Introduction
Google's Pixel smartphones have long been recognized for their exceptional camera capabilities, even though they may not always have the most cutting-edge hardware. However, with the recent introduction of flagship Android phones equipped with advanced imaging chipsets, other manufacturers have been able to achieve a comparable level of imaging quality that can rival the Pixel's AI photography expertise. Google's return to the premium smartphone segment in India after a four-year hiatus has generated excitement among enthusiasts and Android purists. But can it still attract the majority of users who have switched to competing brands? In this article, we will delve into the features, specifications, and performance of the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro to find out.
Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro Pricing in India
Pricing is always a crucial aspect in the premium smartphone space, and Google seems to have struck a balance with the pricing of the new Pixel devices, positioning them below the offerings of Apple and Samsung. The Google Pixel 7 is available in India at Rs. 59,999 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant, while the larger Pixel 7 Pro is priced at Rs. 84,999 for the 12GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. Both phones have been launched in their respective base variants, and additional storage expansion is not available. However, this strategy also encourages users to consider Google's cloud storage plans. It's worth noting that the unlimited free cloud backup feature is no longer available. The Pixel 7 is offered in Obsidian, Lemongrass, and Snow finishes, while the Pixel 7 Pro comes in Obsidian, Snow, and Hazel finishes.
Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro Design
Google has made an effort to differentiate the two smartphones in terms of design, although they share an overhauled design inspired by the previous Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro models. The Pixel 7 falls in between the Pixel 7 Pro and Samsung's Galaxy S22 in terms of size, offering a compact form factor. The Pixel 7 features a brushed metal look on its frame, resembling the Pixel 6a but with a smoother and more refined appearance. The camera module integrates seamlessly into the aluminum band that spans the width of the phone, creating a cleaner aesthetic. The Pixel 7 Pro follows a similar design language but employs a polished aluminum frame instead. The matte finish of the Pixel 7 can be slippery, necessitating a firm grip or the use of the signature camera bump as a finger rest. On the other hand, the polished frame of the Pixel 7 Pro offers better grip. Both smartphones feature polished glass rear panels made from Gorilla Glass Victus, as well as front displays that effectively resist fingerprints and scratches. The devices feel substantial and provide a premium in-hand experience, addressing a shortcoming of the Pixel 6a. Additionally, both phones boast an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
Google Pixel 7 Pro Specifications and Software
Despite the pricing disparity, the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro share several common components. Both phones are powered by the new Google Tensor G2 processor and feature a 50-megapixel primary camera and a 10.8-megapixel selfie camera. They also incorporate stereo speakers and support Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB Type-C (3.2), and standard satellite navigation systems. The Pixel 7 is equipped with a 4,355mAh battery that supports 20W wired charging, while the Pixel 7 Pro houses a larger 5,000mAh battery with 23W charging. Both devices offer wireless charging capabilities at 20W and 23W, respectively, and feature reverse wireless charging (Battery Share) for charging accessories. However, the Pixel 7 lacks the Ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna found in the Pixel 7 Pro.
Both the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro come preloaded with the latest version of Android 13, offering a unique Pixel software experience. The devices showcase Google's software intelligence in various apps, such as an accurate voice recorder that can transcribe audio to text in real-time and a Google Assistant-powered keyboard that accurately inputs text through voice commands. The phones also include the ability to transcribe audio messages within the Messages app. Furthermore, the interface provides a range of color palettes to choose from when selecting wallpapers, although themed icons remain in beta and are currently supported by only a few third-party apps.
Google continues to enhance the software and introduce new Tensor-powered features with each iteration of its Pixel smartphones. This year's release introduces features like Cinematic Blur, which applies a bokeh effect to video recordings, and Photo Unblur, which effectively sharpens both old and recently captured blurry photos from any source.
Performance and Display
Software performance on both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro is smooth, although some initial instances of stuttering and interface-related bugs were observed. However, subsequent software updates resolved these issues. While browsing or downloading large files or games outdoors during the day, both phones exhibited slight heat generation, but no significant problems occurred.
