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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerApple iPhone 15 vs Google Pixel 7a
The Apple iPhone 15 is the premium option here, but the Google Pixel 7a packs some serious punches, especially with its 64MP camera. In real-world use, the key difference comes down to photography and performance: 64MP vs 48MP and 8GB RAM vs 6GB. So what does this mean for you? Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 shines with its superior display brightness of up to 2000 nits, making it ideal for outdoor use in 2026.
⚡ Refresh: 60 Hz vs 90 Hz🔋 Battery: 3349 mAh vs 4385 mAh⚖️ Weight: 6.03 oz vs 6.84 oz
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Apple iPhone 15
★4.8
(951)•Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A16 Bionic chip (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic)
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Google Pixel 7a
★4.5
(1,343)•Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:3 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates (until May 2028)
Processor:Google Tensor G2 (5nm) + Titan M2 security coprocessor
Graphics:Mali-G710 MP7
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Apple iPhone 15
Google Pixel 7a
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple iPhone 15
6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Google Pixel 7a
6.1"
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 15
60 Hz
Google Pixel 7a
90Hz (Smooth Display)Winner
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone 15
Apple A16 Bionic chip (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Google Pixel 7a
Google Tensor G2 (5nm) + Titan M2 security coprocessor
RAMKey
Apple iPhone 15
6 GB (LPDDR5)
Google Pixel 7a
8GB LPDDR5Winner
Storage
Apple iPhone 15
128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Google Pixel 7a
128GB UFS 3.1 (Non-expandable)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Apple iPhone 15
48MP Main (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Google Pixel 7a
64MP Quad PD Quad Bayer, f/1.89, 1/1.73", OIS, Super Res Zoom up to 8xWinner
Ultra-Wide Camera
Apple iPhone 15
12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.4, 120° field of view)
Google Pixel 7a
13MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, Dual Pixel PDAF
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone 15
3349 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 20 hours video playback (16 hours streamed)
Google Pixel 7a
4,385mAh (Typical)Winner
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone 15
MagSafe up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
Google Pixel 7a
7.5W Qi Wireless Charging
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple iPhone 15
6.02 oz (171 g)Winner
Google Pixel 7a
6.83 oz (193.5 g)
Dimensions
Apple iPhone 15
5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm)
Google Pixel 7a
6.00 x 2.87 x 0.35 in (152.0 x 72.9 x 9.0 mm)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Apple iPhone 15
iOS
Google Pixel 7a
Android
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple iPhone 15
5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); NFC with reader mode
Google Pixel 7a
5G (Sub-6/mmWave), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 15 vs Google Pixel 7a
Apple iPhone 15
★4.8(951)Best Buy
Google Pixel 7a
★4.5(1,343)Best Buy
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 15 | Google Pixel 7a |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(951)Best Buy | ★4.5(1,343)Best Buy |
Operating System | iOS | Android |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | 3 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates (until May 2028) |
Processor | Apple A16 Bionic chip (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) | Google Tensor G2 (5nm) + Titan M2 security coprocessor |
Graphics | Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic) | Mali-G710 MP7 |
RAM | 6 GB (LPDDR5) | 8GB LPDDR5 |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe) | 128GB UFS 3.1 (Non-expandable) |
Display Size | 6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.1" |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | OLED, 90Hz, HDR |
Resolution | 2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi) | 2400 x 1080 (FHD+) at 429 ppi |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 90Hz (Smooth Display) |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor) | 1,000 nits (High Brightness Mode) |
Main Camera | 48MP Main (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 64MP Quad PD Quad Bayer, f/1.89, 1/1.73", OIS, Super Res Zoom up to 8x |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.4, 120° field of view) | 13MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, Dual Pixel PDAF |
Telephoto Camera | No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP quad-pixel sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS | No (Not supported) — Relies on Super Res Zoom |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range) | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 10x | Up to 8x (Super Res Zoom) |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps | 4K @ 30/60fps; 1080p @ 30/60fps |
Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | 13MP, f/2.2, 95-degree Ultrawide FOV, 4K @ 30fps |
Battery | 3349 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 20 hours video playback (16 hours streamed) | 4,385mAh (Typical) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher | 18W Fast Charging (Charger NOT included) |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W | 7.5W Qi Wireless Charging |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); NFC with reader mode | 5G (Sub-6/mmWave), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back | IP67 (Dust/Water Resistant up to 1m for 30 min); Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (Front) |
