Google Pixel 7 vs LG Q70: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The LG Q70, representing a solid mid-range offering from a now-exited smartphone player, faces off against Google's Pixel 7, a flagship known for its AI-powered features and camera prowess. This comparison isn't about direct competition in the current market, but rather understanding the performance gulf between a Snapdragon 675-powered device and Google's in-house Tensor G2, and whether the Pixel 7's advancements justify its higher price point.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance, camera quality, and long-term software support, the Google Pixel 7 is the clear winner. While the LG Q70 offers a functional experience, the Pixel 7’s Tensor G2 chipset and superior display deliver a significantly more refined and capable smartphone experience.

PHONES
Phone Names LG Q70 Google Pixel 7
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 66 - Verizon1, 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 - GQML3
5G bands-1, 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 - GQML3
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 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 - GVU6C
Launch
Announced2019, September 28. Released 2019, October2022, October 06
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, October 13
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.1 x 76.8 x 8.3 mm (6.38 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm (6.13 x 2.88 x 0.34 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditionsIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~416 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 96.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 612Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, LG UX 9Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal64GB 4GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual-50 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
Dual or Triple32 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens or 32 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single-10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging15W wired, QC320W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 20W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 4355 mAh
Misc
ColorsMirror BlackObsidian, Lemongrass, Snow
ModelsLM-Q730N, LMQ620WA, LM-Q620WA, LM-Q620VAB, LMQ620VAB, LM-Q730GVU6C, GQML3, GO3Z5
PriceAbout 320 EUR€ 199.00 / $ 179.26 / £ 189.99 / ₹ 28,499
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 96h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.2 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 813114 (v9) GeekBench: 3288 (v5.1) GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

LG Q70

  • More affordable price point
  • Functional for basic smartphone tasks
  • QC3 fast charging support

  • Significantly slower processor
  • Inferior camera performance
  • Limited software support

Google Pixel 7

  • Powerful Google Tensor G2 chipset
  • Exceptional camera with AI features
  • Fast wired and wireless charging

  • Higher price compared to LG Q70
  • May be overkill for basic users
  • No expandable storage

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 974 nits, compared to the LG Q70’s unspecified brightness. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While the LG Q70’s display specs are limited in the provided data, the Pixel 7’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a high-quality OLED panel, offering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The Pixel 7’s display technology likely incorporates features like HDR support, absent in the Q70’s class.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but the Pixel 7’s camera system is expected to be far more advanced. While specific sensor details are missing for both, Google’s computational photography prowess, powered by the Tensor G2’s image signal processor (ISP), delivers exceptional image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The Pixel 7 benefits from features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur, unavailable on the LG Q70. The LG Q70 likely relies on more basic image processing techniques, resulting in less dynamic range and detail. The absence of OIS information for the Q70 suggests a less stable video recording experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The LG Q70’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 (11nm) is a mid-range processor designed for efficiency, featuring an octa-core configuration with Kryo 460 cores. In contrast, the Google Pixel 7’s Tensor G2 (5nm) is a flagship-level chip built for AI and machine learning tasks. The Tensor G2’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at 2.85 GHz, provides a substantial performance boost over the Q70’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold cores. The 5nm manufacturing process of the Tensor G2 also offers superior power efficiency, reducing thermal throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Pixel 7 will handle demanding games and applications with greater ease and consistency.

Battery Life

Both phones share an endurance rating of 96 hours, but this doesn't tell the whole story. The Pixel 7’s 20W wired charging with PD3.0 and 50% charge in 30 minutes is significantly faster than the LG Q70’s 15W QC3 charging. Furthermore, the Pixel 7 adds 20W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Q70. While the Q70 might offer comparable standby time, the Pixel 7’s faster charging and wireless capabilities provide greater convenience and flexibility.

Buying Guide

Buy the LG Q70 if you need a basic, functional smartphone for essential tasks and prioritize affordability above all else. Its 15W charging and Snapdragon 675 are sufficient for light use. Buy the Google Pixel 7 if you demand a premium experience with a powerful processor for demanding apps, exceptional camera capabilities, fast charging (including wireless), and guaranteed software updates for years to come. The Pixel 7 is for users who want a flagship experience without the flagship price tag.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Pixel 7's Tensor G2 chip get noticeably warmer than the Snapdragon 675 in the LG Q70 during extended gaming sessions?
While the Tensor G2 is more powerful, the 5nm process helps manage heat. However, due to its higher performance ceiling, the Pixel 7 *can* get warmer during prolonged, demanding gaming. The Snapdragon 675 in the Q70 will likely remain cooler, but at the cost of significantly lower frame rates and graphical fidelity.
❓ How does the Pixel 7's software update commitment compare to the LG Q70, considering LG has exited the smartphone market?
This is a critical difference. The Google Pixel 7 is guaranteed several years of Android OS updates and security patches directly from Google. The LG Q70, however, will no longer receive official software updates, leaving it vulnerable to security risks and lacking new features. This alone is a compelling reason to choose the Pixel 7 for long-term usability.
❓ Is the 20W wireless charging on the Pixel 7 significantly faster than wired charging on the LG Q70?
Yes, the Pixel 7's 20W wireless charging is faster than the LG Q70's 15W wired charging. While wired charging is generally faster, the Pixel 7's wireless charging offers a convenient alternative that still delivers a quicker charge than the Q70's wired option.