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Google’s new Pixel 7 Pro is part of a new crop of gadgets that benefit from their boringness. The Nintendo Switch OLED is boring; Microsoft’s latest Surface Go is boring; even the iPhone 14 is boring. That may come off as harsh, but all it means is that Google, like those other tech giants, eschewed fancy-but-unnecessary changes to its hardware and software and focused on incremental improvements that prospective Pixel owners would appreciate.

This is Google’s flagship smartphone and it’s one of the few you should seriously consider upgrading to if you like the purest Android operating system experience. While other Android phones beat the Pixel 7 Pro in specific areas—the Asus ROG Phone 6 is better for gaming, the Galaxy S22 Ultra has a better camera system—Google’s smartphone offers one of the best all-around experiences. Even iPhone owners (myself included) would come away a little envious, even if it doesn’t push us to migrate.

Brandt Ranj / Popular Science

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Unlocking the Google Pixel Pro 7’s features

The toughest part about reviewing the Pixel 7 Pro was the lack of a single marquee feature. There’s no “Dynamic Island” like on the iPhone 14 Pro models, no totally new form factor like the upcoming Pixel tablet. Instead, at a first glance, the smartphone looks nearly identical to the one it’s replacing. The differences between them are subtle even when you take a long look under the surface.

The Pixel 7 Pro offers the same 120Hz, 6.4-inch, 1440p screen as the Pixel 6 Pro and immediately feels good in the hand. It’s a little taller than the iPhone 14 Pro Max but 40 grams lighter, which made a bigger difference than I expected. When you’re reading a long article or holding your phone while watching a video, every gram counts. On the backside of the Pixel 7 Pro, you’ll find the raised camera “bar,” which extends from the left side of the device all the way across to the right.

Google fully embraced the camera “bump” with last year’s Pixel 6 Pro, turning it into a distinctive feature of the smartphone’s design. I still pine for the days of smartphones with cameras that are flush to their case but, while I personally hope that they return in the far-off future, I know it’s not going to happen. So, it’s nice that Google turned its smartphone’s camera system into a signature part of its look. The Pixel 7 Pro has an edge-to-edge screen, with a hole punch-shaped cutout for the front-facing camera. The camera has a slightly lower megapixel count compared to last year’s model (10.8MP down from 11.1MP), but it can be used for more than just taking selfies.

The Pixel 7 Pro supports facial recognition, which allows you to unlock the smartphone by looking at it and swiping up on its screen. This worked very quickly in my testing, even when trying it in areas with low light. Some earlier Pixel generations had this feature but it’s been absent for the past couple of years. If the idea of facial recognition makes you uneasy, the Pixel 7 Pro has an under-the-display fingerprint reader and the option to use a password. All three methods of unlocking the phone worked well, so feel free to mix and match.

Reading long-form stories on the go is easier because of the Pixel 7 Pro’s large, high-resolution display. Brandt Ranj / Popular Science

An arms race with Apple

Last year, Google introduced the Tensor chip, a custom-designed processor developed specifically for use in Pixel phones. The Pixel 7 Pro features the Tensor G2, which is slightly faster on paper but powerful and energy efficient in practice. The move from an off-the-shelf part to a bespoke one paid off as the Pixel 7 Pro runs Android 13 flawlessly. Tapping, scrolling, pinching, zooming, switching between apps all felt remarkably smooth, with not a dropped frame or second-long stutter to be found. The phone didn’t even run hot during a stress test that involved running video at maximum brightness for multiple hours.

Google may have been playing catch up with Apple, a company that began designing the iPhone’s custom silicon over a decade ago, but the effort has paid off handsomely. Pixel 6 Pro owners may not notice a big year-over-year improvement if they decide to upgrade. Anyone coming from a smartphone that’s two or three years old, however, will pick up on the difference immediately when opening apps, taking pictures, or even adjusting system settings like the phone’s screen resolution or wallpaper. While I’ve only had the opportunity to check out a few Android devices in my career, this is certainly the cleanest (and, yes, most iPhone-like) experience yet.

The Tensor G2’s biggest on-paper improvement compared to Google’s last-generation chip is a 60% increase in its machine-learning capabilities. This enables some of the phone’s most helpful features, like parsing speech to show you a tappable menu while going through a phone tree and helping you find exactly which emoji to pick while dictating messages. These are tangible benefits—who remembers the last time a smartphone’s phone experience improved?

With all of this power under the hood, it’s disappointing that Google has promised that the Pixel 7 line of phones will get only three years of software updates and five years of security updates. That’s good for an Android phone but Apple’s newly released iOS 16 operating system runs on phones going back to 2023. As Google unifies its hardware and software ecosystems, it’s important that they prioritize longevity.

Mighty morphin’ mega pixels

One of the biggest reasons to get a new smartphone is camera improvements and the Pixel 7 Pro is no slouch. Its three-lens rear-facing camera system features a 12MP ultra-wide camera, 48MP telephoto camera, and a 50MP wide camera, which can all record 4K HDR (high dynamic range) video at up to 60 frames per second. The megapixel count on the cameras hasn’t changed in the past year, but the ultrawide camera has a wider field of view and the telephoto lens has a slightly narrower field of view. In the Pixel’s camera app, you can select between four predetermined focal lengths: .5x, 1x, 2x, and 5x, and frame your shot accordingly.

