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Google Pixel 7 Pro vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Should you upgrade?

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The Pixel 7 Pro is Google’s flagship smartphone for the year. It takes on some of the best Android phones of 2022, including the Galaxy S22 Ultra and, for the title of the best smartphone, the iPhone 14 Pro series. At first glance, the Pixel 7 Pro might not look like a significant upgrade over 2021’s Pixel 6 Pro. But there are plenty of refinements and fixes for problems that plagued its predecessor. So, is the Pixel 7 Pro worth upgrading from the Pixel 6 Pro? Or should you continue using last year’s flagship Pixel phone for another year and save money? Read our comparison to find out.


Phone Google Pixel 7 Pro Google Pixel 6 Pro
Chipset Google Tensor G2 Google Tensor
RAM 12GB 12GB
Storage 128, 256, 512GB 128, 256, 512GB
Display 6.7″ QHD+ (1440×3120, 19.5:9) LTPO 120Hz, 1,500 nits peak brightness, Always-On Display, Gorilla Glass Victus 6.7″ QHD+ (1440×3120, 19.5:9) LTPO 120Hz, 800 nits brightness, Always-On Display, Gorilla Glass Victus
Battery 5003mAh, up to 30W fast charging, up to 23W wireless charging 5003mAh, up to 30W fast charging, up to 23W wireless charging
Rear Cameras 50MP f/1.85 primary (82° FoV w/OIS); 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide with autofocus (125° FoV); 48MP f/3.5 5x telephoto w/OIS; LDAF, Spectral and flicker sensor; 5x optical and up to 30x Super Res Zoom 50MP f/1.85 primary (82° FoV w/OIS); 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (114° FoV); 48MP f/3.5 telephoto w/OIS; LDAF, Spectral and flicker sensor; 4x optical and up to 20x Super Res Zoom
Camera Features Magic Eraser, improved Real Tone, Face Unblur, Macro Focus, Photo Unblur, Cinematic Blur, 10-bit HDR video Magic Eraser, Real Tone, Face Unblur
Front Camera 10.8MP f/2.2 (92.8° FoV, fixed focus) 11.1MP f/2.2 (94° FoV, fixed focus)
Connectivity 5G (mmWave supported in the US), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, Ultra-Wideband, Dual-band GNSS, Dual SIM (nanoSIM + eSIM) 5G (mmWave supported in the US), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, Ultra-Wideband, Dual SIM (nanoSIM + eSIM)
Dimensions 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm, 212g, IP68 certified 163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm, 210g, IP68 certified
Biometric unlock Face unlock, in-display fingerprint scanner In-display fingerprint scanner
Software Android 13 Launched with Android 12, currently running Android 13
Software Support Will receive OS updates until October 2025 and security patches until October 2027 Will receive OS updates until October 2024 and security patches until October 2026
Colors Snow, Obsidian Black, and Hazel Sorta Sunny, Cloudy White, and Stormy Black
Price Starting at $900 Started at $900

Google Pixel 7 Pro vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Design and Build

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Google showcased the design of the Pixel 7 series back at I/O 2022 itself. Since then, it has posted multiple teasers and videos highlighting the phone’s design. The Pixel 7 Pro carries forward the same design language as the Pixel 6 Pro, with minor tweaks. This means you continue to get a visor-like camera strip on the Pixel 7 Pro, but it has now switched to a pill-and-dot cutout. And unlike the 6 Pro, the newer Pixel uses polished aluminum for the camera bar instead of glass. That’s a good thing since the metal surface is unlikely to get scratched as quickly as glass.

Like the Pixel 6 Pro, the 7 Pro features a polished aluminum chassis sandwiched by Gorilla Glass Victus panels from the front and back, which carries an IP68 certification. Side-by-side, you will notice that the Pixel 7 Pro is slightly shorter but wider than the outgoing model. Many users found the Pixel 6 Pro unwieldy in daily use, and the slight dimension tweak on the Pixel 7 Pro should help resolve that to some extent.

