pixel 7 Pro at the top of the camera phone tree, it does a creditable job of turning out bright, balanced shots across its three cameras. It could use a little work when the light drops, though.

Throw in a full day of battery life from its 5,000mAh cell and rapid 120W wired charging (but not wireless, alas), and you have a fine entry-level flagship phone.

iQoo 11 review: price and availability

An iQoo 11 from the back, in someone's hand

(Image credit: TechRadar)
  • Arrived December 8, 2022
  • No western availability
  • Price works out to around $700 / £580 / AU$1,050

The iQoo 11 hit Indonesia and Malaysia on December 8, 2022, and Thailand on December 15, followed by India on January 13, 2023.

There are no plans for the iQoo 11 to hit the US, UK, or Australia, which is a real shame. With an Indonesian launch price of IDR10,999,000 working out to around $700 / £580 / AU$1,050, it could very well have undercut – or at least provided genuine competition for – the Pixel 7 and the OnePlus 10T.

We’re hopeful of a wider rollout for the brand in future. The company supplied a UK power brick with our test iQoo 11, so it’s clearly thinking about branching out.

  • Value score: 4.5 / 5

iQoo 11 review: specs

An iQoo 11 from the front, in someone's hand

(Image credit: TechRadar)

iQoo 11 review: design

An iQoo 11 from the back, in someone's hand

(Image credit: TechRadar)
  • Typical design, lifted by vegan leather/three stripe finish
  • No IP rating
  • Camera module scratches easily

The iQoo 11 has a pretty generic Android design, with a flat display, a subtly curved back, and a metal frame.

However, it’s rescued from bland uniformity by the Legend model we’ve been sent. This sports a mixture of fiberglass and vegan leather on the rear, rendered in brilliant white, and with a colorful triple stripe running down the entire length of the phone.

The latter is courtesy of a longstanding brand partnership with BMW M Motorsport. It’s just as effective a design flourish here as it was on the likes of the iQoo 7.

If you opt for the Alpha edition, you’ll receive an altogether more sober black shade and a glass back. iQoo calls this a “classic, premium aesthetic”, but others might call it boring.

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An iQOO 11 from the side

(Image credit: TechRadar)
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An iQOO 11 from the back

(Image credit: TechRadar)
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The bottom half of an iQOO 11 from the back

(Image credit: TechRadar)

One negative point we did notice towards the end of our time with the phone was that the black paint coating the thin metal frame surrounding the camera module had begun to scratch off along the bottom edge. Presumably this was where the phone made contact with whatever surface it was laying on, but it started to give the phone a somewhat scruffy edge after just a week or two of usage.

This isn’t a small phone at 8.7mm thick and 205g, but nor is it distractingly hefty. We found it very easy to live with, and that vegan leather has proved both grippy and mercifully non-freezing-to-the-touch when taken out on cold days.

The lack of an IP rating – meaning no official water resistance – is a bit of a downer, and one sign that we’re not dealing with an out and out flagship phone here. So too is a chin bezel that’s slightly thicker than the forehead, which is always a dead giveaway that a phone isn’t gunning for the elite league, regardless of what its spec sheet might say.

There’s stereo sound provided by a pair of speakers, but one is positioned on the bottom edge of the phone, and proves a little too easy to cover during landscape gaming. This is a common concession on phones of all price ranges, but when a phone claims to be geared towards gamers it’s worth calling out.

  • Design score: 4 / 5

iQoo 11 review: display

An iQoo 11 from the front

(Image credit: TechRadar)
  • 6.78-inch AMOLED screen
  • Next-gen Samsung E6 panel 
  • QHD+ and 144Hz in one package

While the iQoo 11’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip is getting most of the headlines, its display is similarly cutting-edge and just as worthy of attention.

Where most flagship Android phones in 2022 featured Samsung’s E5 panel, this phone switched up to the E6.

The baseline stats are strong. It’s a 6.78-inch AMOLED with a QHD+ (1440 x 3200) resolution, though you’ll need to activate that in the settings menu. We experienced some issues with font sizing following this switch, but that’s an issue with iQoo’s software.

