Refined Design, Smarter AI, and Superb Photography
The Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro bring significant refinements, powered by Google’s second-generation Tensor G2 processor. These phones promise the familiar Pixel experience—clean software, powerful AI-driven features, and superb camera performance—while refining the hardware for a sleeker, more premium feel. Here’s a first look at what makes the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro stand out in the crowded smartphone market and how they stack up against recent competitors.
Design: Premium, Refined, and Distinctly Pixel
Google has refined the design language that debuted with the Pixel 6 series, making both the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro sleeker and more cohesive. The Pixel 7 is slightly smaller than its predecessor, with a 6.3-inch display, while the Pixel 7 Pro maintains a 6.7-inch display. The phones now sport a polished aluminum camera bar, which gives them a distinct yet sophisticated look. Both models come with an IP68 water resistance rating and a sturdy aluminum and glass build, providing a premium feel that aligns with other high-end devices.
The Pixel 7 comes in three colors: Snow, Obsidian, and a unique Lemongrass, while the Pixel 7 Pro adds an exclusive Hazel option. Both devices are comfortable to hold, and their smooth finishes give them a high-quality look that feels substantial without being bulky.
Display: Smooth, Vivid, and Enhanced for Productivity
Both Pixel 7 models feature OLED displays, but with slight differences:
- Pixel 7: The 6.3-inch OLED display offers a 90Hz refresh rate, providing smooth visuals and fluid animations, whether you’re scrolling through feeds or playing games. The Full HD+ resolution makes it bright and sharp, ideal for everyday use.
- Pixel 7 Pro: The Pro model boasts a larger 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate that adapts to the on-screen content to conserve battery life. With QHD+ resolution, the Pixel 7 Pro is designed for those who want the most immersive, high-quality viewing experience on a smartphone, making it ideal for streaming and multitasking.
Both displays support HDR10+, making them great for watching HDR content, and the high refresh rates ensure a smooth, responsive experience that enhances everything from browsing to gaming.
Camera: Computational Photography at Its Best
Pixel phones are known for their cameras, and the Pixel 7 series upholds that reputation. With the Tensor G2 chip, Google has further refined computational photography, delivering sharper, more vivid images across a variety of conditions.
- Main Camera System: Both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro feature a 50MP main sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. The Pixel 7 Pro adds a 48MP telephoto lens, offering 5x optical zoom, which is great for those who want to capture details from afar without compromising quality.
- Enhanced Night Sight: Night Sight has been improved to capture clearer images in low-light settings with reduced noise and faster processing, ideal for nighttime shots and cityscapes.
- Photo Unblur and Magic Eraser: Google introduces a new Photo Unblur feature that uses AI to sharpen blurry photos, even ones taken with older cameras. Magic Eraser, an already popular feature, allows you to remove unwanted objects from photos seamlessly, making it perfect for anyone who wants social-media-ready images without hassle.
- Macro Focus on Pixel 7 Pro: The Pixel 7 Pro offers a new Macro Focus mode, which captures detailed close-ups with the ultra-wide lens. This is ideal for photographing intricate textures, like flowers or jewelry, adding versatility for creative users.
In daily use, the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro deliver a simple, intuitive photography experience that doesn’t require much adjustment. Just point and shoot, and the Pixel’s AI processing does the rest, producing images that are well-suited for social sharing or professional use.
AI and Productivity: Google Assistant Takes Center Stage
The Pixel 7 series benefits from Google’s Tensor G2 processor, which enables advanced AI features that add genuine value to everyday use:
- Google Assistant and Voice Typing: Voice Typing has been enhanced to allow for natural, hands-free interaction. Assistant can now recognize and insert emojis by voice, making messages more expressive. In addition, Assistant can edit typos, adding efficiency to your workflow, especially useful when typing on the go.
- Call Screening and Direct My Call: Google’s Call Screening has been further refined to help filter spam and unknown numbers, while Direct My Call makes navigating automated phone systems easier by displaying menu options in text. These features are invaluable for business users and professionals who need streamlined communication tools.