Google Pixel 7 Pro vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Display

Both Pixel phones sport a 6.7-inch QHD+ 120Hz OLED panel with Always-On display support. But Google is seemingly using a newer-generation Samsung display panel and touts the Pixel 7 Pro’s display to be 25% brighter than the Pixel 6 Pro. That should be sufficient to ensure you can view content on the display when out in direct sunlight. The display panels on the two phones are not curved, though the Gorilla Glass Victus curves slightly at the edges.

Google is using a newer in-display fingerprint scanner on the Pixel 7 Pro. So the poor fingerprint performance woes that have plagued the Pixel 6 Pro since its launch last year should hopefully not be a concern here.

Google Pixel 7 Pro vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Chipset and Connectivity

Continuing the tradition that started with the Pixel 6 series in 2021, Google is using a semi-custom Tensor chip inside the Pixel 7 Pro. The Tensor G2 packs an octa-core CPU and is fabricated on Samsung’s 4nm node. That should make it more efficient than the original Tensor chip, which Samsung made at its 5nm foundries. Google is also using more powerful and power-efficient Cortex-A78 “medium” cores.

With the second iteration of its Tensor SoC, Google has focused more on AI and GPU performance instead of raw CPU horsepower. The chip uses a newer and more powerful Mali G710-MP7 GPU to deliver better graphics and Vulkan performance. The Tensor G2 packs a next-gen TPU that is 60% faster in ML tasks and 20% more efficient. This is an important upgrade since the TPU powers the Cinematic Blur, Photo Unblur, and other Pixel camera features. Google even says that Night Sight is twice as fast on the Pixel 7 series and can take sharper photos than before.

What’s disappointing is that Google continues to promise three years of OS updates and five years of security updates for the Pixel 7 series, the same as the Pixel 6 lineup. This is inferior to Samsung’s promise of updating its mid-range and flagship devices with four OS updates.

At this point, the poor connectivity issues plaguing the Pixel 6 series are no secret. The original Tensor chip uses Samsung’s Exynos 5123 modem, which could be blamed for these issues. While not mentioned, Google is hopefully using a newer and more efficient Samsung modem on the Tensor G2 to address these concerns.

Google Pixel 7 Pro vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Camera

At first glance, it might look like the Pixel 7 Pro retains the same camera setup as the Pixel 6 Pro. But look closely, and you will realize that’s not the case. The primary 50MP Samsung GN1 sensor remains unchanged, but Google has ditched Sony’s IMX586 sensor for the 48MP telephoto shooter in favor of Samsung’s GM1 module. Seemingly, this change will help provide a consistent image quality across lenses. The optical zoom level has also improved. While the previous gen Pixel provided 4x optical zoom and 20x SuperRes Zoom, the Pixel 7 Pro offers 5x optical zoom and 30x SuperRes Zoom.

As for the ultrawide, it now has a 21% wider FoV and has gained macro focus support, so you can get as close as three centimeters to a subject to take detailed macro shots.

Despite the similar camera sensors, the Pixel 7 Pro should take better photos than the outgoing model, thanks to the Tensor G2’s improved ISP and processing improvements. Google claims Night Sight processing has improved on the Pixel 7 series, so you won’t have to hold the phone still as long as the Pixel 6. Additionally, it claims to have achieved optical quality similar to dedicated lenses at 2x and 10x levels.

So, the Pixel 7 Pro might not take noticeably better photos than the 6 Pro from the primary camera, but the overall experience will be better. And you will notice the improvements when using the zoom camera.

