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Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro review: The best pure Android phones, Bar none?

By Liu Hongzuo - 23 Oct 2022

Benchmarks, Battery Life, Conclusion

Benchmark Performance

The new Google Tensor G2 inside Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro is the brand’s proprietary, second-generation chipset for mobile devices, succeeding the original Google Tensor used on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.

Google Tensor G2 is responsible for supporting 5G networks, its overall performance and including AI-assisted tasks. Additionally, there’s a Titan M2 security chip that keeps biometrics and security data on-device.

It is a Samsung-made (yes, Samsung takes in semi-conductor manufacturing orders that aren't for their own gadgets) 5nm chipset with two big (Arm Cortex-X1 at 2.85GHz), two medium (Arm Cortex-A78 at 2.35GHz) and four small (Cortext-A55 at 1.80GHz) cores, an Arm Mali-G710 MP7 GPU, with a brand-new Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) for machine learning. 

Given how Google priced the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, we’re forced to compare it against other premium flagships of 2022, along with its predecessors to see if there are any gains. Google does have a lot of room to work with, but the brand did state that it’s not chasing raw power over features, so we’ll keep our expectations tempered.

One huge caveat before we dig deeper into the benchmark scores – at the time of publishing, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro phones were not compatible with most benchmarking apps, which is likely a deliberate choice by Google given how all the other apps had no compatibility issues. We had to sideload some of our benchmarking apps, and the scores below may not reflect Google’s synthetic processing performance, much less real-world use.

