Google has released the Pixel 7 Pro, a big smartphone with better cameras, a screen, and a battery life than its competitors that costs less than them.
Google Pixel 7 Pro: worth buying?
- pros
- excellent screen
- Incredible and versatile cameras
- long-lasting
- battery
- Exclusive software features
- Cons
- big and heavy
- ugly design
- slow charge
Our Verdict
The Pixel 7 Pro has the greatest camera system of any Pixel device, a long-lasting battery, and innovative software features that set it apart from the competition. Nonetheless, it’s far too large.
Google Pixel 7 Pro review: Great phone, but large
Since 2016, Google has produced a new Pixel phone annually, and each one has been plagued by problems that have made them unsuitable for purchase.
The Pixel 2 XL had a poor display, the Pixel 3 and 3 XL had dubious memory management, and the Pixel 4 had poor battery life.
Since 2021’s Pixel 6 and 6 Pro were far more capable endpoints that signaled a new era, incremental improvements in 2022’s Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are understandable.
If you’re looking for a phone with the finest camera system ever seen in a smartphone, the best screen, and the best version of Android, go no further than the Pixel 7 Pro.
Even though it’s pricey at €899 for the base model, it’s reasonably priced compared to the competition and is as premium and well-built as any other smartphone on the market. Some people may be put off by the fact that it is overly large and hefty.
Design and manufacturing quality
- Very big
- well made
- ugly camera bar
The Pixel 7 Pro is an update to the Pixel 6 Pro in terms of appearance, but it is otherwise visually similar to its predecessor. It retains last year’s “camera bar” design, a horizontal strip along the top half of the device housing the triple back camera, but this time it’s made of shiny metal rather than opaque black glass.
The two front lenses are in the shape of a pill, giving the phone a futuristic feel, while the third lens is round. When compared to the 6 Pro, which I much prefer in terms of aesthetics, the new design just seems cheap and gimmicky. The new design of the basic Pixel 7 is great, and I especially like the matte metallic finish.
To be fair, I haven’t found an ugly smartphone that I didn’t want to use. The issue is the phone’s bulky and cumbersome dimensions (212 grams).
The phone’s dimensions of 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm make it cumbersome to hold, carry, or stow away in any manner. It is slightly longer and wider than the iPhone 14 Pro Max and nearly the same size as the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.
The best smartphones of today are bulky, but you have to accept them.
Google’s Snow describes the color of the sample I’ve tried. The phone is also available in black (Obsidian) and grey (Lichen Green) and is rather attractive.
Assuming you can get past the Star Trek–inspired camera bar, the phone boasts a sleek design with a silver aluminum chassis that Google claims is made entirely from recycled materials.
A USB-C connector, a mic and speaker on the bottom, volume control and power button on the right side, and a tiny mic on the top are the only things that break up the sleek, uninterrupted rails.
Since there is no way to add more space, the SIM card slot is the only one on the left side of the phone.
Gorilla Glass Victus is used for both the front and back, yet my colleague Chris Martin was still able to fracture the basic Pixel 7 he was testing when it fell from a relatively short height into the tarmac. Still, the IP68 rating means that this mobile device is protected from dust and water.
I’m sure it’s better manufactured and more sturdy than the Pixel 6 Pro, but I’d rather have a smaller phone than this.
screen and speakers
- Excellent 6.7″ screen
- Variable 120Hz panel
- stereo speakers
The screen on the Pixel 7 Pro is one of the best I’ve used on a smartphone, and Google deserves all the credit. The Pixel 7 Pro’s screen is sharper and brighter than the Pixel 6 Pro’s, continuing a trend that began with the previous generation. It has a 6.7-inch screen and a resolution of 3120 by 1440, making it a Quad HD+ display. It has a 120 Hz of refresh rate and is silky smooth, making it my top pick over the iPhone 13 Pro and 14 Pro. The 7 Pro, like those other phones, employs LTPO technology to lower the clock speed when it’s not in use to extend the life of the battery.
Saving power can also be achieved by running the display at 1080p, though 1440p at 120Hz provides the best visuals. In addition to the camera, this is the primary reason to upgrade to the 7 Pro from the regular 7.
It’s interesting that Google defaults the phone to a black theme. The dark mode is my go-to when using a phone; not only is blue light easier on the eyes, but on OLED screens like this one, darker colors actually consume less power.
For large phones, a curved display is a norm; however, the standard Pixel 7 does not have a curved display.
The Pixel 7 Pro has decent sound quality if you enjoy blasting tunes through your phone’s speakers, which is something I personally don’t enjoy doing. The volume limits the quality, which is disappointing compared to the iPhone 14, but fine for podcasts and online videos.
Specifications and performance
- Google Tensor G2 chipset
- 12GB RAM
- 128GB / 256GB / 512GB storage
Google’s use of the Tensor chipset, which it developed with Samsung, is now in its second year. Although the G2 in the 7 Pro is reliable, it lacks the processing power of the A16 in the iPhone 14 Pro.
