The Google Pixel 7 Pro faces high expectations as it looks to prove its worth. Last year, the company's first generation of Tensor-powered devices, notably the Pixel 6, created buzz for its affordable $600 price tag, which is unusual for a flagship phone. The Pixel 7 is expected to attract similar attention, but with a significant price difference between it and the Pixel 6, many may question whether the extra cost is worth the upgrades, such as a refined design, an improved telephoto lens and a better ultra-wide sensor.
Google Pixel 7 Pro Specifications
- Release date: 2022, October 06
- Colors: Obsidian, Snow, Hazel
- Dimensions: 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm.
- Weight: 212 g.
- Screen: 6.7" in, 1440 x 3120, LTPO AMOLED
- Camera : Triple, 50MP
- Chipset: Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
- Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
- Battery: 5000, Li-Ion, non-removable
- Network: GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
- Operating system: Android 13
- Sensors: Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
If you are curious to find out all the details before reading the full review, visit the page for Google Pixel 7 Pro Specs, where you will find even the smallest detail about the phone.
Google Pixel 7 Pro Availability and price
The Pixel 7 series, led by the Pixel 7 Pro, marks Google's largest global rollout to date. The phone is available in thirteen countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and several European and Asian countries, and is the first Pixel flagship to launch in India since 2018. Pricing for the 128GB version starts at $899 in the US, the same as last year's device. The 256GB and 512GB models are priced at $999 and $1,099, respectively.
Google Pixel 7 Pro Design
In 2022, most major smartphone companies released updated versions of their flagship devices instead of introducing a completely new design. The Galaxy S22, Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4, OnePlus 10 Pro and Apple's iPhone 14 series are examples of this trend. The Google Pixel 7 Pro follows this pattern and at first glance looks similar to the Pixel 6 Pro. On closer inspection, however, improvements can be seen in the phone's finer details. The most notable change is to the camera strap, which now features an aluminum cover that blends seamlessly with the frame, replacing the black viewfinder of the previous model.
The overall design of the Pixel 7 Pro is nice, the phone feels luxurious but not quite up to par with Samsung's recent Galaxy S series phones. Build quality is good, but for those looking for pure luxury, the Galaxy S23 Ultra might be the one to go for. Design issues, including the display, can be resolved by using a phone case, which most buyers will do anyway.
Google Pixel 7 Pro Display
The Pixel 7 Pro features rounded edges, with the display curving to meet the metal frame on the sides. Google reduced the degree of the curve compared to the previous model, making it easier to hold in the hand. If you look at the device from the side, it has thin bezels and is only slightly wider than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, although both have a 6.7-inch display.
This year, Google followed in Samsung's footsteps by including an option to adjust the Pixel 7 Pro's resolution between 1080p and 1440p. The phone runs at 1080p by default. It's hard to tell the difference between the two resolutions, but overall text looks a bit more blurry in FHD+ mode. However, the drop in resolution is believed to help with battery life and is therefore worth the trade-off.
Google Pixel 7 Pro Hardware
The Pixel 7 Pro's stereo speakers are loud and clear with good bass balance, making them suitable for watching videos or listening to music casually. However, some sound balance issues present in the Pixel 6 persist, especially when the phone is held in a certain orientation. Additionally, the bottom speaker can easily be covered by the user's hand, which can cause one of the channels to be muffled while watching videos or playing games.
The Pixel 7 Pro has a well-disguised elongated earpiece above the display. Unlike last year's models, it blends in well and is barely noticeable in direct sunlight. The haptic mechanism is remarkable, providing different levels of feedback for different actions, making the phone more immersive. Overall, the phone's physical feedback is excellent and comparable to recent console controllers.
Google Pixel 7 Pro Biometrics
The biometric features of the Pixel 6 series had some issues that caused concern among users. The in-display fingerprint sensor was slow and unreliable. However, Google seems to have improved biometrics with the Pixel 7 Pro, with the fingerprint sensor slightly faster than the Pixel 6's.
The Pixel 7 Pro now includes a new unlocking method with Face Unlock, which uses the front-facing camera to recognize the user's face. However, this feature relies solely on the camera, without the use of an infrared sensor that would improve accuracy and security.