Two other specs stand out here. One is a higher-than-usual 144Hz maximum refresh rate, though again, you’ll need to crank this up in the settings. It really is very responsive indeed.

An iQoo 11 from the front, in someone's hand

(Image credit: TechRadar)

We’ve seen 144Hz (and higher) refresh rates before, but never in conjunction with a QHD resolution.

The other stand out spec is a peak brightness of 1800 nits. That’s beyond even the mighty Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, and just a little shy of the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

One other gaming-focused feature is a pressure-sensitive screen, which can be mapped to controls in certain games. Pressing both sides firmly in landscape serves as a shortcut to booting up the phone’s Game Space gaming UI, which is a nice touch.

We haven’t seen too much of this pressure-sensing technology since Apple removed it from its iPhones, so it’s good to see it implemented here – even if it’s not as deeply integrated into the UI as Apple’s 3D Touch was to iOS.

  • Display score: 4.5 / 5

iQoo 11 review: software

An iQoo 11 from the front, in someone's hand

(Image credit: TechRadar)
  • Funtouch 13 is busy and full of bloat for local markets
  • Somewhat buggy UI
  • Only 2 years of Android updates

Software is arguably the weak point with the iQoo 11, with Funtouch 13 proving to be a rather busy custom UI layered over Android 13.

It’s worth mentioning that there are mitigating circumstances here. As discussed, this is a phone that’s intended for the Indonesian market, which explains why it comes laden with so much bloatware, including local apps like Lazada and Viu.

Even setting the matter of pre-installed apps aside, though, Funtouch 13 feels somewhat buggy and unfinished. There’s the UI’s apparent inability to adjust to bumping up the display resolution to full QHD+, resulting in comically small text in the Messages app and the clock widget. Adjusting the system font size didn’t seem to help here.

An iQoo 11 from the front, in someone's hand

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Then there’s the fact that WhatsApp notifications continued to break through for us when the phone was in Do Not Disturb mode, which spoiled a couple of attempted weekend lie-ins.

All of this can be fixed in future software updates, of course. However, that just brings into focus iQoo’s two-year Android update promise, which is looking rather stingy and outdated compared to many other high-end handsets.

  • Software score: 2.5 / 5

iQoo 11 review: cameras

The camera block on an iQoo 11

(Image credit: TechRadar)
  • Same 50MP main camera sensor as Galaxy S22
  • 13MP telephoto, 8MP ultra-wide
  • Slightly artificial but even tone across the three cameras

If the iQoo 11 is mixing it with the big boys in terms of power and display technology, then it steps back into the second tier with its camera offering.

That still makes it a decent photography tool however, and it does some things we like a lot. We particularly appreciate the provision of a dedicated telephoto camera to accompany the wide and ultra-wide. That’s often one of the first features on the chopping block when putting together a more affordable flagship.

This is a nicely balanced setup too. The main camera uses  the same 50MP sensor as you’ll find in the Samsung Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus, as well as a number of previous iQoo models. It’s not exactly a cutting-edge component, but it’s a decent-sized 1/1.57" sensor, and it produces punchy shots in good lighting.

This is accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide and a 13MP telephoto sensor, both also from Samsung. These support sensors aren’t up to the standard of the main sensor in terms of color depth, detail, or dynamic range, but they’re perfectly serviceable – especially that telephoto.

iQoo 11 camera samples

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

The overall tone can be rather cool.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

The telephoto does a good job matching the main sensor’s tone.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

The ultrawide lacks detail, but again matches the tone of the others.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Not much in the way of noise or artifacts here.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Again, the telephoto matches up well.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Edge distortion, but a consistent tone.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Indoor shots can look a little murky.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

A reasonably sharp, if dark, food shot.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Shots can look a little washed out.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

The dedicated telephoto is way better than cropping in.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

The ultrawide struggles for detail.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Night mode isn’t up there with the best.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Good low light shots are possible if you keep movement to a minimum.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

A shot showing the iQoo 11’s performance in low indoor lighting.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Showing the main camera’s cool tone and exaggerated greens.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

The 2x telephoto is a solid performer.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Selfies are fine, once you deactivate beautification.