Below are some comparison graphs showing how this phone stacks up against other high-priced Android phones.
Even so, it’s more than adequate for my needs and, I imagine, yours as well, thanks to its ability to run multiple applications simultaneously and high-end games without a hitch.
Small but significant upgrades over last year’s Tensor can be found in areas such as battery life, security, image processing, and clever software features. There are no noticeable performance issues in its day-to-day use, and it excels in every category.
The Pro comes in two different storage capacities, 128 gigabytes, 256 gigabytes, and 12 gigabytes of RAM standard across the board. You’ll have to shell out more cash if you need more storage space than they provide.
With just one SIM card slot and an eSIM, you can have two active phone numbers.
Software and features
- Android 13
- Pixel-exclusive features
- Three Android updates
- Five years of security updates
The Tensor chip excels with Google’s Android, which is already one of the best out there. In contrast to the austere and staid nature of most operating systems, Android 13 on the 7 Pro runs smoothly and with character and playfulness.
Thanks to Material You, you can customize your phone’s look with a wide variety of stunning wallpapers in a wide variety of colors, while the always-on display keeps things simple without draining your battery.
An important feature of the Pixel is its ability to perform computations locally. Therefore, you can use it for offline tasks like dictation and transcription even if you don’t have access to the Internet. Because of this, the phone can still serve its purpose even when there is no network connection and the user has activated airplane mode.
If you’re having trouble keeping up with a conversation because of your hearing loss, Live Transcribe can transcribe what’s being said in real-time. The Google Recorder app has offline transcription capabilities that allow you to create a transcript that you can either store locally and access later or upload to your Google Drive for safekeeping.
You can use the voice typing assistant in any messaging app, listen to transcripts of your voicemails in Google Messages, and send text messages by simply speaking into the microphone. According to Google, as more people use the features, the smarter they get. In my opinion, it’s on par with iOS dictation from Apple.
While I did not receive any spam texts while testing an iPhone a few weeks prior, I will admit that Google’s software does a great job of blocking spam calls.
The fact that Google uses AI to enhance voice call quality is also noteworthy. Many smartphone makers completely overlook the phone function.
In addition to the fingerprint reader embedded in the screen, new features include monitoring for coughing and snoring during the night and, at long last, support for facial recognition.
The former is only useful for unlocking the phone, but the latter can be used in the same way as Apple’s Face ID to display only notifications when the Pixel is unlocked. The fingerprint sensor is now more trustworthy than the 6 Pro’s, making it ideal for banking biometrics and similar uses.
The Pixel 7 Pro is covered by Google’s guarantee of five years’ worth of security updates until the end of 2027. That’s not too bad. The phone will get Android 16 in 2025, but that’s it as far as platform updates go.
If you want access to the most recent software features in the future, you should know that Samsung and Apple offer longer OS update support on most of their phones.
cameras and video
- Excellent 50 MP main sensor
- Incredible dynamic range
- excellent processing
- Option to shoot in RAW format
Using the Pixel 7 Pro to take pictures is a fantastic experience. I’ve been able to capture shots of moving subjects that would have been impossible with my iPhone.
The primary sensor is exceptional for a mobile device, capturing images with high resolution and a wide dynamic range. A wedding confetti launch was frozen in time by the Pixel, preserving the razor-sharp petals.
Google’s image processing contrast is superior to that of other manufacturers. It’s a darker and more stylized alternative, but it recalls the days of analog photography in a way that Apple’s processing doesn’t.
However, the iPhone 14 over-sharpens its photos, even though they are otherwise excellent. Colors are oversaturated on Samsung devices. The Pixel’s photos were superior, and I especially liked being able to shoot in RAW and then edit them on my computer. However, there are situations in which the Vivo X80 Pro performs better than the Google Pixel. With the X80, you can take a picture of the blue sky through a window in a dark room and the camera will capture the details that the human eye can see but the phone’s camera cannot.
Although the Pixel and the iPhone have trouble capturing blue skies, the Vivo always succeeds. When compared head-to-head, the Pixel produces superior image quality.
Camera-wise, the Pixel 7 Pro is very similar to the Pixel 6 Pro, with a 50 MP (f/1.85), main lens, a 12 MP (f/2.2, autofocus), ultra-wide lens, and a 48 MP (f/3.5) telephoto lens. The latter receives a minor update, increasing its zoom capacity from 5x optical to up to 30x digital with the help of Google’s Super Res Zoom program. Taking macro shots that remain in focus at distances of up to three centimeters is the new ultra-wide-angle trick. When the camera is brought in closer to an object, the mode activates mechanically. Of course, that’s fine, but the iPhone 13 Pro and 14 Pro allow you to get even closer for even sharper results.
The front-facing camera is a 10.8-megapixel (MP) f/2.2 lens that sits dead-center at the display’s top. Its wide 92.8-degree field of view makes it great for taking pictures of yourself and making video calls.