Google Pixel 7 Pro Software
The Pixel 7 Pro comes with the latest Android 13 operating system pre-installed. While it might not be as exciting as the previous Android update, it still offers some small improvements that make the overall user experience more enjoyable.
The redesigned lock screen music player is an outstanding feature that provides a fun and unique experience. The Material You theme is also improved, but not fully realized until more third-party apps support dynamic theme icons.
The unified search bar between the home screen and the app drawer is also a great addition, providing results both on the web and on the device at the same time.
Pixel 7 Pro has several AI-based features that have been improved since the general release of Android 13. These include Direct My Call, At a Glance and Assistant Voice Typing. The Assistant Voice Typing feature is much faster than the Pixel 6 and includes emoji support, making it more useful for texting. Direct My Call is another useful tool that helps users navigate the phone's menus.
Google Pixel 7 Pro Performance, battery life and charging speed
The Pixel 7 Pro is powered by the Tensor G2, Google's second-generation custom SoC that enables the device's software enhancements. The Tensor G2 isn't vastly different from the chip used in the Pixel 6 Pro, but it does have slight boosts in clock speed for better performance.
While the Tensor series is expected to go smoothly, it remains to be seen how the device will perform in the coming months. The processor has two Cortex-X1 cores, four Cortex-A55 cores and two Cortex-A78 cores based on Samsung's 5nm process. In day-to-day use, the performance differences may not be noticeable, but it's still a powerful chip.
The Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) in the Tensor G2 chip that powers the Pixel 7 Pro is said to be 60% more powerful than its predecessor. The phone's internal specifications include 12GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB, 256GB or 512GB, which is similar to other high-end Android smartphones. However, it does not have a microSD card slot.
Google Pixel 7 Pro Battery life
Battery life on the Pixel 7 Pro is disappointing. Average screen time was about 5 hours a day, with the phone used to take lots of photos, videos, and listen to music and podcasts.
Google Pixel 7 Pro Cameras
The Pixel 7 Pro's camera is exceptional, with a 50MP main sensor that produces vivid and detailed photos without over-saturation or over-sharpening. The camera also offers a 2x zoom feature that crops rather than switching lenses, and a 5x zoom that uses a 48MP f/3.5 telephoto lens. However, a telephoto lens is less sensitive to light and can produce darker or noisier photos in low-light environments.
However, the real standout this year is the Super Res Zoom, which works well in daylight but doesn't perform as well in low light or at too high a zoom. Night Sight has also been improved and now allows manual settings.
The main difference between the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro is the ultra-wide lens, the Pixel 7 has a 114-degree lens while the Pixel 7 Pro has a 126-degree lens, making the latter's ultra-wide shots appear wider. The Pixel 7 Pro also has a true macro mode that can take decent photos of flowers and plants in daylight, but isn't good for indoor lighting.
The Pixel 7 Pro's standout feature is Photo Unblur, which can improve the sharpness of any photo taken with the device and is built into the Photos app. It is limited to devices running Tensor G2.
The front camera takes great photos, but struggles in low light. Video recording is good, but the 10-bit HDR mode doesn't add much improvement.
The Pixel 7 Pro's Cinematic Mode, which aims to blur the background and focus on the subject, doesn't fare as well compared to a similar feature on the iPhone. Pixel blur looks too artificial and tends to maintain focus with motion. Also, while the iPhone's cinematic mode can be used in 4K, the Pixel's is limited to 1080p.
Google Pixel 7 Pro Should you buy it?
The decision between the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro is a tough one, as both phones are among the best Android phones of 2022. The Pixel 7 is a great option for those who don't consider themselves photographers or primarily use their smartphone's main lens , while the Pixel 7 Pro is a better choice for those who want a solid set of features and are willing to work around some downsides like: battery life and questionable design decisions. The Pixel 7 Pro is fast, has a class-leading camera, and has added software tweaks that make a real difference in everyday use.
Pluses
- Excellent camera
- Large display
- Reliable software updates for years to come.
Cons
- Weak and non-durable battery
- Big phone, difficult to operate with one hand
Google Pixel 7 Pro video review
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on our team's personal experience with the Google Pixel 7 Pro and third-party sources. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and reliable information, readers should keep in mind that this is a subjective assessment. The writing of this article was not paid for or sponsored by Google.