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An iQOO 11 camera sample

(Image credit: TechRadar)

The camera is least impressive in middling/indoor lighting situations.

One of the best things about this camera setup is that the tone of the shots stays relatively consistent across all three sensors. Take three shots of the same scene, one with each camera, and they all look more or less of a piece.

True, that shared tone can be a little too cool and icy for our liking, with slightly punched up greens and a hint of overexposure. But that’s a color science choice that some will be more fond of than others, especially if you’re mainly in the business of sharing your shots on social media. 

What’s more, there’s a toggle on the main camera UI that switches to a more natural, restrained look should you prefer it, which we did. It’s a shame this isn’t the default selection, but at least the camera app remembers your choice should you choose to activate it.

Low light performance is decent, if not among the best. Taking pictures of static scenes with a suitably steady hand yielded some clear results, but we also shot the odd dud that didn’t quite lock on properly, or which yielded excessive noise, while any form of movement in the shot tended to be picked up. 

Shots in artificially lit indoor environments, and those in that murky zone between light and dark, could be a little hit and miss on the focusing front, and sometimes looked a little flat and washed out. This is a camera that rewards a steady hand and a little patience once the light drops.

The 16MP front camera does a reasonable job with selfie skin tones, though you’ll want to turn off the default beautifying effect, which smooshes and smudges facial textures in that disconcerting way that certain manufacturers seem to favor.

Overall, this is a solid camera setup, and none of the traits we mention are egregious given what appears to be the competitive pricing of the device. They merely illustrate that the iQoo 11 isn’t in the conversation with the genuinely top tier camera phone crowd like it is in other departments. With the Pixel 7 and the Google Pixel 6a both available for a very reasonable price, that’s worth mentioning. 

  • Camera score: 3.5 / 5

iQoo 11 review: performance

An iQoo 11 from the front, in someone's hand

(Image credit: TechRadar)
  • One of the first Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phones
  • Extremely impressive CPU and GPU performance
  • Stays cool and fast under gaming load

While it doesn’t make gaming phones in the strictest of senses, gaming prowess is undoubtedly a core component of the iQoo brand. The iQoo 11 is no different, standing as one of the very first instances of the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip being used.

The resulting benchmarks are suitably impressive, with an average Geekbench 5 single-core score of 1,462 and a multi-core score of 4,855. That beats a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 phone like the Samsung Galaxy S22 by around 200 points in single-core and a whopping 1,500 points in multi-core.

The Asus Zenfone 9 with its Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset gets a little closer, but still falls short by around 100 points single-core and 500 points multi-core.

On the GPU front, an average Wild Life Extreme score of around 3,750 (with an average frame rate of 22.50fps) is very strong indeed, outgunning even the mighty iPhone 14 Pro. Just as impressive is the fact that this level of graphical performance remains relatively stable over time in the extended Wild Life Extreme Stress Test, which runs the same high-intensity GPU workout 20 times in a row.

There’s a slight dip for the final few loops, but not by much, indicating that the iQoo 11 has its thermals in order. That can be attributed to the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but also to a multi-layer vapor chamber that iQoo has implemented.

In practical terms, we were able to play Genshin Impact and console-quality racer Wreckfest on maxed out graphical settings, with performance remaining silky smooth. We didn’t observe any serious thermal build-up or throttling over the space of a 20-minute gaming session, either.

Another performance point we should note is the inclusion of iQoo’s V2 chip, which apparently inserts frames to keep gameplay nice and smooth, even when the game itself doesn’t support higher frame rates of 90 or 120fps (as most games don’t). All in all, the iQoo 11’s level of performance is extremely impressive.

  • Performance score: 5 / 5

iQoo 11 review: battery

The bottom edge of an iQoo 11

(Image credit: TechRadar)
  • 5,000mAh battery
  • Comfortable all-day battery life, even with heavy usage
  • Rapid 120W wired charging but no wireless

The iQoo 11 has been fitted out with a 5,000mAh battery. That’s not an uncommon sight in an Android flagship, but it’s reassuring nonetheless, especially when combined with that efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.

We were able to get through a full 15-hour day of heavy usage (just shy of 6 hours of screen-on time) with the screen set to QHD and 144Hz, and the iQoo 11 still had around 30% left in the tank.

