As the successors to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro respectively, this pair of smartphones, released only a couple of months ago, are the latest offerings from Google. Announced earlier this year, they’ve undoubtedly been much anticipated, particularly by Google fans, and the comparison of the Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 7 Pro naturally began. At first look, they may not look too dissimilar to their predecessors, but under the hood, the story isn’t the same. Join us as we analyze and compare the two models and decide which one comes out on top to help you make your all-important buying decision.
Google Pixel 7 vs. Pixel Pro: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Google Pixel 7 | Google Pixel 7 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm | 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm |
| Weight | 197 g | 212 g |
| Display | 6.3″ OLED, 1080 x 2400px resolution, 90Hz refresh rate | 6.7″ OLED, 1440 x 3210px resolution, 120Hz refresh rate |
| Aspect Ratio | 20:9 | 19:5:9 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Processor | Google Tensor G2 | Google Tensor G2 |
| Camera | 50 MP rear, 12 MP ultrawide, 10.8 MP front | 50 MP rear, 12 MP ultrawide, 48 MP telephoto, 10.8 MP front |
| Battery | 4,355 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Charging | 20 W fast charging, 20 W Qi wireless charging | 23 W fast charging, 23 W Qi wireless charging |
| Storage | 128 or 256 GB | 128, 256 or 512 GB |
| Pricing | From $599 | From $899.99 |
- 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
Google Pixel 7 vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: What’s the Difference?
Performance
Both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro contain the second generation of Google’s patented processor, the Tensor G2. So while we’re not likely to see a significant difference in performance between the two models, we do see some improvements over the first-generation Tensor. The GPU has been upgraded from the Mali-G78 to the Mali-G710, providing around a 20% increase in performance and a 20% decrease in power consumption, and AI-based workflows and many media applications have been bolstered; compared to the Pixel 6, the Pixel 7 models can unblur images completely, transcribe dictated text faster and process night sight images at up to double the speed.
Compared to its main competition, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (found in a variety of Huawei and Samsung smartphones) and the A16 Bionic (in the latest iPhones, the Tensor G2 of the Pixel 7 models doesn’t hold up too well. The ARM Cortex-X1 core of the Tensor G2 clocks at 2.85GHz, while the highest performance cores of the Snapdragon 8 and A16 Bionic clock at 3.2GHz and 3.46GHz respectively.
The GPU lags behind the competition as well, although is more power efficient than the Snapdragon 8; the RAM also lags in this respect. All in all, however, the RAM and processor of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro should be more than enough for most user applications, such as intensive gaming, streaming and large downloads. The storage options with the Pixel 7 Pro are very different, however, with up to double the storage of the Pixel 7 being available. In a world where you can almost never have enough storage, this is surely a big benefit.
Design
At first look, the design of the two Pixel 7 models seems quite similar, and they both have 3 available color options, which are vastly different from the Pixel 6 models. However, while two of these colors, Obsidian and Snow, are the same, each model has an alternative third option; the Pixel 7 has a luminous Lemongrass variety, while the Pixel 7 Pro has a deep Hazel color. The aesthetically minded may be able to make a purchasing decision based on this alone.
The size of both phones is very similar on the whole, but still quite hefty overall. The Pixel 7 Pro is even weightier than the Pixel 7 by around 15 grams; this might not seem much of a difference, but every gram counts when considering carrying something so large in your pocket. The design is still as sleek as the Pixel 6, but does feature some changes – the corners are softer and more rounded, and there’s now a glitzy aluminum bar running across the rear cameras. While we’re talking cameras, it becomes fairly apparent this is a design difference, as the Pixel 7 Pro sports an extra telephoto camera. Both phones boast water and dust resistance, which is something we’ve come to expect and love with modern smartphones. It’s worth mentioning that the display of the Pixel 7 Pro is slightly curved, whereas the Pixel 7’s display is flat.
On the downside, the Pixel 7 models are reported to be just as slippery as the Pixel 6 models, if not more so, therefore you’re definitely going to want to invest in a good quality case as soon as possible. You may as well add it to your basket while you’re purchasing the Pixel 7.
Display
The differences in the display of the two Pixel 7 models are immediately apparent, as the Pixel 7 Pro boasts a larger screen, of around 0.4 of an inch. The differences don’t stop there though; the screen resolution of the 7 Pro is notably sharper, as it incorporates a Quad HD+ panel as opposed to Full HD+, the aspect ratios are different and so is the refresh rate.
