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Google Pixel 7 vs older Google phones: Should you upgrade? – Android Authority

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Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

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Google returned to proper flagship territory last year with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro and continues the trend with the Pixel 7 series. The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are iterative updates, but that’s not necessarily bad for a company whose biggest problem is consistency. Of course, you get the expected upgrades with faster processors, a more refined design, and the latest software package.

The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro aren’t massive overhauls and don’t stray from the formula Google established last year. This brings up the interesting question, is the Pixel 7 series worth the upgrade if you have an older Google phone? We pit Google’s latest against everything that’s come before to find out.

Read more: Everything you need to know about the Pixel 7 series


Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 6a

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

The Pixel 6a is Google’s latest addition to its popular “a” series. Like the other devices in the line, the Pixel 6a borrows the best elements of its flagship namesake, including the new design language and the Tensor processor, while cutting costs everywhere else to make it one of the most affordable Pixels you can get your hands on. The Pixel 6a and the Pixel 7 series are in two completely different smartphone categories, so it’s no surprise that the latest flagships are objectively better phones.

The Pixel 7 series gives you better build quality, a faster processor, more RAM, higher storage options, and wireless charging. And the smaller phone’s dual camera setup with its 50MP primary camera is better than the 12MP cameras you get with the 6a. You can also make the jump to a three-camera system with the 7 Pro. The 7 and 7 Pro also have larger displays with higher refresh rates. The only thing common between the three phones is the software, with all of them eligible for the latest versions of Android for the next three years, along with security updates for the next five.

See also: The best affordable Android phones you can get

The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are definitely better compared to the Pixel 6a. But if you’ve already bought the latter this year, you’re probably not looking to upgrade. Yes, the Pixel 6a isn’t as good, but it’s got good cameras, solid performance, an excellent software experience, and even extras like water resistance. More importantly, it’s half the price of the standard Pixel 7. The Pixel 6a is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly phone. But if you want the latest and greatest, the Pixel 7 series is the way to go.

Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 6 series

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

The Pixel 6 series and the 6 Pro, in particular, was Google’s return to the flagship space after its mid-range predecessor. The series brought a much-needed upgrade to the Pixel line, with the 6 series featuring an all-new design, a homebrewed processing package, more RAM and storage than previous devices, and a superior camera system, especially with the Pro.

For seemingly the first time, Google decided to stick with the tried and tested formula with its latest Pixels. The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro carry a lot of the design language and hardware from their predecessors, so it’s not the overhaul that some hope for year after year. While the spec sheets might look the same, key upgrades across the board exist.

Read more: Pixel 7 vs Pixel 6 | Pixel 7 Pro vs Pixel 6 Pro

The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro come with displays that are 25% brighter, making the vivid colors pop even more. The new and faster Tensor G2 powers the two phones, and the more refined design with a metallic bar and single-tone colorways make for a less flashy but still premium look. And even though the camera hardware is similar, you get plenty of new and exciting camera features with the latest Pixels.

The Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro have a lot going for them, but if you already have their predecessors, there’s no reason to upgrade. In fact, we include the 6 and 6 Pro as viable alternatives to get instead of the latest Pixels if you want to jump into the Pixel world while saving some money. Newer is better in this case, though. It also helps that the new Pixels are available in many more countries this time. So while you don’t need to upgrade, if you were waiting to buy a new phone, the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are the way to go.


Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 5a

Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority

The Pixel 5a was an exciting addition to the “a” line. Instead of being a cheaper alternative to its flagship counterpart, like other phones in the series, it replaced the Pixel 5 and the Pixel 4a 5G. Despite being released last year, the 5a has the same processing package as Google’s 2020 releases, looks the same, has similar hardware, and offers an identical software experience.

The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are, unsurprisingly, solid upgrades over the Pixel 5a. The new design stands out, the Tensor G2 chip offers better performance, and you get a superior camera package. Of course, there are also flagship extras like more RAM, storage, wireless charging, and a better IP68 rating for dust and water resistance (compared to IP67 for the Pixel 5a).

Even then, it’s probably too soon to upgrade from the Pixel 5a unless you can get a good deal on a trade-in. The Pixel 5a will get a couple more Android software upgrades and four more years of security updates, so it won’t be left behind. It’s not the most powerful and will start to show its age sooner than a flagship. But until it does, you can safely hold on to it.


Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 5

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

The Pixel 5 was Google’s attempt at doing something different during a time when true flagships were only getting more expensive. It was a mid-range device through and through, but Google’s AI smarts for the camera and the software experience made for a far better phone than the specs or its price point would suggest. It’s no surprise that despite falling well behind the competition on the specs sheet, the Pixel 5 was still an incredibly popular device in 2020.

