Google Pixel 7

The Pixel 7 in a nutshell

The Pixel 7 sticks to much of the design Google built for the previous Pixel 6. It has a fractionally smaller screen this time in the 6.3-inch AMOLED, and a slightly thinner frame, though the materials are largely the same. Google made the screen 25% brighter this time around so it’s easier to see in brighter conditions.

The rear camera array now has a metallic panel covering it, revealing the camera lenses and LED flash. The phone’s reception may also improve with newer antennas aimed to boost the signal and keep the Pixel 7 connected more efficiently.

With IP68 protection, the Pixel 7 is perfectly fine in fresh water down to one meter for up to 30 minutes. If you want to take photos in the pool or take a call in the tub, this phone can handle either scenario. With glass on both sides, you can add more protection for this phone with a good case.

What’s the difference between the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro?

The Pixel 7 shares a lot of the same features and performance with the Pixel 7 Pro, but they do have some differences you may need to consider. The most obvious would the size difference, where the Pixel 7’s screen isn’t as big as the 6.7-inch AMOLED in the Pixel 7 Pro. In addition, it has Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection whereas the Pixel 7 display has Gorilla Glass Victus protection. You will get a 90Hz refresh rate with this phone, while the Pixel 7 Pro offers a 120Hz refresh rate.

You get two lenses in the rear camera array on the Pixel 7 compared to three in the Pixel 7 Pro. The missing lens is the 48-megapixel telephoto, leaving the 50-megapixel wide camera and 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera. There is one change with the latter camera in that it has a 106-degree field of view in the Pixel 7. It’s 125-degrees in the Pixel 7 Pro.

You will get 8GB of RAM with the Pixel 7, and 12GB with the 7 Pro. The battery is also smaller with this phone, and also smaller than the previous Pixel 6 at 4355mAh. Being a larger phone, the 7 Pro has a 5000mAh battery.

They also slightly differ in colour options. Both come in Obsidian and Snow, but the Pixel 7 also comes in Lemongrass, while the Pixel 7 Pro also comes in Hazel.

Google’s Tensor G2

Google introduced the Tensor G2 processor, the chipset that powers so much of what this phone can do. The system-on-a-chip (SoC) drives the software computation built on the artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning that is so integral in what the Pixel 7 can do.

Hold for Me lets Google Assistant step in to stay on hold during live calls until it tells you someone is on the line to speak to you. Call Screen gives you a heads up about what may be incoming spam or scam phone calls. Direct My Call fast-tracks you through automated menus to get to the department or person you need to speak with. Between translating languages, smarter live recording and Voice Typing for messages, this is an active phone in many ways.

Along with the Tensor G2 chipset, you also get Android 13, the latest version of Google’s operating system. You can now use Face Unlock to get past the lock screen by setting it up with the new 10.8-megapixel front camera. Google did work to improve the fingerprint sensor in case you prefer to use that instead.

A camera you can trust

The Pixel 7 has one of the most reliable and effective cameras you can shoot with. The 50-megapixel main wide camera works with all of the Tensor G2’s power behind it, processing images to deliver outstanding results. This is the kind of phone you can just pick up and start shooting with, no matter what you want to capture.

The ultra-wide camera works with the same power behind it. Not only can you squeeze more into every frame, but you can also try using it to take selfies with friends and groups to make sure everyone is included. It works with other modes, like Night Sight, Video and more. You can even try it with Motion modes, like Action Pan and Long Exposure. If you’ve taken a blurry photo, try Photo Unblur in Google Photos on the Pixel 7 to see how much you can sharpen it.

Cinematic Blur is the newest video feature, giving you bokeh effects along the lines of a Hollywood movie or popular TV show. You adjust the focus and the background blur shifts accordingly, as if you were directing a scene.