Does Google Pixel 7a have wireless charging?

Budget smartphones get a lot of things right when compared to their flagship counterparts, but they always come with some compromises. Even the best cheap Android phones in 2023 have missing features, and it’s up to buyers if they can live without them. But Google’s latest Pixel 7a looks eerily similar to the standard Pixel 7, to the point where it’s hard to tell the two smartphones apart when they’re side by side.

Wireless charging is a feature that makes powering your phone more convenient, sometimes taken for granted in 2023. However, wireless charging is one of the main features that is often missing from budget devices. It is because wireless charging requires an inbuilt coil and a glass or plastic window to charge your phone. Coincidentally, these are design choices that can drive up the cost of a phone, and some inexpensive phones ship without wireless charging. So, does the Google Pixel 7a have this feature?

Google Pixel 7a wireless charging speeds and options

Google’s new Pixel 7a works with the Qi wireless charging standard. This means that you can charge your Google Pixel 7a wirelessly on a wireless charger you may already own, because the Qi charging standard has been around for a while. If not, we have a list of the best Pixel 7a chargers as well. Since the Pixel 7a also features a USB-C port for charging, it’s safe to say that Google’s budget smartphone has the latest power delivery options available in 2023.

Although you can use the Pixel 7a with any Qi-compatible wireless charger to power your smartphone without a cable, charging speeds will be much slower than with wired charging. Google says the Pixel 7a can charge wirelessly at up to 7.5 watts, which is 10 watts less than using a cable. Wireless charging is usually slower than wired charging on all devices, so this factor is not unique to the Google Pixel 7a.

Basically, if you need fast charging, wired charging on the Pixel 7a is the way to go. That’s because the Pixel 7a supports up to 18W fast charging. However, these speeds are reached while using a 30W USB-C wall charger from Google plugged into a wall outlet. Google says actual speeds can be slower if you’re using an unsupported charger. If you use a cable and power adapter that match the wattage specifications of Google’s own charger, you’ll likely see the 18W fast charging speeds advertised on the Pixel 7a.

Google Pixel 7a battery size and battery life

Charging options on the Google Pixel 7a are an important part of the buying decision, because the smartphone’s battery is smaller than normal batteries. It has a 4,385mAh battery, which matches that of the Pixel 7. However, it pales in comparison to the Pixel 7 Pro, which offers a 5,000mAh battery.

Google says the Pixel 7a can reach more than 24 hours of battery life on a single charge, with up to 72 hours possible while using Extreme Battery Saver. The Google Pixel 7a is a great budget smartphone, and thanks to its Qi-compatible wireless charging option, you’ll be able to charge it easily without a cable.