  Google Pixel 7 Google Pixel 7 Pro Vivo X80 Pro Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G OnePlus 10 Pro Oppo Find X5 Pro Google Pixel 6 Pro Google Pixel 6
  Google Pixel 7 Google Pixel 7 Pro Vivo X80 Pro Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G OnePlus 10 Pro Oppo Find X5 Pro Google Pixel 6 Pro Google Pixel 6
Launch SRP
  • From S$999
  • From S$1299
  • From S$1699
  • From S$1398
  • From S$1299
  • From S$1699
  • From S$1299
  • From S$999
Network:
  • Up to 5G Sub 6GHz
  • Up to 5G Sub 6GHz
  • 5G (NSA/SA), 4G, 3G
  • Up to 5G SA and NSA
  • Up to 5G SA and NSA
  • Up to 5G Sub 6GHz
  • Up to 5G Sub 6GHz
Operating system
  • Android 13
  • Android 13
  • Android 12 (Funtouch OS 12)
  • Android 12 (Samsung One UI 4.1.1)
  • OxygenOS 12.1 based on Android 12
  • ColorOS 12 based on Android 12
  • Android 12
  • Android 12
Processor
  • Google Tensor G2
  • Titan M2 security co-processor
  • Google Tensor G2
  • Titan M2 security co-processor
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
  • Vivo V1+ chip (AI-assisted image processing)
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
  • MariSilicon X NPU
  • Google Tensor
  • Titan M2 security co-processor
  • Google Tensor
  • Titan M2 security co-processor
Built-in Memory
  • 8GB RAM (LPDDR5)
  • 12GB RAM (LPDDR5)
  • 12GB RAM
  • 8GB RAM
  • 12GB RAM (LPDDR5)
  • 12GB RAM (LPDDR5)
  • 12GB RAM (LPDDR5)
  • 8GB RAM (LPDDR5)
Display
  • 6.3-inch, AMOLED, 2,400 x 1,080 pixels resolution, 90Hz refresh rate, HDR, 24-bit colour
  • 6.7-inch, LTPO AMOLED, 3,120 x 1,440 pixels resolution, 10-120Hz refresh rate, HDR, 24-bit colour, 1,500-nits peak brightness
  • 6.78-inch / 3,200 x 1,440 pixels (~517 ppi) / 120Hz refresh rate / AMOLED Display
  • Main Screen:6.7-inch / Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex / 2,640 x 1,080 pixels (425 ppi) / 22:9 aspect ratio / 1 to 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
  • Cover Screen: 1.9-inch / Super AMOLED / 512 x 260 pixels (302 ppi)
  • 6.7-inch, LTPO AMOLED, 3,126 x 1,440 pixels resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 10-bit colour
  • 6.7-inch, LTPO AMOLED, 3,126 x 1,440 pixels resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 10-bit colour
  • 6.7-inch, LTPO AMOLED, 3,120 x 1,440 pixels resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR, 24-bit colour
  • 6.4-inch, LTPO AMOLED, 2,340 x 1,080 pixels resolution, 90Hz refresh rate, HDR, 24-bit colour
Camera
  • Rear:
  • (Main) 50MP, 1/.31-inch sensor size, f/1.85 aperture, 1.2μm pixel size, Octa PD, Quad Bayer
  • (Ultra-wide) 12MP, f/2.2 aperture, 1.25μm pixel size, 114° FOV
  • Laser detect Autofocus, OIS
  • Front:
  • 10.8MP, f/2.2 aperture, 1.22μm pixel size, fixed focus
  • Rear:
  • (Main) 50MP, 1/.31-inch sensor size, f/1.85 aperture, 1.2μm pixel size, Octa PD, Quad Bayer
  • (Ultra-wide) 12MP, f/2.2 aperture, 1.25μm pixel size, 125.8° FOV, AutoFocus
  • (Telephoto) 48MP, f/3.5 aperture, 0.7μm pixel size, 5x optical zoom, 30x Super Res Zoom
  • Laser detect Autofocus, OIS, EIS
  • Front:
  • 10.8MP, f/2.2 aperture, 1.22μm pixel size, fixed focus
  • ZEISS Co-engineered Imaging System
  • Rear:
  • 50MP main camera, f/1.57, ZEISS Gimbal Portrait Camera, OIS
  • 48MP ultra-wide, f/2.2
  • 12MP portrait, f/1.85
  • 8MP periscope telephoto, f/3.4, 5x optical zoom
  • Front:
  • 32MP main, f/2.45
  • Rear:
  • 12MP main, f/1.8 aperture, 1.8μm pixel size, 83 ̊ FOV, Dual Pixel AF, OIS
  • 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.2 aperture, 1.12μm pixel size, 123 ̊ FOV
  • Front:
  • 10MP, f/2.4 aperture,1.22μm pixel size, 80 ̊ FOV
  • Rear:
  • (Main) 48MP, f/1.8 aperture, 1.12μm pixel size, OIS, EIS
  • (Ultra-wide) 50MP, f/2.2 aperture, 150° FOV
  • (Telephoto) 8MP, f/2.4 aperture, 3.3x optical zoom, 30x digital zoom, OIS
  • Front:
  • 32MP, f/2.2 aperture, 0.8μm pixel size, fixed focus, EIS
