Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 6 Pro: The Ultimate Showdown

Google's Pixel line consistently delivers exceptional camera performance and a clean Android experience. But with the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 Pro, which phone offers the best value and features? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Pixel 7 edges out the 6 Pro thanks to its brighter display, slightly improved battery life, and refined Tensor G2 chip. While the 6 Pro still holds its own, the 7 offers a more polished and modern experience, especially considering its often lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Google Pixel 7 Google Pixel 6 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GQML31, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GLUOG, G8VOU
5G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - GQML31, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G8VOU
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GVU6C1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GLUOG
Launch
Announced2022, October 062021, October 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 13Available. Released 2021, October 28
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm (6.13 x 2.88 x 0.34 in)163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight197 g (6.95 oz)210 g (7.41 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~416 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~512 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 96.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.6 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetGoogle Tensor G2 (5 nm)Google Tensor (5 nm)
GPUMali-G710 MP7Mali-G78 MP20
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgradesAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm-
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.22µm
Triple-50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 104mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 4x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.22µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2USB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging20W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 20W wireless Reverse wireless23W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4355 mAhLi-Ion 5003 mAh
Misc
ColorsObsidian, Lemongrass, SnowCloudy White, Sorta Sunny, Stormy Black
ModelsGVU6C, GQML3, GO3Z5GLUOG, G8VOU, GF5KQ
Price€ 199.00 / $ 179.26 / £ 189.99 / ₹ 28,499€ 199.99 / $ 204.99 / £ 275.00 / ₹ 29,699
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 96h Endurance rating 84h
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.2 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 813114 (v9) GeekBench: 3288 (v5.1) GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 585485 (v8), 719815 (v9) GeekBench: 2831 (v5.1) GFXBench: 39 fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Google Pixel 7

  • Brighter Display
  • Improved Battery Life
  • Refined Tensor G2 Chip
  • More Compact Size
  • Generally Lower Price

  • No dedicated telephoto lens (relies on Super Res Zoom)
  • Slightly smaller display than 6 Pro

Google Pixel 6 Pro

  • Larger Display
  • Dedicated 4x Optical Zoom Telephoto Lens
  • Still a Powerful Processor
  • Excellent Camera System

  • Lower Peak Brightness
  • Shorter Battery Life
  • Older Chipset

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7 boasts a peak brightness of 974 nits, significantly brighter than the 6 Pro's 846 nits. Both offer excellent contrast ratios (Infinite, nominally) and vibrant colors, but the 7's increased brightness makes it more usable outdoors. The 6 Pro has a slightly larger 6.7-inch display versus the 7's 6.3-inch, which some may prefer for media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Both Pixels are renowned for their camera capabilities. The Pixel 7 refines the 6 Pro's already excellent camera system with improved image processing and Super Res Zoom. Both offer exceptional image quality in various lighting conditions, but the 7's software enhancements give it a slight edge. The 6 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom, while the Pixel 7 relies on Super Res Zoom, which is still very good but not quite the same.

Performance

The Pixel 7's Tensor G2 chip offers incremental improvements over the 6 Pro's Tensor. While both phones handle everyday tasks and most games with ease, the G2 provides slightly faster processing speeds and improved efficiency. Both feature the same RAM configuration (8GB), so multitasking shouldn't be an issue on either device.

Battery Life

The Pixel 7 demonstrates a noticeable improvement in battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 96 hours compared to the 6 Pro's 84 hours. Both support 20W/23W wired charging and 20W/23W wireless charging, with both reaching 50% charge in approximately 30 minutes. Reverse wireless charging is also available on both.

Buying Guide

The Pixel 7 is ideal for users seeking a compact, powerful, and camera-focused phone without breaking the bank. The Pixel 6 Pro is a great choice for those who prefer a larger display, slightly more battery capacity, and are looking for a potentially better deal on a previous-generation flagship.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Pixel 7 a significant upgrade over the Pixel 6 Pro?
While not a revolutionary upgrade, the Pixel 7 offers noticeable improvements in display brightness, battery life, and processing power, making it a worthwhile upgrade for many users.
❓ Which Pixel has the better camera for zoom?
The Pixel 6 Pro has a dedicated 4x optical zoom lens, while the Pixel 7 uses Super Res Zoom. While Super Res Zoom is impressive, the 6 Pro's optical zoom provides better quality at longer distances.