Google Pixel 6 vs Google Pixel 7: what’s the difference?

GOOGLE lead the way with Android tech, with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 being two of the most popular on the market, but which is for you?

One is a former flagship and its successor has proved a huge hit, so we’ve put both head to head to help you choose between these two impressive handsets.

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Google remain one of the leading brands in the Android world and has yet again proved its popularity with the release of its new flagship device, the Google Pixel 7.

But with just a year between its predecessor the Google Pixel 6 it can make choosing which is for you that bit harder.

The Google Pixel 6 hit the market back in October 2021 and caused a stir and has remained one of Google’s most popular handsets.

Just a year later Google unveiled its newest flagship, the Google Pixel 7 in October 2022 and Android lovers flocked to get their hands on it.

But with a similar design and look, is the Pixel 7 worth the hype? Or is the Pixel 6 still worthy of your hard-earned cash? We take a look at everything from battery life, cameras, features and price to help you choose.

If you’d like a more in-depth look at these two devices check out our Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro review and the low down on the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.

Google Pixel 6 vs Google Pixel 7: at a glance

Similarities:

The Google Pixel 7 takes many of its design leads from its predecessor, with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 both made with an aluminium mid-frame, smooth back glass and the tough Gorilla Glass Victus front.

Both devices feel and respond smoothly with the same 90Hz refresh rate, and you’ll also find each has the same rear camera hardware, with a 50MP main lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens.

What is the difference between the Google Pixel 6 and 7?

While each device looks and feels very similar there are some noticeable differences you would expect with a fresh generation.

The Google Pixel 7 takes a leap ahead with the Tensor G2 chip, carrying on Google’s desire for automated learning to improve users’ experiences with everything from speed to imaging and video playback.

Google has made the Pixel 7 just a tad smaller than its predecessor, with a 6.3-inch OLED display compared to a 6.4-inch OLED display on the Pixel 6.

There is also a smaller battery for Pixel 7, a 4,355 mAh size in comparison to the 4,614 mAh battery on the Pixel 6, but Google says both have the same expected battery life.

Each device has a built-in fingerprint scanner but the Pixel 7 finally brings back a new and improved face recognition, something Google devices have lagged behind with since its first attempt on the Pixel 4.

Google Pixel 6 vs 7: Camera

The improvements seen on Google Pixel 6 camera were a leap ahead compared to the previous Pixel series, and many of these innovations have been kept on the Google Pixel 7.

The rear camera on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 are in fact identical, with a 50MP main lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens. Where the Pixel 7 has given users a nice upgrade is on the front-facing selfie camera, increasing from an 8MP camera on the Google Pixel 6 to an impressive 10.8MP camera on the Pixel 7, so if you are on top of your selfie game you should see a difference.

The biggest difference between the Pixel 6 and 7 is the upgraded software on the Google Pixel 7. The new and improved Google Tensor G2 chip will lend to crisper shots and an overall better user experience when it comes to the camera on the new flagship.

Although the camera setup on both devices is similar, the Tensor G2 will allow the Pixel 7 to take sharper multiple shots. Better still, the improved Night Sight will make low-light photography much easier on the Pixel 7 compared to its predecessor. That being said, for the average user just looking to take decent photos, these two devices will perform just as well as each other.

Google Pixel 6 vs 7: Design

The design choices made on each of these devices are in much the same vein, with the Google Pixel 7 tweaking some design choices made on the Pixel 6 to give the Pixel 7 a fresher more high-end feel worthy of a flagship.

We are used to seeing brands going bigger and better with their upgrades, but not so with the Google Pixel 7, which is ever so slightly smaller than the Pixel 6, 6.3-inch compared to the Pixel 6’s 6.4-inch.

But both come with the tried and true AMOLED display and Gorilla Glass Victus, and the same 90Hz refresh rate, which makes the experience on both devices identical to the average user.

The Google Pixel 7 has a slight edge over the Pixel 6 with new and improved facial recognition. We haven’t seen this on a Google device since its first foray into Face ID on the Pixel 4 way back in 2019, but both the Pixel 6 and 7 come with a speedy fingerprint scanner.

Google Pixel 6 vs 7: Features

Google devices are known to prioritise user experience over techy specs, a more meaningful move to the average user – and evident in both the Pixel 6 and 7 with their unique features.

One of the talking points of the Google Pixel 6 and 7 series is the next-level photo editing tools, not least the Magic Eraser, capable of removing unwanted photobombers – which even diehard Apple fans can admit is worth the hype.

With the Google Pixel 6, you get Face Unblur, which can add clarity to faces in your photos, with the Google Pixel 7 this is taken a step further. The upgraded Google Tensor G2 has made the new Photo Unblur tool a reality, meaning you can make entire photos sharper by merging images from the ultrawide and main camera lenses.

The Google Pixel 7 also comes with its own free VPN (Google One), which works the same as the 2TB Google One subscription, which isn’t included in older series like the Pixel 6.

Pixel 6 vs Pixel 7: Battery life

The footprint of the Google Pixel 7 is not the only thing to see a slight decrease, with the 4,355 mAh battery being smaller compared to the larger 4,614 mAh battery on the Pixel 6.

While the smaller battery hasn’t made much of a difference in terms of usage and charging speeds (they are on parr), it’s worth bearing in mind if you are under the impression the Pixel 7 handset would go the distance against its predecessor.

Neither the Google Pixel 6 nor 7 come with chargers in the box either, and neither is particularly speedy when it comes to charging, but they do both come with Qi wireless charging.

Pixel 7 vs Pixel 6: Price

On their respective releases both these devices entered the market at the same price point, but you can now get your hands on the Google Pixel 6 for less, and bag some great deals when it’s on sale.

This is why, as it stands, there is currently a significant £301 price difference between the SIM-free handsets.

There is also a slight disparity in price if you are looking to pick up a pay-monthly plan – at Buymobiles you can pick up the Google Pixel 6 with Unlimted data for £24 per month and zero upfront, while the Google Pixel 7 comes in at £32 per month for the same plan.

Here are the retailers that stock both handsets:

Google Pixel 6 vs Google Pixel 7: Which to choose 

When weighing up your options between these two devices you can be sure that you are getting value for money whichever you choose.

Both prioritise user experience, have a similar feel, and have some great features – and while one may be pricier it balances this with software updates that make all its tried and true features seen on both that bit smoother.

Hopefully, this guide has helped you decide which device is more your speed, and which you want to commit to.

Choose the Google Pixel 6 if:

• You are on a tighter budget but want the same great features.
• You aren’t too fussed about phototherapy specs but still want a great camera.
• You prefer and bigger phone and want a bigger battery.

Choose the Google Pixel 7 if:

• You have a bigger budget and the performance upgrades that it affords.
• You want the new Face Unlock feature.
• You want a free built-in VPN feature.

Read more on phone comparisons

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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk