The best mid-range phone of 2023 just scored an unmissable Black Friday deal

The Google Pixel 7a's vibrant, bright display showcasing the home screen with the default coral feathers wallpaper

This Black Friday sale season has been particularly good when it comes to phone deals, and we've got the Google Pixel 7a discount to prove it. Just as we anticipated, a number of retailers (including Google itself) are dropping the price of the excellent mid-range Pixel 7a to just $374, a return to the phone's lowest price ever.

The Pixel 7a has amazing cameras, but it goes beyond that — you get a 90Hz screen, powerful hardware, stellar battery life, and the best software in this segment. While I like some of the other 2023 options as well — such as the Nothing Phone (2) and OnePlus Nord 3 — they don't measure up to Google when it comes to the software.

Our favorite cheap phone gets a massive $125 discount

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It's the same story with the cameras; Google's camera wizardry is evident in the Pixel 7a, and while the phone is using older sensors, it takes the best photos of any device under $700. You get stunning photos in any lighting scenario, but what stands out about Pixel 7a cameras in general is the consistency — they always deliver usable shots without fail, and I can't say the same about any other mid-ranger available today.

Unlike all other mid-rangers, the Pixel 7a has made the switch to Android 14, and it will continue to get updates ahead of every other device. And while I'm partial to large phones, I really like the size of the Pixel 7a; the 6.1-inch 90Hz OLED screen is ideally suited for one-handed use. Google didn't shortchange users on the hardware front — unlike previous years — so you get IP67 water resistance, a gorgeous design that's similar to the Pixel 7 series, and a 4,385mAh battery that lasts all day with ease.

What I particularly like is the fact that you get the same Tensor G2 as the Pixel 7 Pro, making the Pixel 7a one of the best mid-range phones in the market. Honestly, you don't miss out on much with the device, and coming in at just $374, you won't find any other phone that gives you as many features as the Pixel 7a. I should know — I tested over 85 phones this year. So if you need a new phone this holiday season, you should consider getting the Pixel 7a.

Harish Jonnalagadda is Android Central's Senior Editor of Asia. In his current role, he oversees the site's coverage of Chinese phone brands, networking products, and AV gear. He has been testing phones for over a decade, and has extensive experience in mobile hardware and the global semiconductor industry. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.