On days with more moderate usage, it wasn’t uncommon to be left with around half a tank left. That’s a very solid showing.

Charging is also extremely rapid, with a 120W charging brick bundled in. We found that a 15-minute charge would get the phone from empty to 74%, while it hit 100% in around 25 minutes.

The only real disappointment here is that the iQoo 11 doesn’t support wireless charging. This isn’t a given at less-than-flagship prices, of course, but the Pixel 7 and Nothing Phone 1 show that such an inclusion isn’t outside the realms of possibility.

  • Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the iQoo 11?

Buy it if...

You want top power for a reasonable price
The iQoo 11 packs the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, and it knows what to do with it, while undercutting many rivals in terms of price.

You want an outstanding display for less
The iQoo 11 uses the latest Samsung E6 AMOLED panel - it’s big, bright, sharp, and at 144Hz it’s also unusually fluid.

You don’t mind importing
The iQoo 11 isn’t coming to western markets, so you’ll need to be comfortable with importing if you want to buy it.

Don't buy it if...

You highly value the camera
The iQoo 11’s main camera isn’t bad by any means, but nor is it the best you can get for the money, and it struggles with indoor lighting.

You like a clean or stock Android experience
The Funtouch 13 overlay here is far from unusable, but it is busy, buggy, and bloated. It's one of the very weakest points of the iQoo 11.

You want high-end extras
Water resistance and wireless charging are fairly standard high-end smartphone features, yet neither are present here.

iQoo 11: Also consider

The iQoo 11 isn't the easiest phone to get hold of in most regions, so for alternatives, consider the following options.

Google Pixel 7

Available for about the same price – and in more markets – the Pixel 7 might not have the impressive performance and display specs of the iQoo 11, but it’s an altogether classier phone with a superior main camera.

OnePlus 10T

Also similarly priced, the OnePlus 10T lacks the cutting edge specs of the iQoo 11, but isn’t lacking in the performance or display stakes. It’s also available in more markets, features cleaner software, and charges even faster.

Nubia Red Magic 7

If it’s a pure-bred gaming phone you’re after for this sort of money, then the Nubia Red Magic 7 goes above and beyond what the iQoo 11 has to offer. While its processor isn’t quite as impressive, its thermal system is even more extensive and its display is even more fluid, while dedicated physical controls will further enhance your gaming performance.

First reviewed: April 2023

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Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: | Comments: Off

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Google Pixel 7a review
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Google Pixel 7a review
6:09 pm |

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Google Pixel 8 Pro hands-on reveals built-in infrared thermometer
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Google Pixel 7a in for review
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Google Pixel 7a hands-on review
10:11 pm | May 10, 2023

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Google Pixel 7a hands-on review
10:11 pm |

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Google Pixel 7a review: wait until it’s cheaper
10:03 pm |

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Pixel 7a: One-minute review

The Google Pixel 7a may be powerful and it may be smart, but if it can’t last me through a full day I won't be recommending it as one of the best phones you can buy. The power of the Google Tensor G2 chipset, which can erase tall buildings from your photos with a couple of taps, may be too much for the tiny battery, and the phone’s sluggish charging only makes things worse. 

Why start with complaints about the battery? Because it’s important. More important than taking great photos, which the Pixel 7a can manage ably, though it won’t win you any contests. Even with more megapixels on tap, many of the photos I took look very much like those from its predecessor, the Google Pixel 6a

Google Pixel 7a phone showing screens camera and Android 13

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

Battery life is more important than whatever performance benefits you might get from Google’s powerful processor, which can handle the best games and most advanced apps with no trouble. Play those games for your entire train ride to work, though, and you better have a charger waiting at your desk – and you also better have a couple hours to spare before you need a full battery again.

With blazing speed that drains the battery in no time, the Pixel 7a is like a European roadster. You get all the performance and style of the premier sports car, in a smaller package with some corners cut. And, as with a great roadster, it’s best to wait until the Pixel 7a drops to a price that makes it irresistible.