Because of its mid-range nature, it’s no surprise that the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are better than the Pixel 5. The vanilla Pixel 7 is a closer comparison, with similar features like a 90Hz display, dust and water resistance, and wireless charging. The Pixel 7 brings more power to the table, has a more modern design, and has a much better camera package. It’ll also get more software upgrades, which is to be expected with a newer phone.

The Pixel 5 holds up quite well a couple of years later and will get another major software upgrade and a few more years of security updates. You don’t need to upgrade from the Pixel 5 unless you want to.


Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 4 series

David Imel / Android Authority

Google made a lot of interesting but ultimately divisive choices with the Pixel 4 series. The unsightly notch from its predecessor was gone, but the forehead returned, this time with a lot of tech in tow. The Motion Sense and Soli radar system helped with Face Unlock. But that led to Google completely removing the fingerprint scanner from these phones. Seeing how every future Pixel brought back the fingerprint sensor, it was obviously not a great decision at the time.

The Pixel 4 and 4 XL were the first in the series to come with a dual-camera system and 90Hz display refresh rates. The camera proved to be the only saving grace for otherwise poor devices. They were costly, had plenty of software bugs and glitches, and to say that the battery life was disappointing is putting it kindly.

The Pixel 4 series hasn’t aged well, so it’s probably time for an upgrade.

The Pixel 4 series is three years old, and flagships usually last longer. Unfortunately, these phones haven’t aged particularly well, with people still complaining about battery-related problems and software issues. It’ll get Android 13, but that’s also the end of the road as far as major upgrades go.

So if you’re looking for an upgrade, now is a great time. The Pixel 7 series is better in every way, and while it likely won’t be a stranger to its share of bugs, Google has done a much better job of refining and improving the overall experience.


Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 3 series and older

The high price points of the Pixel 3 series were a huge point of contention when the phones were released in 2018 and led, in part, to the introduction of the “a” series. Of course, other phones were priced similarly, but most offered a lot more to justify their thousand-dollar price points. That’s not to say that Google didn’t try, though.

The Pixel 3 wasn’t a vast improvement, but the Pixel 3 XL introduced a handful of new features, even if not all of them were greeted kindly. The colossal notch looked out of place even on a 2018 phone. But it did house a dual-camera setup to cover all your selfie needs. You also have the premium build quality, dust and water resistance, and wireless charging. The phones weren’t bad, but just far too expensive.

See more: How Google’s Pixel pricing has changed over the years

Now is the perfect time to upgrade if you’ve held onto your Pixel 3 or 3 XL. The older Pixels will no longer receive major Android upgrades (the last was Android 12) and will reach the end of the security update cycle next year. The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro bring a lot of what might have enticed you to the Pixel 3 XL a few years ago. You’ll get a new design, fantastic cameras, beautiful displays, and a smooth software experience. They are also cheaper than the Pixel 3 series was at launch if that makes your decision easier.


Should you upgrade to the Google Pixel 7 series?

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

Whether you should upgrade has always been easy to answer for the Pixel line because every phone is different and new. The Pixel 7 series is the first that is an iterative update, similar to what we’ve seen from Samsung and Apple over the years. That’s definitely not a bad thing. But it also means you don’t have to upgrade to the latest Pixels if you have the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro. Yes, you’ll get a better camera experience and a faster processor. Everything else is mostly the same, though. So unless there’s a great trade-in deal on offer, you don’t need to make the jump yet.

You can also safely hold on to the Pixel 6a, Pixel 5a, and Pixel 5 for at least a year or two. The Pixel 7 series is better than these phones in every way. But most of these would be recent purchases. Even if they are mid-rangers, you don’t need to upgrade your phone every year or two. But if you are still rocking a Pixel 4 or Pixel 3 series phone, now is the time to jump to the latest that Google offers.

Google Pixel 7

Tensor G2 processor
Upgraded camera
Low price

Google Pixel 7 Pro

Best Google camera
High-quality display
Big battery


Will you be upgrading from an older Google smartphone to a Pixel 7? Let us know in the comments!

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Ottawa orders TikTok’s Canadian arm to be dissolved

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The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.

“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.

The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.

However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”

Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.

A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.

“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.

“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”

The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.

At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.

A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”

Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.

Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.

Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.

Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.

While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.

Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.

The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.

— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Here is how to prepare your online accounts for when you die

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LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?

It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.

Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:

Apple

The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.

For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.

You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.

Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.

Google

Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.

When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.

You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.

There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.

Facebook and Instagram

Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.

When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.

The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.

You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.

TikTok

The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.

Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.

X

It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.

Passwords

Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?

Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.

But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.

___

Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.

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Google’s partnership with AI startup Anthropic faces a UK competition investigation

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LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.

The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.

The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.

“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”

San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.

Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”

“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.

The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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