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Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 6: How Google's Flagship Phones Have Changed, Spec by Spec

Learn how Google's new Pixel 7 series compares with last year's Pixel 6.

Sareena Dayaram Senior Editor
Sareena is a senior editor for CNET covering the mobile beat including device reviews. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with more than a decade's worth of experience producing stories for television and digital publications across Asia's financial capitals including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Mumbai. Prior to CNET, Sareena worked at CNN as a news writer and Reuters as a producer.
Expertise Huawei, Oppo, smartphones, smartwatches Credentials
  • More than a decade of journalism experience
Sareena Dayaram
2 min read
Google's Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro
Google

Google pulled back the curtain on the new Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro in the fall. After a thorough revamp with the Pixel 6 lineup last year, the Pixel 7 series offers minor upgrades rather than radical changes. 

That signature camera bar running across the width of the chassis stays, except this year it's covered in metal as opposed to glass. The years-in-the-making Tensor chip is under the hood again, of course, but now it's a next-gen version, called the Tensor G2. The Pixel 7 will also support the ability to unlock your phone with your face, unlike the Pixel 6 series, and introduces some behind-the-scenes camera changes that should enable better zoom quality. You can read CNET's deep dives on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro for more insights on the camera changes.

As was the case with the iPhone 14 lineup, the changes between the base models and the pro models are more obvious than the changes between predecessor and successor. For instance, the Pixel 7 Pro not only has a larger screen, but also a telephoto lens that can zoom up to 5x optically and 30x digitally. There is no telephoto camera on the Pixel 7. The Pixel 7 Pro boasts a new macro photography mode that is absent on the base Pixel 7. Both phones support 5G, but support for superfast millimeter wave 5G connectivity varies depending on the carrier. 

Watch this: Watch Google's Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro Reveal

The Pixel 7 starts at $599, while the Pixel 7 Pro starts at $899 -- the same as last year's Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, respectively despite stubbornly high inflation. Both phones launched on Oct. 13, with preorders starting on that day.

For more details on how the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro stack up, check out our specs chart below for a side-by-side comparison. If you're curious about how the Pixel ranks against its competitors, take a look at how it compares to phones from Apple and Samsung.

Pixel 7 series vs. Pixel 6 series


Google Pixel 7Google Pixel 6Google Pixel 7 Pro
Display size, resolution, refresh rate 6.3-inch OLED display, FHD+ (1,080 x 2,400 pixels), 90Hz6.4-inch OLED; 2,400 x 1,080 pixels; 60 or 90Hz6.7-inch LTPO display, QHD+ (1,440 x 3,120 pixels); up to 120Hz
Pixel density 416 ppi411 ppi512 ppi
Dimensions (millimeters) 155.6 height x 73.2 width x 8.7 depth (mm)158.6 height x 74.8 width x 8.9 depth (mm)162.9 height x 76.6 width x 8.9 depth (mm)
Weight (ounces, grams) 197g or 6.9 oz207g or 7.3 oz212g or 7.5 oz
Mobile software Android 13Android 12Android 13
Camera 50-megapixel (main), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide) 50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide)50-megapixel (main), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide), 48-megapixel (telephoto)
Front-facing camera 10.8-megapixel8-megapixel10.8-megapixel
Video capture 4K4K 30, 60fps (rear), 1,080p 30fps (front)4K
Processor Google Tensor G2Google TensorGoogle Tensor G2
Storage/RAM 8GB + 128 GB, 8GB + 256 GB8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB12GB + 128 GB, 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB
Expandable storage NoneNoneNone
Battery/Charger 4,355 mAh 4,614 mAh5,000 mAh
Fingerprint sensor Under displayUnder displayUnder display
Connector USB-CUSB-CUSB-C
Headphone jack NoneNoneNone
Price (USD) $599$599$899