Pixel 7a review: Price & availability

Google Pixel 7a phone showing screens camera and Android 13

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
  • Starts at $499 / £449 / AU$749, more expensive than the Pixel 6a (US & UK)
  • One configuration with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage 
  • Available immediately, Coral color is only available from Google directly 

The Google Pixel 7a lands right on schedule for Google’s mid-year bargain Pixel phones, only a day shy of the Pixel 6a’s first anniversary; however, the Pixel 7a will hit stores in more of a hurry than its laggard predecessor, and will be available to buy immediately after launch, instead of months later.  

The Pixel 7a costs $499 / £449 / AU$749 for the single configuration option, which gives you 128GB of storage, with no option to expand that, and 8GB of RAM. I’d like to see a bit more storage – and, believe it or not, microSD cards are not uncommon in this price range. Of course, there’s plenty of Google cloud to go around, so you’ll probably synchronize most of what takes up space.  

Google Pixel 7a phone showing screens camera and Android 13

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

You can buy the Pixel 7a in four colors, though the most distinctive coral option is exclusive to Google’s own online shop and its New York storefronts. Your mobile carrier will have Snow, Charcoal, and Sea handsets, which translate to white, grey and blue.

The Pixel 6a cost $50 / £50 less at launch (there's no difference in Australia), and in our Pixel 6a review we identified almost the exact same issues that I have with the Pixel 7a. Since then, that phone has seen some dramatic sales and price cuts – you could often find it for $300 / £300 / AU$600, and at that price it went from being a disappointing budget phone to the best bargain in mobile.

I’d like to think the Pixel 7a will get the same discounts, especially around the sales season later in the year as new flagship phones bubble to the surface. Then again, Google might keep the Pixel 6a around at its occasional $300 price, leaving the Pixel 7a just a bit too expensive to be worth recommending.

  • Value score: 3 / 5

Pixel 7a review: Design

Google Pixel 7a phone showing screens camera and Android 13

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
  • It looks like every other recent Pixel 
  • It’s still feels unique – because nobody is buying Pixel phones
  • Maybe try something different for the next one

When the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro showed up, they looked unique, and stood out among boring phone designs with their corner-mounted camera blocks. Then came the Pixel 6a and it looked… the same. Next came the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro – more of the same. And now we have the Pixel 7a, and it looks, well, the same. Seriously, Google – even Apple changes its phones just a little bit after this long. 

If the Pixel 7a still seems unique, maybe that’s because you don’t see many Pixel phones around, and that’s not a great thing for Google. I liked the signature Pixel design in October, 2021 when I saw it for the first time. Sadly, Google has kept the basic formula but ditched the two-tone colorway options that were really the best part of Pixel 6a design. 

Google Pixel 7a phone showing screens camera and Android 13

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

My review sample isn’t the cool Coral color, or even the less-cool Sea – although my UK colleagues snagged that blue model, so we have some great photos to show it off. I got white – sorry, Snow. Thankfully, I also got the official Google silicone case in Coral, so I barely looked at the slick little shell as I kept it mostly in the case – and the Coral color really is pretty.

If you leave your phone naked and afraid, the Pixel 7a has a nice matte finish on the frame that makes it easy to grip. The slick, slightly curved back surface will slide off a slope, but you won’t have trouble holding onto it.

Google says the Pixel 7a is the most durable Pixel a-series phone yet, and thankfully it's water resistant to survive splashes or an accidental dip in the sink.

  • Design score: 2.5 / 5

Pixel 7a review: Display

Google Pixel 7a phone showing screens camera and Android 13

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
  • Nice display but nothing special
  • 90Hz refresh rate improves over Pixel 6a
  • Not as flashy as the Samsung Galaxy A54

I have no complaints about the display on the Pixel 7a, but it isn’t the best I’ve seen either, even in this price range. It certainly beats last year’s Pixel 6a, especially outdoors in bright sunshine, where the Pixel 7a is actually usable. It’s not bright, but it’s visible. 

I like the smaller 6.1-inch size of the Pixel 7a, which makes it feel like a compact phone compared to the much larger devices I'm used to carrying. It could be harder to see fine details in photos for editing work, but the Pixel was responsive enough to let me zoom in and scroll around quickly. 

