Google’s next flagship smartphones aren’t expected for a little while yet, although we know they’re coming thanks to Google confirming as much at I/O this year.
We are rounding up what we want to see from the successors to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, along with what any rumours and announcements have suggested. Here’s everything you need to know.
Pixel 7 release date and price
October 2022
Google showcased the updated design of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro at its I/O conference in May 2022, so we very much know the phones are on their way.
When it comes to an actual release date, October has been Google’s month of choice for multiple years on the bounce and we think that’s likely to continue, although it’s sticking with just a vague “Fall” at the moment.
Once it has been revealed in a more detailed manner, with specs and hardware all confirmed, we would expect it to go on sale a couple of weeks later so likely before the end of October.
The Pixel 6 starts at £599 in the UK, $599 in the US and €649 in Europe, while the Pixel 6 Pro starts at £849 in the UK, $899 in the US and €899 in Europe. It’s not yet clear if we can expect the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro to fall within the same ballpark.
Design
Pixel 7: 155.6 x 73.1 x 8.7mmPixel 7 Pro: 163 x 76.6 x 8.7mm
As confirmed by Google’s tease at I/O, the Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are following a similar design to their predecessors but with a couple of small alterations.
The camera housing that spans the rear of both devices is here to stay for 2022, but will now wrap into the frame for the Pixel 7 handsets – something the Samsung Galaxy S22 does. It’s also metallic instead of being black glass.
We don’t have precise measurements at this stage, so when it comes to the phones’ dimensions we’re back to the rumours and leaks. It’s said the Google Pixel 7 will measure 155.6 x 73.1 x 8.7mm, with a camera bump of 11.44mm, while the Pixel 7 Pro is said to measure 163 x 76.6 x 8.7mm, with a camera bump of 11.2mm.
The images Google’s released suggest the Pixel 7 will continue to sport a flat display, while the Pixel 7 Pro could potentially retain the slightly curved edges offered on the Pixel 6 Pro. Both devices should have a centralised punch hole camera at the top of their displays in the renders, and both are expected to have under-display fingerprint sensors.
The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are both IP68 water and dust resistant so it is expected that the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro would also be.
Display
Pixel 7: 6.2-6.4-inches, Full HD+, 120Hz?Pixel 7 Pro: 6.7/6.8-inch, Quad HD+, 1-120Hz?
According to the rumours, the Pixel 7 is reported to have a screen size between 6.2-inches and 6.4-inches, while the Pixel 7 Pro is said to have a 6.7-inch or 6.8-inch screen. This is pretty much in line with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro so there could be minimal changes in this department.
This has been reiterated by a report which came from finding details in the code of the Android Open Source Project that suggests the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro will feature the same displays as their predecessors with a few tweaks. That tweak might amount to a brighter panel, as revealed through source code data – and could see the brightness peak at 1000 nits.
The Pixel 6 had a Full HD+ resolution and 90Hz refresh rate, while the Pixel 6 Pro had a variable refresh rate between 10Hz and 120Hz. It’s said the Pixel 7 will apparently offer a 2400 x 1080 display with a 90Hz refresh rate, while the Pixel 7 Pro will have a 3120 x 1440 display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
It’s also said the Pixel 7’s display will be 1mm narrower and 2mm shorter than the Pixel 6 though, while the Pixel 7 Pro is said to get a native 1080p mode. HDR support is expected too.
Hardware and specs
Pixel 7: Google Tensor 2.0, up to 512GB, 8GB RAM, 5000mAh?Pixel 7 Pro: Google Tensor 2.0, 12GB RAM
The Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro both run on the Google Tensor chip, moving away from Qualcomm processors. It’s long been rumoured that Google is working on a second generation of the Tensor chip, and it officially confirmed this at I/O 2022, alongside the fact that the new phones will run on the new chipset.
Google is keeping things vague for now, but it’s been claimed the Tensor 2.0 chip could feature a Samsung Exynos Modem 5300 inside, though currently Samsung doesn’t have a released modem called this. A deep dive into the Tensor 2 chip based on a Pixel 7 Pro prototype has suggested it won’t be a huge upgrade, but that’s not confirmed at the moment.
Reports have suggested the Pixel 7 could come in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage options. None of these are expected to have microSD. The 512GB storage option would be new for the Pixel 7 as the Pixel 6 only goes up to 256GB, though these are just rumours for now.
In terms of RAM, we’d expect to see at least 8GB on the Pixel 7 and 12GB on the Pixel 7 Pro, as their predecessors.
Rumours suggest the standard Pixel 7 could offer a 5000mAh battery, which is what the Pixel 6 Pro currently offers. It’s not an unreasonable suggestion by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s not confirmed yet either.
Camera
Pixel 7: Dual rear (50MP+50MP), 8MP frontPixel 7 Pro: Triple rear (main ultra wide, telephoto)
It’s been suggested that the Google Pixel 7 could offer a 50-megapixel main camera and a 50-megapixel ultra wide camera, paired with an 8-megapixel front camera. If true, it would see the improvements seemingly focused on the ultra wide lens compared to the Pixel 6.
There’s other rumours to suggest the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro will feature the Samsung Isocell GN1 50-megapixel sensors as their primary shooter and the 12-megapixel Sony IMX381 sensor as the ultra wide sensor.
The Pixel 7 Pro is also rumoured to be coming with the Samsung Isocell GM1 48-megapixel telephoto sensor, which is different to the Pixel 6 Pro that used the Sony IMX576.
On the front, both the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are rumoured to have the 11-megapixel Isocell 3J1, which should allow for semi-secure face unlock.
It’s probably worth mentioning that Google patented a under-display camera in August 2021, though while this doesn’t guarantee the Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro will offer the technology, it’s a possibility for the Pro model at least.
Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro rumours: What’s happened so far?
Here’s what the rumours have suggested so far for the Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro.
27 July 2022: Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro camera sensor specs have leaked
Key specifications about the camera hardware on Google’s upcoming flagship phones were revealed after a deep dive into the brand’s code.
26 June 2022: Source code suggests brighter display on Pixel 7 models
Source code extracted from a Pixel 7 Pro prototype suggests that it will have a display with higher peak brightness than the Pixel 6 Pro.
23 June 2022: Google Pixel 7 Pro suggests some Tensor 2 details
Android Police published a report diving a little deeper into the Tensor 2 chip based on a Pixel 7 Pro prototype.
30 May 2022: Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro display specs leak
According to a 9to5Google report, which comes from finding details in the code of the Android Open Source Project, the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro will feature the same displays as their predecessors with a few tweaks.
11 May 2022: Pixel 7 and 7 Pro announced at Google I/O
Google used its conference to tease the phones and showcase their designs briefly.
24 February 2022: Pixel 7 Pro leaks out: New renders reveal Pixel 6 Pro-like design
OnLeaks and SmartPrix revealed some renders of the Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, along with some expected specifications.
19 February 2022: Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro could pack Tensor 2.0 with Samsung modem
According to 9to5Google, who dug into the Android 13 developer preview and spoke to “trusted” sources, Google has a second-generation Tensor chip in the works called Tensor 2.0.
3 January 2022: Google patents under-display camera
LetsGoDigital spotted a patent for under-display camera technology, filed by Google.