After an early look at the Google Pixel 7 during May’s Google I/O 2022 conference, we nearing a full reveal for the phone at the Google October event.
October 6 is the date for both the launch date and Pixel 7 preorders, and thanks to tidbits form Google and tech tipsters we have a good idea of what expect from the next-generation Pixel phones.
We also know that the Pixel 7 will use the second-generation Tensor chip, further unlocking all kinds of AI and machine learning applications for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.
But plenty of unanswered questions remain about the Pixel 7, including the final prices, colors and other key specs. But we should soon have a more detailed picture of how Google’s phone will challenge devices like the Galaxy S22 and iPhone 14 for a place on our best phones list.
Here’s what we know about the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro thus far, as well as additional rumors about Google’s next flagship. Also, check out our Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 6a comparison to see which Google phone might be right for you.
Google Pixel 7 news and rumors (Updated September 30)
Google Pixel 7 possible release date
Google has set an October 6 date for its next product launch, which will be held at 10 a.m. ET in Brooklyn. The event promises that that “we’ll introduce the latest additions to our family of devices.” And in a teaser video, Google makes it pretty clear that the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are going to be at that event, since it’s set an October 6 date for pre-ordering the new phones.
Presumably, the Pixel Watch — which Google previewed at Google I/O this spring alongside the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro — is showing up then, too.
Here’s how to watch the Made by Google launch event on October 6.
Google’s October 6 date is in line with a leak by tipster Jon Prossor, who said earlier that the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro release date could be on October 13. He expects pre-orders to go up on October 6, which would be the same day as the event.
However, a more recent rumor from Caschy’s Blog (opens in new tab) points to a Pixel 7 release date of October 18. This has been backed up by long-time rumor-monger Roland Quandt (opens in new tab).
Google Pixel 7 price speculation
Google has kept a tight lid on the Pixel 7 price, and will probably continue to do so right up until the October 6 launch event. But that’s not going to stop leakers from coming up with their own theories on price.
The most convincing rumor we’ve heard so far comes from leaker Artem Russakovskii (opens in new tab) who claims that the Pixel 7 will start at $599 while the Pixel 7 Pro will cost $899. Those prices have been also claimed by a seemingly prematurely-posted Amazon US listing for the Pixel 7, as well as one for Amazon Spain.
If those prices sound familiar, that’s because they match what the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro cost. That’s cheaper than what other phone makers charge for their flagship devices — the Galaxy S22 starts at $799, $200 more than the Pixel 6 as an example.
That’s why we’re hopeful this rumor pans out, as price was one of the most appealing things about last year’s Pixels, outside of the cameras and Tensor chipset. It’s certainly helped Google’s phones stand out from the competition, and it’s may have helped make the Pixel 6 the best-selling Pixels in Google’s history.
Google Pixel 7 models
During Google I/O, Google confirmed that we’ll see a Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro in the fall. Most people had assumed just those two models make up the Pixel 7 lineup. However, there are hints that a third Pixel 7 version exists.
9to5Google found code that refers to a possible third Pixel 7 model. Like the Pixel 6 Pro (and presumably the Pixel 7 Pro), this phone has a 120Hz display, but its listed height and width are slightly larger than Google’s existing Pro model. Since the Pixel 7 Pro is thought to have the same 6.7-inch screen as the current Pixel 6 Pro, this would be a Pixel with a slightly larger screen.
How likely is this so-called Pixel 7 Ultra? Until we see further evidence that it exists, we’d continue to assume that just two models are on tap for the fall.
Of the two Pixel 7 models that seem to be guaranteed (normal and Pro), there will be two versions of them too, as seen in recently found FCC listings. This will be to allow for sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G compatibility with different carriers, it would appear.
Google Pixel 7 design
Here’s where we have the strongest sense of what to expect from the Pixel 7, thanks to that on-stage preview at Google I/O. As noted, Google is keeping the horizontal camera bar introduced with the Pixel 6, but it’s making some tweaks. The main camera and ultrawide camera are now bunched together; on the Pixel 7 Pro, there’s a separate lens, which we assume is the telephoto shooter.
It’s quite a different look from the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro and their more subdued lens design. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro have really put the cameras on full blast. Anyone looking at you holding up your phone will see the lenses spread across that aluminum bar.
The first hands-on video of the Pixel 7 is here and it shows that the phone is slightly more compact than the Pixel 6. The video shows that the Pixel 6 is 74.92mm wide, while the 7 is 73.2mm. The Pixel 7 has lost weight, too, coming in at 195g — 10g lighter than its predecessor.
