What’s new and should you upgrade?

The brand-new Google Pixel 7 Pro has a lot going for it. It’s powered by the latest Tensor G2 chipset, sports an improved camera system, and features a more modern design.

However, how much better is it than its predecessor, and should you buy it if you already own the Pixel 6 Pro? These are just a few of the questions we’ll answer in this Google Pixel 6 Pro vs Pixel 7 Pro comparison, as we take a closer look at the design, specs, features, and pricing of both handsets.

Design and display

The Pixel 7 Pro and the Pixel 6 Pro have very similar displays. They both sport a 6.7-inch OLED panel with QHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. They are also both protected from scratches by Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus and come with a punch-hole that houses the selfie camera. However, Google claims that the Pixel 7 Pro’s display is 25% brighter than the one of its predecessor. A brighter display is always better, especially when viewing it under direct sunlight.

When it comes to design, the differences are more noticeable. Both feature a protruding camera bar on the back that stands out from the crowd, sporting a different accent color than the rest of the phone — depending on the model. However, the camera bar on the new Pixel 7 Pro is toned-down compared to the one on the Pixel 6 Pro and is made of aluminum instead of glass. It looks more modern while still providing the phone with a unique look.

In terms of materials, both phones sport a glass back and an aluminum frame that gives them a premium look and feel. There are slight differences between the two when it comes to colors, though. The Pixel 7 Pro comes in Obsidian (black), Snow (white), and Hazel (greenish-grey). The first two colors sport a silver camera bar, while the Hazel colorway comes with a gold camera bar.

On the other hand, the Pixel 6 Pro comes in Stormy Black, Cloudy White, and Sorta Sunny, with all three color options sporting a black camera bar.

Design is subjective, so there’s no winner in this category. However, I personally prefer the look of the new Pixel 7 Pro since it’s a bit toned-down compared to its predecessor and gives off a more professional vibe.

The Pixel 6 Pro and 7 Pro are very similar in terms of specs and features. Sure, Google’s latest smartphone offers more overall than its predecessor, but the difference isn’t massive.

First, there’s the chipset. The Pixel 7 Pro comes with the latest and greatest SoC from Google — the Tensor G2. We haven’t been able to fully test it out yet, but Google claims it’s 60% faster in AI workloads than its predecessor that powers the Pixel 6 Pro. It’s also said to be more power-efficient, which should hopefully translate to longer battery life.

Like the Pixel 6 Pro, the Pixel 7 Pro sports three rear cameras. They have the same resolution as well — you get a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide camera. However, the camera system does bring a few new features to the table to keep up with the very best camera phones.

You get 5x optical zoom and 30x Super Res Zoom compared to the Pixel 6 Pro’s 4x optical zoom and 20x Super Res Zoom. The ultrawide sensor also has a wider field of view, meaning you’ll be able to fit more in your shots, as well as autofocus for the first time. And then there’s also the improved Night Sight feature that’s said to be twice as fast. These are just a few of the upgrades received by the cameras. We’ll go through all of them in detail once we review the handset.

There’s a slight difference in terms of resolution between the selfie cameras of the two phones. The Pixel 6 Pro comes with an 11.1MP selfie snapper, while the Pixel 7 Pro has a 10.8MP camera up front. The more significant difference is that there’s a new feature available for visually impaired people on the Pixel 7 Pro, which uses audio and haptic signals to help them stay in the frame and capture a better selfie. Additionally, the Pixel 7 Pro’s selfie snapper can be used to unlock the device via facial recognition, which is said to be safer than the standard 2D facial recognition you get with most Android phones.

The Pixel 7 Pro also comes with a feature called Photo Unblur, which you won’t find on its predecessor (at least for now). It’s part of the Google Photos app and works on the device thanks to the power of the new Tensor G2 chipset. It allows you to unblur old photos you may have from decades ago. It sounds promising on paper, but we haven’t had a chance to test it out yet.

The rest of the specs and features of the two phones are more or less identical. They come with a 5,000mAh battery with fast charging that should get the cell to 50% in 30 minutes. Both sport an IP68 rating, stereo speakers, wireless charging, and an in-display fingerprint scanner. Both will also receive three years of OS and five years of security updates, but the Pixel 7 Pro does have an advantage since it runs Android 13 out of the box. That means it will be updated all the way up to Android 16, while OS support for the Pixel 6 Pro will end after Android 15.

Price and availability

• Pixel 7 Pro: From $899 / £849 / €899
• Pixel 6 Pro: From $899 / £849 / €899

The Pixel 7 Pro starts at $899, which means it costs the same as the Pixel 6 Pro did at launch. But since the Pixel 6 Pro has been on the market since late 2021, you can get it for far less on sale.

The pricing of the 256GB and 512GB variants also stays the same. The former comes in at $999, while the latter will set you back $1,099.

The Pixel 7 Pro is available from Google, Amazon, Best Buy, and all the major carriers. The story is similar with the Pixel 6 Pro, although it will slowly become harder and harder to get once retailers and carriers start running out of stock.

You can pre-order the Pixel 7 Pro starting today, with sales officially kicking off on October 13. It’s available in a total of 17 countries, including the US, Canada, India, the UK, and several other European markets. It’s worth noting that this is the first Google flagship to be sold in India after the Pixel 3.

The Pixel 7 Pro offers more overall, although it isn’t a massive upgrade. You get a newer and more powerful AI chipset, various camera improvements, a brighter display, and a few other extra bells and whistles. The phone also looks nicer than the Pixel 6 Pro, although that will come down to personal preference.

Since the differences between the two phones aren’t massive, we don’t think it’s worth upgrading to the Pixel 7 Pro from its predecessor for most people. The Pixel 6 Pro is still a heck of a phone and offers most of the things you get with the newer model.

However, if you happen to see enough value in the extra features the Pixel 7 Pro brings to the table to justify spending at least $899 one year after you bought the Pixel 6 Pro, then go for it. We understand it’s not always about the money. Buying the latest and greatest phone does bring a little bit of joy to a person’s life, even though the overall experience you’ll get with the device won’t be that much different.

If you own an older phone and are thinking about getting either the Pixel 6 Pro or the 7 Pro, the choice is a little bit harder to make. We think it’s better to buy the latest model because you’ll get the best specs and features available and will also enjoy longer software support. However, opting for the Pixel 6 Pro also isn’t a bad idea since you’ll be saving at least $250. Regardless of which phone you choose, you likely won’t be disappointed.