  • Rear:
  • (Main) 50MP, f/1.7 aperture, 1.0μm pixel size, 5-axis OIS
  • (Ultra-wide) 50MP, f/2.2 aperture, 1.00μm pixel size, 110° FOV
  • (Telephoto) 13MP, f/2.4 aperture, 5x hybrid optical zoom, 20x digital zoom
  • Front:
  • 32MP, f/2.4 aperture, 0.8μm pixel size, fixed focus
  • Rear:
  • (Main) 50MP, f/1.85 aperture, 1.2μm pixel size, Octa PD, Quad Bayer
  • (Ultra-wide) 12MP, f/2.2 aperture, 1.25μm pixel size, 114° FOV
  • (Telephoto) 48MP, f/3.5 aperture, 0.8μm pixel size, 4x optical zoom, 20x Super Res zoom
  • Laser detect Autofocus, OIS
  • Front:
  • 11.1MP, f/2.2 aperture, 1.22μm pixel size, fixed focus
  • Rear:
  • (Main) 50MP, f/1.85 aperture, 1.2μm pixel size, Octa PD, Quad Bayer
  • (Ultra-wide) 12MP, f/2.2 aperture, 1.25μm pixel size, 114° FOV
  • Laser detect Autofocus, OIS
  • Front:
  • 8MP, f/2.0 aperture, 1.12μm pixel size, fixed focus
Video Support
  • (Rear) 4K60FPS, Slow motion 240FPS, OIS
  • (Rear) 4K60FPS, Slow motion 240FPS, OIS
  • Up to 8K30FPS, 4K60FPS
  • (Rear) 8K24FPS, 4K120FPS, 1080p60FPS
  • (Rear) 4K60FPS, 5-axis OIS
  • (Rear) 4K60FPS, Slow motion 240FPS, OIS
  • (Rear) 4K60FPS, Slow motion 240FPS, OIS
Connectivity
  • Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, Google Cast, Dual Band GNSS, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou
  • Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, Google Cast, Dual Band GNSS, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou
  • Up to Wi-Fi 6 (2.4GHz, 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, OTG, Type-C USB 3.1
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 5G (NSA, SA, Sub6, mmWave), 4G (LTE) , Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB-C
  • Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB Type-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1), GPS, A-GPS, BeiDou, GLONASS, Galileo
  • Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, UWB, USB Type-C, GPS, A-GPS, BeiDou, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS
  • Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, UWB, USB Type-C 3.1 Gen 1, Google Cast, Dual Band GNSS, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou
  • Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB Type-C 3.1 Gen 1, Google Cast, Dual Band GNSS, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou
Storage Type
  • 128GB (UFS 3.1)
  • 256GB (UFS 3.1)
  • 128GB (UFS 3.1)
  • 256GB (UFS 3.1)
  • 256GB internal storage
  • 128GB internal storage
  • 256GB internal storage
  • 512GB internal storage
  • UFS 3.1
  • 256GB (UFS 3.1)
  • 256GB (UFS 3.1)
  • 128GB (UFS 3.1)
  • 128GB (UFS 3.1)
Battery
  • 4,355mAh
  • 20W wired fast-charging (PD 3.0)
  • 20W wireless fast-charging (Qi-certified)
  • 5,000mAh
  • 23W wired fast-charging (PD 3.0)
  • 23W wireless fast-charging (Qi-certified)
  • 4,700mAh
  • 80W FlashCharge
  • 50W Wireless FlashCharge
  • 3,700mAh
  • 25W Fast Charging
  • Fast Wireless Charging 2.0
  • Wireless PowerShare
  • 5,000mAh
  • 80W wired fast-charging (SuperVOOC)
  • 50W wireless fast-charging (AirVOOC)
  • 5,000mAh
  • 80W wired fast-charging (SuperVOOC)
  • 50W wireless fast-charging (AirVOOC)
  • 5.003mAh
  • 30W wired fast-charging (PD 3.0)
  • 23W wireless fast-charging (Qi-certified)
  • 4,614mAh
  • 30W wired fast-charging (PD 3.0)
  • 21W wireless fast-charging (Qi-certified)
Dimensions
  • 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm
  • 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9mm
  • 164.6 x 75.3 x 9.1mm
  • Unfolded: 165.2 x 71.9 x 6.9mm
  • Folded: 84.9 x 71.9 x 15.9 - 17.1mm
  • 163 x 73.9 x 8.55mm
  • 163.7 x 73.9 x 8.5mm
  • 163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9mm
  • 158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9mm
Weight
  • 197g
  • 212g
  • 219g
  • 187g
  • 201g
  • 218g
  • 210g
  • 207g

