Google Pixel 7 Pro Review: best bargain flagship refined

**kirill** · 10-21-2022

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Google Pixel 7 Pro Intro

One year after Google rebooted its smartphone effort, we have the sequel to bring it all back home. This is the Google Pixel 7 Pro, the company's new flagship phone, and while it looks similar to the Pixel 6 Pro, it brings a number of refinements to all and everything, from performance to the screen, camera and battery life. And good news is that it still comes at the same, lower-than-other-flagships price.

On paper, the Pixel 7 Pro seems to have it all: a big, 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a large, 5,000mAh battery inside, a top-tier camera, as well as Google's new Tensor G2 chip that highlights the powerful AI and machine learning capabilities that Google is known for.

But... should you buy it? Are the improvements really noticeable when you compare it against the previous model? And has Google fixed the few annoying bugs of the previous generation? Let's find out!

What’s new:

Improved cameras, longer zoom
Faster Tensor G2 chip
5 years of security upgrades
2X optical grade zoom
Cinematic Blur for videos
Macro Focus
Free VPN with Google One

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Take a look at the Pixel 7 Pro specs that reveal all the major highlights:

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The big feature here is the new Tensor G2 chip that powers the show, and also notice the longer-range 5X zoom lens (vs 4X on the previous generation).

But even more importantly for some, the starting price remains the same sweet $900, a few Benjamins less than the prices on Galaxies and iPhones. Nice!

Pixel 7 Pro Unboxing

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The Pixel 7 Pro comes in a slim box, like most modern phones, and here is what's inside that box:

Pixel 7 Pro
Cable with USB-C connector on both ends
SIM tool
A Quick Switch adapter
Paperwork

There is no charger included in the box, which is kind of expected in 2022. There is also no pre-applied screen protector or a case in the box either.

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**kirill** · 10-21-2022

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**kirill** · 10-21-2022

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With a glass black and that signature camera strip across the back, the new Pixel 7 Pro looks a lot like its predecessor, main difference being how the camera system is now visibly separated in two sections.

The phone still features an aluminum frame, the finish is glossy, and new is that camera strip is now an integral part of that frame, so the phone appears to be even sturdier. We did notice the camera bar get some micro scratches very quickly, but apart from that, we like this look.

For the colors, you have three options: a classic black color (Obsidian) as well as a white color option (Snow), and this new gray-ish color with a gold camera bar which is a looker (Hazel).

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Pixel 7 Pro in Hazel (left), Snow (center), and Obsidian (right)

For all the rest, the dimensions and weight of the Pixel 7 Pro haven't changed from its predecessor, so it's still a larger phone.

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**kirill** · 10-21-2022

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We love that Google keeps the weight noticeably lower than that of the Galaxy S22 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max, which makes a huge difference in how comfortable the Pixel feels in a pocket.

Pixel 7 Pro Display

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Equipped with a large, 6.7-inch OLED display, the Pixel 7 Pro offers plenty of real estate for your eyes to feast on.

It also supports a 1440p resolution, more than your typical 1080p display, so everything is extra sharp. Just be sure to enable the 1440p resolution in settings, as for some reason, the phone comes pre-set at 1080p. Of course, you also have a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate for buttery smooth scrolling. This is an LTPO display with adaptive refresh rate which varies from as low as 10Hz to the maximum 120Hz.

Google is using Gorilla Glass 7 for screen protection, the latest out there, and the screen can get very bright reaching a maximum of 1,500 nits.

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**kirill** · 10-21-2022

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**kirill** · 10-21-2022

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**kirill** · 10-21-2022

We measured a noticeable jump in peak brightness on the Pixel 7 Pro, but it doesn't get quite as bright as the iPhone 14 Pro.

In terms of biometrics, you still have an in-screen fingerprint scanner of the optical kind. This was our biggest complaint against the previous Pixel generation, where the reader was slower and required more force to register. Unfortunately, the new Pixel still feels on the slow side, and if there is a slight improvement in speed, we barely noticed it.

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However, you now also have face recognition on board, a feature that was missing on the last year model. The Pixel 7 Pro uses image-based face recognition which is not as secure as the 3D models that the iPhones use, but it's still a welcome feature. It works well during the day, but like most image-based face ID systems, it doesn't work in dim light or with masks. Google also realizes that it is not quite as secure as a fingerprint scan and limits the use of the face identification only to unlocking your phone. For your payment and banking apps, the Pixel 7 Pro would still require a fingerprint scan or your code.

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The Pixel 7 Pro has a triple rear camera system consisting of the following:

50MP main camera, f/1.85
12MP ultra-wide, f/2.2
48MP 5X telephoto, f/3.5

The 50MP sensor on the main camera is unchanged from last year, but Google now has found one more use for it: it takes a 12MP center crop of the sensor to give you optical-grade 2X zoom, a really nice touch. The ultra-wide camera has gotten wider this year to match the field of view you get on other flagships. The periscope zoom camera also has undergone a bigger change as it now goes a bit further with 5X zoom compared to only 4X on the predecessor.

Google explains that it applies additional trickery at 10X magnification to give you improved quality. At longer zoom ranges such as 15X, hand motion is a problem for other phones, but again the Pixel 7 Pro comes to the rescue with Zoom Stabilization, which identifies a subject and locks the camera on it.

You can learn all about the Pixel 7 Pro camera in our detailed camera comparison: