The Google Pixel 7 series was announced around early October and the phones have started to ship globally. Both the Pixel 7 and the Pro variants are getting good popularity due to solid launch day offers on them. However, before you decide to get hold of the new Pixel devices, it might be a good idea to check how they compare to their predecessors. 

In this article, we’ll be taking a close look at the Pixel 7 vs Pixel 6 and see how they both are similar yet dissimilar in a number of departments. One of the biggest upgrades on the Pixel 7 is the new second-gen Google Tensor G2 processor, which brings a number of improvements over last year’s Tensor chip.

There are differences in the dimensions and the camera departments too, so let’s take a look at how the new model compares to last year’s Pixel 6.

Pixel 7 vs Pixel 6
Pixel 7 vs Pixel 6

Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 6

Google Pixel 7 Google Pixel 6
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm, 197 grams 158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm, 207 grams
DISPLAY  6.3 inches,1080 x 2400p, AMOLED display – 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 nits (peak) 6.4 inches,1080 x 2400p, AMOLED display – 90Hz, HDR10+
PROCESSOR Google Tensor G2 5nm clocked at 2.85GHz Google Tensor 5nm clocked at 2.8GHz
MEMORY 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB
SOFTWARE Android 13, 3 years support Android 13, 3 years support
CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/6e, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS  Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/6e, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS
CAMERA Dual 50 MP  OIS + 12 MP ultra wide
10.8 MP front camera		 Dual 50 MP  OIS + 12 MP ultra wide
8 MP front camera
BATTERY 4355 mAh, 30W 4614 mAh, 21W
ADDITIONAL FEATURES Dual SIM slot, nano + eSIM Dual SIM slot, nano + eSIM

 

 

DESIGN

The Pixel 7 series doesn’t bring any significant upgrades over its predecessor. So you get the same horizontal camera bar at the back as the Pixel 6 series. One change that you’ll notice is that the rear camera housing is now made of aluminum and curves on the side.

Despite the subtle changes over its predecessor, the Pixel 7 looks a bit more premium this year. The polished aluminum definitely makes it look more expensive, which the Pixel 6 lacked. The new model is available in three colors, namely, Snow, Obsidian, and Lemongrass. On the other hand, the Pixel 6 had a bunch of fancier color options, including pastel color options like the Kinda Coral and Sorta Seafoam. Note the two phones are IP68 dust and water-resistant too. 

Coming to the dimensions, the Pixel 7 is slightly more compact than its predecessor. It measures 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm vs 158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm on the Pixel 6 model. Even in the weight department, the Pixel 7 shaves off a few grams with 197 grams weight as compared to the 207 grams on the Pixel 6

Personally, despite the changes being subtle, the Pixel 7 seems to be better looking than last year’s Pixel 6.

 

DISPLAY

The two phones also differ slightly in terms of their displays. The Pixel 7 comes with a smaller 6.3-inch OLED panel with Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. On the other hand, the Pixel 6 brings a 6.4-inch panel with a 90Hz refresh rate. Notably, the Pixel 7 is said to be 25% brighter under sunlight than the Pixel 6. While the overall peak brightness of 1400 nits is slightly lower than the Pixel 7 Pro, the Pixel 7 is still significantly brighter than the older Pixel 6 model.

Another addition to the Pixel 7 is the Face Unlock feature which is missing on the Pixel 6.

 

SPECS

The Pixel 7 comes with the latest Tensor G2 chipset inside with Titan M2, bringing better performance over last year’s chip. The new G2 chip features two Cortex-X1 cores with two Cortex-A78 cores and four Cortex-A55 cores. The chip has enough power to handle all the tasks thrown at it, but the real highlight of this new chipset is its ability to handle AI and ML. 

In comparison, the Pixel 6 came with the first-generation Google Tensor chip, which should be slightly inferior to the latest generation. As for the RAM configurations, both the Pixel devices feature just a single 8GB RAM option. For storage, both models offer either 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage onboard. 

As for the software, both devices run on the latest Android 13 stock version. Google has promised at least three OS updates and 5 years of security updates on both devices, but since the Pixel 6 is a year old device, it will receive one less Android upgrade than the Pixel 7. 

 

CONNECTIVITY

In terms of connectivity, both phones come with Wi-Fi 6e support, Bluetooth 5.2, aptX HD codecs support, NFC, and a USB-C 3.2 port at the bottom.

You also get an under-display optical fingerprint sensor along with other sensors like gyro, proximity, compass, and barometer. As mentioned above, the Pixel 7 also adds Face Unlock, which the Pixel 6 lacks. 

 

CAMERAS

As for its camera module, the Pixel 7 features a dual-camera setup, much similar to its predecessor model. 

The new Pixel 7 features a 50MP primary camera and a 12MP ultra-wide sensor.  On the front, you get a 10.8MP f/2.2 sensor camera module for selfies and video calls.

On paper, the Pixel 6 has the exact same rear camera module as the Pixel 7, but the front camera is slightly inferior. It features an 8MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture. 

While the camera specs look more or less similar, the real difference lies in the processor underneath. Thanks to the Tensor G2 chip, the Pixel 7 can take multiple shots from its main and wide-angle cameras to ensure blur-free photos. The low light performance is also better with faster Night Sight. Another big addition in the camera department is guided prompts via audio for taking perfect selfies for people with impaired vision.  

Overall, despite the similar camera specs, the Pixel 7’s camera performance is going to be better than the Pixel 6.

 

BATTERY

The Pixel 7 comes with a smaller 4335mAh battery with 30W fast charging and 15W wireless charging. To recall, the Pixel 6 had a larger 4614mAh battery on board but the charging speed was limited to 21W. Despite the reduction in battery life, Google has said that the Pixel 7 can last for an entire day and can even add up to 72 hours under Extreme Battery Saver mode. 

However, it is worth mentioning that ensuring the fastest charging support of 30W would cost you a few more bucks, as Google isn’t shipping a charger inside the box in most regions.

 

 

PRICE

The Pixel 7 starts at $599 in the USA. While in India, the phone is priced at INR 59,999. On the other hand, the Pixel 6 started at the same $599 in the US last year. Notably, the Pixel 6 wasn’t announced in India, but only the cheaper 6a was made officially available in the market. 

 

Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 6 – VERDICT

Unless you are getting the Pixel 6 for a heavily discounted price, it makes complete sense to get the new Pixel 7 over the older model, which brings better processing power, advanced camera features, and even a longer support cycle.

 

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