Phone Comparisons: Google Pixel 4a vs Nokia 7.2

This time around, we’ll compare the Google Pixel 4a vs Nokia 7.2. Both of these phones are mid-range offerings from their respective companies, and they actually cost the same. Well, the Nokia 7.2 can be found at a slightly lower price at this point, at times, as it has been over a year since it was released. Still, some people are considering getting the Nokia 7.2 over the Google Pixel 4a, and we’ll try to answer the question if that’s a good idea or not.

First and foremost, it is worth saying that both of these phones are quite compelling at that price tag. The Nokia 7.2 still holds up well over a year after its release, though it does seem to have more shortcomings than the Pixel 4a. As per usual, we’ll separate this comparison into sections. We’ll first list the specs of these two smartphones, and then move to the design, display, performance, battery, camera, and audio sections. Having said that, let’s kick off the Google Pixel 4a vs Nokia 7.2 comparison, shall we.

Specs

Google Pixel 4a vs Nokia 7.2: Design

Despite the fact it costs less than $350, the Nokia 7.2 comes with a glass back. Well, the same cannot be said for the Pixel 4a. Google’s budget phone is made out of plastic all around. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. The Pixel 4a feels quite solid in the hand, and if you don’t mind plastic, it’s a good choice. The Pixel 4a is a bit less slippery than the Nokia 7.2, though it’s worth noting that it’s not exactly grippy, not at all.

The Google Pixel 4a opted for a display camera hole, which is located in its top-left corner. The Nokia 7.2, on the other hand, sports a waterdrop display notch. Both phones have a ‘chin’ below the display, that bezel is thicker than the rest of the bezels, that goes for both devices. Both phones include a fingerprint scanner on the back. The Pixel 4a includes a single camera on the back, while the Nokia 7.2 has three.

The Pixel 4a is a considerably smaller handset, by the way. It comes with a considerably smaller display as well. If you want a small phone, the Pixel 4a is the way to go. The Nokia 7.2 is basically the standard size of today’s smartphones, however, so it’s not exactly small. Both phones fit well in the hand, and as long as you know what to expect in the size department, you should be good to go. The Pixel 4a is not only shorter, narrower, but it’s also quite a bit lighter. The two devices are almost equally thick.

Google Pixel 4a vs Nokia 7.2: Display

The Google Pixel 4a features a 5.81-inch fullHD+ (2340 x 1080) OLED display, which can show HDR content. The Nokia 7.2, on the other hand, offers a 6.3-inch fullHD+ (2280 x 1080) IPS LCD display which can show HDR10 content. Both displays are protected by the Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which is a good thing. The Gorilla Glass 3 isn’t exactly the newest, but it offers a really good level of protection.

As you can see based on the resolutions, display aspect ratios are different here. The Pixel 4a comes with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, while the Nokia 7.3 has a 19:9 aspect ratio. That’s not a huge difference, but it’s worth saying. The Pixel 4a also has a slightly higher screen-to-body ratio than the Nokia 7.2, though both devices do a really good job when it comes to keeping those bezels thin. Do note that they’re not as thin as on today’s flagships, though.

So, are these two displays any good? Well, yes, but they’re quite different. The colors are nice and punchy on both panels, but when it comes to blacks, you’ll notice a difference. Those blacks are deep on the Pixel 4a, due to its OLED displays. They’re more dark gray on the Nokia 7.2. You may also notice a color shift when not looking at the Nokia 7.2 display head-on, which is not something that’ll happen with the Pixel 4a’s display. All in all, both displays are good, but don’t expect flagship-level quality out of them. The difference is noticeable if you’re coming from a newer Samsung, OnePlus, or any other phone with a great display.

Google Pixel 4a vs Nokia 7.2: Performance

The performance is one area in which the Pixel 4a shines. The same cannot be said for the Nokia 7.2, though. That probably has something to do with its processor, though. Nokia has opted to include the Snapdragon 660 inside the Nokia 7.2, while the Pixel 4a rocks the Snapdragon 730G. The Snapdragon 730G is, without a doubt, a better SoC in pretty much every way. The Snapdragon 660 is not exactly new at this point, and even when it was, it wasn’t exactly the most compelling offering from Qualcomm.