Benchmark results aligned with expectations, although the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro fell behind devices powered by the current generation Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 4. In Geekbench tests, the Pixel 7 Pro with 12GB of RAM achieved scores of 1,039 and 3,116 in single-core and multi-core tests, respectively. In terms of graphics, the Pixel 7 Pro achieved scores of 60fps, 120fps, and 37fps in GFXBench's Manhattan 3.1, T-Rex, and Car Chase tests, respectively. The Pixel 7, equipped with 8GB of RAM and a lower resolution display, performed closely in benchmark scores.
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Gaming performance on both phones was satisfactory. Call of Duty: Mobile ran smoothly on both devices, with the option to play at either 'High' or 'Very High' graphics settings. While gaming, both phones experienced slight heating, but this did not significantly impact performance. The Pixel 7 features a 6.3-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display with a pixel density of 416ppi. Outdoors, the display provided ample brightness, and the 90Hz refresh rate proved satisfactory for gaming and everyday usage. The Pixel 7 Pro features a larger 6.7-inch QHD+ curved-edge AMOLED display, which, despite its size, does not feel unwieldy like the Galaxy S22 Ultra's display.
The Pixel 7's display lacks LTPO technology, which allows for a variable refresh rate between 10Hz and 120Hz. Enabling the 'Show refresh rate' option in Developer Settings revealed that the refresh rate on the Pixel 7 only ranged from 60Hz to 120Hz, which deviated from expectations. Both displays offer vivid colors by default, but switching to the 'Natural' setting renders a more true-to-life color reproduction. The touch sampling rate on both smartphones is precise, ensuring smooth swiping and gaming experiences.
Battery life on the Google Pixel 7 proved commendable, lasting for up to one and a half days with casual use, gaming, and camera usage. However, the Pixel 7 Pro's battery life was not as impressive, often struggling to last a full day. In the HD video loop test, the Pixel 7 lasted for 14 hours and 34 minutes, while the Pixel 7 Pro managed 12 hours and 30 minutes. This disparity can be attributed to the QHD+ display on the Pixel 7 Pro, which reportedly consumes more power compared to other phones with similar panels. Despite this, the Pixel 7 Pro's battery life falls short when compared to devices like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, which features an equally large and high-resolution display.
Charging the Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro proved to be a relatively slow experience. As the smartphones do not come with a charging adapter in the box, a 61W USB PD adapter was used. The Pixel 7 took approximately 1 hour and 47 minutes to charge from zero to 100 percent, while the Pixel 7 Pro required 1 hour and 55 minutes. These charging speeds are relatively slow, especially when compared to the 45W fast charging of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. When considering the Vivo X80 Pro, which charges its 4,700mAh battery fully in just 36 minutes using the included charger, Google's charging speeds for the new Pixels may feel outdated.
Cameras and Photography
The Google Pixel 7 features a dual rear camera setup, comprising a 50-megapixel primary camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera. The Google Pixel 7 Pro boasts an additional 48-megapixel telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and up to 30x SuperRes Zoom, in addition to the same primary and ultra-wide-angle cameras found on the Pixel 7. Both smartphones share a 10.8-megapixel front-facing camera, which lacks autofocus.
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| image credit - Amazon |
The camera app's interface on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro retains the familiar "Pixel" design, with quick settings accessible via the settings icon in the top-left corner. The interface closely resembles that of the Pixel 6a. A new addition is the Cinematic video mode, which enables shooting subjects with a blurred background. However, this feature is limited to 1080p resolution and exhibits somewhat unstable frame rates.