We see a slight improvement in the peak brightness with the Pixel 7 Pro of 100 nits, and an enhanced refresh rate of 30Hz. Both models have an adaptive refresh rate depending on how they’re being used, and an always-on display, able to give the user some information even while the phone is asleep. Overall, the biggest difference between the two models is the size of the screen, so if having the largest screen possible is your thing, the Pixel 7 Pro wins.
Camera
Both the Pixel 7 models have a 50 MP rear camera, 12 MP ultrawide lens, and 10.8 MP front camera, but the Pixel 7 Pro has an extra 48 MP telephoto lens, which is perfect for zooming in and taking long-range photos with crisp detail. The Pixel 7 Pro also has a slightly wider field of view for its main camera as opposed to the Pixel 7. The lens upgrades with the Pixel 7 Pro enable it to take ultra-detailed close-up images with the Macro Focus mode.
Most of the camera capabilities between the two phones are similar, as both have the same rear and front cameras as well as Cinematic Blur mode which can blur the background of an image. The differences are mostly the wider field of the Pixel 7 Pro and the Pro’s capacity to take better quality close-ups than the Pixel 7. So, if this type of photography is high on your priorities, you’ll likely find more to love with the Pixel 7 Pro.
Battery Life
With a larger battery, you’d expect the battery life for the Pixel 7 Pro to last longer than the Pixel 7. In a real-world setting, this has been shown to be around 45 minutes longer than the Pixel 7 whilst performing identical tasks. Both phones are reported to last around 72 hours under Extreme Battery Saver mode.
Both of the models also support fast charging with a 30 W USB-C charger, but the Pixel 7 Pro slightly pulls ahead with its wireless charging of 23W, as opposed to the Pixel 7’s 20W. In reality, both models can charge relatively quickly, so this probably isn’t too much of a selling point unless you’re particularly strapped for time.
Price
This is an area where there’s a big, clear difference between the two Pixel 7 models. The starting price differs by quite a significant $300 when looking at 128 GB of storage, and this is consistent with the 258 GB models as well. Essentially, each storage upgrade amounts to an increase in the price of $100; the 512 GB Pixel 7 Pro retails at $1,099, keeping the same theme. If the sky’s the limit in terms of your budget, the no-brainer choice is to go with the 512 GB Pixel 7 Pro, of course, but reality often presents a different case. You’ll really have to look at all the specs and your own priorities to decide on a model.
- 6.7-inch 120Hz display
- Tensor G2 chip and M2 security
- Stock Android
- Triple camera array
Google Pixel 7 vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: 6 Must-Know Facts
- The Pixel 7 Pro has a larger screen size and weighs more than the Pixel 7
- Both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro have Google’s ARM-based Tensor G2 processor.
- The exclusive colors are Lemongrass and Hazel for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro respectively.
- The Pixel 7 Pro features an extra telephoto camera for taking detailed close-up shots.
- The Pixel 7 Pro has a wider range of storage options, with potentially double the storage of the Pixel 7.
- There is a significant price difference, with the Pixel 7 being around $300 cheaper than the Pixel 7 Pro with identical storage specs.
Google Pixel 7 vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: Which is Better?
To summarize, both the Pixel 7 models are going to be extremely capable for most uses you could think of, from gaming to streaming movies to taking images and videos. The Pixel 7 will appeal to the more budget-conscious, as the differences aren’t massive but the difference in price will be to a lot of consumers. The size difference is also a big factor, so depending on whether you prioritize ease of use or screen size, this may influence your decision.
If you’re dead-set on a Google phone and you’re after the biggest possible screen and best camera and storage capabilities, the Pixel 7 Pro is the clear choice, and still cheaper than comparable phones from Samsung and Apple. But if you’re looking for the most economical and easiest-to-handle phone, you should go with the standard Pixel 7.
Google Pixel 7 vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: Further Reading
While this article gives you a lot to go on when considering which Google phone is best for you, understandably you may still be checking out the competition. If you need more help deciding what to buy for the season, check out these other articles.
- Google Pixel 7 Pro vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: Features and Full Comparison – If you’ve got your heart set on a Pro model but are unsure which tech leader’s product to go with? Check this out to find out more.
- Google Pixel 7 vs iPhone 14 Plus: Full Comparison and Differences – If you’re wondering how the Pixel 7 stacks up to the newest iPhone model, you’ll find the answer here.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©ymgerman/Shutterstock.com.
