The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are the latest Google launches of the year. The Pixel 7 starts at $599 while the Pixel 7 Pro starts at $899 which are the same prices as the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro launched in 2021.
The devices are similar in several areas, however, if you are wondering if the differences are worth the extra $300 that the Pro model costs, then you have come to the right place. As this article will compare the two phones and give a verdict.
Pixel 7 vs Pixel 7 Pro
RAM and Storage
The Pixel 7 comes with 8GB LPDDR5 RAM; 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 storage. While the Pixel 7 Pro is equipped with 12GB LPDDR5 RAM; 128GB/256GB/512GB UFS 3.1 storage.
The Pixel 7’s base model which starts at $599 has 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage; upgrading the storage to 256GB it requires an additional $100. The Pixel 7 Pro’s base model that starts at $899 and has 12GB RAM and 128GB of storage; to upgrade it to 256GB the total cost comes to $999 and if you want 512GB of storage then the Pro will cost you $1,099.
Like last year’s models, there is no MicroSD card slot for expandable storage.
Dimensions & Build Quality
The Pixel 7 is shorter, narrower, slimmer, and lighter than the Pro model. Both of them are available in black (Obsidian) as well as white (Snow), however, the Lemongrass color on the Pixel 7 and the Hazel color on the Pixel 7 Pro add uniqueness to their design.
Pixel 7 as well as the Pro model has an official IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. They use a recycled aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back. The new camera bar has a matte finish on the Pixel 7, whereas there is a glossy finish on the Pixel 7 Pro. And yes, there is no headphone jack on the body of either phone.
Pixel 7: 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm; 197 grams; IP68 dust and water-resistant
Pixel 7 Pro: 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm; 212 grams; IP68 dust & water-resistant
Display
The Pixel 7 has a 6.3-inch AMOLED; 90Hz refresh rate; 1080 x 2400 resolution; 416 PPI; 1400 nits peak brightness; HDR10+; Gorilla Glass Victus; Always-on Display. It has a 84.9% screen-to-body ratio; 20:9 aspect ratio
The Pixel 7 Pro has 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED; 120Hz refresh rate; 1440 x 3120 resolution; 512 PPI; 1500 nits peak brightness; HDR10+; Gorilla Glass Victus; Always-on Display. The 7 Pro has an 88.7% screen-to-body ratio; 19.5:9 aspect ratio
The Pixel 7 has a smaller 6.3-inch FHD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate; the refresh rate is disappointing since 120Hz is the standard we get even in a few budget phones. The Pixel 7 Pro boasts a bigger 6.7-inch QHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, it has LTPO technology which means it can go down to 10Hz when you’re looking at something static, this is older LTPO, as the newer ones go to 1Hz.
The Pixel 7 Pro is slightly brighter on paper at 1500 nits, however, you will not see any noticeable difference between the two side-by-side. Both of them have HDR10+ certification for vivid colors, however, the Pixel 7 Pro looks more modern thanks to the slimmer bezels, slightly curved glass, as well as thinner chin.
Camera
The Pixel 7 comes with 50MP f/1.9 primary, OIS, PDAF, Laser autofocus, 4K video at 60fps; 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (114-degree FoV); The Front camera is 10.8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (92.8-degree FoV). It can even record 4K video at 60fps.
While the Pixel 7 Pro comes with 50MP f/1.9 primary, OIS, PDAF, Laser autofocus, 4K videos at 60fps; 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (126-degree FoV), autofocus, macro photography; 48MP f/3.5 telephoto, PDAF, OIS, and 5x optical zoom. The Front camera is 10.8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (92.8-degree FoV). It also records 4K video at 60fps.
The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro use the same 50MP f/1.9 main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). The difference is with the ultra-wide lens, the 12MP ultra-wide camera on the Pixel 7 is repurposed from the Pixel 6. However, the 12MP ultra-wide camera on the Pixel 7 Pro uses a new sensor with autofocus, it also has a wider field of view, along with macro capability.
Following last year’s trends, only the Pixel 7 Pro has a dedicated 48MP f/3.5 telephoto camera with Optical Image Stabilization and 5x optical along with 30x hybrid zoom. Thankfully, both devices can take 4K video at 60fps from all of their camera lenses.
Battery
The Pixel 7 comes with a 4355mAh battery; 30W fast wired charging; 20W fast wireless charging; reverse wireless charging
The Pixel 7 Pro comes with a 5000mAh battery; 30W fast wired charging; 23W fast wireless charging; reverse wireless charging
You can mistake that the Pixel 7 Pro has better battery life thanks to its bigger 5000mAh cell, however, due to the larger QHD+ 120Hz display, the 7 Pro also consumes more power than the 7. Both of them are likely to have similar battery life.
Both devices have 30W wired charging support, which in all honestly, is not fast, and borderline passable, however, the Pixel 7 Pro has slightly faster wireless charging. Sadly, like every other major Flagship, there is no charger in the box.
Why is the Pixel 7 a Better Deal for Most People?
Both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are powered by the new Google Tensor G2 processor which allows better speech detection, computational photography, and Live Translate, among other features that Pixel phones have built a reputation for. When it comes to performance, both of them are identical despite them not showing the same benchmark scores.
The Pixel 7 offers almost everything the average buyer would look for and at the price of $599, it is the best deal, for the best value-for-money smartphone in the market. However, if you require a bigger and faster display, a dedicated telephoto lens, macro capability, more RAM, and 256GB of storage are a priority, then the Pixel 7 Pro could be considered worth it.
All things considered, we think the Pixel 7 is a better deal than the Pixel 7 Pro, and many Android flagships. To put in context how good a deal the Pixel 7 is, both the Galaxy S22 and the iPhone 14 are launched at $799. The Pixel 7 might not be as impressive on the spec sheet, but that $200 difference is hard to ignore, and if you are considering buying the not so upgraded iPhone 14, I suggest you give the Pixel 7 a consideration.
Google’s increased investment in hardware and improved pricing strategy make it clear that the company is no longer just targeting enthusiasts, we can understand that is trying to reach the masses.
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