Now that the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are out, we almost know everything about the latest Android devices from Google. After months of hints, and leaks, we finally have the full picture of both Pixel 7 devices. You can pre-order either one now ahead of an October 13 release date, so you can get one sooner rather than later.
These new phones and the Google Pixel Watch were announced on October 6 during the Made by Google launch event. We’ll go through all we know about the new gadgets, including their design, specifications, cameras, and costs, in the paragraphs that follow. See our hands-on reviews of the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro for our opinions on the new phones.
Hardware and specs
The Google Pixel 6 series received a major redesign from Google last year, swinging hard with its design. The company has finally established a new look for its in-house handsets, from the contentious under-display fingerprint sensor—a first for the series—to the enormous rear camera bar. The Pixel 7 design for 2022 is similar to what was seen in May, but each phone has some significant changes. The Pixel 7 Pro (left), Pixel 7, and Google Pixel 6a can all be seen in the image below.
The Google Pixel 7’s camera strip still resembles a visor, but its cameras now have a pill-and-dot cutout. The Google Pixel 6 series’ glass rear camera bar has been replaced with a metal one in the Pixel 7 and Pixel pro. As there is less glass surrounding the shooter itself, we anticipate that this camera upgrade will result in fewer photographs from this pair of phones that have lens flare problems. The Pixel 7 has two cameras in a pill cutout, however the Google Pixel 7 Pro adds a third dot cutout to the mix. This is where the two phones diverge.
The two devices’ colours vary, and there are modifications from the Pixel 6 lineup. Both phones will be offered in Obsidian and Snow, which are basically the colours black and white. The Pixel 7 also has a distinctive Lemongrass colour option (upper right of the image below), while the pro model has a third colour choice of Hazel (bottom middle below). Although there may be market limitations on each hue, as of now, it doesn’t appear like there will be.
According to leaks, both models’ top-edge mmWave windows have been modified from the unattractive transparent window we saw on the Pixel 6 Pro (and specific carrier versions of the Pixel 6). However, as of this writing, we have not been able to confirm that during the launch. The smaller edition of the reported Pixel 7 prototype, which is for sale on eBay, has a cleaner, smaller window incorporated into the metal rail, indicating that both phones will this time around have the functionality – no carrier markup is required.
Google Pixel 7 Specifications: SoC: Google Tensor G2 Display: 6.3-inch FHD+ OLED, 90Hz RAM: 8GB Storage: 128GB, 256GB Battery: 4,355mAh Front camera: 10.8MP, f/2.2, 92.8° FoV Rear cameras: 50MP wide (f/1.85), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 114° FoV) Dimensions: 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm Weight: 197g Charging: 30W wired, up to 23W wireless IP Rating: IP68 Price: $599 USD
The Pixel 7 series appears to have a similar look to the Pixel 6 aside from these modifications. It has a glass back that is guaranteed to be glossy, just like the previous generation; a USB-C connector is located on the bottom edge, while the power button and volume rocker are located on the right edge. Except for the SIM tray, the left edge of the phone is featureless. The smaller model’s screen is flat, while the larger model’s screen is curved. Both phones include Gorilla Glass Victus glass on each side and are IP68-rated for dust and water protection.
The Pixel 7 is available in 128GB or 256GB, while the Pixel 7 Pro offers 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage. Although we do not yet know the precise breakdown for each market, we do know that the US is one of them. The Pixel 7 is the smaller phone in terms of size (obviously), measuring 115.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm and weighs 197g. Pixel 7 Pro measures 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9mm and weighs 212g.
Moving on to screens, the Pixel 7 has a 6.3-inch Full HD+ OLED screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 (416ppi), while the Pixel 7 Pro has a 6.7-inch QHD+ LTPO OLED screen with a resolution of 1440 x 3120., 512ppi. The Pixel 7 Pro has a 120Hz panel, while the Pixel 7 has a 90Hz screen. There are no distinguishing features, and those specifications are the same as those of the phones from the previous year. A Pixel 7 Pro prototype that had been bricked revealed, it used a newer generation of Samsung’s display, suggesting there might be some minor year-over-year improvements. However, there isn’t a definite indication of it happening in the launch event materials. If we discover anything new, we’ll update.