 

JetStream 2.0

JetStream 2 is a combination of a variety of JavaScript and Web Assembly benchmarks, including benchmarks that came before like SunSpider and Octane. It primarily tests for a system’s and browser’s ability to deliver a good web experience. It runs a total of 64 subtests, each weighted equally, with multiple iterations, and takes the geometric mean to compute the overall score. The higher the score, the better.

 

Geekbench 5

Geekbench CPU is a cross-platform processor benchmark that tests both single-core and multi-core performance with workloads that simulate real-world usage. Geekbench 5 scores are calibrated against a baseline score of 1000, which is the score of an Intel Core i3-8100. The higher the score, the better.

 

3DMark Wild Life (Unlimited)

3DMark Wild Life is a cross-platform benchmark for Windows, Android and Apple iOS for measuring GPU performance. Its graphics test consists of multiple scenes with variations in the amount of geometry, lights and post-processing effects, mirroring mobile games that are based on short bursts of intense activity. Wild Life uses the Vulkan graphics API on Windows PCs and Android devices. On iOS devices, it uses Metal.

In Unlimited mode, the benchmark runs offscreen using a fixed time step between frames. Unlimited mode renders exactly the same frames in every run on every device, regardless of resolution scaling. The higher the score, the better.

 

PCMark for Android - Work 3.0 and Storage 2.0

PCMark for Android is a benchmark for testing the performance of Android phones and tablets. The Work 3.0 test checks how the device handles common productivity tasks such as browsing the web, editing videos, working with documents and data, and editing photos. Storage 2.0 checks write-in and read-out performance for internal storage, external storage (if applicable), and SQLite database management. Together, the benchmarks can clue us in on how capable a phone handles everyday use. Work 3.0 scores are above, while Storage 2.0 scores are immediately below for each device - the higher the score, the better.

 

Benchmark Performance remarks

It appears that Google Tensor G2 kept its raw performance similar to the first Google Tensor. It’s a little confusing since the clockrates were slightly higher this time around. The good news is that Tensor G2 (and subsequently Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro) weren’t compatible with synthetic benchmarks, so it’s likely that the phones were not rigged or manipulated to show impressive numbers. The lower performance were also consistent with last year’s results. Folks expecting a huge gain between phone generations may find it disappointing, but it’s expected as Google did already state that raw performance isn’t a game they wish to play.

While the Google Tensor G2 may not pull impressive synthetic scores, the phones were able to keep consistent temperatures of ~37°C during each test, and were very reliable in real-world use.

The scores also show that the Pixel 7 might make a better purchase choice since you’re not getting significant processing gains from picking the Pro version. If anything, it reinforces how the Pro differentiates itself with less negotiable choices, like an extra Telephoto camera, higher refresh rate, and bigger display size. You’re not going to get “more” with Pro, just as you won’t get “less” with regular Pixel 7.

 

Battery Life

Our standard battery test for mobile phones has the following parameters:

  • Looping a 720p video with screen brightness and volume at 100%
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity turned on
  • Constant data streaming through email

The Pixel 7 packs a 4,355mAh battery (259mAh smaller than its predecessor) with nearly the same wired fast-charging (20W) and wireless fast-charging (20W) speeds. The Pixel 7 Pro gets 5,000mAh (almost identical to its predecessor) with 23W wired and wireless fast charging.

Naturally, a lower battery capacity on the Pixel 7 would see shorter-than-before battery life, but the difference sits within an acceptable range. The Pixel 7 also grants us the same uptime as the Pixel 7 Pro (likely because of the latter’s 1440p display setting sapping up power).

Pixel 7 took 32 minutes to charge from 0% to 50% and 1 hour 25 minutes to get a full charge from nothing, using a third-party 65W wall charger. The same adapter netted 35 minutes and 1 hour 47 minutes respectively for the Pixel 7 Pro. We’d use Google’s default 30W charger, but it’s not included in their boxes and is sold separately in the Google Store



 

To Pixel or not, that is the question

The Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro duo are wonderful Android phones that do plenty of things right, but also leave a fair room for improvement – with some necessary tweaks more pertinent than others.

If we take stock of what’s good in both models, it would fall upon their high-quality IP68-rated build, their impressively fluid and clean UI, and highly inclusive software-based features that’s only gotten better with time. They also have excellent imaging performance that provides assistance to both pro-level editing (Photo Unblur) and the impaired (Guided Frame). It’s unlikely to find a more encompassing, more sensible, and more practical choice than a Pixel 7 and 7 Pro among the many Android alternatives with all sorts of distracting bells and whistles. 

