Google’s latest smartphones could appear as if they’ve received minor updates when in comparison to the previous year’s Pixels however, their brand new Tensor G2 processor enables a variety of new experiences.
On the surface, Google’s Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro may appear to be minor enhancements of previous models, such as the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. However, I had the chance to play around using the phones at Google’s launch party in Brooklyn and even though they’re very similar however, a few improvements under the hood will help distinguish the two phones from their predecessors at a minimum in a couple of important ways.
Appearance: Mostly the Same
When held together with each other, the new Pixels are not much different from the previous Pixels. The phones are slim and tall glass sandwiches that have Corning Gorilla Front and Back and recycled aluminum between. The glass has very steep curves on both the front and back edges. Although this softens the phone’s feel when held however it reduces the screen’s actual size a slightly.
The Pixels are solid and well designed. They do not meet any kind of tough specifications, however they’re IP68-rated to protect against water and dust (as the majority of flagship phones are supposed to be).
The colors are a bit more diverse this time around. the smaller Pixel 7 is available in Lemongrass Obsidian, Hazel or Snow The bigger 7 Pro is available in Hazel Obsidian, Lemongrass, and Snow. Snow and Obsidian may also be described as black and white, whereas Lemongrass is a light yellow, and Hazel is a dark brownish gray with a nutty texture. The shades all have an attractive finish, rather than matte, something that some prefer while others may not. The phones are definitely somewhat heavy and slippery.
A one of the more striking aspects of the phones’ design are that of the Camera Bar that rides across the back panel. It was the Camera Bar was a raised glass ledge in the Pixel 6 family. In this year’s update, Google has replaced the glass by a strap made of aluminum that is supposed to be less prone to breaking. However, I was impressed by the glass, but I am not convinced by the aluminum appearance as of yet.
The screens are fantastic. They’re fantastic. Pixel 7 has a 6.3-inch screen with 2,400 by 180 pixels, and an incredibly fast 90Hz refresh rate. It’s smaller than the last one however it’s just as fast with its refreshed. The display on the 7 Pro is bigger at 6.7 inches, and has more pixel rich with 3,210 x 1,440 pixels. It’s also more efficient, thanks to the LTPO OLED that varies between 1Hz and 120Hz to ensure power efficiency and provide smooth experience. Both phones are gorgeous in person, with vibrant hues and plenty luminosity (1,400 to 1,500 nuits in the 7, and the Pro and 7 Pro, respectively). Google makes sure that the edges are to a minimum although there’s a small the chins on both smartphones. The camera for selfies can be seen with a small hole that runs across the top.
The buttons are restricted to the minimum. There’s only a power key and volume control located on the right side which is the same as previous phones. The movement of the buttons is great, however they have a low profile, which could make them difficult to locate quickly. There’s no headphone jack, however there’s a fast USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port located on the lower. The physical SIM tray is located on the left-hand side of the phone. the Pixels are also compatible with an eSIM.
Overall the case, the hardware is in good shape although it can be a bit unpredictably in its modifications from year to year.
Engines of Creation
The latest Google Tensor G2 system-on-a-chip is what makes the Pixel family of devices go. Google has explained the changes on its customized chip this year, but they’re not as expensive than they might be. The octa-core chip comes with 2 performance and two middle range ones and four efficiency cores that ensure that tasks are balanced and to extend battery time. It’s surprising that Google has opted to use its Cortex X1 for its high-performance cores instead of the more recent X2. Google also keeps improvement in clock speeds to the minimum. The Tensor G2 comes with an upgraded Titan M2 security coprocessor, the second-generation Tensor Processing Unit, and other nips and tucks, all of which are designed to aid in features that are based on artificial intelligence and machine learning.
It’s difficult to determine how much improved performance it has in just a few minutes however, we did test a few options in the camera’s new features, and came out with awe. For instance, Photo Unblur can take images that were previously out of focus and apply machine-learning algorithms to enhance them in ways you would think impossible. The camera also supports Cinematic Blur when shooting video it lets the camera concentrate on the subject with precision and blur background. Although it’s true that the iPhone along with others Android phones have been offering this feature for a few years however, it’s refreshing to see it finally arrive in the Pixel line.
Other features under the hood include the latest 5G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios, as well as expanded GPS support. We’re eager to experience these features further while we play on the phones.
The Pixels come with Android 13 obviously, and will be enhanced with the default software experience that is available to Google’s devices.
These phones are on sale for pre-order starting now and will be on store shelves the 15th of October. For the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 starts at $599 and the Pixel 7 Pro starts at $899. We’re looking forward to trying these devices, so be sure you check back for our complete reviews. In the meantime, we’ll get to check out Google’s Pixel Watch, Google’s first smartwatch, and see how it compares against the offerings of Apple as well as Samsung.
