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OnePlus 7 vs Pixel 3a: All-rounder takes on camera icon

Last Updated 16 May 2019, 05:18 IST

OnePlus launched the new OnePlus 7 series in global cities-- Bengaluru, London, and New York--simultaneously on 14 May.

It comes with two models-- OnePlus 7 and the OnePlus 7 Pro--with prices ranging from Rs 32,999 to Rs 57,999. The top-end model is slated to go on sale this weekend on 17 May, whereas the standard model is scheduled to hit stores in early June.
Considering the price-segment, OnePlus 7 series is in direct competition with the Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL, which by the way went on for sale on 15 May for Rs 39,999 and Rs 44,999, respectively.

Are you confused about whether to wait for the OnePlus 7 series or go for the Google's Pixel 3a series? Fret not, DH lists out key features to help you make an informed decision.

Design. display and build quality:
Here, OnePlus 7 comes on top over the Pixel 3a models. OnePlus 7 series is a true flagship phone in all aspects. It flaunts glossy shell with premium metal frame and glass cover on top with Gorilla Glass 6 shield. On the front, it has true full-display with slimmest bezels than any other phone in the market thanks to OnePlus' genius design team.

OnePlus has incorporated pop-up camera in the OnePlus 7 Pro with smart sensors, which can intuitively retract the camera back to its slot when it senses the device is falling down. With this design, OnePlus has more functional display space and has 85.32-percent screen-to-body ratio.

The generic OnePlus 7 comes with a dot-notch screen having full HD+ resolution offer good viewing experience.
On the other hand, Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL, though they emulate Pixel 3 in terms of design, the build quality is dismal. They come with a dual-tone shell made of polycarbonate material.

On the front, they have really thick bezels and looks like a 2017-era phone. Only positive aspects of the Google phones are that they come power-efficient OLED screen and 3.5mm audio jack.

OnePlus 7 display: 6.41-inch Full HD+(2340×1080p) Optic AMOLED display with sRGB color gamut, DCI-P3 color gamut 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass protection, 19.5:9 aspect ratio
Dimension & weight: 157.7×74.8×8.2 mm & 182g

OnePlus 7 Pro display: 6.67-inch Quad HD+ (3120 x 1440p) Fluid AMOLED display with 516PPI, 90Hz refresh rate, sRGB color gamut, 19.5:9 aspect ratio.
Dimension & weight: 157.7×74.8×8.2 mm & 207g

Google Pixel 3a display: 5.6-inch full HD+ OLED display with 2160x1080p resolution

Dimensions & weight: 151.3 mm x 70.1 mm x 8.2 mm & 147g

Google Pixel 3a XL display: 6.0-inch full HD+ OLED display with 2160x1080p resolution

Dimensions & Weight: 160.1 mm x 76.1 mm x 8.2 mm & 167g

Processor, RAM, and storage:
In this segment, once again OnePlus 7 series wins hands down. It comes with Snapdragon 855, a beast of a processor, which by the way is most powerful processor found in an Android phone to date.
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 houses eight cores (1 x 2.84GHz Kryo 485 + 3 x 2.42GHz Kryo 485 + 4x 1.80GHz Kryo 485) with Adreno 640 GPU and dedicated Qualcomm Artificial Intelligence (AI) engine. With UFS 3.1 class 128GB/256GB storage and 6GB/8GB/12GB LPDDR4X RAM, OnePlus 7 series will offer buttery smooth user-experience be it app loading, camera operation, graphics-rich gaming or any day-to-day activity.

On the other hand, Pixel 3a and the 3a XL houses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 octa-core, which is really disappointing for a phone costing between Rs 40,000 and Rs 45,000. Initially, like all new phones, they will work seamlessly without any lag-ness, but it will start to show signs fatigue in around six months once the cache memory begins to fill to the brim. Only saving grace is that Google is offering clutter-free pure Android experience and also guarantees to offer three years of major Android update support ( up to 2022) and monthly security patch every month. Both the models come with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.

Camera:

OnePlus7 comes with a dual 48MP+5MP camera on the back, whereas the OnePlus 7 Pro features triple- 48MP+8MP Telephoto + Ultra-wide 16MP--camera. On the front, both the models houses a 16MP pop-up camera.

Early reviews that have emerged the photo quality of the OnePlus 7 Pro and the OnePlus 7 are good, but not great. OnePlus 7 series can get decent pictures worthy of the price it commands. But, it can get better once the compatible Google Camera app makes its way to the Internet. Several freelance software developers are already reportedly working on it and would be optimized well to make good use of the OnePlus 7 series' photography hardware.