Video quality is another area where the Pixel 7 Pro trumps its predecessor in a big way. It can record 4K 60fps video from all three sensors, and there’s even an option to record in 10-bit HDR this time. Taking a cue from the iPhone 13 and 14 series, Google is introducing Cinematic Blur on the Pixel 7, which lets you shoot videos with a shallow depth of field effect. You are limited to shooting at 24fps in this mode, though

The selfie camera uses a larger and newer Samsung sensor. So, selfies taken from the Pixel 7 should look much more detailed. Additionally, the new camera allows Google to provide face unlock as another form of biometric authentication on the Pixel 7 lineup. But as we note in our Pixel 7 hands-on, Google’s settings page for face unlock has a bunch of warnings about the feature not being as secure as the fingerprint sensor.

Google Pixel 7 Pro vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Battery life

The Pixel 7 Pro packs the same 5,000mAh battery as its predecessor. Google claims the battery can last beyond 24 hours, though your mileage will vary. We were never really impressed with the Pixel 6 Pro’s battery life, and the Android 13 update only worsened it. With a more efficient Tensor G2 chip and newer components, the Pixel 7 Pro should fare better than last year’s model.

Battery charging speeds remain unchanged as well. You can top up the battery to 50% in 30 minutes using a reliable PPS charger, but a full charge will take a while. And like the Pixel 6 series, you get fast wireless charging and Battery Share to charge your wireless accessories.

Google Pixel 7 Pro vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Pricing and availability

Google surprised everyone with the Pixel 6 pricing in 2021. Despite packing high-end specs, these phones were surprisingly very affordable and did not cross the $1,000 barrier. The company is also continuing that trend this year, with the Pixel 7 lineup costing the same as the Pixel 6. So, you can get the entry-level Pixel 7 Pro for $899, making it among the most affordable flagship phones on the market. Despite the bevy of improvements and rising component costs, it is commendable to see Google retain the same price tag for the Pixel 7 series.

The Pixel 6 series was widely panned for its limited availability. Google made amends by expanding the phone’s availability to more markets a few months after launch, but that was not enough. This time, the Pixel 7 series is available in a broader range of markets from day one, including India, Sweden, and Norway. That still pales compared to the availability of flagship phones of Samsung and Apple, but it’s an improvement nonetheless.

Google Pixel 7 Pro vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Should you upgrade?

Source: Google

The Pixel 7 Pro packs some notable improvements over the 6 Pro. But none of them are compelling enough for an upgrade. The new Pixel only fixes the flaws found in its predecessor but does not bring any significant leap in image quality, performance, or design. Instead, you should save money and buy the Pixel Watch or one of the best Android smartwatches on the market, as it would be a better companion to your Pixel phone.

Perhaps the only scenario when you should upgrade to the Pixel 7 Pro is if you are tired of the poor battery life and connectivity issues of the Pixel 6 Pro. That said, we can’t make a final call on that until we’ve tried out the phones during our review period. Take advantage of the best Pixel 7 Pro preorder deals, and you can get the latest Pixel for a stellar price.

Google Pixel 7 Pro
Pixel 7 Pro in Hazel
Source: Google

Camera upgrades and processing refinements help the Pixel 7 Pro distinguish itself from last year’s model handily. If you’re feeling the urge to trade in and upgrade, now is the best time as trade-in values (especially at the carriers) are quite generous for the 6 Pro.

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Apple announces Worldwide Developers Conference dates, in-person event – CityNews Toronto

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Apple has announced their annual developers conference will take place June 10 through June 14.

The big summer event will be live-streamed, but some select developers have been invited to attend in-person events at Apple’s campus in Cupertino, California, on June 10.

The company typically showcases their latest software and product updates — including the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AppleTV and Vision Pro headset — during a keynote address on the first day.

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Contributing to a drop in Apple’s stock price this year is concern it lags behind Microsoft and Google in the push to develop products powered by artificial intelligence technology. While Apple tends to keep its product development close to the vest, CEO Tim Cook signaled at the company’s annual shareholder meeting in February that it has been making big investments in generative AI and plans to disclose more later this year.

The week-long conference will have opportunities for developers to connect with Apple designers and engineers to gain insight into new tools, frameworks and features, according to the company’s announcement.

