Standing out from today’s army of Android smartphones is hard. But in a world of powerful devices focused on long lists of impressive hardware stats and numbers, Google is going in a slightly different direction.
The new Pixel 7 Pro from Google is more like the mammoth Apple and encroaches on the world of software. It implements clever new tricks to improve your photos, calling experiences, battery life, and a host of other phone-related tasks you didn’t know could be better.
But does this bet pay off? We spent a week with the new Google Pixel 7 Pro to find out.
Stylish design at a surprising price
Priced at £849, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is cheaper than its flagship rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max. However, it’s also a big jump in cost compared to the cheaper Google Pixel 7 at £599.
The phone is made from 100 percent recycled aluminium, so it feels good in the hand but also has a significant weight. Not only that, but the camera bump also pulls the weight up on the device unusually.
But while the design is a minimalist aesthetic we can get on board with, a case is a good idea; Luckily, Google includes one in the box. The same is true of most modern smartphones, but that massive camera bump makes the phone feel unsteady and exposed when placed on a surface.
This combined with the fact that the smartphone is wider than the average device and the Google Pixel 7 Pro is a bit awkward to hold. In other words, this won’t be a device for people with small hands, as the smaller Google Pixel 7 fits better.
This is very much design over usability. Yes, it looks and feels great, but I lived in constant fear of dropping the phone and destroying this beautiful design.
Excellent camera
Google is known for its camera capabilities, which have been the company’s big selling point since the very first Pixel smartphone. Thankfully, the camera is once again the main feature of the device.
This is another area where Google’s focus on software over hardware is paying off. The phone has a 50 MP main camera, a 48 MP 5x zoom and a 12 MP ultra wide angle lens. These are similar features to most flagship smartphones.
Google relies on software assistance to get accurate colors, focus on intended targets, remove blur, and generally make your photos look professional. There’s not too much over-processing that makes it look like a filter has been slapped on a photo.
The best compliment I can give the Google Camera is that it’s a jack of all trades. Samsung can zoom for miles, Apple can take stunning close-ups and draw in color accuracy, Google can do it all and has a camera for all situations.
Where Google really thrives is in its additional features. The brand has put a lot of emphasis on their “Real Tone” feature, which allows the device to analyze skin tones for greater accuracy. There’s even a feature that tracks faces that frequently appear in your photos and makes those people stand out better in groups.
The Pixel’s image editing software is also interesting. There’s a way to remove blur from photos, whether it’s a new photo or one you took years ago on another device, that has never been worth it.
However, the feature I have used the most is the magic eraser. This allows you to cut things out of an image. You can completely hide your friend trying to photobomb you, strangers ruining your perfect shot, or a random item that doesn’t fit in the photo. For the most part, this works great, with the occasional moment where a complete mess ensues.
The data sheet
For the Google Pixel 7 Pro, Google has implanted a new chipset, the Tensor G2. While this means a more powerful smartphone that can handle more intense tasks, it also means better machine learning capabilities.
It improves the phone’s ability to take photos, how it can handle voice recognition, its understanding of you as a user, and generally makes the phone better able to do what the Google Pixel does best – impressive software.
The other factor the new chip informs is battery life. Google has struggled with battery life in the past, but with a 5000mAh battery, it rivals the largest devices from Apple and Samsung. I’ve often gotten through a full day of medium to heavy use with one charge remaining.
The display is also a nice experience on this device. It features a 6.7-inch OLED display that’s bright and colorful throughout. The screen can refresh at up to 120Hz, which simply means your scrolling, jumping, and swiping gestures on the phone will look smooth with no jittery lag.
Verdict
Google has been struggling with smartphones for a while and has never quite managed to get it all right. The Google Pixel 7 Pro seems to be the first time the brand has nailed the whole package and produced a well-rounded flagship phone.
Of course it’s not perfect. It’s slow to charge and lacks some of the high-end specs that Samsung, Apple and OnePlus have achieved, but those factors really don’t matter.
The Google Pixel 7 Pro is nimble and responsive, has a capable battery, the camera is one of the best you can get in a smartphone, and it’s packed with clever software. It feels like the best of Apple and Samsung… albeit with a few small sacrifices.
alternatives
iPhone 14 pro
The iPhone 14 Pro will be Apple’s closest competitor to Google’s Pixel 7 Pro. It’s immensely powerful, has great battery life and a superb display, and most importantly, it’s the perfect rival to the Google Pixel 7 Pro in terms of camera prowess.
The noticeable downside is the higher price, which puts you over the £1,000 mark.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the definition of overpowered. Samsung has packed everything into this design including a stylus pen inside the phone, a 100x zoom camera and a beefy battery and processor to get it through the day.
All of this costs similar to the iPhone above, but you won’t get much more performance in a phone than this.
Google Pixel 7
Like everything about the Google Pixel 7 Pro except the price? The smaller Pixel 7 will be the obvious choice. It brings the price down to just £599 but keeps all the key specs.
The phone is getting smaller, as is the battery. You also lose a camera lens and a few key features, but for the huge drop in price, that’s a worthy sacrifice.
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