When people find out I've been reviewing phones for more than a decade now, some frequent questions work their way into the conversation. Is there a particular phone I would recommend? (I tend to direct them to our best phone rankings.) What's better — Android or iOS? (They both have their strengths and weaknesses.) Can I do something about a particular iPhone feature? (I assure you I do not have that kind of expertise or influence.) But usually, people just want to know if I've reviewed something cool lately.
The last time I got asked that question, I had just posted my Google Pixel 7a review, and I felt pretty enthusiastic about Google's latest midrange phone. Since it's running on the same Tensor G2 chipset as other Pixel 7 phones, the same AI-powered experiences are part of the 7a, too. It also happens to be great at taking pictures — one of the best camera phones we've tested, really. "And best of all," I told a person who had asked me what I had tested recently, "the Pixel 7a costs $499, so it's really affordable."
