The Google Pixel 7 includes all the features a typical smartphone user would need. It has a set of cameras that can make almost every photo look like a keeper; it has a gorgeous screen and runs the most recent version of Google's Android operating system. In most respects, this Pixel 7 will be very similar to the Pixel 6 if you've been using one for the past 12 months.
This is a good moment to try out a Pixel smartphone if you've never done so. If you're used to spending more than $600 on a new smartphone, the Pixel 7's combination of quality and value might surprise you. This phone has the processing speed and battery life to outperform your average daily requirements. It is predictable, dependable, and beautiful all at once.
Design and Display
The Pixel 7's display is marginally smaller than the Pixel 6's and marginally larger than the Pixel 6a's. Although it would be difficult to identify the difference between the displays, sizes, and shapes of the Pixel 6 and 7, the smartphone's size is comparable to that of the Pixel 6a and 6.
The colors and brightness of the Pixel 6 and 7 are equal when compared side by side. We've reached the point where we don't need to get any brighter because our 1080 x 2400 AMOLED display has peak brightness bright enough to be visible in almost direct sunshine. The Pixel 7's power is sufficient to compete with devices that cost hundreds of dollars more until we learn of a cause for a display to exceed 1,400 nits (Google's claimed max brightness for this device's screen).
The Pixel 7 offers the same option to toggle between a 60Hz and 90Hz screen refresh rate as its predecessor. Battery consumption didn't appear to increase significantly even with the 90Hz option (also known as Smooth Display by Google) toggled on.
The punch set for the Pixel 7's display is in the center of the device's forehead. A front-facing 10.8 MP camera is visible through this hole, and it can take pictures with a 21mm (ultrawide) lens, record videos at up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, and work with Face Unlock to unlock your phone.
Most of the photographs in this review include the Pixel 7 in the standard Google Pixel 7 Case in the shade Lemongrass, which matches the same hue as the phone's exterior. It allows color-matched accents in all the right locations, like the antenna bands and the inside lip of the USB-C connector. Google has set the bar high in terms of color with this edition.
Software
The Google Pixel 7 comes pre-installed with Android 13. Although it's not a completely stock AOSP build of Android, this is as close as you'll find in a production device available right now. The Android operating system on the Pixel smartphone feels like it was created for both the software and hardware. It's no longer possible for new hardware to thrill us the same way a Google Nexus smartphone once could, especially when the software isn't strictly vanilla.
This most recent Pixel phone offers a very dependable smartphone experience that is also straightforward and approachable. With Android 13 on the Pixel 7, the whole smartphone experience is now better than ever for many customers. Because Pixel is Google's newest and best product and has the company's entire focus, Pixel will continue to be the first place to turn for future software updates and feature additions.
Camera
On paper, the Google Pixel 7's cameras have improved significantly over what has come before. Instead of a 12 MP primary sensor, you now have a 50 MP one, although this only sometimes results in larger photographs. The final resolution of your output will remain 12.5 MP, or 4080 x 3072. We are interested in the caliber of the pixels placed in this area.
The Pixel 7 takes and transmits clear, professional photographs that are color accurate. The main power of this gadget, like with the original Pixel smartphone, is in its live content detection and suggestions, intelligent processing, and post-capture editing.
We now have access to a few more capabilities than the previous Pixel, like Photo Unblur and Cinematic video (or Cinematic Blur, if you prefer). In cinematic mode, the user can select to focus on a specific subject while the movie's background is blurred to an extreme degree. It's a fun experiment that might be the most enjoyable aspect of the first day you use the device, but it's debatable whether it will remain engaging long enough to draw you back.
Battery Life, Price, and 5G
A full 48 hours of intermittent use was possible with the Pixel 7's battery life, which was generally comparable to that of the Pixel 6. As is typical, using 5G data and watching movies at maximum brightness can quickly deplete the battery. But if you remember to charge your Pixel 7 every night and use it for social networking, photography, emails, and messaging, you won't likely run out of power.
If you choose the base model with 128GB of internal storage, the Google Pixel 7 costs $599. You will receive sub-6 (Sub 6Ghz) 5G coverage with it. To be ready for sub-6 and 5G mmWave, including bands n260 and n261, for AT&T and Verizon's higher-end 5G connection, you'll need a certain version of this equipment. For the benefit, you'll have to pay an extra $100; that version will set you back $699.
No matter which version you buy, the Google Pixel 7 offers a regular SIM card slot and eSIM capabilities. There is also a Google Pixel 7 with 256GB internal storage that costs $699 but lacks mmWave 5G capabilities to make the 5G coverage for each phone version as ambiguous as possible. Beyond the sub-6, there isn't a 256GB Pixel 7 with 5G.
Conclusion
More essential, the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro do the necessary functions superior to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. They unlock more rapidly, the camera upgrades keep them competitive, and they have the appearance and feel of a true flagship product. The extra features are only extras; they don't quite cut. The 7 and 7 Pro are currently competitive, but they may one day develop into something that makes the Pixel a smarter smartphone than its competitors.
