I used a LOT of telephones this 12 months, together with all of the flagships, mid-range telephones, and finances choices. Whereas the flagships had been predictably nice, the mid-range class has by no means been stronger, and should you’re seeking to decide up a telephone throughout Cyber Monday, you will discover loads of nice choices underneath $500.
Most customers would routinely gravitate towards the Galaxy A54 now that it is all the way down to $324, and for good purpose — Samsung did a very good job with the machine, and it’s first rate in day by day use. However there is a a lot better choice: the Pixel 7a. Google’s mid-ranger beats the Galaxy A54 in most key areas, and one of the best half is that the Pixel 7a is now out there for simply $374, so that you’re getting a considerably higher telephone for simply $50 extra.
This is why you can purchase the Pixel 7a as an alternative of the A54
Whereas Samsung did not change issues an excessive amount of with the Galaxy A54, it nonetheless gives a vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display, first rate cameras, and a big battery. The Pixel 7a has appreciable upgrades over its predecessor, and also you get a 90Hz OLED panel, terrific 64MP digicam with one of the best wide-angle lens on this section, extra highly effective {hardware} than the A54, and cleaner software program that is satisfying to make use of.
I used each of those gadgets extensively, and the Pixel 7a is the apparent selection right here. It’s smaller and simpler to make use of one-handed due to a 6.1-inch display (versus 6.4 on the A54), and whereas it’s restricted to 90Hz, it feels clean in day by day use. The largest benefit with the Pixel 7a is the cameras — it demolishes the Galaxy A54 on this space, and I am not exaggerating after I say that that is one of the best digicam bundle you will get for underneath $600.
Then there’s the software program. The Pixel 7a is already on Android 14, and there is no bloatware in any way. Google’s interface is clear, colourful, and is filled with a ton of helpful extras, and it simply loads of enjoyable to make use of — and I am saying that after utilizing One UI for a number of months this 12 months. Samsung has rather a lot to supply with One UI, but it surely’s not optimized very properly on the A54, there’s an excessive amount of bloatware out of the field, and it usually is not as good to make use of because the Pixel 7a.
Whereas this does not issue into the buying determination, I additionally assume the Pixel 7a appears higher than the Galaxy A54; I just like the digicam bar on the again, and it provides loads of character to the machine. The one space the place the A54 wins out is battery — it has a bigger 5000mAh unit, and it manages to final over a day with ease. I did not see any points with the Pixel 7a’s 4385mAh battery, and whereas I bought a day’s value of use constantly, it wasn’t nearly as good because the A54.
The place the Pixel 7a has a transparent edge is the {hardware}; the customized Tensor G2 is noticeably sooner than the Exynos 1380 that Samsung makes use of within the A54, and you may really feel the distinction in day by day use. The Pixel 7a is not lacking out one extras both, and it has the identical IP67 ingress safety because the A54.
Look, I advisable Samsung telephones extensively prior to now, however the dynamic has clearly shifted in favor of Google this 12 months. The Pixel 7a is a greater machine in all of the areas that matter, and the truth that it’s now out there for $374 makes it the most effective telephone bargains of the 12 months. So should you’re seeking to improve this Cyber Monday, be sure you get the Pixel 7a.