If you are in a hurry and want a good camera phone right away, then you can bet on the Pixel 3a series. Despite having a single-lens primary camera, it can take stunning pictures under any light environments thanks to Google's software sorcery. Yes, the mid-range phone has the same camera as the flagship Pixel 3 and 3 XL models. They come with 12.2MP single-lens camera on the back and an 8MP selfie shooter on the front.

OnePlus 7 camera specs:

OnePlus 7 model sports a dual-camera, 48MP primary sensor with dual LED Flash, F1.6 aperture, 1/2.25-inch Sony IMX586 sensor, 0.8μm pixel size, OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation), EIS (Electronic Image Stabilisation) and a 5MP secondary shooter with 1.12 µm pixel size, F2.4 aperture for in-depth scene capture, which will help in getting perfect Bokeh portrait pictures.

OnePlus 7 Pro comes with triple-camera on the back; picture credit: OnePlus
OnePlus 7 Pro comes with triple-camera on the back; picture credit: OnePlus

OnePlus 7 Pro houses triple-camera, 48MP primary sensor with dual LED Flash, 7P lens, F1.6 aperture, 1/2.25-inch Sony IMX586 sensor, 0.8μm pixel size, OIS, EIS, and is assisted by 8MP Telephoto lens with F2.4 aperture, 1.0 μm pixel size, OIS, 3x optical zoom and the 16MP Ultra-wide lens with 117-degree Field-Of-View (FOV) and F2.2 aperture.
Both the models support Nightscape 2.0 for low-light photography, 4K video at 30/60 fps, 1080P video at 30/60 fps, Super Slow Motion: 1080p video at 240 fps, 720p video at 480 fps, Time-Lapse and come with an in-house video editor.

Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL camera specs:

Primary camera: 12.2MP with F1.8 aperture, 1.14-micron pixel size, 76-degree Field-Of-View (FOV), dual Phase detection, Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS), full HD recording, 4K video recording, Night Sight, slo-mo video recording, and Google Lens integration

Front camera: An 8MP sensor with F2.0 aperture, 1.12-micron pixel size, 84-degree FOV, full HD, and HD video recording

Battery:
OnePlus 7 comes with 3,700mAh(non-removable) with Fast Charging (5V 4A).
On the other hand, OnePlus 7 Pro houses 4,000mAh cell Warp Charge 30 Fast Charging (5V/6A) capability. It is said to be 34-percent faster than the previous generation phone and also OnePlus 7. With just 20 minutes charging, OnePlus 7 Pro can charge up from zero to 50-percent, which is more than enough to last a whole day under mixed usage, claims the company.

On the other hand, Google Pixel 3a comes with 3,000mAh cell, that's sufficient to last one day under mixed usage. Whereas the Pixel 3a XL houses a 3,700mAh battery and can keep the phone running for one and a half days easily given the fact that it runs pure Android and Adaptive Battery technology. If Google is to be believed, the devices can offer 30 hours of battery life. It also supports fast charging. with just 15 minutes of charging will be enough for the Pixel phones to last seven hours and when fully charged, they can last for 30 hours thanks to Adaptive Battery technology.

Price and availability:
Google Pixel 3a and the Pixel 3a XL are available in a single configuration of 4GB RAM + 64GB storage for Rs 39,999 and Rs 44,999, respectively exclusively on Flipkart and select authorized stores.

OnePlus 7 Pro Mirror Gray 6 RAM+128 GB internal storage, 8+256 GB Rs 48,999, Rs 52,999. Availability: 17 May

OnePlus 7 Pro Nebula Blue 8+256 GB, 12+256GB Rs 52,999, Rs 57,999; 28 May

OnePlus 7 Pro Almond 8+256 GB Rs 52,999; June

OnePlus 7 Mirror Gray 6+128 GB, 8+256 GB Rs 32,999, Rs 37,999; June

OnePlus 7 Red 8+256 GB Rs 37,999; June

OnePlus 7 series is available exclusively on Amazon India and OnePlus India's official e-store only.

Final thoughts:
Considering the overall aspects, OnePlus 7 series is a better choice over the Pixel 3a series. But, if your primary criteria is a camera and a full day's battery life, then you can go for the Google-made phones.

Get the latest news on new launches, gadget reviews, apps and more on personal technology only on DH Tech.

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(Published 15 May 2019, 14:45 IST)

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