Google Pixel 7 Pro smartphone Review

Sometimes size matters, and when it comes to your smartphone, many of us prefer a bigger screen. If you’re part of that camp, you’ll want to know about the new Google Pixel 7 Pro.

Pixel 7 Pro: What’s new?

The update you’ll notice right away is the addition of a polished aluminum band over laid on the rear camera array. While the camera array in the Pixel 6 Pro (and read that review for a bit more detail about this series of phones) all also protruded slightly (as does the one in the 7) it’s the material that’s been updated. The other new feature is that with battery saver mode you can extend the phones’ life to 72 hours (up from the Pixel 6 Pro’s 48 hours) and this phone now offers face unlock, with the 6 Pro didn’t. There’s a new processor inside the phone; this time it’s the upgraded Tensor G2 which should make the phone faster and it comes with Android 13 operating system.

And by the way; if you’re trying to decide between the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, you’ll want to check out our comparison.

Google Pixel 7: what you get

The new Pixel phones are at the center of Google’s ever-expanding universe that also includes Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds Pro earbuds.

Pixel 7 (L) and Pixel 7 Pro (R).

The Pixel 7 Pro is a slightly larger version of the Pixel 7, but it also boasts some other enhancements and improvements over the Pixel 7 that might make it a good choice for some users.

With a 6.7-inch display and narrow bezels, it still has the exact footprint of the 6 Pro. It comes in Snow (white), Obsidian (black) and brand new Lemongrass (pastel green). The Pixel 7 has 12 GB RAM (same as Pixel 6 Pro) with 128 GB / 256 GB / 512GB storage.

Design & Feel

The new Google Pixel 7 Pro feels sleek and slippery and it will probably need a case to keep it safe, just like its predecessor. The Pro model has the infinity edge which slops off to the side edges.

Despite the significant protrusion of the camera band, the phone sits very flat and the aluminum-wrapped camera band actually gives you something to hold onto, given the glossiness of the phone’s glass back.

The screen keeps its almost bezel-less design with just a small hole punch for the front facing camera and it’s bright, easy to read, and detailed.

For the spec-sperts: it’s got a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, an upgraded (over the Pixel 6/7) resolution with QHD+ (1440 x 3120) LTPO OLED at 512 ppi. The refresh rate is also more powerful than the Pixel 7 at 12oHz meaning this phone should prove better for gamers and action video lovers.

You can turn on the Always-on display as well as enabling Now Playing which will ID music heard around you.

Battery Life & Charging

Google Pixel phones have always had solid battery life and the “Beyond 24-hour battery life” carries on here too, meaning you should have more than enough juice for a day or two, depending on your use, and if not, Extreme Battery Saver can extend that up to 72-hours.

When it comes to the actual battery spec, the Pixel 7 Pro has a 5,000 mAh battery.

You’ve got options for charging: Use the USB-C plug, or Qi wireless pads, plus it’s got Fast charging with up to 50% charge in about 30 minutes (when using Google’s 30W USB-C Charger with USB-PD 3.0 (PPS), sold separately). There’s also Battery Share which lets you recharge your Pixel Buds Pro or another device off the back of the phone.

Camera

Google’s cameras have long been among the best in the smartphone sphere. While there’s not much to speak of in terms of significant improvements (unless you count adding features like Photo Unblur and Macro Focus) there are a few worthy notes: There’s a 5x optical zoom, and Super Res Zoom up to 30X.

Rear Camera:

• 50 MP Octa PD Quad Bayer wide camera
• 1.2 μm pixel width
• ƒ/1.85 aperture
• 82° field of view
• 1/1.31″ image sensor size
• 12 MP ultrawide camera with autofocus
• 1.25 μm pixel width
• ƒ/2.2 aperture
• 125.8° field of view
• Lens correction
• 48 MP Quad Bayer PD telephoto camera
• 0.7 μm pixel width
• ƒ/3.5 aperture
• 20.6° field of view
• 5x optical zoom
• Super Res Zoom up to 30x
• LDAF (laser detect auto focus) sensor
• Spectral and flicker sensor
• Optical + electronic image stabilization on wide and telephoto
• Fast camera launcher

Front Camera:

• 0.8 MP
• 1.22 μm pixel width
• ƒ/2.2 aperture
• Fixed focus
• 92.8° ultrawide field of view

I’ve always found Google Pixel photos to be sharp, clear, and colourful. Using the macro setting made for some fun shots and the 5x zoom was handy. Jumping up into the 30x digital zoom, the images looked pretty blurry on the screen but the finished photos were clearer, so I was happy.

Popular camera features are making a return here too including Cinematic Blur, which “makes Hollywood-like videos,” Real Tone, which better and more accurately replicates all skin tones plus Night Sight, Portrait mode, Photo Unblur (to improve your blurry pictures; new or old) as well as Magic Eraser for Photoshop-type editing right on your phone.

Overall review: Google Pixel 7 Pro

There’s no mega magic here in terms of a fully refreshed device. You do get a new look and some flash from the aluminum, and a couple marginal updates in terms of the camera, faster chip and a few other minor features. To be clear though, the Pixel 7 Pro is an outstanding phone that offers a boatload of useful features, great screen, solid camera and battery, particularly taking into account the price holds at last year’s retail offering of $1179CAD. When it comes to downsides, some may gripe about the battery life, or the lack of buzzy new features, but if you’re in the market for a new Android phone, you’ll probably love the Pixel 7 Pro.

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