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Google Pixel 6 Pro vs Pixel 7 Pro: What's new and should you upgrade?
The Google Pixel 7 Pro has a lot going for it. It’s powered by the Tensor G2 chipset, sports an improved camera system, and features a 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 look closer 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 that 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.
Aesthetics are subjective, so there’s no winner in this category. However, I 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.
Hardware and cameras
The Pixel 6 Pro and 7 Pro are very similar in terms of specs and features. Sure, Google’s newer 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 newer SoC from Google — the Tensor G2. Google claims it’s 60% faster in AI workloads than the first-generation Tensor that powers the Pixel 6 Pro. It’s also said to be more power-efficient, but we found battery life to be about the same in both devices. If the Pixel 7 Pro has better battery life, it is minimal enough for us not to notice.
In our tests, we found out the Tensor G2 is better than the Pixel 6 Pro’s Tensor, but only by a bit, at least in benchmarks. In fact, the Pixel 6 Pro managed to beat the Pixel 7 Pro in some benchmarks. The processor seems to run slightly cooler with the Pixel 7 Pro, though. Even if it is still a bit too easy to heat up. However, it managed to sustain higher performance for longer in the Wild Life Stress Test. So the Tensor G2 is technically better, but not by too much.
The storage configurations are the same between the two phones. You get 12GB of RAM and either 128, 256, or 512GB of storage.
Like the Pixel 6 Pro, the Pixel 7 Pro sports three rear cameras. They also have the same resolution — you get a 50MP primary sensor, a 48MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide camera. However, the camera system brings a few new features to the table to keep up with the 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.
All hardware aside, though, the Tensor G2 chipset makes all the difference in camera performance. It powers some of the best features in the Pixel 7 Pro’s camera, such as Magic Eraser, Super Res Zoom, Photo Unblur, and all other Pixel features now available. We also noticed it was significantly better at detecting edges in portraits. As far as image quality goes, though, both phones are stunning. You’ll just happen to notice some AI and processing improvements on the latest phone.
The Pixel 6 Pro and 7 Pro both get three years of OS and five years of security updates.
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 unlock the device via facial recognition, which is safer than the standard 2D facial recognition you get with most Android phones.
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 the advantage of being released a year later, which means it will also continue getting updates for an extra year. 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.
Google Pixel 6 Pro vs Pixel 7 Pro: Price and availability
- Pixel 7 Pro: From $899 / £849 / €899
- Pixel 6 Pro: From $899 / £849 / €899
The Pixel 7 Pro started at $899 at launch. It cost the same as the Pixel 6 Pro did when released. But since the Pixel 6 Pro has been on the market since late 2021, you can get it for far less on sale or used/refurbished. That said, great deals do exist for the Pixel 7 Pro, especially since the launch of the latest-gen Pixel 8 Pro. Both the 6 Pro and 7 Pro are previous-generation devices now.
Specs
| Google Pixel 7 Pro | Google Pixel 6 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
Display | Google Pixel 7 Pro 6.7-inch OLED 19.5:9 aspect ratio QHD+ resolution 3,120 x 1,440 512ppi 120Hz adaptive refresh rate HDR support 24-bit depth Gorilla Glass Victus front and back | Google Pixel 6 Pro 6.7-inch OLED 19.5:9 aspect ratio QHD+ resolution 3,120 x 1,440 512ppi 120Hz adaptive refresh rate HDR support 24-bit depth Gorilla Glass Victus front and back |
Processor | Google Pixel 7 Pro Tensor G2 Titan M2 security | Google Pixel 6 Pro Tensor Titan M2 security |
RAM | Google Pixel 7 Pro 12GB LPDDR5 | Google Pixel 6 Pro 12GB LPDDR5 |
Internal storage | Google Pixel 7 Pro 128, 256, or 512GB UFS 3.1 | Google Pixel 6 Pro 128, 256, or 512GB UFS 3.1 |
Battery and power | Google Pixel 7 Pro 5,000mAh (typical) 23W wired charging USB-PD 3.0 (PPS) 23W wireless charging Qi wireless charging Battery share No charger in box | Google Pixel 6 Pro 5,000mAh (typical) 23W wired charging USB-PD 3.0 (PPS) 23W wireless charging 12W Qi wireless charging Battery share No charger in box |
Cameras | Google Pixel 7 Pro Rear - 50MP main 1.2 μm, ƒ/1.85, 82-degree FoV 1/1.31-inch sensor OIS and EIS - 12MP ultrawide 1.25 μm, ƒ/2.2, 125.8-degree FoV, autofocus - 48MP telephoto 0.7 μm, ƒ/3.5, 20.6-degree FoV OIS 5x optical zoom, 30x Super Resolution - Laser AF Front: - 10.8 MP 1.22 μm, ƒ/2.2, 92.8-degree FoV | Google Pixel 6 Pro Rear - 50MP main 1.2 μm, ƒ/1.85, 82-degree FoV 1/1.31-inch sensor OIS and EIS - 12MP ultrawide 1.25 μm, ƒ/2.2, 114-degree FoV - 48MP telephoto 0.8 μm, ƒ/3.5, 23.5-degree FoV OIS 1/2-inch sensor 4x optical zoom, 20x Super Resolution - Laser AF Front: - 11.1MP 1.22 μm, ƒ/2.2, 94-degree FoV |
Software | Google Pixel 7 Pro Android 13 Pixel UI | Google Pixel 6 Pro Android 12 Pixel UI |
Dimensions and weight | Google Pixel 7 Pro 162.9 x 76.55 x 8.9mm 212g | Google Pixel 6 Pro 163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9mm 210g |
Colors | Google Pixel 7 Pro Obsidian, Snow, Hazel | Google Pixel 6 Pro Stormy Black, Cloudy White, Sorta Sunny |
Google Pixel 6 Pro vs Pixel 7 Pro: Should you upgrade?
The Pixel 7 Pro offers more overall, although it isn’t a massive upgrade. You get a newer, more powerful AI chipset, various camera improvements, a brighter display, and a few other bells and whistles. The phone also looks nicer than the Pixel 6 Pro, although that will come down to personal preference.
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. It offers most of the things you get with the newer model. The Google Pixel 8 Pro might be a better bet if you want to upgrade. We have a Google Pixel 6 Pro vs Pixel 8 Pro comparison if you need some help making a decision.
We don’t recommend upgrading to the Pixel 7 Pro from its predecessor.
However, if you see enough value in the extra features the Pixel 7 Pro brings to the table to justify the extra money, go for it. We understand it’s not always about the money. Buying a newer phone does bring a little bit of joy to a person’s life. Even if the overall experience you’ll get with the device won’t be that much different. Additionally, you could always trade your Pixel 6 Pro in to help reduce upgrade costs.
It’s also worth noting that now that the Pixel 8 series is out, both devices are previous-generation handsets. This means you are more likely to find better deals on both, and the price difference will likely be smaller. You can also opt for a Pixel 7a if you want something both newer and affordable.