Everything we know thus far about the Google Pixel 7
Rumors and leaks about Google’s next flagships have already begun to surface, although the Google Pixel 7 isn’t expected to be released until the autumn at the earliest.
Given that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have proven to be among of Google’s greatest phones to date, we’re interested to see what the firm can do with its new Tensor chipset and enhanced camera systems in the coming months. As for the Pixel 6’s flaws, like as its short battery life and low-end specifications, we’d want to hear what Google plans to do about them as well.
Right now, there aren’t a lot of rumours to go off of. Nevertheless, the Pixel 7’s first details have emerged, and we already have a clear idea of what we want to see. Read on for the latest Google Pixel 7 rumours, as well as our wish list for the company’s next flagship device.
Rumors about the release date and pricing of the Google Pixel 7
Over the previous several years, Google’s phone release timetable has been very consistent. As a result, based on a single rumour, we’re placing our money on Google announcing the Pixel 7 and Google Watch in October 2022. It’s possible that the Pixel Watch might be released as soon as Google’s I/O conference in May. Based on Ross Young’s claim that the display components for the Pixel 7 would arrive a month sooner than the Pixel 6’s did in 2021, it’s likely that the next phone may debut even earlier than that.
This year’s Google I/O will include new hardware, according to Sundar Pichai, the company’s chief operating officer. In contrast, the inexpensive Pixel 6a is expected to be unveiled at that time, rather than the Pixel 7.
As far as price goes, we’d like to see Google maintain it as inexpensive as the Pixel 6 series. Both the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro cost hundreds of dollars or pounds less than their top competitors. Users of other Android manufacturers will be drawn to Google if it can deliver the next generation of Pixels at a comparable level.
Rumors about a new Google Pixel smartphone
The first-generation Tensor chipset present in the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro seems to be getting a successor from Google in the form of a second-generation Tensor processor. Since the Pixel 6 had an outdated CPU, it’s apparent that the Pixel 7 will have one as well. However, there’s no word on what exactly Google plans to update, except from the typical increases in processing power and energy efficiency that chipsets strive for each year.
A new second-generation Tensor chipset, which 9to5Google thinks to be for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, has been linked to two new Pixel smartphones. The chipset’s model name is ‘GS201,’ and it’s associated with an unannounced Samsung modem model number ‘g5300b,’ according to the site’s source. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, according to 9to5Google, will use this new modem in conjunction with two other devices codenamed Cheetah and Panther.
For the first time, it has been confirmed that the gadgets are being worked on, so anticipate more information to emerge from here.
An under-display selfie camera might be included to Google’s next-generation Pixel. Based on Google’s recent patent application, the company has developed a system that uses a mirror system to display either the camera or a section of the phone’s display, depending on what the user needs.
Despite the fact that this is simply a patent, it might still be years before it is ready for use, if it ever does. In any case, it’d be a fantastic feature to have on a future Pixel.
According to a fresh report, the cameras in the Pixel 7 will remain the same as those on the Pixel 6. This makes logical, considering that the Pixel 6 is a major departure from the Pixel 5, but we’d still want to see some new features and upgrades.
The design of the new Google Pixel 7 smartphone
Two recognisable phones are seen in OnLeaks’ renders for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. There are some small modifications in design from the Pixel 6. These include an oval cutout for the main/ultrawide cameras placed in the camera bar, as well as an invisible punch hole in the front that might point to an under-display camera.
Because the measurements indicated a smaller display than the existing Pixel 6, we first concluded that the Google Pixel 7 mockups revealed by David “xLeaks7” Kowalski were really for the rumoured Google Pixel 6A. However, according to Ross Young, Google seems to be reducing the Pixel 7’s screen size from 6.4 inches to 6.3 inches. The Pixel 7 Pro is expected to have the same 6.7-inch screen size as the Pixel 6 Pro.
Black, white, coral, and blue are the speculated colours for the Pixel 7. There have been no leaks about the colour options for the Pixel 7 Pro, but based on these images, it seems like a sky blue hue will be available.
What we hope to see in the Google Pixel 7
However, it hasn’t stopped us from putting up our own wish list for the Pixel 7. It is possible that Google is soliciting proposals for its next phone, if nothing else.
A fingerprint reader that is more dependable
On the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, we criticised the fingerprint scanner that sits beneath the display. Since Google has previously used a fingerprint reader on its phones, this is Google’s first effort at placing the scanner under the screen. In any case, that doesn’t justify the scanner’s notoriously unreliable performance.