The Associated Press

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iPhone 16 Rumors Point to Action Button and New, Vertical Camera Layout – CNET

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The upcoming iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are still months away from their expected launch this fall, but a new set of images published online may give us a better sense of their potential features. Among the revelations, the iPhone 16 may include an action button, similar to the one on last year’s iPhone 15 Pro, and it may have redesigned cameras in a vertical stack.

AppleInsider published a series of photos it says show dummy 3D prints of the upcoming iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro from an unnamed leaker. Aside from the action button and reworked cameras on the iPhone 16, AppleInsider also said its source found the iPhone 16 Pro to be “slightly larger” than its predecessor. Analysts had earlier said they expect the Pro model screens will grow somewhat.

Read more: iPhone 16: All the Major Rumors on Apple’s Next iPhone

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The new details suggest that a series of expected hardware updates are likely for this year’s new iPhones. Apple typically announces new iPhones around September, and the company tends to offer incremental upgrades to each new phone, introducing, over the period of several years, better cameras, screens and battery life, features that end up seeming like major upgrades when people get around to buying a new phone

Last year, Apple added a new titanium frame, action button and USB-C charging to its iPhone 15 Pro, which starts at $999. For its entry-level iPhone, Apple followed its well-worn strategy of trickling pro features down to the mainstream, adding the iPhone 14 Pro’s well-received Dynamic Island to the $799 iPhone 15, along with USB-C charging.

AppleInsider didn’t indicate whether its leaker had divined a reason for the iPhone 16’s shifted camera placements, but the two lenses will now reportedly be stacked one on top of the other, instead of diagonally. Apple has previously said it uses stacked lenses on the iPhone 15 Pro for spatial video capture, a key new technology the company highlighted as part of its $3,499 Apple Vision Pro headset, released in February.

Though AppleInsider’s leaks appear to confirm many previous rumors, not all renders and 3D prints are accurate, something the rumor blog notes itself in its report. Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about the veracity of the leaks.

Watch this: What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like

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I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

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Leaked iPhone 16 dummy units hint at larger sizes and new buttons

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The iPhone 15 Pro Max, with a 6.7-inch screen
(Image credit: Future)

We’re already counting down to the arrival of the iPhone 16 series – most probably sometime in September – and a leak showing dummy units of the upcoming phones has revealed a few of the changes we can expect to see later this year.

These dummy units are usually based on supply chain information, and have various business uses – like helping case manufacturers get their wares ready for new phones before they’re launched, for example. In this case, the images were posted to Chinese social network Weibo, as spotted by MacRumors.

Perhaps the most interesting reveal from these blocks of plastic and metal is that they show the previously rumored increase in size for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max displays – up to 6.3 inches (from 6.1 inches) and 6.9 inches (from 6.7 inches) respectively.

That’s not a huge jump of course, but it does mean more screen space for apps and media. The bezels are apparently shrinking down to accommodate the larger screens, which means the increase in the physical size of these handsets is only a slight one.

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On the button

iPhone 16 dummy units leak

The next iPhones might look a bit like this, but less blue (Image credit: Weibo)

Further reveals from this leak match up with what we’ve heard before: that all four models are going to get the Action button that replaced the Ring/Silent switch on the 2023 Pro models, as well as a brand-new Capture button for getting more creative with photos.

Also of note is the redesigned rear camera module that we think is coming to the back of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. The new vertical, pill-shaped look has been leaked already, but this is more evidence that it’s on the way – taking us back to a design that’s more reminiscent of the iPhone 12, which came out in 2020.

As always with such rumors, be somewhat cautious about reading too much into the look of these dummy units. That said, as more and more similar leaks pile up, it becomes more likely that they’re based on accurate information.

The next big Apple date for your calendar is WWDC 2024 – its Worldwide Developers Conference starts on June 10, at which time we should hear much more about what’s coming this year with iOS 18 and Apple’s other software platforms.

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Freelance Contributor

Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you’ll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.

Leaked iPhone 16 dummy units hint at larger sizes and new buttons

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