The Google Pixel 7 Pro represents the culmination of Google’s years of experience in the smartphone market. Known for its pure Android experience and outstanding camera capabilities, the Pixel lineup has always attracted a dedicated fanbase. The Pixel 7 Pro aims to elevate this experience further, packing in the latest hardware, a refined design, and Google’s advanced AI-driven features. But does it succeed in standing out in a fiercely competitive market dominated by the likes of Apple and Samsung? Let’s dive into a comprehensive review of the Google Pixel 7 Pro.
Design and Build Quality
Aesthetics and Material Choices
The Google Pixel 7 Pro builds on the design language introduced with the Pixel 6 series, but with a few notable refinements. The phone retains the bold, distinctive camera bar across the back, which has become a signature design element. However, the materials have been upgraded to give the Pixel 7 Pro a more premium feel. The rear glass now features a more subtle matte finish, reducing fingerprints and adding a sophisticated touch to the overall aesthetic.
The frame is made of polished aluminum, which seamlessly blends into the back glass, giving the phone a cohesive and premium look. The Pixel 7 Pro is available in three colors: Snow, Obsidian, and Hazel. Each color variant has its unique appeal, with Hazel being the most striking due to its combination of subtle green and gold hues.
Ergonomics and Durability
Despite its large size, the Pixel 7 Pro is surprisingly comfortable to hold. The curved edges and balanced weight distribution make it easy to handle, even during extended use. However, the glass back does make the phone a bit slippery, so using a case is advisable for those prone to accidental drops.
The phone is built to last, with Gorilla Glass Victus protecting both the front and back, and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. This means the Pixel 7 Pro can withstand accidental splashes and even brief submersion in water without issue.
Display
Size and Resolution
The Pixel 7 Pro features a stunning 6.7-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 3120 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 512 PPI. This high resolution ensures that everything on the screen appears incredibly sharp, from text to images and videos. The display also supports HDR10+ and has a peak brightness of 1500 nits, making it easily viewable in bright sunlight.
Refresh Rate and Smoothness
One of the standout features of the Pixel 7 Pro’s display is its 120Hz refresh rate. This high refresh rate, combined with Google’s software optimizations, results in an incredibly smooth user experience. Whether you’re scrolling through web pages, switching between apps, or playing games, everything feels fluid and responsive. The display also supports adaptive refresh rates, meaning it can automatically adjust between 10Hz and 120Hz depending on the content, helping to save battery life.
Color Accuracy and Calibration
Google has always prided itself on offering displays with excellent color accuracy, and the Pixel 7 Pro is no exception. The OLED panel produces vibrant colors with deep blacks and excellent contrast. The display is well-calibrated out of the box, offering a natural color profile that can be tweaked in the settings if you prefer more saturated or cooler tones. Watching videos and playing games on the Pixel 7 Pro is an absolute pleasure, thanks to the combination of high resolution, vibrant colors, and smooth refresh rates.
Performance
Hardware Specifications
Under the hood, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is powered by Google’s custom-built Tensor G2 chipset, paired with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The Tensor G2 is an evolution of Google’s first-generation chip, with improvements in AI processing, machine learning capabilities, and overall performance. The phone also comes with either 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage, although there is no option for expandable storage via microSD.
Real-World Performance
In day-to-day use, the Pixel 7 Pro is a powerhouse. The combination of the Tensor G2 and 12GB of RAM ensures that multitasking is seamless, apps load quickly, and the overall user experience is smooth and responsive. Whether you’re browsing the web, editing photos, or playing graphics-intensive games, the Pixel 7 Pro handles everything with ease.
Gaming on the Pixel 7 Pro is particularly impressive, with the Tensor G2’s GPU delivering smooth frame rates even in demanding titles. The phone doesn’t overheat during extended gaming sessions, thanks to its efficient thermal management system. Google’s AI enhancements also shine through in various aspects of performance, such as intelligent battery management and real-time translation features.
Software Experience
The Pixel 7 Pro runs on Android 13, offering the purest Android experience available. Google’s version of Android is clean, bloat-free, and comes with a few exclusive features that make the Pixel experience unique. One such feature is the updated Google Assistant, which is faster and more capable than ever, thanks to the integration with the Tensor G2.
Android 13 on the Pixel 7 Pro also includes several useful features like the updated Material You design language, which allows for deeper customization of the UI. Widgets, notifications, and quick settings have all been refined, offering a more cohesive and intuitive user experience. Google has also committed to providing at least five years of security updates for the Pixel 7 Pro, ensuring the phone remains secure and up-to-date for years to come.
Camera System
Main Camera
The camera system on the Pixel 7 Pro is one of its most significant selling points. The phone features a triple camera setup on the back, consisting of a 50MP wide main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 48MP telephoto sensor with 4x optical zoom. The main camera is equipped with optical image stabilization (OIS) and laser autofocus, ensuring sharp and detailed photos even in challenging lighting conditions.
In typical Pixel fashion, the image quality is outstanding. The main sensor captures photos with excellent dynamic range, vibrant colors, and incredible detail. Google’s computational photography magic is evident in features like HDR+, which helps balance exposure in high-contrast scenes, and Night Sight, which allows for impressive low-light photography. Portrait mode has also seen improvements, with better subject separation and more natural-looking bokeh.