If you’re looking for a more impressive screen, and willing to give up a lot of performance, you could check out the Samsung Galaxy A54. The Galaxy A54 uses a 6.4-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, while the Pixel 7a can only manage 90Hz. I didn’t notice the slower performance other than when playing the fastest games with tons of effects, and for most tasks 90Hz is fine. 

  • Display score: 3 / 5

Pixel 7a review: Camera

Google Pixel 7a phone showing screens camera and Android 13

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
  • Big improvement over Pixel 6a 
  • Better low-light and dynamic lighting shots
  • Terrible at zoom, even just a little bit

With Google’s AI prowess and the Tensor G2 chip behind it, there was never any doubt that the Pixel 7a would produce satisfying photos. The main camera sensor gets a major upgrade, lifting it from 12MP to a whopping 64MP. Even though the pixels are almost a third smaller, the overall sensor is larger, and images benefit from the better tech. 

I spent most of my time comparing the Pixel 7a’s cameras to the ones on the Pixel 6a, because that device far exceeded our expectations for bargain phone cameras. I’m pleased to say that the Pixel 7a improves dramatically over the older model. I saw more detail in the backgrounds of images, and much better lighting throughout my shots. Dark spots that would have disappeared in shadow now show nuance. 

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Google Pixel 7a image samples

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

Sadly, some of the worst problems remain. Google can claim that this phone can shoot like an 8x zoom lens, thanks to digital trickery, but those tricks don’t come off. Zoom photos are nearly unusable, and look laughably more like an oil painting than a photograph. The Pixel 7a has the exact same problems as the 6a, and produces almost identically terrible zoom shots.

Here are some image samples from the Google Pixel 7a, compared to the same shot taken with the Pixel 6a. 

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Google Pixel 7a image samples from camera

Pixel 7a (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples from camera

Pixel 6a (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples from camera

Pixel 7a (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples from camera

Pixel 6a (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples from camera

Pixel 7a (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples from camera

Pixel 6a (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples from camera

Pixel 7a (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples from camera

Pixel 6a (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples from camera

Pixel 7a (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples from camera

Pixel 6a (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples from camera

Pixel 7a (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples from camera

Pixel 6a (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples from camera

Pixel 7a (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
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Google Pixel 7a image samples from camera

Pixel 6a (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

I found the video recording to be disappointing, especially at the supposed 4K resolution. The video may have the right number of pixels, but those pixels looked pretty lousy when taking high-speed shots of my dog in action. I tried using the Cinematic stabilization mode, but didn’t notice such a dramatic effect as using a gimbal for a steady shot.

For special tricks, the Pixel 7a gets a long-exposure mode that the Pixel 6a doesn’t have. I enjoy shooting long exposures, as you can get some cool effects if you spot the right opportunity. 

Google endowed the 6a with all of the coolest photo editing tricks, like Photo Unblur and automated Magic Eraser, and while the 7a gets all of those tricks too, it’s hard to see an advantage here.

Google Pixel 7a phone showing screens camera and Android 13

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

The real magic happens in Google Photos, which gets special tools on Google Pixel phones with Tensor chips inside. There aren’t any new editing features found on the Pixel 7a that we haven’t seen before, but it isn’t missing anything, and these are the best and easiest on-device editing tools you’ll find on a phone, short of an Adobe Creative Suite subscription.

You can even fix old photos that you didn’t take with the Pixel 7a, as long as they are uploaded to Google Photos. These photography tricks are one of the Pixels' biggest selling points.

  • Camera score: 4 / 5

Pixel 7a review: Software

Google Pixel 7a phone showing screens camera and Android 13

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
  • Runs Android 13 at launch, with three years of OS updates
  • Wait, only three years? Doesn’t Google make this phone?
  • Seriously, the iPhone gets six years, what’s up with only three

What use is a Google chip and Google software if Google will only support its own phone for three years?

Google’s own version of the Android 13 interface is light and easy to use, with thoughtful customization options that are much more automatic than they used to be. If you ever considered Android because you wanted a more personalized device, but shied away because it seemed too complicated, the latest software guides you much better than before, and leaves out the parts that made things difficult. 