- Face Unlock and Fingerprint Unlock: Both Pixel 7 models offer a combination of Face Unlock and in-display fingerprint unlock, giving users convenient options for secure access. Face Unlock is faster, leveraging the Tensor G2’s advanced processing for quick and accurate recognition.
- Recorder with Speaker Labels: The Recorder app, now with speaker-labeling capabilities, is a powerful tool for meetings, interviews, or classes, automatically differentiating between speakers in transcriptions.
Battery Life: Optimized for All-Day Use
The Pixel 7 has a 4,355mAh battery, while the Pixel 7 Pro features a larger 5,000mAh battery, both designed to last through a full day of use. Thanks to the Tensor G2’s efficiency, Google has improved battery life in both models, even with high refresh rates.
When it’s time to charge, both devices support 30W fast charging (with an optional charger), providing a 50% charge in about 30 minutes. Wireless charging and Battery Share are also available, adding flexibility for users who like to charge on the go or power other devices like Pixel Buds.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Superb camera performance, especially in low-light and zoom with Pixel 7 Pro
- Advanced AI features like Call Screening, Voice Typing, and Photo Unblur
- Clean, fast Android experience with regular updates
- Premium build quality with unique color options
- Long battery life with optimized charging options
Cons:
- No microSD expansion for extra storage
- Face Unlock is less secure than Apple’s Face ID
- Limited improvements over Pixel 6 series for those seeking a significant upgrade
- The Pixel 7’s 90Hz refresh rate is less fluid than the Pro’s 120Hz
Comparison: Pixel 7 and 7 Pro vs. iPhone 14 and Samsung Galaxy S22
| Feature | Google Pixel 7 / Pixel 7 Pro | iPhone 14 / iPhone 14 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S22 / S22 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3” OLED, 90Hz / 6.7” OLED, 120Hz | 6.1” OLED, 60Hz / 6.1” OLED, 120Hz (Pro) | 6.1” AMOLED, 120Hz / 6.8” AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Processor | Tensor G2 | A15 / A16 Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 / Exynos 2200 |
| Primary Camera | 50MP + 12MP + 48MP (Pro) | 12MP / 48MP + 12MP (Pro) | 50MP + 12MP + 10MP / 108MP + 10MP (Ultra) |
| Face Unlock | Yes (less secure) | Face ID (secure) | Yes (2D, less secure) |
| Special Features | Photo Unblur, Macro Focus (Pro), Direct My Call | Cinematic Mode, ProRAW (Pro) | 100x Space Zoom (Ultra), S Pen (Ultra) |
| Battery | 4355mAh / 5000mAh | 3279mAh / 4323mAh (Pro) | 3700mAh / 5000mAh (Ultra) |
| Operating System | Android 13 | iOS 16 | Android 12 (upgradable) |
| Price Range | $999 AUD / $1,299 AUD | $1,399 AUD / $1,749 AUD (Pro) | $1,249 AUD / $1,849 AUD (Ultra) |
Key Takeaways
- Pixel 7 vs. iPhone 14: The Pixel 7 offers a better camera experience for low-light photography and AI-driven features like Photo Unblur, while the iPhone 14 excels with video capabilities and tighter ecosystem integration with other Apple devices.
- Pixel 7 vs. Galaxy S22: The Pixel 7 focuses on AI features and simplicity, whereas the Galaxy S22 offers more hardware versatility, especially with the Ultra’s S Pen and high zoom capabilities. However, Google’s clean Android experience and prompt updates may appeal more to those who prioritize a streamlined experience.
Final Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: The Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro continue Google’s tradition of blending clean design, smart AI, and exceptional camera quality into a thoughtful, user-friendly package. Both models shine with refined software features that enhance productivity and simplify communication, making them powerful daily companions.
While the lack of a drastic hardware overhaul may not excite those upgrading from the Pixel 6, the Pixel 6 Pro.