Night Sight and Astrophotography, two fan-favorite Pixel apps, also deliver the goods. The former is superior for creating a blurry effect.
The S22 Ultra and the X80 Pro have nothing on this all-in-one camera system. Still, the Pixel is the most trustworthy of these smartphones. Pixels has been my go-to for high-quality photo printing for years.
If you use the zoom feature between 2.5x and 5x, the phone will take a picture using both the regular and telephoto lenses and stitch them together to create a single, high-resolution photo.
Google’s use of the Pixel’s cameras involves more than just snapping a picture with one lens; it also makes extensive use of the Pixel’s other lenses and the processing power of Google’s Tensor G2 to stitch them together and render a scene as realistically as possible. You can use a DSLR camera without any special software.
At x5, images look great in bright light but become grainy and difficult to make out in dim conditions. The outcomes are also respectable if you magnify the image.
The result of my x30 photo of the St. Pancras Hotel clock tower exceeded my expectations. In comparison, the x10 magnified version is much clearer and crisper. This digital zoom is quite good, but an optical zoom like the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s x10 is still superior. Google’s Cinematic Blur video mode on the 7 Pro is an obvious rip-off of Apple’s Cinema mode. Like Apple’s, it lets you focus on another shot and switch between them while recording video, and it blurs the background behind your subject.
It functions, and so does the ingenious Magic Eraser feature for getting rid of unwanted subjects or objects in photos.
As for video recording, it performs admirably, allowing you to record in 10-bit HDR at 4K at up to 30fps (or 60fps if you turn off HDR).
More convenient is the automatic Face Unblur function, which, when activated, labels the photo but otherwise does exactly what its name implies (remove face blur). This can be done automatically, or manually using the Photo Unblur feature on either new or old images.
Battery life and charging
- 5,000mAh
- 2 days of battery
- “30W” trickle charge
- Wireless charging and reverse charging
The battery life is one of the major upgrades compared to the Pixel 6 Pro. With Google’s optimizations, the 7 Pro’s large 5,000 mAh battery lasts all day without needing to be recharged. Even after a full day of use, my phone’s battery would still have more than 40% of life left.
Even with Google’s 30W charger (which is slow compared to other Android flagships), the Pixel 2 XL can reach 50% charge in 30 minutes, which is very useful and fast enough for most people.
In addition, the Pixel Stand 2 supports wireless charging at a slower 23W, as well as reverse wireless charging, which can be used to quickly charge compatible wireless headphones or smartwatches with smaller batteries.
However, the opposite is usually the case: the more powerful the phone, the shorter its battery life. The fact that the 7 Pro goes against the grain almost makes up for its imposing size.
Price and availability
The 128GB variant of the Pixel 7 Pro costs €899, which may seem steep at first glance but is actually quite reasonable and competitive when compared to other flagship smartphones. The 256 GB model costs an additional €999. The phone, cable, and adapter to transfer data from an older device are all included in the box.
It is currently only available in Spain (through the Google Store and Amazon) and nowhere in Latin America.
With a 60Hz screen, no telephoto lens, and no RAW photo support, the base model is more comparable to the $1,009 iPhone 14. (like the more expensive iPhone 14 Plus).
The best Apple smartphone, the iPhone 14 Pro, costs €1,319, which is more than Google charges for the Pixel.
In Europe, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra retails for €1,279, but since it has been available for purchase for a while now, you should be able to find it at a discount. Whatever the case may be, it demonstrates that the Pixel 7 Pro is a worthwhile purchase compared to its rivals.
The base Pixel 7 is also a fantastic choice and can be had for just €649.
If you’re looking for an upgraded mobile device, browse our top and midrange picks.
Verdict
The Google Pixel 7 Pro is a top-tier smartphone in 2022, let down only by its unwieldy dimensions and weight (and slightly ugly design, unless you disagree with me on that).
If you can get past that, you’ll be rewarded with a gorgeous screen, the most intelligent and helpful version of Android, and the most versatile and consistent camera setup ever seen on a smartphone.
Although not the most powerful smartphone available, the Tensor G2 shines in areas that distinguish it from competitors, and its battery life can keep going strong for up to two days. The charging process could be sped up, though.
The Pixel 7 Pro is highly recommended due to its low price and the fact that it will receive security updates until 2027. The base Pixel 7 model is more affordable while still offering similar performance and features.
Specifications list
- System: Android 13
- Processor: Google Tensor G2
- RAM Memory: 12GB
- Storage: 128GB | 256GB
- Display: 6.7″ LTPO OLED (QHD+, 120Hz)
- Rear cameras: 50 MP (main, f/1.85) + 12 MP (ultra wide, f/2.2) + 48 MP (telephoto, f/3.5)
- Front camera: 10.8 MP (f/2.2)
- Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
- Battery: 5,000 mAh (30W wired charging)
- Dimensions: 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9mm
- Weight: 212g
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