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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated February 13, 2024·
If you're looking for a budget-friendly option with strong camera features, the Google Pixel 7a is a good choice, featuring a very good camera system and some exclusive photo features. On the other hand, if you're willing to invest in a phone with a larger screen, higher refresh rate for smoother visuals, and longer battery life, the OnePlus 12 is the better option, although it comes at a higher price. The OnePlus also has a glass back compared to the plastic back of the Pixel and higher overall performance. Both phones run on Android and come with their own unique features, such as the Pixel's call screening and the OnePlus's fast charger included in the box. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 7a
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
Advantages of the OnePlus 12
- Very good battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Best in class performance
Key differences
Battery
6.9 Hours
8.2 Hours
The Google Pixel 7a has 6.9 hours of battery life. The OnePlus 12 has 8.2 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 7a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the OnePlus 12 is 6.82 inches.
Cost
$499
$800
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Google Pixel 7a has a price of $499 and the OnePlus 12 costs $800.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
7.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Google Pixel 7a to have very good overall camera quality, while the OnePlus 12 has good overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 7a is known for a very good camera experience overall, particularly in software handling, dynamic range, and low light conditions, all of which reflect in the quality of the photos and videos including the selfies. In contrast, while the OnePlus 12 may offer high-resolution sensors, its camera falls short in terms of the overall photo and video experience, especially with regard to the selfie capabilities which are of utmost importance..
Photo Quality
8.0
7.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Google Pixel 7a to have very good photos, while the OnePlus 12 takes good photos.
The Google Pixel 7a provides a better selfie experience as compared to the OnePlus 12 because the Pixel 7a has a higher selfie quality, which is likely due to a combination of its dedicated software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance. While the OnePlus 12 might excel in other camera aspects, when focusing on selfie performance, which is very important in this context, the Pixel 7a has the advantage.
Video Quality
7.3
7.0
The Google Pixel 7a and OnePlus 12 both have good videos.
The Google Pixel 7a takes very good videos partly due to its excellent video stabilization and good performance in various lighting conditions, including low light. On the other hand, the OnePlus 12 may deliver poor video quality as it falls short on video stabilization and doesn't perform as well in low light situations, despite having a higher mic quality.
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How the Google Pixel 7a and the OnePlus 12 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 7a | OnePlus 12 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$499 | $800 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | OnePlus | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 10, 2023 | February 6, 2024 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.82" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3168 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 510 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | TensorG2 | SD8G3 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 64 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.9 Hours | 8.2 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4385 mAh | 5400 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 7.5 W | 50 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (10 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.98" x 2.87" | 6.47" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.84 oz | 7.76 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 7 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | Yes | |
Color | |||
Color | Sea, Snow, Coral, Charcoal | Silky Black, Flowy Emerald | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 7a
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Allison Johnson | May 2023
"The Pixel 7a is the best midrange Android phone — period. The camera doesn’t always nail it, but it’s impressively capable for this class. And even though it’s pricier than last year’s model, it comes with some serious upgrades not often seen in this class, like wireless charging."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 7a or the OnePlus 12
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
About OnePlus
OnePlus, established in 2013, is a smartphone brand that first became known for providing flagship-like devices, at a fraction of the cost compared to more expensive Android competitors. OnePlus focuses on creating smartphones with powerful hardware at reasonable prices. They also bring hardware features normally not seen in other Android phones sold in the US, such as their ultra-fast “Warp Charge” and the beloved “Alert Slider”.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
152,700
Recommendations made
86,530
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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