The Pixel 7 Pro introduces macro capability, which is absent from the Pixel 7. Macro photos taken with the Pixel 7 Pro exhibit sharpness and excellent detail. Auto Night Sight can also be used for macro photography, although its impact on image quality is minimal based on experience. Motion Photos now include Long exposure and Action pan. Long exposure delivers an effect similar to selecting Long Exposure for a Live Photo on an iPhone, while Action Pan adds motion blur to the background of a moving subject. Both modes can be used at 2x or 5x zoom as well. Image quality differences between the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are minimal, except for the ultra-wide-angle cameras, where the Pixel 7's camera offers a slightly narrower field of view (114 degrees) compared to the Pixel 7 Pro (126 degrees). The Pixel 7 also exhibits minor purple fringing towards the edges.
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| image credit - Amazon |
Comparing image quality to the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, widely regarded as a leading camera phone in the Android space, the Pixel 7 Pro's primary camera captures photos with excellent detail and natural colors. Google avoids excessive image processing, which is a characteristic of Samsung's photos that tend to appear oversaturated and over-sharpened, affecting distant object textures. The Pixel 7 Pro's ultra-wide-angle camera outperforms Samsung's equivalent, delivering more detailed images with better dynamic range and natural colors.
Regarding zoom capabilities, the Pixel 7 Pro handles photos better, exhibiting less sharpening compared to Samsung, which tends to apply significant sharpening beyond 3x magnification. Impressively, the Pixel 7 Pro maintains good image quality up to 5x optical zoom, capturing fine details such as antennas on distant buildings. Photos taken at 10x zoom remain impressive, although quality diminishes noticeably at 30x. Samsung's telephoto images suffer a slight drop in quality at 3x zoom but excel from 10x onwards, producing sharp yet contrasted photos up to 30x, beyond which quality deteriorates.
In low-light zoom performance, the Pixel 7 Pro consistently outperforms the Galaxy S22 Ultra, offering better color consistency throughout the zoom range and superior noise reduction. While some blotchy textures may be present around illuminated objects, the Pixel 7 Pro produces superior results compared to the noisy images captured by the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Despite the Galaxy S22 Ultra's telephoto hardware enabling 100x magnification, low-light images appear as oil paintings with flat textures.
In general low-light performance, the primary cameras of both Pixel 7 models and the Galaxy S22 Ultra capture impressive details with minimal noise. However, lens flares from ambient lighting pose challenges, significantly impacting image quality. This is unexpected considering the Auto Night Sight on the Pixels and Samsung's 'Nightography' modes, which are designed to calibrate the cameras based on available light.
The Google Pixel 7 Pro excels in video recording, delivering the best quality at both 4K 30fps and 4K 60fps in daytime conditions. At 1080p, the footage appears slightly choppy with an unstable frame rate. Stabilization is effective, and dynamic range is good. In low light, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro surprisingly capture better quality videos compared to the Galaxy S22 Ultra at all recording resolutions. Stabilization is also reliable, and the devices handle lens flares better than Samsung. Both smartphones support HDR video recording, with the Galaxy S22 Ultra performing better in daylight conditions.
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Verdict
The Google Pixel 7 is a solid premium smartphone that delivers excellent camera performance, battery life, and a decent display. Its design may not stand out due to its resemblance to the mid-range Pixel 6a, despite being built with premium materials. A worthy competitor to the Pixel 7 is the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, which offers similar battery life, a faster 120Hz refresh rate, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC. It also features a more premium appearance with razor-thin display bezels and is available from Rs. 62,999.
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The Google Pixel 7 Pro performs admirably in various aspects, with the exception of battery life and charging speeds, which fall short of expectations. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, albeit at a higher price starting from Rs. 1,08,990, offers better battery life, faster 45W charging, a built-in S-Pen stylus, unique design, and superior telephoto capabilities.
Direct competitors to the Pixel 7 Pro include the Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G, priced from Rs. 84,999 onwards, and the Vivo X80 Pro, available at Rs. 79,999. Both these phones offer good value and impressive camera performance, on par with the Pixel 7 Pro. However, the Pixel's software experience and the promise of timely software updates give it an edge over the competition.
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