Google Pixel 7 Vs Google Pixel 8 Pro

Google Pixel 7
Google Pixel 7
Starting at

Refurbished price:£140.99

Versus £649.99 new

See options
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:£253.00

Versus £960.91 new

See options

Ratings

The Google Pixel 7, released in October 2022, and the Google Pixel 8 Pro, launched in October 2023, represent different tiers within Google's smartphone lineup. While both operate on the Android platform, the Pixel 8 Pro introduces a more advanced camera system, a larger and brighter display, and an extended software support commitment. These distinctions cater to varying user needs, from everyday functionality to professional-grade mobile capabilities.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of a smartphone, factors like release timeline, software support, and physical durability are key. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 Pro offer different longevity prospects.

  • Release Timeline: The Pixel 7 was released in October 2022, making it a year older than the Pixel 8 Pro, which launched in October 2023. This age difference directly impacts their remaining support windows.
  • Software Longevity: Google has committed to providing five years of OS and security updates for the Pixel 7, extending its support until October 2027. In contrast, the Pixel 8 Pro benefits from an industry-leading seven years of OS and security updates, ensuring support until 2030. This makes the Pixel 8 Pro a more sustainable choice for users planning to keep their device for an extended period.
  • Physical Durability: Both devices feature robust build materials. The Pixel 7 uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection, while the Pixel 8 Pro upgrades to Gorilla Glass Victus 2, offering enhanced resistance to drops and scratches. Both models also carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Year of Release

2022

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from browsing to demanding applications. Both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 Pro are designed to offer a responsive user experience, though with differing capabilities.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Pixel 7, powered by its second-generation Tensor processor, handles typical daily applications and multitasking smoothly. Users generally report a fluid experience for web browsing, social media, and standard app usage.
  • Demanding Applications and Gaming: The Pixel 8 Pro features a newer, third-generation Tensor processor, which provides improved performance for more intensive tasks. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother graphics in demanding games, and more efficient handling of complex computational photography features. Users engaging in heavy gaming or extensive video editing on their device will likely notice the performance gains on the Pixel 8 Pro.
  • Multitasking Capabilities: The Pixel 7 comes with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most multitasking scenarios. The Pixel 8 Pro, however, includes 12GB of RAM, allowing it to keep more applications open in the background and switch between them with greater fluidity, particularly beneficial for power users.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience is a significant aspect of smartphone usage, and both Pixel models offer high-quality displays with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Pixel 7 features a 6.3-inch OLED display, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Pixel 8 Pro offers a larger 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display, which can dynamically adjust its refresh rate.
  • Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Pixel 7's display reaches a peak brightness of 1400 nits, offering good visibility in various lighting conditions. The Pixel 8 Pro significantly enhances this with a peak brightness of 2400 nits, making it notably brighter and easier to view under direct sunlight.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The Pixel 7 has a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth scrolling experience. The Pixel 8 Pro features a more advanced variable refresh rate, ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. This allows for exceptionally smooth motion when needed and conserves battery life by lowering the refresh rate for static content.

Resolution

1080 x 2400

1344 x 2992

Screen type

AMOLED

LTPO OLED

Audiovisual

Google Pixel phones are known for their camera capabilities, and both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 Pro deliver strong photographic performance, with the Pro model offering more advanced hardware.

  • Primary Camera System: Both devices feature a 50MP main camera sensor that excels in capturing detailed and color-accurate photos in various conditions. The Pixel 7's dual-camera setup includes a 12MP ultrawide lens. The Pixel 8 Pro expands on this with a triple-camera system, adding a higher-resolution 48MP ultrawide lens and a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom for distant subjects.
  • Low-Light and Video Performance: The Pixel 7 offers strong low-light photography with its Night Sight feature and records video up to 4K at 60 frames per second. The Pixel 8 Pro further refines low-light performance, particularly for video, with features like Night Sight Video, which aims to improve video quality in challenging lighting conditions.
  • Front Camera and Additional Features: Both phones include a capable front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. The Pixel 8 Pro introduces additional computational photography features and enhancements, leveraging its newer processor for more advanced image processing and editing capabilities.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

10.8 megapixels

10.5 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these devices.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 Pro support 5G connectivity and modern Wi-Fi standards, ensuring fast internet speeds. They both utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and neither includes a traditional headphone jack.
  • Biometric Security: For secure unlocking, both models incorporate an under-display optical fingerprint sensor and face recognition. User reports suggest improvements in the responsiveness of the fingerprint sensor on the newer model.
  • Physical Characteristics: The Pixel 7 is a more compact device, weighing 197 grams. The Pixel 8 Pro is larger and slightly heavier at 213 grams, offering a more expansive screen experience. The Pixel 8 Pro also features a flatter display compared to some previous Pro models, which some users find more comfortable for handling.

Weight

197 g

213 g

Screen size (in)

6.3

6.7

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 Pro cater to different user priorities within the Android ecosystem. Users frequently praise the Pixel 7 for its strong camera performance and overall smooth operation, especially considering its position in the market. Some common feedback for the Pixel 7 includes its robust battery life for typical use and its capable display, though some note the 90Hz refresh rate as a point of comparison to higher-end devices.

The Pixel 8 Pro often receives acclaim for its significantly brighter and more fluid display, its enhanced camera system with improved low-light video capabilities, and its extended software support commitment. User feedback highlights the improved screen-on time and the overall refined user experience. However, some users have noted that while performance is excellent, the real-world difference in speed for everyday tasks might not be drastically different from its predecessor.

Users prioritizing a more compact device with excellent core features and solid software support for several years may find the Pixel 7 well-suited to their needs. Those who require the most advanced camera capabilities, a larger and brighter display, and the longest possible software longevity will likely lean toward the Pixel 8 Pro. Both devices offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers seeking reliable technology.

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