For now, we’re OK with Google’s present optical fingerprint reader. For the same reasons, it would be smart to adopt Qualcomm’s soundwave-based ultrasonic fingerprint reader technology (found in the Samsung Galaxy S21) instead of a traditional optical fingerprint reader.
A third option is the use of face recognition unlocking, like Google did with the Google Pixel 4’s fingerprint scanner. However, none of these systems worked well, and more development was needed before they could match the smoothness and reliability of Apple’s Face ID technology. In order to incorporate the required sensors, Google may have to go back to using a bigger top bezel. Though it’s possible that the Pixel 6 Pro may receive face unlock in the future, the Pixel 7 Pro is very certainly going to gain the feature as well.
Better and brighter displays for all models
This year’s Pixel 7 series screens might need some improvement. Brightness is the first thing you’ll want to pay attention to. Even at maximum brightness in direct sunlight, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro’s screens are dull. If Google could increase the brightness of the Pixel 7’s display by a few hundred nits, it would be a significant improvement over the Pixel 6 series’ display issues.
The Pixel 7’s screen is another area that may benefit from an upgrade. The Pixel 6 Pro has a 120Hz refresh rate, whereas the normal Pixel 6 has a 90Hz refresh rate. That’s better than the 60Hz that was formerly the standard for smartphones, but considering that phones that cost less than the Pixel 6 can run at 120Hz, we’d like to see Google do the same. The Pixel 6’s FHD resolution may benefit from being bumped up to QHD, but it’s not as big of a difference as it is for the Pixel 6 Pro.
Another one of our TG writers, who just purchased a Pixel 6 Pro, similarly mentioned he would prefer a flat display on the Pixel 7 Pro if it were available. Curved displays were not previously used by Google until the Pixel 6 Pro. If enough Pixel 6 Pro owners protest, Google may not bring them back. There would be just one problem with ergonomics, since the 6.8-inch phone has curved edges that let users engage with the display.
Another camera on the base Pixel 6
The Pixel 6’s two rear-facing cameras may be seen as a snub by some. Since some high-end phones are now delivering up to four cameras plus a depth sensor, this isn’t a bad number, but it’s a disappointment since some other high-end phones are now offering up to four cameras and a depth sensor (such as the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra).
Even if it couldn’t match the Pro model’s 4x optical zoom, a telephoto lens would be a sensible option for the Pixel 7’s third camera. A specialised macro camera for ultra close-up images, or a depth camera for more accurate portrait shots and greater AR performance, may also be a desirable addition.
Batteries that last longer
This is something we want to see in every new phone generation, but it’s especially critical for the Pixel 7 line.
When using 5G, the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro’s batteries proven to be short on life expectancy despite having the biggest batteries ever in a Pixel phone. As 5G networks spread throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, and beyond, it’s going to become an increasingly huge concern unless you can depend on frequent and fast Wi-Fi connections everywhere you go.
The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro’s (4,614 mAh and 5,000 mAh) batteries don’t seem to be excessively little based on their capacity. Instead, it’s likely that Google should concentrate on making the most of the power that’s already in the cells.
Improved battery life
The Pixel 6 has improved on this front, but more effort is required to make it a true rival.
Pixel 6 and 6 Pro can charge at 30W cable and 23W wireless after years of utilising 18W charging. A third-party 30W charger charged the Pixel 6 to barely 29% capacity in our tests, despite the fact that it had a pretty high charge wattage. Neither the Pixel 6 nor the Pixel 6 XL come with one preinstalled. In comparison to phones like the OnePlus 9 series, which can charge to nearly full in less than half an hour, that’s a lot slower
The Pixel 6 may charge more quickly if you use a Google-branded charger, but even so, the current charging speed is underwhelming. There is room for improvement in Google’s charger for the Pixel 7, and it may be improved by employing a dual-cell battery like the OnePlus 9 to increase the power.
An alert slider
In the case of iPhone and OnePlus owners, the alert slider is an essential part of the device.. To fast activate or stop notification noises without unlocking the phone or even turning on the screen, this is an excellent method.
When it comes to alert sliders, we haven’t seen one on a Pixel phone previously, so it doesn’t seem like Google is going to make a change. As for the Pixel 7, we still believe that this would be a fantastic addition.