It isn’t like Apple’s iOS, not even close, and both companies could learn a lot from each other. Apple could learn how to make widgets that are truly functional and fit your home screen the way you want, for instance. 

Google Pixel 7a phone showing screens camera and Android 13

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

Google, for its part, could learn how to simplify its settings and options even further. The three-and-a-half pages of scrolling through the Settings menu is just the start of all the digging you need to do to find everything you can adjust on the Pixel 7a. If a feature matters, why isn’t it easier to discover?

Truthfully, though, Google should be embarrassed by how far it has fallen behind Apple in offering major OS updates. Google adds small, minor features periodically through the lifespan of the Pixel phones, but that lifespan is astonishingly short.

Google makes Pixel phones, the software for the Pixel phones, and the chips that run the software. What use is a Google chip and Google software if Google will only support its own phone for three years? Three years is reprehensible, especially for Google, and even on a bargain phone like this.

Apple iPhone 12 Purple

This old iPhone 12 has a longer lifespan than a new Pixel 7a (Image credit: TechRadar)

How limiting is three years of support? You could buy a Pixel 7a and an Apple iPhone 12, a phone that was launched in October 2020. In three years, your brand spanking new Pixel will stop getting OS updates from Google, but you’ll still have another year of life on your iPhone.

This is why everyone disrespects Android phones, and a major reason why the Pixel 7a is very difficult to recommend. While I can excuse some issues if the price drops, waiting for that to happen will only make this phone older when you buy it, and Google has already set the clock ticking on when it will stop caring about the Pixel 7a.

  • Software score: 3 / 5

Pixel 7a review: Performance

Google Pixel 7a phone showing screens camera and Android 13

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
  • Amazing performance from a bargain phone
  • Still can’t outperform an iPhone 12
  • I’d rather have a slower phone with a bigger battery

When a premier phone maker like Google produces a bargain phone it usually makes some sacrifices while keeping some of the advantages of its higher-end handsets, and Google has chosen to retain the performance of its flagship Pixel phones in the Pixel 7a. It has a distinct performance advantage over other phones in its price range – the Samsung Galaxy A54 isn’t even in the same solar system as the Pixel 7a, given how much faster Google’s phone is. 

Of course, in the shadows lurks Apple with its miraculous in-house Bionic chips. You can still buy an iPhone 12 new from Apple, with an A14 Bionic platform (A16 is the current generation) for around the same price as the Pixel 7a, and the older iPhone outmatches Google’s best in benchmark performance. In real-world use, you’ll hardly notice a difference, but it’s worth noting that Android’s best-performing phones still aren’t indisputable champions. 

Google Pixel 7a phone showing screens camera and Android 13

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

I had no trouble running the latest games, or editing photos and videos with advanced tools such as Adobe Lightroom. The Pixel 7a performed incredibly well, especially for a phone in this price range. If a fast phone is what you’re after, the Pixel 7a won’t disappoint you.

The Pixel did run a bit warm when I gamed for a long time, and a few times during my testing week the phone warned me that it would shut down features while the temperature was too high. This was after nonstop gaming at 60fps, but more expensive phones can handle that sort of chore with no complaint.

At this price, you’re getting most of the same performance you’ll get from a Pixel 7 Pro, albeit with less RAM and a few other internal omissions. Other phones in this price range will give you a bigger and better display, though, as well as a bigger and better battery. The Galaxy A54 gives you a 5,000mAh battery cell, and the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion has a bigger battery and much faster 68W charging.

Most users will prefer more battery life and faster charging, in addition to a better display. If you came looking for speed, you found it –  but if you aren’t sure that flagship performance is what you need in a phone, I’d suggest looking elsewhere.

  • Performance score: 4 / 5

Pixel 7a review: Battery

Google Pixel 7a phone showing screens camera and Android 13

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
  • The weakest link in the Pixel 7a chain
  • Just as bad as last year’s Pixel 6a
  • It’s a fast phone, but you pay with battery power

I’d rather have a phone that lasts one normal day rather than three extreme days

Hey, you wanted a fast phone, and just like fast cars chug petrol, the Pixel 7a slurps down its battery. I spent a long commute into New York City playing Marvel Snap, then switched to a Google Meet video chat. By the time the 90-minute ride was over, I was at 65% battery. Ouch.