Both Pixel 7 and 7 Pro also see mildly improved sensors for unlocking and payments, while staying relatively glitch-free at launch. These little things help to boost confidence in non-Pixel converts who are curious to learn what the purist Android fuss is all about.

 

If you had to pick one, which would it be?

If you’re looking at a Pixel 7 Pro, it’s also sweeter with a 1440p resolution display with 120Hz at just S$1,299 (128GB). The extra 48MP telephoto camera does a lot of heavy lifting with excellent in-sensor and optical zoom options, plus it has one of the most functional, stable, long-range zoom in modern Android phones. While its design could afford an update, the Pixel 7 Pro would be one of the first handsets you'd consider if you value a nice display and powerful zoom handling for photography. Just slap a better-looking case on it before you start shooting.

Our personal preference is the more affordable S$999 (128GB) Google Pixel 7. By shaving S$300, we’re getting the same Google Tensor G2 processor with similar performance and battery uptime, while trading out the higher resolution display for a 1080p 90Hz one and skipping out on a telephoto lens. Having a flat display and smaller body also makes all the cool Android 13 shortcuts and accessibility features easier to handle on the Pixel 7. Experientially, it’s easily one of the best 2022 flagship-tier smartphones under a thousand bucks, and having 8x max zoom isn't half bad. Together, both Pixel 7 and 7 Pro have impressive sets of perks that earn high marks in our ratings.

Folks who like to keep all their content on-device might have to consider ponying up S$130 to S$150 more for the 256GB variants (Pixel 7 256GB at S$1,129 and Pixel 7 Pro 256GB at S$1,449), but that’s hardly a deal breaker when premium flagship options generally start at the S$1,300 to S$1,400 range (albeit with better raw performance). For instance, Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are priced well under the Vivo X80 Pro and Oppo Find X5 Pro (S$1,699), and your stylish Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G starts at S$1,398.

 

A better Pixel for the future

That said, Google’s lack of improvements to the Pixel 7’s battery life and raw performance might leave them struggling to compete with true premium flagship alternatives. Its predecessors were excused since it was Google’s first rodeo with its proprietary Google Tensor chipset. But, it’s been a year now, and seeing no improvements in Tensor G2’s performance or battery uptime makes the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro less appealing to current Pixel 6 series users. We had no choice, but to penalise the Pixels on their performance rating for the lapse.

If it wasn’t possible to create huge leaps in processing performance, then perhaps Google should at least consider packing its 30W charger in the box (or offering it as a local bonus) to shore up its value proposition against other competitive Android devices. After all, it’s easier to hook users over with obvious benefits before you lock them in with Pixel’s amazing user experience, interface, and cameras.

Google also hasn’t made upgrading easier for loyal Pixel 6 fans, since there are no trade-up promotions, no change in official pricing, and no freebies or loyalty bonuses for #teampixel.

While its variant availability did improve from last year's 128GB-only spread, Google also did not bring in more colour options for the 256GB SKU, and completely left out 512GB option for the local market. If anything, the older Pixel 6 and 6 Pro received an official price cut (S$50 for Pixel 6, S$300 off for Pixel 6 Pro) on the Google Store at the time of writing.

Perhaps the irony isn’t lost on Google with how Pixel 7 and 7 Pro seems attractive to nearly everyone else but existing Pixel 6 series users. Perhaps it matters more to Google that you’re #teampixel, enjoying all its software features on a high-quality, pure Android phone.

To recap, the Pixel 7 (128GB) starts at S$999, and the Pixel 7 Pro (128GB) starts at S$1,299, and they’re available now local on Google Store and third-party e-commerce sites like Amazon Singapore, Courts Online, Challenger Online, and Shopee.
 

Ratings breakdown
  Design Features User-friendliness Performance Value Overall

Google Pixel 7
8.5 9.0 9.0 7.5 9.0

Click to view the pros and cons.


Google Pixel 7 Pro
8.0 9.5 9.0 7.0 7.0

Click to view the pros and cons.

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