2021 was a big year for Google’s Pixel smartphones as chipsets switched from Qualcomm Snapdragon to Google’s own Tensor chips.
So what will 2022 bring to the Pixel world? Here are a few things we want to see when the Pixel 7 arrives, along with all the news and rumors about the new devices.
What is the release date of Google Pixel 7?
Google officially confirmed the future of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro in a keynote speech at the 2022 I/O developer conference on May 11. Although they both promised to “come this fall” and showed a few official appearances, we still don’t know much about what the two will offer.
Over the past few generations, Google has undertaken release in October for major Pixel devices in August, with cheaper versions such as the Pixel 4a and Pixel 5a 5G. There was also the Pixel 4a 5G, which was released in November 2020 and somehow went a step further.
So, if Google stays true to this example, you should expect the new Pixel 7 phones to go on sale in October 2022 with the new Android 13 app.
That’s exactly what John Prosser predicted, adding that the 7 and 7 Pros will launch with the Pixel Watch a few months after the upcoming Pixel 6a.
How much will the Google Pixel 7 cost?
To get an idea of cash, you’ll need to buy the latest Google devices when they arrive, here are the latest generation prices.
- Google Pixel 6: £599/$599
- Google Pixel 6 Pro: £849/$899
- Pixel 5: £599/$699
- Google Pixel 4: £669/$799
- Google Pixel 4XL: £829/$899
As you can see, the standard Pixel looks priced at £ 599 / $ 599, while the Pro level, introduced in 2021, takes things a little further. While we could see the global shortage of chips and the increased production cost caused by Covid increase with the release of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, we would expect Google to maintain those prices. Fortunately, no.
What features will we see in Google Pixel 7?
Frankly, although the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are still on sale quite recently, there is very little specific information about what you will see in their successors.
Design
With the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, Google has introduced a completely new design language for its smartphones. The plastic body and more general aesthetics of the Pixel 5 have disappeared, giving way to a premium structure and a bold look with a raised strip on the back, which acts as a body for cameras.
Based on the images it demonstrated during I/O 2022, the company is not trying to reinvent the wheel with the Pixel 7 series, as most manufacturers want to maintain a consistent aesthetics for several generations; Apple’s iPhones are a clear example.
Not surprisingly, both have the same design, although the slightly adjusted camera module now wraps directly into the phone’s frame and emphasizes the individual sensors more prominently.
A report from CarHP adds that the standard Pixel 7 will measure 155.6 x 73.1 x 8.7 mm, making it slightly smaller in each size – a nice change from the larger Pixel 6.
According to OnLeaks, with a little help from the SmartPrix, the rough dimensions of the 7 Pro’s 163 x 76.6 x 8.7 mm make it very close to the 6 Pro, but it’s a bit thinner than usual.
Display
The current Pixel 6 and 6 Pro have 6.4-inch AMOLED and 6.71 LTPO AMOLED displays, respectively. Both support HDR10 +, but the Pro version comes with a 120Hz refresh rate and higher resolution than its more budget siblings.
An OnLeaks report estimates that the 7 will reduce screen size to 6.2 inches, while the 7 Pro will either stay the same or jump up to 6.8 inches. We don’t expect to see many other screen changes.
Screen industry expert Ross Young said something similar: the 6.3-inch screen drop for the 7, while the Pro remains the same 6.7-inch size. He adds that the Pro will reuse at least 120Hz LTPO AMOLED technology, although it is not clear whether we will see this decline return to normal 7.
It still seems impossible. 9to5Google researched some Android Open Source Project code and found display drivers designed for new Pixel models.
They say that the Pixel 7 will have a display of 1080 x 2400 up to 90Hz, and the Pixel 7 Pro will have a screen of 1440 x 3120 with a refresh rate of 120Hz. These are exactly the same features as the 6-series models, and the code even indicates that Google will use the same Samsung panels. So don’t expect any changes in the displays from year to year, except that the screen of the 7 is slightly smaller.
We know that Google is working on selfie camera designs at the bottom of the screen. The company has so far filed at least two patents, the most recent of which we have included here. Discovered by Lets Go Digital, this photo shows the same technology we see in similar cameras like the ZTE Axon 30 5G and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3.
We do not expect Google to use this technology in the Pixel 7 series, and it is rumored that it will be more likely to appear on future phones such as the Pixel Fold or Pixel 8 and later models.
Second generation Google Tensor chips
One of the main points of discussion about the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro was their use of Google’s Tensor chips. Like Apple and Samsung, which use Series A and Quad chips in their flagships (although Samsung still uses Qualcomm Snapdragon chips), Google has taken a big step to control the design and production of processors installed in its devices. .
Such an investment is undoubtedly long-term, and 9to5Google has already provided information about a potential clue to the arrival of 2nd generation Tensor chips when it sees the code name “Cloudripper” associated with the GS201 model number, which could represent the new silicone. Sounds a bit complicated, but there are different codes that manufacturers use during product development, and 9to5Google’s detective work is a sure sign that the new Pixel will come with the latest versions of Tensor chips.
The same site has found more details since then; The code names Cheetah, Panther and Ravenclaw have been added to the Samsung modem, the Exynos Modem 5300, which will probably be used with the new Tensor chip.
9to5Google reports that Cheetah and Panther are referring to the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro with new big cat code names after previous generations used birds and fish. The third code name – Ravenclaw – is believed to be more than just a reference to Harry Potter. This is potentially a mix of the Pixel 6 Pro‘s code name “Raven” with the new device’s cat paw theme, perhaps referring to a tester that uses a new Tensor 2 chip inside the Pixel 6 Pro.
No criteria have been set for any of these devices yet, so we don’t know how they will be compared to their 2nd generation predecessors, but we expect Google to work on energy efficiency and performance improvements, as with any iteration. processors.
Camera
Both leaked and subsequent official data confirm Mishaal Rahman’s report on the XDA Developers website that we saw the Pixel 7 equipped with only two rear cameras. The code, which Google analyzed for the Camera app shortly before the Pixel 6 devices were released, suggests that the 2022 Pixel will most likely have an ultra-wide camera like the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, but with a telephoto camera.
This is the same as the Pixel 6 with a telephoto reserved only for the Pro model, but in 2022 it looks a bit heavy compared to many potential competitors.
There’s good reason to think that Rahman’s code dive may not actually belong to the Pixel 7. First, although the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro have separate code names (Oriole and Raven), this phone is listed with only one (Pipit). This is a name that other sources associate with a Pixel foldable phone instead of 7, so this may be a hint of the phone’s camera features.
What we’d like to see in the Google Pixel 7
Although very little is known about the Pixel 7, we can take this opportunity to bring our containers to Google to beg and ask for a little more than we got with the Pixel 6.
One of the main improvements we want to see is the reduction in the weight of the Pixel 6. At 207 g, it is a heavy animal, so weight loss will make the whole experience more enjoyable for the user.
In our review of the Google Pixel 6, we saw that the battery life is very good, the only downside is the slow 30 W charging capabilities, which rarely reach these speeds. This can be done by increasing the speed types that are common on Chinese devices that can charge from 0% to 100% in less than 30 minutes.
The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro were excellent interpretations of the pure Google smartphone, so we’re excited to see what happens in 2022 when the new versions are released. We will continue to update this article as more news arrives, so check back regularly. Until then, you can read our summary of the best news phones coming in 2022.
