While Samsung tends to release their smartphones early in the year, Google and Apple devices arrive right in time for Christmas. If you’re interested in a new smartphone in 2022, you may be considering the Google Pixel 7 vs iPhone 14. These two flagships are popular and could be hard to find during the holidays, so you’ll want to look before you leap in order to make an informed decision.
Google Pixel 7 vs. iPhone 14: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Google Pixel 7 | iPhone 14 | |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | October 13, 2022 | September 16, 2022 |
| Display | 6.3-inch AMOLED | 6.1-inch Super Retina OLED |
| Resolution | 1,080 x 2,400 | 1,170 x 2,532 |
| Processor | Google Tensor G2 Octa-Core | Apple A15 Bionic Hexa-Core |
| GPU | Mali-G710 MP7 | Apple GPU 5-core |
| Memory | 8GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Rear Camera | 50MP, 12MP | 12MP, 12MP |
| Front Camera | 10.8MP | 12MP |
| Battery | 4,355mAh | 3,279mAh |
| Dimensions | 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8mm |
| Weight | 197 grams | 172 grams |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Screen-to-Body Ratio | 84.9% | 86% |
| Operating System | Android 13 | iOS 16 |
| MSRP | $599 | $799 |
Google Pixel 7 vs. iPhone 14: What’s the Difference?
The biggest difference between the Google Pixel 7 and iPhone 14 is the most obvious one – they run different operating systems. That’s just one piece of the puzzle, however, as you have to dig deep into the specifications and design of these smartphones.
Design
Both Apple and Google did a great job of maximizing the available screen real estate on their new smartphones. The iPhone 14 has a screen-to-body ratio of 86% compared to the Pixel 7 at 84.9%. The phones are similar in size, although the Pixel 7 is 1mm thicker and slightly wider. It’s also around 20 grams heavier than the iPhone 14.
Samsung and Google used aluminum frames for their smartphones, which have glass fronts and backs. The Pixel 7 has a pinhole on the front for the camera while the iPhone 14 has Apple’s notch. Overall, we feel the iPhone 14 has a cleaner design. Although, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
The iPhone 14 also gets the edge with colors. You can pick up the Pixel 7 in Obsidian, Snow, or Lemongrass. With the iPhone 14, there are five options: Midnight, Blue, Starlight, Purple, and Product RED.
Displays
- Google Pixel 7 is powered by Google Tensor G2; it’s faster, more efficient, and more secure, with the best photo and video quality yet on Pixel[1].Other camera description:Front,Rear
- Unlocked Android 5G phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel’s Adaptive Battery can last over 24 hours; when Extreme Battery Saver is turned on, it can last up to 72 hours[3]
- The 6.3-inch Pixel 7 display is super sharp, with rich, vivid colors; it’s fast and responsive for smoother gaming, scrolling, and moving between apps[4]
- Google Pixel 7 has wide and ultrawide lenses with up to 8x Super Res Zoom[5]; and Cinematic Blur brings more drama to your videos
Consumers that want a pocket-friendly device will be pleased with the size of these smartphones. That’s due in part to the size of the Google Pixel 7 and iPhone 14 displays, which the companies kept manageable at a little over 6 inches.
The iPhone 14 has a Super Retina XDR OLED display. That’s a mouthful, but it simply means you’ll experience vibrant colors and crisp images at 2,532 x 1,170. It’s also Dolby Vision and HDR compatible with a peak brightness of 1,200 nits. The pixel density on the 6.1-inch display is 460 PPI.
Google’s smartphone has an AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,400 x 1,080. The phone actually has a higher peak brightness at 1,400 nits and a slightly larger 6.3-inch panel. The pixel density is 416 PPI on the Pixel 7, which has HDR 10+ but not Dolby Vision.
While the Pixel 7 has a larger display that gets brighter, the iPhone 14 is a little sharper and has more depth. You may not notice an uptick in resolution, but content played in Dolby Vision on the iPhone 14 has much deeper blacks.
Power
Smartphones get their horsepower from a small processor, while memory helps keep the phone running smoothly. Both are key if you want a smartphone that will last more than a few upgrade cycles and not bog down under dozens of open web pages or apps.
The processors powering these smartphones are top-of-the-line, although Apple’s A15 chip is faster. It has a single-core score of 1,724 on Geekbench with a multi-core score of 4,624. By comparison, the Pixel 7 clocks in at 1,068 and 3,149 in the same areas.
