This story has been updated now that OnePlus 7 is available to buyers in the country
OnePlus has started selling its latest mid-range "affordable flagship" phone in the country from 4 June onwards.
And on this day, we think it’s apt to compare the OnePlus 7 with another “affordable flagship” under Rs 40,000, the Google Pixel 3a.
One might argue about how a phone priced at Rs 32,999 can be compared with one that costs Rs 39,999. But that’s the thing – OnePlus going up against a Google Pixel phone is the story here. Even though there are a lot of differences between the two, the price is what appeals to buyers in this segment.
So, which one of these is worth picking up? We break it down for you.
Design
The OnePlus 7 borrows its design language from the 6T and there’s no better way to put it.
The screen size and the resolution is the same, which means there’s a tiny water drop notch that hosts the front camera. The display profile is simple, thin bezels on the side and the chin is visible too. The outer shell will ensure that it would be hard to differentiate between the 6T and the 7.
Speaking of looks, you won’t be the first one to say ‘what’s different in the way the Pixel 3a looks’ and definitely not the last. The Pixel 3a looks exactly like the Pixel 3, but instead of glass finish at the back, you’re get a polycarbonate cover.
Even at the front, Pixel 3a borrows its design from 2017. The bezel sizes at the top and bottom are big, reducing the overall screen space for viewing content.
That doesn’t mean the Pixel 3a looks cheap. The finish itself has been handled well, but the overall design won’t spark excitement for buyers, something that others in the segment repeatedly manage to do.
We also noticed that the Pixel 3a is comparatively taller and easier to use with one hand.
All in all, you’ve got to give OnePlus 7 a medal in comparison to the Pixel 3a, purely for its design and looks.
Display and Hardware
Google had to cut corners to bring the price down. At Rs 40,000, you’re getting a 5.6-inch 1080 pixel OLED screen that’s bright, crisp and clear enough. But then people might just stare at the price tag and question the use of such a display, usually seen on lower priced phones.
Google’s choice of processor on the Pixel 3a has also raised quite a few eyebrows. The phone packs an octa-core Snapdragon 670 processor with 4GB RAM and is only available in a 64GB variant. These are pretty mid-level specs.
This processor is available on phones for under Rs 20,000. Buyers might question this while choosing between the Pixel 3a and the OnePlus 7.
The storage is yet again non-expandable, which for a so-called mid-range phone is not acceptable, and definitely not when you’re limiting the model to 64GB onboard storage. The phone offers dual-SIM support, but like its big brother, the second SIM works as an eSIM (built-in).
OnePlus 7 carries the same 6.4-inch screen from the 6T and it also supports an in-display fingerprint scanner. In terms of hardware, the brand has not differentiated between its affordable flagship and the 7 Pro by a lot. It has the same upgraded Snapdragon 855 processor, with RAM options ranging up to 8GB and you get ample storage up to 256GB, that should be more than enough.
If you’re keen on a smaller phone, Pixel 3a should be ideal, but for everyone else, the OnePlus 7 seems like the go-to option here.
Both the OnePlus 7 and Pixel 3a are not IP68 certified, don’t support wireless charging, but hey, Google has brought back the headphone jack on the Pixel 3a, so yay!
OnePlus 7 carries the same 3,700mAh battery unit as the 6 and 6T, and it is equipped with a reliable fast charger. The Pixel’s processor is tuned to perform the basic computing activities and offers a reliable battery life. The 3000mAh battery unit loaded on the Pixel 3a comes to the fore and does its job really well.
Camera
This is probably where the Pixel 3a scores more than the OnePlus 7. It was pleasing to hear that Google didn’t change much with the camera on the Pixel 3a from its flagship sibling. You get the same 12-megapixel sensor with f/1.8 aperture that has shown impressive results on its big brother.
It also comes equipped with optical and electronic image stabilisation (OIS and EIS) for improved performance in low lighting, as well as shoot stable videos.
Even though Google has stripped the visual core processor from the Pixel 3a camera, the difference won’t be a deal breaker for regular users.
With the OnePlus 7 you get a primary 48-megapixel and 5-megapixel secondary unit, which does sound impressive on paper at least. However, we’ll have to test out its capabilities first.
Having said that, the early impressions of the phone and its camera on the internet from other reviews, gives us an indication that the Pixel 3a actually does a better job in the imaging segment when compared with the OnePlus 7. And that’s not surprising to hear at all.
Which One is Worth It?
We’re still not sure how the company thinks that the Pixel 3a is an entry-premium smartphone in 2019 and this is probably where the buyers might go for the OnePlus 7, especially for its prices this year. The phone has the internals to match the best in the market, software has always been a strong suit for OnePlus and we can say the same for its charging capability.
The search giant is trying its luck for the third (and a half) time with the 3a, but this is its first phone after the Nexus series to be priced at launch for under Rs 50,000.
If you want power-packed performance, more RAM and storage, Pixel 3a isn’t meant for you. Heck, it doesn’t even support regular dual-SIM slots.
However, if you’re looking for something that stands out in the crowd (no glass finish or popup camera), comes with a headphone jack (for starters), and will offer impressive battery life, the Pixel 3a might suit your needs, as long as you’re not a heavy gamer.
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