It’s unclear whether the fingerprint sensor on Google’s newest smartphones will be the same as on older models. The majority of the Pixel 6’s issues have been fixed by software updates, but the under-display fingerprint sensor hasn’t changed much since it was introduced last year. Early results appear to indicate that Google is employing a different sensor in the Pixel 6a than what is seen in the Pixel 6, and this has been confirmed by Google. Although we’re not sure if that alternative sensor will truly appear in Google’s 2022 flagships, this is good news for the Pixel 7.
Google Pixel 7 Pro Specifications: SoC: Google Tensor G2 Display: 6.7-inch QHD+ OLED, 120Hz, LTPO RAM: 12GB Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB Battery: 5,000mAh Front camera: 10.8MP, f/2.2, 92.8° FoV Rear cameras: 50MP wide (f/1.85), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 125.8° FoV), 48MP telephoto (f/3.5, 5x optical zoom) Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6e, 5G (sub6 / mmWave) Dimensions: 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9mm Weight: 212g Charging: 30W wired, up to 23W wireless IP Rating: IP68 Price: $899 USD
Each phone boasts a second-generation Tensor chip, known as the Tensor G2. According to Google, this new Tensor chip will have enhanced performance and other improvements, possibly even Bluetooth LE Audio compatibility. In actuality, we don’t yet know a whole lot about the Tensor G2. We’ll probably need to use the phone more before we can figure out what’s new. As far as we are aware, the Pixel 7 has 8GB of RAM, while the Pixel 7 Pro has 12GB. There don’t appear to be any other variations at this time.
As usual, Google included a sizable 5,000mAh battery into the Pro while only including a 4,355mAh unit in the basic Pixel 7. It will be interesting to see how this affects battery life given that it is significantly smaller than the Pixel 6’s 4614mAh capacity. Both phones feature wireless charging and 30W fast charging. Google believes that a single charge will provide a 24-hour battery life and that using Extreme Battery Saver mode will extend it to 72 hours. Before accepting such estimations, we’ll endeavour to run these phones through our evaluation process.
Cameras
There are 50MP f/1.85 GN1 primary and 12.5MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lenses on both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. Both gadgets have the same primary camera, but the ultra-wide has a tiny difference. The Pixel 7’s field of view is 114 degrees, while the Pixel 7 Pro’s is 125.8 degrees. The ultrawide camera on the 7 Pro also features autofocus. You should anticipate an excellent photographic experience from both of these phones given that their specifications appear to be essentially identical to those of the Pixel 6 series.
Following that, the Pixel 7 has an LDAF (laser detect auto focus) sensor that employs both optical and electronic image stabilisation. The 48MP telephoto camera on the Pixel 7 Pro, which is largely identical to the Pro from last generation but has some changes, is what sets it apart from other smartphones. With its primary camera, the Pixel 7 can perform Super Res Zoom up to an 8x zoom, while the Pixel 7 Pro can perform Super Res Zoom up to a 30x zoom. The field of view on that camera is 125.8 degrees.
For those who prefer the “smaller” model—you know, relative speaking—there is good news regarding the front-facing camera. The selfie cameras on both phones are 10.8MP, an improvement for the Pixel 7 this year and a little less than the 11.1MP camera we saw on the Pixel 6 Pro. Both have an aperture of f/2.2 and a 93-degree field of view. The big news is the debut of Face Unlock, which has been long-rumored for Pixel 6 devices and enables you to unlock your phone by simply looking at it.
Price and availability
The phones will go on sale globally on October 13. This is true for the US, but other markets may have different circumstances. Pre-orders for the device have already started, and for the most up-to-date information on where to pick up the device, we suggest reading our guide on where to preorder the Google Pixel 7. A guide to where to preorder the Pixel Watch is also available.
The Pixel 7 costs $599, while the Pixel 7 Pro costs $899, but you can get a significant discount on both devices if you trade in an eligible phone. These prices are identical to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, indicating that, while inflation is rampant both inside and outside the tech industry, Google intends to continue undercutting its competitors. The phone will be available for purchase in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, and Taiwan.