The Pixel 7 Pro, meanwhile is more similarly sized, and the weight is near identical with just a single gram between the two. In terms of width, it’s actually slightly wider, going from 75.89mm to 76.68mm.
Another claimed early unboxing video of the Google Pixel 7 Pro backs up these design claims, and shows how the phone’s design has gone for evolution not revolution. Depending on your point of view, that’s either a good thing with Google retaining the bold camera bar/visor aesthetic or a little disappointing.
For colors, the base Pixel 7 looks to be coming in Snow, Obsidian black and Lemongrass. That’s a small selection of colors, but it should satisfy most users, though we were underwhelmed by how the colors looked next to each other when we saw some official-looking renders tweeted by leaker Evan Blass that had both Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro colors side-by-side.
Redditor AMC20_ (opens in new tab) supposedly bought a prototype Pixel 7 Pro on accident. They said the phone worked fine for about three weeks until it factory reset itself. The theory is that Google did so remotely. AMC20_ says that a screen protector for the Pixel 6 Pro worked on the unit they purchased — the fingerprint sensor even lined up right.
That leads us to believe that the Pixel 7 Pro will be physically identical to the Pixel 6 Pro. From the measurements to the curve of the screen, it seems like the biggest changes will be on the back of the device with the updated camera bar and camera cutout design.
Google revealed more of the design for the Pixel 7 Pro in a new promo video, which shows off all the new colors and the revised materials, featuring more metal around the camera rather than glass.
Google Pixel 7 specs and features
Google confirmed that it’s working on a second-generation Tensor chipset; a follow-up to the first-gen Tensor found within the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Google hasn’t detailed what changes to expect, but the Tensor G2 benchmarks have been tipped and it looks like big improvements are coming to the GPU.
The bigger story will be the AI experiences powered by the Machine Learning core in the new Tensor chipset. Google hasn’t revealed what those would be yet.
An early Pixel 7 rumor suggests that Google won’t change the Pixel 7’s cameras from those found on the Pixel 6, which has subsequently been backed up by another leaker. If so, that will mean the Pixel 7 will sport a 50MP main camera and a 12MP ultrawide angle shooter while the Pixel 7 Pro augments those cameras with a 48MP telephoto lens. Those are the Pixel 6 camera specs, after all.
Google overhauled the cameras when it released the Pixel 6, so it makes sense that hardware would remain unchanged with the upcoming phones. We’re waiting to see what new camera features Google adds using a combination of its computational photography skills along with the updated Tensor processor.
One of the latest claimed leaks coming from reliable tipster Yogesh Bar has pretty much revealed the Google Pixel 7 specs in full. So check out the table below to see how they measure up against the Pixel 6.
Rumored Pixel 7 specs | Pixel 6 specs | |
---|---|---|
Display | 6.4-inch OLED, 90Hz | 6.4-inch OLED (2400 x 1080), 90Hz |
Chip | Tensor G2 | Tensor with Titan M2 |
RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
Storage | 128GB. 256GB | 128GB. 256GB |
Battery size | 4,700 mAh | 4,614 mAh |
Charging | 30W fast charging | 23W wired |
Rear cameras | 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide | 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide |
Front camera | 11MP | 11MP |
A last-minute leak has suggested we may see face unlock abilities on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. We’ve not seen this feature since the Pixel 4 series, so it would be exciting for Google to bring it back. We do question how secure it would be though, as there’s no extra sensors to help add verify a user’s face on the Pixel 7s from what we can see.
Obviously, it’s still early, but we’ve compiled a look at the Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 6 differences — not only what Google’s announced, but what changes are rumored.
Google Pixel 7: What we want to see
The lack of more definitive Pixel 7 rumors hasn’t stopped us from coming up with our own wish list. If anything, we hope that Google is taking suggestions for its next phone beyond what it’s already announced.
A more reliable fingerprint reader
The under-display fingerprint scanner on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro is something we complained about in our reviews. This is Google’s first attempt at putting the fingerprint scanner beneath the screen, as the company previously mounted a fingerprint reader on the back of its phones. However that doesn’t excuse how unreliably the scanner works.
We’d be quite happy if Google just figured out the kinks in its current optical fingerprint reader. Equally, if it decided to borrow Qualcomm’s ultrasonic fingerprint reader system (found in the Samsung Galaxy S21), which uses soundwaves to recognize your prints and therefore is less affected by scratches on the screen, that would be a good approach, too.
