Price and Specifications
The Google Pixel 7 was released in October 2022 as the successor to the highly praised Pixel 6 and part of the Pixel 7 series alongside the Pixel 7 Pro. The Pixel 7 combines a sleek design, an excellent camera system, powerful performance, and enhanced software features—all at a more competitive price than many of its flagship counterparts. The Pixel 7 is positioned as a premium smartphone that delivers a high-quality experience for users looking for a blend of cutting-edge technology and seamless integration with Google’s ecosystem.
In this article, we’ll explore the price, key specifications, and features of the Google Pixel 7, breaking down the reasons why it stands out in the crowded Android smartphone market.
Price
At launch, the Google Pixel 7 came in two main configurations:
- 128 GB storage / 8 GB RAM: $599 USD
- 256 GB storage / 8 GB RAM: $699 USD
Compared to other flagship devices like the Samsung Galaxy S22 or Apple iPhone 14, the Pixel 7 offers significant value for money. Google’s pricing strategy places the Pixel 7 in the premium mid-range category, offering many of the advanced features of a flagship device without the astronomical price tag.
As newer Pixel models, like the Pixel 8, have been released, the price of the Pixel 7 has likely dropped, making it an even more attractive option for users looking for premium features at a lower price.
Key Specifications
1. Display
- Screen Size: 6.3 inches
- Type: OLED, FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels)
- Pixel Density: 416 PPI
- Aspect Ratio: 20:9
- Refresh Rate: 90Hz (Smooth Display)
- Brightness: Up to 1,400 nits peak brightness
- Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (for durability)
The Google Pixel 7 features a 6.3-inch OLED display with a Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels), offering sharp, vibrant visuals. The display is bright, with a peak brightness of 1,400 nits, which means it’s easily readable under direct sunlight and offers excellent contrast and color reproduction.
The screen supports a 90Hz refresh rate, which provides a smoother experience than traditional 60Hz displays, improving fluidity when scrolling through apps or browsing. This refresh rate is adaptive, adjusting to content and saving battery when a high refresh rate isn’t needed.
The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, providing added durability against drops and scratches—important for a device that is likely to see everyday use.
2. Camera System
The Pixel 7 continues Google’s legacy of outstanding smartphone cameras. The company is known for leveraging its powerful computational photography algorithms to deliver high-quality photos, even in difficult conditions. The Pixel 7 uses AI-powered features to enhance its photography, offering a versatile dual-camera system.
- Rear Camera System:
- 50 MP (f/1.85) – Main Camera (Wide)
- Samsung GN1 Sensor for better low-light performance
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for steady shots
- Laser Autofocus for fast and accurate focusing
- HDR+ for high dynamic range and better details in shadows and highlights
- Night Sight for exceptional low-light photography
- Super Res Zoom for sharp images at zoom (up to 8x)
- 12 MP (f/2.2) – Ultra-Wide Camera
- 114° Field of View
- Perfect for wide-angle shots, landscapes, and group photos
- Macro Focus for close-up shots
- Front Camera:
- 10.8 MP (f/2.2) Camera
- Supports HDR+ for natural, detailed selfies
- Wide field of view for group selfies
The 50 MP wide camera is a big upgrade, using the Samsung GN1 sensor, which allows for better light capture and low-light performance. Google’s HDR+ processing ensures vibrant colors and improved details, even in challenging lighting conditions. The Night Sight mode delivers incredible low-light photography without using a flash, and with the Super Res Zoom feature, users can zoom in without losing sharpness (up to 8x).
The 12 MP ultra-wide camera offers a 114° field of view, allowing for expansive shots, perfect for capturing large groups or wide landscapes. It also supports macro focus, making it versatile for close-up photography.
The 10.8 MP front camera is great for selfies, supporting HDR+ for better exposure and more natural skin tones. The front camera also supports 1080p video recording, ensuring sharp, clear video calls or self-recorded content.
3. Performance
- Chipset: Google Tensor G2 (5nm, octa-core)
- CPU: 2x Cortex-X1 (2.85 GHz) + 2x Cortex-A76 (2.35 GHz) + 4x Cortex-A55 (1.80 GHz)
- GPU: ARM Mali-G710 MP7
- RAM: 8 GB LPDDR5
The Pixel 7 is powered by Google’s Tensor G2 chipset, which is designed in-house and optimized for performance and AI tasks. Compared to its predecessor, the Tensor G2 provides improvements in speed, power efficiency, and the ability to handle AI tasks, particularly for photography and voice recognition.
The Tensor G2 chip powers the Pixel 7 with a combination of high-performance cores (Cortex-X1 at 2.85 GHz) and more efficient cores (Cortex-A55 at 1.80 GHz) that balance performance and battery life. The ARM Mali-G710 MP7 GPU handles graphics-intensive tasks, such as gaming and video editing, with ease.
Paired with 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, the Pixel 7 is able to manage multitasking and intensive apps smoothly, ensuring a lag-free experience even with multiple apps open. The chip’s AI capabilities also enable features like Live Translate, Voice Typing, and the Magic Eraser tool for photo editing.
4. Battery
- Battery Capacity: 4355 mAh
- Charging:
- 30W USB-C fast charging (sold separately)
- Wireless Charging: Supports 21W Qi wireless charging
- Reverse wireless charging: Yes (for charging accessories like earbuds)
The Pixel 7 has a 4355 mAh battery, which provides solid all-day battery life for most users. The device is optimized to work efficiently with the Tensor G2 chip and the 90Hz display, so users can enjoy extended usage without constantly worrying about battery life.
For charging, the Pixel 7 supports 30W fast charging via USB-C. Google promises up to 50% charge in about 30 minutes, but the charging brick is not included in the box, so users will need to buy it separately. Additionally, the device supports 21W wireless charging, which is one of the fastest wireless charging speeds available. Reverse wireless charging allows users to charge accessories like Pixel Buds or other Qi-compatible devices.
5. Storage
- Internal Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB (non-expandable via microSD card)
The Pixel 7 offers 128 GB and 256 GB storage options, both of which are non-expandable, meaning there is no microSD card slot. While this could be a limitation for users who need more storage, Google’s cloud services (including Google Photos and Google Drive) help offset this, offering users an easy way to back up photos and files.
6. Software
- Operating System: Initially shipped with Android 13, with future updates available (Android 14, 15, etc.)
- Google’s Clean Android Experience: The Pixel 7 runs stock Android, with no bloatware and guaranteed software updates directly from Google.
- Google Assistant: Enhanced Google Assistant features, including better voice recognition and personalized actions.
- Security: Titan M2 chip for hardware security and Fingerprint Sensor under display
The Pixel 7 runs the cleanest version of Android 13, offering a bloatware-free experience with timely updates directly from Google. Google promises three years of major OS updates and five years of security patches, which means the Pixel 7 will remain up-to-date with the latest features and security enhancements for a long time.
Google Assistant is more integrated than ever, with better voice recognition, real-time translation features, and increased responsiveness. Additionally, the Titan M2 security chip provides robust protection for sensitive data, while the under-display fingerprint sensor offers a quick and secure method for unlocking the device.