Dimensions | 5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm) | 6.00 x 2.87 x 0.35 in (152.0 x 72.9 x 9.0 mm) |
Weight | 6.02 oz (171 g) | 6.83 oz (193.5 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Optical under-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock |
Extras | Dynamic Island; Ring/Silent switch; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite | Stereo speakers, Now Playing, Call Screen, Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, VPN by Google One |
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Apple iPhone 15
Rating:★4.8(951)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A16 Bionic chip (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic)
RAM:6 GB (LPDDR5)
Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:60 Hz
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor)
Main Camera:48MP Main (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.4, 120° field of view)
Telephoto Camera:No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP quad-pixel sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS
Optical Zoom:0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps
Front Camera:12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:3349 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 20 hours video playback (16 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); NFC with reader mode
USB:USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back
Dimensions:5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm)
Weight:6.02 oz (171 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Dynamic Island; Ring/Silent switch; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite
✓ Pros:
- • High-resolution 48MP main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop
- • Bright, color-accurate OLED display (up to 2000 nits outdoor)
- • Standardized USB-C port for charging and accessories
- • Dynamic Island interface replaces the notch
- • Comfortable, lightweight design with contoured edges
✗ Cons:
- • Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz)
- • USB-C port limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds (480 Mb/s)
- • No dedicated telephoto lens (zoom beyond 2x is digital)
- • Always-On display feature is omitted
- • Charging speed is slower compared to competitors
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Google Pixel 7a
Rating:★4.5(1,343)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:3 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates (until May 2028)
Processor:Google Tensor G2 (5nm) + Titan M2 security coprocessor
Graphics:Mali-G710 MP7
RAM:8GB LPDDR5
Storage:128GB UFS 3.1 (Non-expandable)
Display Size:6.1"
Screen Type:OLED, 90Hz, HDR
Resolution:2400 x 1080 (FHD+) at 429 ppi
Refresh Rate:90Hz (Smooth Display)
Peak Brightness:1,000 nits (High Brightness Mode)
Main Camera:64MP Quad PD Quad Bayer, f/1.89, 1/1.73", OIS, Super Res Zoom up to 8x
Ultra-Wide Camera:13MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, Dual Pixel PDAF
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported) — Relies on Super Res Zoom
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 8x (Super Res Zoom)
Video Recording:4K @ 30/60fps; 1080p @ 30/60fps
Front Camera:13MP, f/2.2, 95-degree Ultrawide FOV, 4K @ 30fps
Battery:4,385mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:18W Fast Charging (Charger NOT included)
Wireless Charging:7.5W Qi Wireless Charging
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6/mmWave), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2
Durability:IP67 (Dust/Water Resistant up to 1m for 30 min); Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (Front)
Dimensions:6.00 x 2.87 x 0.35 in (152.0 x 72.9 x 9.0 mm)
Weight:6.83 oz (193.5 g)
Biometrics:Optical under-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Extras:Stereo speakers, Now Playing, Call Screen, Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, VPN by Google One
✓ Pros:
- • Class-leading still photography with 64MP sensor and Google computational magic
- • Tensor G2 chip brings flagship-level AI features (Voice Typing, Magic Eraser) to mid-range
- • 90Hz OLED display is a significant upgrade over previous A-series 60Hz panels
- • Includes wireless charging (7.5W), a rarity in this price segment
- • Compact, ergonomic size with IP67 water/dust resistance
✗ Cons:
- • Charging is slow (18W wired / 7.5W wireless) compared to competitors
- • Optical fingerprint sensor can be slower/less reliable than ultrasonic ones
- • Battery life is average; Tensor G2 can run warm under load
- • Large bezels relative to screen size compared to the Pixel 8a or Galaxy S23 FE
- • Only one storage option (128GB) with no microSD expansion
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Which one is better?
The Google Pixel 7a is the better buy for most people - its 64MP camera crushes the iPhone 15's 48MP. That said, grab the iPhone 15 if you want a brighter display and are willing to spend a bit more for it.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 15 if: you want a brighter display up to 2000 nits, value longer software support (5+ years), or prefer Face ID for security.
Choose the Google Pixel 7a if: you need longer battery life for video playback, shoot a lot of photos, or want a smoother 90Hz display for scrolling.
Conclusion
Apple iPhone 15 and Google Pixel 7a are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple iPhone 15 excels if you value high-resolution 48mp main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop. Google Pixel 7a is better if you prioritize class-leading still photography with 64mp sensor and google computational magic. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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