Google Pixel 7 Evaluation – Mid-range telephone shines

Joshua Waller opinions the brand new Google Pixel 7 to learn how it stacks up when in comparison with the Pixel 7 Professional, and whether or not it’s a more sensible choice than the Pixel 6. For a value of £599, does this mid-range smartphone provide sufficient to tempt you away from the likes of Samsung and Apple?

Google Pixel 7 at a look:

• 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, with out AF, 0.7x 16mm equal
• 50MP f/1.85 wide-angle digicam with OIS, PDAF, 1x, 24mm equal
• As much as 8x “Tremendous Res Zoom” (8x stills, 7x video)
• Show: 6.3inch, OLED, 90Hz, HDR, 1080×2400 pixels
• Working system: Android 13, 8GB RAM
• Dimensions: 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm, 197g
• £599 sim-free (8GB/128GB)

Google Pixel 7 Options

The Google Pixel 7 is Google’s mid-range smartphone, with a value mounted at £599 / $599 it truly is the definition of mid-range. However quite than cram in a 3rd area filler resembling a horrible 2MP macro lens, Google has included a superb important digicam (50MP), and an honest 12MP ultra-wide digicam.

The Pixel 7 consists of the controversial (or marmite like) digicam bar, in addition to various quite spectacular computational images options, that left us impressed final 12 months within the Pixel 6.

Nonetheless, there are variations to be discovered, with the Pixel 7 utilizing a barely smaller display screen, in addition to a barely smaller physique than the 6. In actual fact, the distinction sounds minimal trying on the measurements, however within the hand, the Pixel 6 now feels noticeably bigger, in addition to noticeably fatter. So, anybody who has been postpone by the chunkiness of the Pixel 6, ought to positively take a look at the Pixel 7.

Different enhancements discovered within the Pixel 7 embrace an improved selfie digicam over the Pixel 6, with the identical 10.8MP unit as discovered within the Pixel 7 Professional, in comparison with the 8MP selfie digicam within the Pixel 6.

Google Pixel 7 Professional, left, Google Pixel 7, proper, Picture: JW

Sadly, the Pixel 7 doesn’t profit from a number of the different enhancements which were made to the 7 Professional, resembling the brand new macro mode (due to the ultra-wide digicam on the 7 Professional that includes AF), and the 7 has to make do with a fixed-focus ultra-wide-angle digicam as an alternative.

There’s additionally the shortage of a telephoto lens unit, as an alternative the 7 can use “Tremendous Res Zoom” as much as 8x, though the default possibility of 2x is generally one of the best to make use of.

By way of different variations, the Pixel 7 has a 6.3inch display screen in comparison with the 6.4inch display screen on the Pixel 6, and the 6.7inch display screen on the 7 Professional. The display screen on the Pixel 6 and seven is flat, in comparison with the curved edges on the extra premium 7 Professional.

The distinction in measurements is pretty minimal, however the distinction in hand is sort of noticeable, and this additionally makes a distinction in case you use a case on the telephone.

Google Pixel 7, Picture: JW

The Pixel 7 retains the identical RRP that the Pixel 6 was launched at, being out there for £599 (8GB/128GB), which places in firmly within the mid-range value stage.

The Pixel 7 Professional is priced at £849 (RRP, for the 128GB storage possibility) which is noticeably lower than different premium / flagship smartphones which regularly hit the £1000+ value level. For that cause, the Pixel 7 Professional additionally affords nice worth for cash, contemplating what’s on provide.

The Google Pixel 7 has an all the time on show, in addition to an improved selfie digicam.

The selfie digicam is a ten.8MP f/2.2 wide-angle (21mm equal) digicam, which is mounted focus, and due to this fact doesn’t match the auto-focus selfie cameras on another premium smartphones.

Let’s discover out if the Pixel 7 is well worth the cash, or if there’s one thing lacking from the Pixel 7 in comparison with the 7 Professional…

Google Pixel 7 Dealing with and Design

The Pixel 7 encompasses a non-curved 6.3inch OLED display screen, with a 1080×2400 pixel decision, and a dynamic refresh fee as much as 90Hz. Colors look nice on the display screen, and there’s additionally a great stage of brightness on provide, which will help with visibility out in vibrant sunny climate.

Google Pixel 7, rear, with digicam bump

Gorilla Glass Victus might be discovered at the back and front, and that is Gorilla Glass’ hardest safety presently out there. An IP68 ranking provides you a water-resistant ranking right down to 1.5m for 30mins, though there may be an uncovered USB port, so this isn’t actually really helpful for normal use, with out added safety.

By way of the software program, the telephone comes with Android 13, and also you get (no less than) 5 years of updates, in addition to a 2year guarantee. Google typically launch each function updates, in addition to safety updates, so you may anticipate each digicam enhancements in addition to bug fixes to come back in future.

The display screen and rear of the Google Pixel 7 is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, photograph: Joshua Waller / AP

Stereo audio system are included, in addition to a number of microphones to make sure excessive audio high quality each for playback and calls.

