Google unveils Pixel 7a and Pixel Fold at I/O 2023

Google entirely took the wraps off its latest Pixel phones – the Pixel 7a, and the Pixel Fold. The former is the regular A-series handset which Google updates yearly, and the latter is the company’s first foldable phone.

The Pixel 7a, the mid-range smartphone from Google, offers advanced hardware and software capabilities at an accessible price. It features a 6.1-inch OLED always-on display (90Hz) with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The device is powered by Google’s Tensor G2 processor and Titan M2 security chip paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

One of the standout features of the Google Pixel 7a is its camera system. With a 72 percent larger sensor than Pixel 6a, users can take stunning photos in a variety of lighting conditions as it allows for 44 percent more light. The device features 64-megapixel wide and 13-megapixel ultra-wide cameras on the back and a 13-megapixel front-facing camera, making it an excellent choice for photography enthusiasts in the mid-range segment. Google is also bringing Long Exposure and Super Res Zoom (up to 8x) to the Pixel 7a.

The Pixel 7a comes with a 4,385mAh battery and supports both fast and wireless charging. Starting at $499, the Pixel 7a is now available to purchase in Charcoal, Sea, Snow, and Coral finishes.

At I/O 2023, Google also unveiled the Pixel Fold mobile which doubles as a phablet when unfolded. It features a foldable design joined by a hinge which makes it compact when folded. The compact form has a 5.8-inch FHD Plus display, and the inner profile has an immersive 7.6-inch OLED screen (up to 120Hz).

The mobile has three different camera arrangements – rear camera, front camera, and inner camera. The rear camera setup features a 48-megapixel main camera, a 10.8-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 10.8-megapixel telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. The front camera is a 9.5-megapixel unit with an 84-degree field of view. Given the foldable nature of the Pixel Fold, the inner camera is an 8-megapixel unit.

Powered by Google Tensor G2, the Pixel Fold has a 4,821mAh battery that offers 24 hours of battery life on normal use and up to 72 hours of backup with Extreme Battery Saver mode turned on. Buyers will get two color options to choose from, Obsidian and Porcelain, and up to 512GB of storage paired with 12GB of RAM.

The Pixel Fold starts at $1,799 and is now available to pre-order in the United States. Google is giving away a Pixel Watch for free to those who pre-order the foldable.