Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 7: How Google’s new phone compares to last year’s model in terms of price, camera quality and more

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• The new Google Pixel 7 is faster and more powerful than the Pixel 6 but doesn’t add many features.
• The Pixel 7 is powered by Google’s Tensor G2 chip, which is an improved form of the Pixel 6’s chip.
• The most notable new features of the Pixel 7 are some advanced camera modes and a free built-in VPN.

With the Pixel 7, Google has a new flagship phone. The latest in its line of budget Android phones, the Pixel 7 is a direct successor to last year’s immensely popular Pixel 6. So how does the new phone fare?

If you own a Pixel 6 and are thinking about upgrading, or have an even older model and aren’t sure which one to buy, here’s a complete guide comparing both models on price, size, features and more.

Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 7: Specifications at a glance

Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 7: size and screen

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 are very similar in appearance.

The Pixel 6’s screen is slightly larger at 6.4-inches than the Pixel 7’s 6.3-inch screen. Both have the same screen resolution, 1080 x 2400 pixels, but the Pixel 7’s smaller screen gives it a higher pixel count. per inch (PPI) rating.

Both phones are IP68 dust and water resistant, which means they’re incredibly dustproof and can work underwater at depths of up to 6 meters for up to 30 minutes. They’re also both aluminum with a “scratch resistant” glass panel. The back of the Pixel 6 has a long black bar, but the Pixel 7 has a lighter bar.

The Pixel 7 is 6.1 inches, compared to the Pixel 6’s 5.2 inches. Even so, the Pixel 7 weighs just 6.9 ounces compared to the 7.3 ounces of the Pixel 6.

You can buy each Pixel model in one of three colors. The Pixel 6 is available in Seafoam Green, Coral Pink, and Stormy Black. The Pixel 7 is available in Lemongrass Green, Snow White, and Obsidian Black.

Pixel 6 vs Pixel 7: Camera

Both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 have three cameras: a “selfie” camera on the front and two on the back.

The Pixel 6’s front camera is 8 megapixels (MP), while the Pixel 7’s front camera is 10.8 MP. The Pixel 7’s camera is also more powerful: it can record in 4K quality, a step up from the Pixel 6’s 1080p limit.

Both phones have almost exactly the same rear cameras: a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. The only difference is that the Pixel 6’s camera only had 7x digital zoom, while the Pixel 7 offers 8x digital zoom.

The real differences between the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 cameras aren’t in the lenses, it’s in the software. Both Pixel phones offer users a variety of ways to digitally enhance their photos, from a portrait mode that makes close-up shots crystal clear to a “magic eraser” that uses AI to erase unwanted objects from your images.

The Pixel 7 has all the special camera features of the Pixel 6 and more. Two new camera features include Cinematic Blur, which keeps the subject of your shot clear while blurring the background; and Photo Unblur, which uses AI to add detail to blurry shots.

Both phones can record in 1080p or 4K and include video stabilization tools to make action shots look better.

Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 7: Internal hardware

In 2021, Google announced that the Pixel 6 would run on an internal chip called the Google Tensor. This little chip manages every part of the Pixel 6, from launching apps to showing pictures. For a phone as cheap as the Pixel 6, it was an incredibly powerful chip.

The Pixel 7 marks the debut of the Tensor G2, an updated version of the original Google Tensor. It does everything the original Tensor did, but runs faster and uses less power. It also features more advanced neural processing networks, giving the Pixel 7 better voice recognition and making the AI ​​camera capabilities more accurate.

For everyday tasks, the Pixel 7 moves faster than the Pixel 6. It also lets you play graphically intensive games with less lag.

Pixel 6 vs Pixel 7: battery

Battery-wise, the Pixel 7’s 4,355mAh battery has less capacity than the Pixel 6, which is rated at 4,614mAh. However, Google promises “over 24 hours” of battery life for both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7, assuming regular use.

The biggest difference between the two is that the Pixel 7 lasts up to 72 hours with Extreme Battery Saver mode turned on, but the Pixel 6 only lasts up to 48.

Both Pixel models support wireless charging, wired charging, and a “Battery Share” mode that turns your Pixel into a wireless charging pad.

Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 7: Other notable features

Starting later this year, all Pixel 7 owners will have access to a free built-in VPN service called Google One VPN. This is one of the most exciting new features of the Pixel 7 and will go a long way towards protecting users online.

In our view, this is the only notable feature unique to the Pixel 7. Aside from the VPN, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 are almost identical in terms of features.

Pixel 6 vs Pixel 7: price

After the Pixel 7 was announced last week, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 were briefly available from Google for the same price. Since then, the Pixel 6 has been out of stock on Google’s website and is now available at a $200 discount from third-party retailers like Best Buy and Amazon.

• The Pixel 6 starts at $399 and $499 for 128GB and 256GB of storage, respectively.
• The Pixel 7 is $599 for 128GB and $699 for 256GB.

Which phone should you get?

Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 are Google’s budget smartphones and they don’t differ too much. The Tensor G2 chip helps the Pixel 7 run faster in any situation, but the Google Tensor chip is also very fast.

So if you are looking for a new smartphone, which one should you buy? First off, the current $200 discount for the Pixel 6 makes it a great budget buy as it compares to the Pixel 7 in many ways.

Ultimately, though, your choice will depend on what kind of phone you’ve got: if you own a Pixel 6, for example, there’s not much reason to switch to the 7. However, if your phone is showing its age and you’re looking to get a brand new smartphone that’s still relatively cheap, the Pixel 7 could be worth the extra cost to unlock better performance and longevity.

For more information on whether the Pixel 7 is worth your money, check out our dedicated guide on whether the Pixel 7 is worth upgrading.