Google Pixel 7 vs iPhone 14: Which should you buy?

Google’s Pixel 7 lineup has brought some of the best Android handsets we’ve seen to date; these are the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. Both are outstanding handsets, but the base Pixel 7 is probably the best choice for most people. With that in mind, we know it has one major competitor, which might also be one of the best phones for most people. Of course, we’re talking about the Apple iPhone 14.

In this feature, we’re putting the Pixel 7 vs iPhone 14 head to head to see which is the better device. We’ll touch on all key points, including the design, cameras, performance, and more. Just keep in mind that we’re sticking to the base models this time. We won’t be covering the Pixel 7 Pro, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, or iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Both phones look oddly familiar, don’t they? That’s because their design languages are heavily based on their respective predecessors. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. The Pixel 6 and iPhone 13 both looked great and had outstanding build quality. In fact, the Pixel 6 series marked an important change in Google’s smartphone designs, finally bringing its phones up to par with premium designs like those of Apple devices.

The Pixel 7 meets premium smartphone standards with an aluminum frame, as well as Gorilla Glass Victus in the back and front. The phone offers IP68 certification for dust and water resistance. And if it helps, the phone is finally looking as good as Samsung and Apple devices.

Apple definitely won’t fall behind in terms of design. iPhones are known for looking and feeling great, and the iPhone 14 is no exception. The device comes with Corning glass in the back and front, as well as an aluminum frame. This means the Pixel 7 and iPhone 14 are made with nearly identical materials. Apple’s device is also IP68-certified.

Things start getting a bit different when we compare displays, though. These screens are pretty different. The iPhone 14 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with a 1,170 x 2,532 resolution. The Pixel 7 has a slightly larger 6.3-inch AMOLED panel, but the resolution is less condensed at 1,080 x 2,400. But while Apple beats Google in terms of screen resolution, the Pixel 7 screen is better in every other regard. For starters, the Pixel 7 display offers a 120Hz refresh rate, twice as much as the iPhone 14’s 60Hz panel. It also has a higher peak brightness of 1,400 nits, as opposed to 1,200 nits.

Chances are you won’t notice much difference in terms of performance when picking between the Pixel 7 vs iPhone 14. Both phones will be plenty fast, and both will handle anything you throw at them efficiently. That said, there are some slight differences in specs.

Most importantly, the iPhone 14 sticks to the previous generation Apple A15 Bionic chipset, instead of the A16, which was reserved for the iPhone 14 Pro versions. The Pixel 7 gets the latest chipset from Google, the Tensor G2. Additionally, the Google Pixel 7 gets 8GB of RAM, which is more than the iPhone 14’s 6GB of RAM.

The battery in the Pixel 7 is also larger at 4,355mAh, compared to the 3,279mAh unit in the iPhone 14. Even if you don’t notice the differences in performance (which might be slight), you’ll definitely notice the extra battery life you get from more than 1,000mAh extra.

Not only can the Pixel 7 hold a charge longer, but it can also charge faster in most cases. The Pixel 7 supports 30W wired charging, while the iPhone 14 can juice up at 20W rates. Both can get to 50% in half an hour, but the difference is that Google’s battery is larger. Additionally, the Pixel 7 can charge wirelessly at 20W. That’s more than the iPhone 14’s 15W MagSafe speeds or the 7.5W Qi rates.

There are some significant changes in terms of camera tech, as well. The iPhone 14 camera system is excellent, offering a couple of 12MP shooters with wide and ultrawide lenses. The Pixel 7 seems to have slightly better hardware, offering a 50MP primary shooter and a secondary 12MP camera. The hardware usually doesn’t say much in the world of photography, though. Pixel devices are known for being some of the best camera phones, even when using simple one-camera setups. This is because Google has taken its computational photography to unprecedented levels. And it’s only being improved as both the software and camera hardware improve.

iPhone cameras are also famous for being great shooters, but we still hold Pixels as the kings of photography. The Pixel 7 is likely to be a better shooter than the iPhone 14, even if by a bit. We’ll do more testing soon, though.

You would be right to think there is a significant price difference between Apple devices and any other competitors. This is especially the case compared to Pixel phones, which are becoming known to offer a great bang for your buck.

In this case, the iPhone 14 is $200 more expensive at $799. The Pixel 7 costs just $599 at its base configuration. Even the most costly Pixel 7 (256GB) is cheaper than the cheapest iPhone 14.

If you’re looking for more color options, the iPhone 14 might be more to your liking. Apple offers its base device in Blue, Purple, Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red. Meanwhile, the Pixel 7 is offered in a trio of colors: Snow, Obsidian, and Lemongrass.

Choosing between Apple and Google is no easy feat. In fact, it’s a dilemma we’ve been facing since the earliest smartphone days. Only now, it’s not only a battle between Android and iOS, but we have to choose between iPhones and Pixels. The choice is just as challenging with the Pixel 7 vs iPhone 14.

No matter how much you look at the differences, picking a real winner is hard. People on both sides will fight this one until the end. They both have advantages, and the decision may depend on your specific preferences and needs.

Those looking for Android flexibility, a better camera, more modern internals, a better battery life, or a more approachable price point, will probably opt for the Pixel 7. iPhone 14 is for those who like the iOS simplicity, great Apple customer service, premium Apple design, and slightly higher-resolution screen. Not to mention the Apple ecosystem and App Store are main reasons why many users stick to iPhones.

Google also beats Apple in terms of price, by far. Getting a $599 Pixel 7 is a much better deal than the $799 iPhone 14. Especially after you look at our complete comparison, which shows the Pixel 7 might have a slight edge in terms of raw specs.