The Pixel 7a also takes too long to charge, and the charging curve slopes downward. That is, it took me 45 minutes to get the battery up to 50%. Another 45 minutes and I still wasn’t fully charged, I was only at 92%, and the last bit of battery life often took more than 30 minutes to top off. Very weird.  

That means you should plan on leaving the Pixel 7a connected to a charger whenever you aren’t using it. This is not a phone you can rely on for long-term battery life. Google has an Extreme Battery Saver mode which it claims can last you up to three days of use, but it requires severely limiting which apps and features can be used – and I’d rather have a phone that lasts one normal day rather than three 'extreme' days. 

Even if Google drops the price, battery life will remain a stumbling block when it comes to recommending the Pixel 7a. Many phones that are less expensive use a large battery as a key selling point, along with a bigger display. The Pixel 7a is disappointing now, but for a bit less money it becomes a rare roadster; not the most practical phone, but fun to own during a midlife crisis. 

  • Battery score: 2 / 5

Should you buy the Google Pixel 7a?

Google Pixel 7a phone showing screens camera and Android 13

(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

Buy it if...

You want great photos and photo editing
There aren’t a ton of photo options, but the Pixel 7a takes great shots and makes editing as easy as can be – even editing photos you took on other phones.

You want to try all of the unique Google features
From clear calling to recordings that identify speakers, there are cool features that only Pixel phones with Google Tensor can manage, with more arriving regularly.

The price drops by $100 / £100 / AU$150
It’s a great bargain phone if you need performance, but there are too many compromises. For a nice discount, though, we could overlook some of those.

Don't buy it if...

You need a phone that lasts all day
The Pixel 7a unfortunately has the same terrible battery life that we complained about with the Pixel 6a. You’ll need to charge it once or maybe even twice a day.

You want a bigger, better screen
The display on the Pixel 7a isn’t bad, but there are Samsung and even Motorola phones that have bigger, brighter screens with a higher refresh rate. And a bigger screen means a bigger battery, just sayin’.

You can afford an iPhone
Sorry to say, but the iPhone 12 is more than two years old and it’s still faster than the Pixel 7a, plus it will get software updates after the Pixel 7a is forgotten.

Pixel 7a review: Also consider

If my Google Pixel 7a review has you considering other options, here are two more flagship smartphones to consider

Apple iPhone 12
The Apple iPhone 12 is the most affordable iPhone, and you can find some good deals if you look around. It may be older, but it will get OS updates for longer than a new Pixel 7a, and its Bionic processor can wipe the floor with any Android.  
Check out our Apple iPhone 12 review

Samsung Galaxy A54
This bargain phone looks like a premiere Galaxy S, and you get a bigger battery and better display than you'll find on the Pixel 7a – and Samsung supports its phones with Android updates for longer than Android-maker Google.
Check out our hands-on Samsung Galaxy A54 review

How I tested the Pixel 7a

  • I have had the Google Pixel 7a for one full week of testing
  • This was the only phone I used for the review period
  • I use benchmarking software, developer tools, and internal data collection

I used the Pixel 7a in every way I imagined a typical user would want to use it. I took photos, played games, and used it for all of my social networking and communication needs. I used it for productivity apps and tools, mindfulness and health apps, and fitness apps. 

I also used the Pixel 7a with wearable devices, including Pixel Buds Pro earbuds and my Pixel Watch. I used it with a gaming controller, my automobile, and numerous Bluetooth accessories.  

We benchmark all the phones we test using standard benchmarking software, and we also perform internal testing on the phone’s performance and battery life. I used GFX Benchmark, PhoneTester Pro, and Geekbench, among other testing apps. I also access the developer options on Android phones for direct feedback on performance from the device itself. 

During my review time with the Pixel 7a, I loaded all of the apps I use with my smartphone and used it as my daily device. I used it for maps and navigation, music and video playback, as well as for calls and messaging. I took tons of photos and videos, played games, and used the phone to help me get around. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May, 2023

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