The Pixel 7 feels fairly svelte within the hand, notably in case you’re used to bigger telephones. The telephone feels extraordinarily effectively constructed, and the way good the telephone appears to be like relies on what color choices you go for, with the Obsidian black trying good. I don’t suppose it appears to be like as premium because the 7 Professional, but it surely’s not far off.

Google Pixel 7, rear digicam models close-up, Picture: Joshua Waller

For those who do go for the “Snow” or Lemongrass colors, then you definately get a shiny silvery digicam bar, which I believe appears to be like a little bit bit higher than the darkish gray of the “Obsidian” mannequin, however your individual private preferences could differ.

As with virtually each different smartphone on the market, I’d positively advocate the usage of a case, as it will assist scale back the slippery nature of the telephone.

A 4355mAh battery is built-in, and affords quick wi-fi charging, in addition to help for 30W quick charging. I had no worries about battery life when utilizing the smartphone, and basically the telephone feels extraordinarily fast, snappy, and responsive.

Google Pixel 7 digicam app proven right here, photograph: Joshua Waller

Utilizing the digicam app you get a row of digicam modes alongside the underside, with a shutter button above this. There’s a row of lens choices, which embrace .7, 1x, and a couple of, that are brief for the principle cameras together with 0.7x (for the ultra-wide), 1x (for the principle large angle digicam), and 2x utilizing the Tremendous Decision Zoom.

The totally different capturing modes out there embrace:

• Night time sight – which incorporates Astrophotography
• Movement – with choices for Lengthy publicity or motion pan
• Portrait – with choices for face retouching, and a 1x or 2x zoom
• Video – slow-motion, regular and time-lapse
• Cinematic – video with background blur

With extra you’ll find ‘Panorama’, ‘Picture Sphere’ and Lens.

Past these you get extra photograph options and choices in playback, when enhancing images, beneath Instruments, together with the Magic eraser, Unblur, and Portrait blur. The digicam additionally options Face Unblur and Actual Tone.

Night time Sight – the evening mode has been improved and is claimed to be 3 times sooner than the earlier Pixel. This can be utilized handheld, however if you use the digicam on a strong floor or tripod, it is going to allow the astrophotography mode which may take for much longer photographs, in addition to generate a timelapse video for you.

Lens flare might be a problem with the Pixel 7, 1/5952s, f/1.8, ISO47, 7mm/24mm equal

The Movement mode can be utilized to lengthy publicity images, resembling a blurred waterfall or river, in addition to gentle trails. How efficient that is can depend upon the topic, and there may be restricted management over settings, however when it really works it may be very spectacular, particularly as there isn’t any want for a tripod or different stabilisation that you’d historically want with cameras.

The portrait mode provides you enhancing choices that allow you to modify the background blur (or bokeh), in addition to add “Portrait Mild” for extra flattering lighting. Utilizing the rear digicam, you may shoot at 1x or 2x zoom, and when utilizing the selfie digicam, you’ve the choice of a 0.7x wide-angle view, or 1x.

Cinematic video is new with the Pixel 7 Professional and seven and affords a “cinematic blur” to your movies, promising to maintain your topic in focus, and the background blurred “for dramatic impact”. This seems to be in response to the function that was launched with the iPhone 13 Professional final 12 months however can solely be recorded at a decision of FullHD, and outcomes are usually lower than spectacular.

Google Pixel 7, this picture is an instance of the place HDR has gone a bit excessive, 1/833s, f/1.8, ISO39, 7mm/24mm equal. Picture (C) Joshua Waller

Uncooked capturing is obtainable, with the digicam giving DNG pictures. If you’d like take pictures with out robust HDR, then the uncooked information offer you this feature.

Google Pixel 7 Picture high quality and efficiency

The digicam interface provides an easy-to-use system, with nearly all of settings robotically managed. If the digicam detects low-light, it is going to robotically change to Night time sight. For those who need to take management, there are some settings you may change (resembling white steadiness and brightness), in addition to the beforehand talked about uncooked possibility, however there are not any handbook controls out there.

Pixel 7 ultra-wide digicam, Amsterdam Botanic Gardens, 1/1479s, f/2.2, ISO45, 2mm/16mm equal. Picture (C) Joshua Waller

The ultra-wide-angle digicam provides good outcomes though there may be some distortion, as with most ultra-wide-angle cameras on smartphones. The corners may present some noise, notably when capturing in darker circumstances. Color copy is superb, and element is respectable, though does drop off into the far corners.

Pixel 7 Extensive-angle digicam, Amsterdam’s botanic gardens, 1/2571s, f/1.8, ISO40, 7mm/24mm equal. Picture (C) Joshua Waller

The wide-angle or commonplace digicam makes use of an f/1.85 aperture, with PDAF (phase-detection AF), in addition to Laser AF, and mixed with Optical Picture Stabilisation (OIS) can be utilized for low-light capturing. Picture high quality from this digicam is superb, with detailed and sharp pictures, and wonderful color copy.

