Last year’s Google Pixel 6 broke previous handset sale records, being the best-selling device that Google has ever released. Its impressive AI learning capabilities, powered by its new tensor chip, made for a truly unique user experience bringing us features such as the nuanced auto white balance, magic eraser and a re-imagined Google live translate. The Google Pixel 6 was built completely differently, to learn and adapt to its users in so many ways. So, it’s safe to say the Google Pixel 6 set the bar tremendously high upon its release, which raises the question: what is Google going to do to top this award-winning behemoth?
Google’s solution to this, is the Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro, and from what we know so far, Google is taking it to a whole new level. We’ve been seeing many unofficial teasers around the web for the Google Pixel 7, especially in 2022. However, Google formally confirmed the incoming Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 at their developer conference in May.
So, what do we know about the Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro? Well, whilst a release date hasn’t been set in stone, Google has confirmed that the Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro will be amongst the first handsets to be released with Android 13.
Android 13 is being released in the Autumn of 2022 so we can expect the release of the Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro around October time this year, which would tie in well, as the Google Pixel 6 was released in late October last year. What will be interesting is to see how the Google Pixel 7 not only stacks up against its predecessor, but also the upcoming iPhone 14 range.
Design
The Google Pixel 7 is rumoured to be the same size as the Google Pixel 6, matching its screen size and front camera arrangement. The main differentiating factor in the Google Pixel 7 is going to be the rear camera arrangement. The Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro both had a black camera housing which extended across the width of the handset to create a ‘letterbox-strip’ effect. Contrastingly, the Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro are both going to feature a hole-punch camera layout as opposed to the seamless black strip. By doing this, Google has made the camera setup a lot more prominent on the Google Pixel 7 range and the design is more in line with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S22. It’s also, going to have a single dual-camera cutout, whereas the Google Pixel 7 Pro will feature the same dual camera as well as, a separate single camera cut out on its rear.
Specs
Google’s Tensor chip took the world by storm with its Tensor chip. The AI learning, excellent power efficiency and speed performance, were features that blew the rest of the competition out of the water. In fact, many manufacturers decided to take note after the Google Pixel 6’s release and see what sought-after features they can carry over into their handsets. Google has confirmed that they are indeed developing a second-generation Tensor chipset so it's possible that we can see this on the Google Pixel 7 line-up. In terms of its performance, whilst we can anticipate an increase in speed, it's difficult to say whether this will be as marginal as the jump between the first Google Tensor chip and the Snapdragon 765G chip used in the Google Pixel 5. Nevertheless, it’s safe to say, we will certainly see an upgrade in power efficiency in the Google Pixel 7 over its predecessor as well as a performance boost.
It’s undoubtable that the Google Pixel 7 will retain the same protection features as the Google Pixel 6, such as Gorilla Glass Victus and IP68 water and dust resistance. Besides this, what’s still unconfirmed is the camera specs of the Google Pixel 7.
Now, many sources are pointing towards the Google Pixel 7 sharing the same camera setup as last year’s Google Pixel 6 which is plausible as the true camera enhancements are made through the AI capabilities brought through the Google Tensor chip. We’d definitely like to see an improvement over the Google Pixel 6’s long exposure mode in the Google Pixel 7 as this was a feature we felt could have been done better and hopefully, with the implementation of a new Tensor chip, can be made possible. Nonetheless, without a good battery, your user experience isn’t much of an experience at all… just staring at a black screen.
Battery
We anticipate Google to make a noteworthy upgrade to the battery tech on the Google Pixel 7 and expect a 5000mAh battery which is a step up from the Google Pixel 6’s 4600mAh. With a larger battery, comes faster charging. The Google Pixel 6 charged from 0-50% in 30 minutes with its 30W fast charging. We can count on Google to give us 50% capacity in under 30 minutes for the Google Pixel 7, possibly 15, but that would be entering OnePlus territory and no one has come close to this so far.
Google has a lot of pressure to deliver with the Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro, and we expect them to showcase just what their second-generation Tensor chip is capable of later this year. Are you excited about this new device or do you think Google will under-deliver? Let us know your thoughts in the discussion box below.