Another possibility would be for Google to ditch the fingerprint scanner altogether and use facial recognition unlocking, like it did with the Google Pixel 4. However that system didn’t work great either, and would require a fair bit of work before it was as smooth and reliable as Apple’s Face ID system. It might also require Google to return to a larger top bezel to accommodate the necessary sensors. That said, we have recently heard rumors that the Pixel 6 Pro could still get face unlock, and if that happens then surely it’s a cert for at least the Pixel 7 Pro.
Better and brighter displays for all models
There are a couple of ways Google could improve the displays of the Pixel 7 series. First off: brightness. Google has fitted the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro with surprisingly dim displays, even when set at maximum brightness in direct light. Being unable to see your smartphone’s display properly is inarguably a bad thing, so if Google could crank up the brightness of the Pixel 7’s display a few hundred more nits, that would be one of the Pixel 6 series’ worst areas fixed.
The other potential area of improvement would be the specs of the standard Pixel 7 model’s screen. While the Pixel 6 Pro offers 120Hz, the standard Pixel 6 only offers 90Hz. That’s better than the 60Hz that used to be all you’d get from a smartphone, but given that phones cheaper than the Pixel 6 can offer 120Hz — look at the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G or the Redmi Note 10 Pro — we’d like to see Google do it too. Upping the Pixel 6’s FHD resolution to QHD like the Pro would also be beneficial but isn’t as big a deal.
One of our TG writers who just bought a Pixel 6 Pro also said he’d like to see Google ditch the curved display for a flat one on the Pixel 7 Pro. Google didn’t use a curved display prior to the Pixel 6 Pro, so there’s a chance this design choice will not be returning if enough Pixel 6 Pro users complain. The only issue then would be ergonomics, as curved edges help users interact with the display of the large 6.8-inch handset.
Another camera on the base Pixel 7
Google has arguably short-changed the Pixel 6 by only giving it two rear cameras. It’s the same amount that the Pixel 5 and the Pixel 4 had, and also what the base iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini offer, but it’s still disappointing given some premium phones are now offering up to four cameras plus a depth sensor (such as the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra).
The obvious choice for a third camera on the base Pixel 7 would be a telephoto lens, even if its magnification wouldn’t match the 4x optical zoom of the Pro model. A depth camera for more accurate portrait shots and improved AR performance, or a dedicated macro camera for super close-up shots, could also make for a good addition.
Given rumors that the camera setup on the Pixel 7 is unlikely to change from the Pixel 6, this is one wish list item that probably goes unanswered.
Longer battery life
This is something we’d always like to see with every new generation of a given phone series, but it’s more important for the Pixel 7 series than most.
Despite having the largest batteries ever in a Pixel phone, the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro proved to have disappointing longevity when connecting to the internet over 5G. That’s going to become an increasingly big deal as 5G networks roll out nationwide in the U.S., U.K. and beyond, unless you can rely on regular and speedy Wi-Fi connections wherever you go.
Given the capacity of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro’s’ batteries (4,614 mAh and 5,000 mAh respectively), it doesn’t seem like the batteries are too small. Instead Google probably needs to focus on using the power it has available within the cells efficiently.
Faster charging
Speedier charging is again something every phone should aim to improve on, and while Google did improve this with the Pixel 6, more work is needed to make it a proper competitor.
After years of using 18W charging, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro can charge at up to 30W wired and 23W wireless. But despite having a fairly high charging wattage, in our testing the Pixel 6 only reached 29% full after half an hour of charging on a third-party 30W charger. (The Pixel 6 doesn’t ship with one in the box). That’s not that fast, especially factoring in phones like the OnePlus 9 series which charges to almost full in half an hour.
It’s possible that the Pixel 6 charges much faster if you use a plug from Google itself, but as it stands, this is disappointingly slow. Google could do with increasing the wattage of its charger for the Pixel 7, or perhaps using a twin-cell battery like the OnePlus 9 to allow faster filling at the same wattage.
An alert slider
For iPhone users (and to a lesser extent OnePlus owners), the alert slider is a critical feature of the phone. It is an effective way to quickly enable or disable notification sounds without needing to unlock the phone or even turn on the screen.
We’ve never seen an alert slider on a Pixel phone before, and given it’s only really used by Apple and OnePlus phones, it seems unlikely Google’s going to change its mind. However we stand by the idea that this would make a great addition to the Pixel 7.