Ultra-Wide and Telephoto Lenses
The ultra-wide camera on the Pixel 7 Pro is equally impressive, capturing a 120-degree field of view. This is great for landscape photography, group shots, or any scenario where you want to fit more into the frame. The image quality is consistent with the main camera, with minimal distortion and excellent color accuracy.
The 48MP telephoto lens is another highlight, offering 4x optical zoom and up to 20x digital zoom. While digital zoom typically results in a loss of detail, Google’s Super Res Zoom technology helps mitigate this, producing surprisingly clear and detailed images even at higher zoom levels. The telephoto lens also supports OIS, ensuring that zoomed-in shots remain steady and sharp.
Video Recording Capabilities
The Google Pixel 7 Pro is also a strong performer in the video department. The phone can record 4K video at 60fps with all three rear cameras, offering flexibility in capturing different perspectives. Video quality is excellent, with smooth stabilization, accurate colors, and good dynamic range. Google’s computational photography also extends to video, with features like Live HDR+ and Cinematic Pan, which add a professional touch to your footage.
The front-facing camera is a 12MP sensor that can also record 4K video at 30fps. Selfie videos are sharp and well-exposed, making the Pixel 7 Pro a solid choice for content creators or anyone who frequently uses video calls.
Battery Life
Capacity and Charging
The Google Pixel 7 Pro comes with a 5,000mAh battery, which is on par with other flagship smartphones in its category. This capacity, combined with the efficient Tensor G2 chipset and Google’s software optimizations, results in impressive battery life.
The phone supports 30W fast charging, which isn’t the fastest in the industry, but it gets the job done. In our tests, the Pixel 7 Pro can go from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes, with a full charge taking just over an hour. The phone also supports 23W wireless charging with compatible chargers and reverse wireless charging, allowing you to top up other devices like earbuds.
Real-World Battery Performance
In real-world usage, the Pixel 7 Pro easily lasts a full day on a single charge, even with heavy use. With a mix of web browsing, social media, photography, and video streaming, the phone consistently delivered over 7 hours of screen-on time. Google’s adaptive battery feature also helps extend battery life by learning your usage patterns and limiting power to rarely used apps.
For lighter users, the Pixel 7 Pro can even stretch into a second day without needing a recharge. The combination of efficient hardware, smart software, and a large battery makes the Pixel 7 Pro one of the more reliable options for those who prioritize battery life.
Connectivity and Audio
Network and Connectivity Options
The Pixel 7 Pro supports a wide range of connectivity options, including 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC. The phone is compatible with both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G networks, ensuring you get the fastest available speeds depending on your carrier and location. Wi-Fi 6E support means that the phone can take advantage of the latest Wi-Fi standards, offering faster and more reliable connections, especially in crowded environments.
The Pixel 7 Pro also features a physical SIM slot and eSIM support, allowing you to use dual SIMs if needed. Google’s new integrated security chip, Titan M2, adds an extra layer of protection to your sensitive data, making the Pixel 7 Pro one of the most secure smartphones on the market.
Audio Quality
The Pixel 7 Pro’s stereo speakers deliver impressive sound quality, with clear mids, crisp highs, and surprisingly punchy bass for a smartphone. Whether you’re watching movies, listening to music, or playing games, the audio experience is immersive and enjoyable. The phone also supports high-resolution audio via wired and wireless headphones, although you’ll need a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter if you prefer using wired headphones, as there’s no headphone jack.
Google has also improved the call quality on the Pixel 7 Pro, with clearer voice transmission and better noise cancellation during calls. The phone’s microphones do an excellent job of picking up your voice, even in noisy environments, making it a reliable choice for frequent callers.
Value for Money
Pricing and Competition
The Google Pixel 7 Pro is priced competitively, sitting in the same price range as other flagship smartphones like the iPhone 14 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. While it may not have the sheer hardware power of its rivals, the Pixel 7 Pro more than makes up for it with its excellent camera system, pure Android experience, and Google’s software innovations.
When you consider the overall package, the Pixel 7 Pro offers great value for money. You’re getting a top-tier smartphone with one of the best cameras on the market, a stunning display, strong performance, and a premium design—all at a price that undercuts some of its main competitors.
Long-Term Viability
One of the key advantages of buying a Pixel phone is Google’s commitment to software updates. The Pixel 7 Pro will receive at least three major Android updates and five years of security patches, ensuring that it remains up-to-date and secure for years to come. This long-term support, combined with the phone’s strong hardware and Google’s continuous improvements through software updates, makes the Pixel 7 Pro a solid investment.
Conclusion
The Google Pixel 7 Pro is a flagship smartphone that stands out in a crowded market. It combines Google’s expertise in software, AI, and computational photography with solid hardware and a premium design. The result is a device that excels in almost every area, from its stunning display and powerful performance to its versatile camera system and long-lasting battery.
While it may not have the flashy features of some of its competitors, the Pixel 7 Pro’s strengths lie in its simplicity, reliability, and the unique features that only Google can offer. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a tech-savvy user, or someone who simply wants a high-quality smartphone that just works, the Pixel 7 Pro is a fantastic choice.
In the end, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is more than just a phone—it’s a statement of what a smartphone experience can be when hardware and software work in perfect harmony. If you’re in the market for a new flagship device, the Pixel 7 Pro deserves to be at the top of your list.