The Google Pixel 4a will launch apps faster, and it will handle games much better than the Nokia 7.2, at least in our experience. We’ve also noticed less bugs in the Pixel 4a software, though Nokia did fix up most of those. Both phones come with a rather light version of Android. The Pixel 4a’s software comes straight from Google, while Nokia is keeping things light on all of its Android devices.

It is worth noting that you’ll get newer software on the Pixel 4a, as the device is upgradable to Android 11. The Nokia 7.2 is stuck on Android 10 for the time being. For most people, both devices will be more than enough in the performance department. It is worth saying that the Pixel 4a is offering more in that regard, which is not surprising considering more powerful hardware, and considering it’s quite a bit newer.

Google Pixel 4a vs Nokia 7.2: Battery

If you’re looking for a phone with better battery life, the Pixel 4a is probably the better option. Why? Well, for several reasons. First and foremost, it offers better battery life. I was able to get around 6 hours of screen-on-time with this device during rather long days. It even crossed that threshold on some days. That’s not the best battery life around, not even close, but it’s more than good enough for most people.

What about the Nokia 7.2? Well, it didn’t exactly do a bad job either, but it’s a level below the Pixel 4a. You should be able to get around 5 and a half hours worth of battery life out of the phone, though that will depend on your usage, of course. It all depends on how hard you push the phone during the day. The same goes for all phones, of course, so keep in mind that your numbers may vary.

Now, the second reason why you may prefer the Pixel 4a when it comes to the battery department is… charging. The Pixel 4a offers 18W fast wired charging, while the Nokia 7.2 is stuck at 10W. The difference is quite considerable in practice. If you charge your phone overnight, that shouldn’t be much of an issue. But if you do find yourself in need of a charge in the middle of the day, the Pixel 4a’s charging is definitely useful. Do note that neither of the two phones offer wireless charging.

Google Pixel 4a vs Nokia 7.2: Cameras

The Google Pixel 4a offers a single camera on the back, while the Nokia 7.2 has three of them. The thing is, the Pixel 4a is the phone to get if you’re looking for a good camera. This phone will offer essentially the same experience as the Pixel 5, Google’s current flagship. Well, it will offer the same experience as far as the main camera is concerned, as the Pixel 5 has two of them on the back.

In any case, the Pixel 4a can capture some great-looking pictures. Those pics offer plenty of detail, great dynamic range, and the phone even shines in low light. The company’s Night Sight mode for low light photography is great thanks to Google’s algorithms. Having said that, the Nokia 7.2 does offer an ultra-wide angle camera on the back, as well as a depth camera. That’s something the Pixel 4a doesn’t have.

The results from the main camera are not as good as on the Pixel 4a, not even close. The phone can do a decent job during the day, though it does tend to overexpose a bit. The wide-angle camera doesn’t do such a good job, though. When it comes to low light shots, well, the Pixel 4a is easily a considerably better option. All in all, if you’re planning to take a lot of pictures, the Pixel 4a is the way to go.

Audio

As far as audio is concerned, both phones are good enough… for most people, anyway. Both phones come with a 3.5mm headphone jack, and the audio through a good pair of headphones is… good. You’ll get decent, and sharp audio, which is well-balanced. As long as you’re not expecting miracles, you’ll be happy with the results. The same goes for audio over a Bluetooth connection.

What about the speakers? Well, the Pixel 4a is easily the better choice in that regard. The Pixel 4a comes with stereo speakers, while the Nokia 7.2 is limited to a single unit. That single speaker is good, but it cannot measure to what the Pixel 4a offers. It does sound a bit thin in comparison, and it focuses more on mids and highs, than it does on lows. Considering the price, though, it’s not that bad.