2x telephoto utilizing digital Tremendous Res zoom, 1/4219s, f/1.8, ISO43, 48mm equal. Picture (C) Joshua Waller

Use the telephoto possibility, and you may choose 2x zoom, and this makes use of the principle digicam, with a crop, and Google’s “Tremendous Res zoom” expertise that takes various photographs to enhance the element captured. You can too zoom to 8x zoom, and this makes use of the Tremendous Res Zoom expertise to take various photographs, combining them to supply a picture with (in idea) extra element, and decreased noise.

While the pictures we took positively didn’t have the jagged edges that you just’d usually see with digital zoom, we didn’t see a lot extra element, so it’s doubtless that is greatest prevented, nevertheless, as much as 2x provides affordable outcomes.

Micropia, Amsterdam, optical picture stabilisation has meant we didn’t want to fret a few slower shutter velocity, 1/25s, f/1.8, ISO119, 7mm/24mm. Picture (C) Joshua Waller

The Pixel 7 doesn’t profit from the 7 Professional’s macro mode, so that is one space the place you will see that it tough to take actually shut up images.

Night time sight mode, this has made this scene appear like it was taken in the course of the day, whereas it was truly very darkish, 1/49s, f/1.8, ISO903, 7mm/24mm equal. Picture (C) Joshua Waller

Low-light efficiency – When capturing low-light pictures utilizing Night time sight, it’s spectacular how shortly the digicam takes the photograph – compared to the Pixel 6/Professional photographs are a lot faster to take, and this helps scale back blur and motion.

The selfie digicam is improved over the Pixel 6, giving a nice-looking picture, even in less-than-ideal gentle. You may modify the extent of background blur and the processing does a great job of coping with hair nearly all of the time.

Customary video modes from the entrance and rear cameras might be recorded at as much as 4K 60fps, with as much as 1080p 240fps slow-motion out there from the rear. There are alternatives for 10-bit HDR video recording, in addition to voice enhancement.

Worth for cash

So long as you don’t thoughts there being no telephoto digicam, and no macro mode then the Pixel 7 is phenomenal worth for cash, at £599. It’s additionally price noting that the Pixel 6 Professional and 6 have been each discounted fairly noticeably as time went on, so in case you’re pleased to attend then it is best to be capable of get the Pixel 7 / 7 Professional for even much less.

Amsterdam prepare station, 1/478s, f/1.8, ISO41, 7mm/24mm equal. Picture (C) Joshua Waller

Within the mid-range smartphone market, there are sometimes compromises made, with different triple digicam techniques providing an excellent important digicam, alongside low-resolution ultra-wide, or telephoto cameras, typically with a wholly pointless 2MP macro digicam. So it’s good to see the Pixel 7 providing 2 nice rear cameras, and a great selfie digicam.

Options to contemplate may embrace the Pixel 6 Professional (£579*, with 4x telephoto, however no macro), the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (£499*, with 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP important, and 8MP telephoto), the OnePlus 10 Professional (£679, with 48MP large, 50MP ultra-wide, and 8MP telephoto), or maybe the Oppo Reno8 Professional (£599, with 50MP large, 8MP ultra-wide, and 2MP macro).

*These could also be a short lived Black Friday costs.

Google Pixel 7 Verdict

How does it stack up towards the 7 Professional and is it a more sensible choice than the Pixel 6? Final 12 months, the distinction between the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional have been pretty minimal, nevertheless, this 12 months the distinction within the digicam techniques is extra noticeable, and this makes the Pixel 7 look barely missing as compared, notably in regard to the shortage of a macro mode. For this and the telephoto digicam, in case you can stretch to the Pixel 7 Professional, then it could be worthwhile.

Nonetheless, in case you don’t need to stretch that far, then you’ll nonetheless get a superb digicam system from the Pixel 7, and this consists of an improved selfie-camera, faster evening mode, in addition to basic telephone enhancements, together with a faster fingerprint sensor, help for face-unlock, and a barely smaller design and physique.

Basic Saab 900 in Amsterdam, 1/67s, f/1.8, ISO48, 7mm/24mm equal. Picture (C) Joshua Waller

Just like the Pixel 7 Professional, the shortage of a Professional or Guide mode on the Pixel 7 could possibly be a deal breaker for some, as for some individuals this may be genuinely helpful.

However in case you don’t need to spend flagship cash on a smartphone and easily need a superb digicam system, then the Pixel 7 affords a superb mixture of options, for an excellent value. At £599 you get an excellent important digicam, an excellent ultra-wide, and an honest selfie digicam. While we’d like to see a macro mode, we expect the computational images options assist make up for this.

Trendy structure, Amsterdam, 1/1887s, f/1.8, ISO42, 7mm/24mm equal. Picture (C) Joshua Waller

The computational images on provide is amongst one of the best, with some actually helpful photographic options, together with movement blur, astrophotography, and for portraits actual tone. There’s in fact the difficulty of some pictures trying like they’ve had the HDR settings turned as much as the max, and there’s no method to keep away from this with out capturing uncooked, but when you may get used to this, then you definately’ll be very happy with the pictures this smartphone produces.

For extra choices take a look at one of the best smartphones for images.

Google Pixel 7 Specs

Google Pixel 7, rear digicam models close-up, Picture: Joshua Waller