The Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are the latest in Google’s line of flagship smartphones, released on October 13, 2022. Though Google has been a tech giant for several decades, they’re fairly new to the smartphone arena. But the newest Pixel generation seems poised to steal some market share from Samsung & Apple, who own over 50% of the smartphone market.
With the latest hardware, operating systems, cameras, and more, the 7th generation Pixels are next-generation phones. But there are a few key differences between the two; we’ll break down the differences between the Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro by looking at each of their dimensions, displays, hardware, cameras, costs, and more.
Display
Both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro both feature OLED displays, which help bring your photos & videos to life. The Pixel 7 has a Full HD+ (FHD) resolution, while the Pixel 7 Pro boasts a higher Quad HD+ (QHD) resolution and slightly larger display, resulting in sharper images and text (Source: Google Support). Clearly, the Pixel 7 Pro has the edge in the display category.
Google Pixel 7
- Display Size – Full-screen 6.3-inch (160.5 mm) display
- Aspect Ratio – 20:9 aspect ratio
- Resolution – FHD+ (1080 x 2400) OLED at 416 PPI
- Smooth Display – up to 90 HZ
Google Pixel 7 Pro
- Display Size – Full-screen 6.7-inch (170 mm) display
- Aspect Ratio – 19.5:9 aspect ratio
- Resolution – QHD+ (1440 x 3120) LTPO OLED at 512 PPI
- Smooth Display – up to 120 HZ
Design and Dimensions
The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, like previous Google phones, maintain a sleek and minimal design. Both phones are outlined by an aluminum frame which encases Gorilla Glass on both the front & back of the device. In addition to the robust drop protection, both versions are dust-resistant and water-resistant, which is in compliance with IP68 under IEC standard 60529. To clarify, this does not mean that either phone is dust proof or waterproof, but rather resistant to those elements. If you’re looking for a protective phone case, check out this compatibility guide for Google Pixel phones.
The most obvious differences between the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are the size and color options. Both models come in “Snow” and “Obsidian” colorways, but the third options vary; you can also choose from “Lemongrass” for the Pixel 7 or “Hazel” for the Pixel 7 Pro. In terms of size, the Pro is slightly larger & heavier, but here’s an exact breakdown on size, weight, and dimensions.
Google Pixel 7
- Height – 6.1” or 155.6 mm
- Width – 2.9” or 73.2 mm
- Thickness – 0.3” or 8.7 mm
- Weight – 197 grams or 6.9 oz
Google Pixel 7 Pro
- Height – 6.4” or 162.9 mm
- Width – 3.0” or 76.6 mm
- Thickness – 0.3” or 8.9 mm
- Weight – 212 grams or 7.5 oz
Performance & Hardware
Behind the screen, both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro run on the Google Tensor G2 processor. Stacked up against Apple’s A16 Bionic chip and Samsung’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2, however, the G2 is the weakest chipset. Regardless, here’s how the two Pixels stack up against each other:
Google Pixel 7
- Processor – Google Tensor G2 (with Titan M2 security coprocessor)
- Memory – 8 GB RAM
- Storage – 128 GB or 256 GB
- Graphics (GPU) – Mali-G710 MP7
Google Pixel 7 Pro
- Processor – Google Tensor G2 (with Titan M2 security coprocessor)
- Memory – 12 GB RAM
- Storage – 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB
- Graphics (GPU) – Mali-G710 MP7
Camera Quality
Google’s shining feature in every generation of Pixel phones has been their camera quality. Compared to the latest iPhone 14, both Pixel 7s have a higher-quality rear & wide-angle camera, and perform better in low-light conditions, making them a top choice for travel photography. The rear cameras are identical aside from one key difference; the Pro version has a 125.8-degree field of view (compared to the 7’s 114-degree field of view), while the front & video capabilities are equal. The 7 Pro also has a slight advantage in terms of video recording; let’s take a look:
Photos
- Rear Camera – Both the Pixel 7 & Pixel 7 Pro have a 50 MP Octa PD Quad Bayer wide camera and 12 MP ultrawide camera, with identical pixel widths, apertures, image sensor size, and zoom capability. They also feature laser detect auto-focus (LDAF) sensor, fast camera launcher, and optical + electronic image stabilization. Again, the only difference is that the 7 Pro has a slightly wider field of view.
- Front Camera – Each model is equipped with a 10.8 MP front camera with 1.22 μm pixel width, ƒ/2.2 aperture, fixed focus, and 92.8° ultrawide field of view.
Video
- Rear Camera – The rear cameras are identical, with 4K video recording at 30 FPS and 60 FPS, as well as 1080p options at the same FPS.
- Front Camera – Both front cameras can record 4K video at 30 FPS and 60 FPS, with 10-bit HDR video. They feature cinematic blur & pan, slow-mo, timelapse, stabilization, and astrophotography features as well, cementing them as one of the top video smartphone cameras available. The only edge that the Pixel 7 Pro has over the Pixel 7 is that it has stronger zoom abilities, up to 20×12 compared to 7×12.
Operating System
Both devices run on the latest version of Android 13, with the clean, bloatware-free experience that Pixels are known for. Google promises at five three years of software updates, ensuring that your device stays secure and up-to-date for years to come.
Battery and Charging
Both Google Pixel 7s have a similar battery life, which regularly extends beyond 24 hours (depending on usage) and up to 72 hours with Extreme Battery Saver. They can charge up to 50% of battery life in 30 minutes with the 30W USB-C from Google, or with wireless Qi chargers. They also are equipped with Battery Share, a powerful feature that enables you to charge other Qi-certified devices like Pixel Buds, though the feature significantly wears down your smartphone’s battery life.
Price and Value
The Pixel 7 is the more affordable option, with prices starting at $599 for the 128 GB model and $699 for the 256 GB model. For comparison, the Pixel 7 Pro starts at $899 for the 128 GB option, and the 256 GB and 512 GB models are $999 and $1,099 respectively.
Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your budget, needs, and desired features/hardware. Yes, the Pixel 7 is cheaper, but if you’re looking for a bigger display, faster processing speed, and slightly better camera quality, the Pixel 7 Pro has to be your choice.