While Apple has the edge with the Bionic A15 over the Tensor G2 from Google, the Pixel 7 has more RAM. It ships with 8GB of RAM, whereas the iPhone 14 only has 6GB of RAM. Both devices are available in configurations with 128GB or 256GB of storage, but the iPhone 14 also has a 512GB variant.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone 14 has more power, but things are closer when you compare the cameras between the Google Pixel 7 and the iPhone 14. Neither can measure up to the S22 Ultra or the iPhone 14 Pro Max in that department, but both smartphones take fantastic photos.
On the back of the Google Pixel 7, you’ll find a 50MP camera with multi-directional PDAF and laser auto-focus. It’s backed up by a 12MP ultrawide sensor and a dual-LED flash. The rear camera can shoot 4K video at 60fps or 1080 at 240fps. The front-facing camera can also shoot 4K video or snap photos with a 10.8MP ultrawide sensor.
Apple used two 12MP sensors for the iPhone 14’s main camera with a wide and ultrawide lens. Features like dual-pixel PDAF and a dual-LED dual-tone flash help photos pop, while Cinematic Mode takes videos to all new levels. That feature is available on the rear and front 12MP selfies camera. The rear camera can also shoot video in HDR or Dolby Vision.
Based on user reviews and tests, we feel this area is a toss-up. The Google Pixel 7 performs better in some areas while the iPhone 7 excels in others. You won’t be disappointed with either, although the iPhone has better video performance.
Features
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Android and iOS are two completely different operating systems, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. We aren’t going to go into an Android vs. iPhone debate, but each phone provides a different experience.
Prefer phones with a fingerprint scanner? Well, the Google Pixel 7 has one under the glass, while the iPhone 14 uses facial recognition. The iPhone 14 has Bluetooth 5.3 compared to 5.2 on the Pixel. Both are water-resistant thanks to an IP68 rating.
They also have quick charging ports. The Pixel 7 utilizes USB-C while Apple uses a Lightning port for the iPhone 14. You can make mobile payments through NFC on both smartphones, but neither has an SD card slot or 3.5mm headphone jack. They also have SOS or emergency features built-in and are designed to work with the brands’ smartwatches.
We feel the same way about the features as we do the cameras with these smartphones – you won’t be disappointed. You’ll find a wealth of nifty options on the Google Pixel 7 and iPhone 14, some of which are dependent on the platform.
Battery Life
Getting through the day without having to recharge your smartphone is a must for most consumers. That won’t be a problem with the iPhone 14 or Google Pixel 7, although you might be surprised by how the battery life compares.
There is a 3,279 mAh battery in the iPhone 14 and a 4,355 mAh battery inside the Google Pixel 7. That’s a considerable difference in size, which is one reason the Pixel outweighs Apple’s new iPhone.
While battery life varies by usage, you can expect around 9 to 10 hours from the iPhone 14. That’s about the same amount of time you’ll get from the Pixel 7 by most accounts, despite a larger battery.
You can charge the iPhone 14 or Google Pixel 7 wirelessly and both have quick charging capabilities. While the battery life and charging times are basically a tie, the Google Pixel 7 has reverse charging. That’s a major bonus if you have other wireless devices like AirPods or a smartwatch.
Price and Availability
Google announced the Pixel 7 in early October, and it hit the streets not long after on October 13th. As with all of Google’s smartphones, it launched with an attractive price point, lower than similar devices from Samsung and Apple. The Pixel is priced at $599 compared to the iPhone 14, which will set you back $799 in the base configuration.
The iPhone 14 launched on September 16 which gave it an instant advantage over the Pixel 7. That early launch window didn’t necessarily help availability as the iPhone 14 and all its variants are harder to obtain than the Pixel 7. Models with more storage have a higher price tag, but both are cheaper than their premium counterparts.
Pixel 7 vs. iPhone 14: 4 Must-Know Facts
- The Pixel 2 XL was the first Pixel smartphone over 6 inches from Google.
- Apple’s Emergency SOS service is only available on iPhone 14 models.
- Google’s Tensor processor made its debut with the Pixel 6.
- Crash detection on the iPhone 14 can place an emergency call 20 seconds after an accident is detected.
Google Pixel 7 vs. iPhone 14: Which One Is Better?
This is one of our tougher smartphone comparisons, given the specifications and price difference between the Pixel 7 and iPhone 14. The Pixel 7 provides excellent overall value if you like Android, while the iPhone 14 is a solid if uninspiring upgrade over the previous generation.
If you’re already using an iPhone and you’re considering switching to Android, you might be disappointed in the Pixel 7 compared to the Galaxy S22. It’s the best budget Android phone in our opinion, however. The iPhone 14 offers a better all-around experience thanks to Apple and its OS, even if Google provides a vanilla experience through Android.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Tada Images/Shutterstock.com.
