Google Pixel 7 Pro

Joshua Waller finds out whether this new flagship smartphone can deliver when it comes to image quality and photographic features. Does it offer enough to tempt you away from the likes of Samsung and Apple?

Google caused quite a stir last year when it introduced the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6. Not only for the aesthetically controversial camera bar, but also for introducing a number of rather impressive computational photography features.

This year, Google has introduced updated versions, the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 7. On the Pro version, key improvements include an updated ultra-wide camera with AF that enables a new macro mode, as well as a longer telephoto camera now offering 5x optical zoom, and up to 30x Super Res Zoom. You also get a premium wide camera, which like the telephoto includes optical image stabilisation.

The Pixel 7 Pro is priced at £849 for the 128GB storage option, which is noticeably less than other premium smartphones which often hit the £1,000+ price point. For that reason, the Pixel 7 Pro offers great value for money.

The selfie camera is a 10.8MP f/2.2 wideangle (21mm equivalent) camera, which is fixed focus, and therefore doesn’t match the auto focus selfie cameras on some other premium smartphones.

But does this all come together to give us high-quality images, or is there anything missing?

Handling and design

The 6.7in curved screen looks great, with a QHD+ resolution, and an LPTO OLED always-on display. Its refresh rate is up to 120Hz – this is adjusted as needed, either to give smoother performance, or to save battery life. Colours look fantastic on the screen, and it offers a very good level of brightness.