Google’s Pixel 7 is something of a triumph, offering an unrivalled Android user experience at a mid-range price that significantly undercuts flagships from competitors.
The firm’s software, camera and smart AI systems blend beautifully on this handset which has been reduced to €574 on the Google Store which is something of a bargain for what you are getting.
It is essentially a smaller version of one of the best phones of 2022, Google’s Pixel 7 Pro.
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The slimmer and more compact frame makes the relatively lightweight Pixel 7 easier to hold and use.
The rear of the device sports Google’s unique design feature: a camera bar which looks and feels more premium than the one on Pixel 6 and which blends into the brushed aluminium sides.
Around the front, Pixel 7 has a bright and colourful 6.3in OLED FHD+ screen that has a smooth 90Hz refresh rate and the toughest Gorilla Glass Victus protection. It supports HDR10+ video playback.
The firm claims the screen can hit 1000 nits of brightness viewing HDR content, and it’s about 500 nits for non-HDR content.
My review unit was in a gorgeous Lemongrass colour. You can also get it in Obsidian (which is black) and Snow (white).
Under the hood is the Google Tensor G2 chip which performs fluidly and swiftly on the phone’s AI features such as text to speech.
Pixel 7 is a journalist’s dream phone as it can transcribe interviews as you record them.
The phone runs Android 13 out of the box, with Pixel-only features including the ability to unblur faces and objects using AI in the Google Photos app.
The firm said it will provide at least five years of software and security updates including at least three Android OS upgrades.
As has been the case for many years, the Pixel photography experience is up alongside Apple iPhone as the most consistently pleasing.
Pixel 7 has two rear cameras, a super sharp 50MP wide angle and a 12MP ultrawide which both deliver some of the best images you will get from a smartphone.
It’s certainly the best camera system at this price point.
Video capture has been improved too but it’s still not quite at the ultra-high iPhone standard.
And the front camera shoots excellent 10MP images in almost all lighting conditions.
Battery life was impressive. The phone easily lasted from 8am to midnight in tests. Recharging is capped at 30W, but you can refuel up to 50 per cent from zero in 30 minutes.
There is support for 20w wireless charging too.
And unlike the most recent predecessors, Pixel 7 supports face unlock as well as having a fast and reliable fingerprint sensor.
Verdict
A stylish, well-performing phone with plenty of smart features and great software and cameras.
Pricing
Google Pixel 7 costs €574 for the 128GB storage model and €674 for 256GB at the Google Store. Both have 8GB RAM.
Key specifications
Dimensions: 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm
Weight: 197g
Display: 6.3in 90Hz FHD+ OLED (416ppi)
Processor: Tensor G2
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB or 256GB
Operating system: Android 13
Camera: 50MP + 12MP ultrawide, 10.8MP selfie
Connectivity: 5G, eSIM, wifi 6E, UWB, NFC, Bluetooth 5.2 and GNSS
Water and dust resistance: IP68-rated
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