My tests—conducted indoors and outdoors in various lighting conditions—show that Google’s relentless investment in computational photography continues to pay off, especially in an era when it makes its own chips. There’s a lot of fancy processing work happening behind the scenes, so all I needed to do to get a great photo was framing my shot and hitting the shutter button. A visual guide showing whether I was shooting my photo off-angle helped a bit but I mostly let the smartphone do all the work. I would consider the Pixel 7 Pro’s camera to be restrained. It brightened up low-light photos without blowing them out or muddying details and did a good job at color-balancing shots with a lot of dynamic range.

More often than not the Pixel 7 Pro’s photos didn’t need editing, especially if you’re primarily interested in posting quick snapshots to Instagram. I compared the Pixel 7 Pro’s camera directly to an iPhone 14 Pro Max under a challenging circumstance: a lit fire pit in a dark backyard from a distance of about two feet. Both phones were set to their 1X camera settings, and the results (below) speak for themselves.

iPhone 14 Pro Max (left) vs. Pixel 7 Pro (right) Brandt Ranj / Popular Science

Smartphone photography has gotten a lot better over the past few years. Google is further leveraging the Tensor G2 to help you transform shots that almost turned out correctly into usable pictures through a feature called “UnBlur.” Tapping this button uses machine learning to digitally fix blurry photos, whether they were taken on the Pixel 7 Pro or not. This feature was hit-and-miss in my testing but, when it works, the before-and-after difference can be pretty significant. There are plenty of reasons for a blurry photo, from a shaky hand to an overactive subject, so it’s good to know your smartphone camera has your back in challenging situations outside of your control.

You can see the work of the Google Pixel 7’s UnBlur feature below; it’s not perfect, but the difference in usability is undeniable. Google has historically improved the quality of its machine-learning photography technology through software updates, so I expect UnBlur to get a lot better. This feature’s most impressive quality so far is the ability to apply it to any picture in your Google Photos library. UnBlur will be most effective when it’s applied to newer photos (specifically those taken on a Pixel 7 series device), but it can save older ones, too.

Original photo (left) vs. UnBlurred photo (right) Brandt Ranj / Popular Science

It just keeps going (and going and going) …

If you’re considering upgrading your smartphone because of its declining battery life, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Pixel 7 Pro. A full charge had no problems surviving a day of messaging, video watching, and social media browsing. I thought I’d put the battery through a stress test leaving a YouTube video playing continuously with the screen brightness at 100%—three hours later the phone said it still had over one day’s worth of juice left in the tank.

Everybody’s workload is different and your mileage may vary if you’re recording hours of 4K video, editing it, and posting it on social media from your device. In those cases, it’s helpful to know that the Pixel 7 Pro supports 23W fast charging with a cable or on a wireless charger. The smartphone also supports reverse wireless charging, which means you can use it to top up other devices in a pinch.

Believe your eyes and ears

The Pixel 7 Pro’s power efficiency allows you to watch long videos without experiencing battery anxiety. Brandt Ranj / Popular Science

So, who should buy the Pixel 7 Pro?

If you’re in the market for a new Android phone, the Pixel 7 Pro should be on the shortlist for consideration. The overall quality of its hardware—especially the Tensor G2 processor, which you won’t find anywhere else—cannot be overstated. And it’s paired with Android 13, an operating system designed to run perfectly on Google’s hardware. It may not have the whiz-bang cool factor of Samsung’s foldables, or the familiarity (to many) of the iPhone, but Google has continued to prove itself as a top-tier smartphone maker. The company’s dedication is especially impressive given how little its hardware has sold relative to its main competition, though some new reports suggest that trend could be changing.

The conventional wisdom when an iPhone owner wants to upgrade their device is “get the newest iPhone.” The Pixel 7 Pro makes a compelling case to become a similar recommendation to anyone on the Android side of the aisle, even if it’s a little boring. The Google Pixel 7 Pro comes in Hazel (olive green), Snow (white), and Obsidian (black), starting at $899 for a model equipped with 128GB of storage and going up to $1,099 for the maxed-out version with 512GB of storage. The smartphone is available now in all storage sizes and colors.

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Google Pixel 6 Pro Vs Pixel 7 Pro: What’S New And Should You Upgrade?

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

The brand-new Google Pixel 7 Pro has a lot going for it. It’s powered by the latest Tensor G2 chipset, sports an improved camera system, and features a more 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.

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 the one 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.

Design is 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.

Google Pixel 6 Pro vs Pixel 7 Pro: Price and availability

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Pixel 7 Pro: From $899 / £849 / €899

Pixel 6 Pro: From $899 / £849 / €899

The Pixel 7 Pro starts at $899. It costs the same as the Pixel 6 Pro did at launch. But since the Pixel 6 Pro has been on the market since late 2023, you can get it for far less on sale. That said, we’ve also started to see good deals on the Pixel 7 Pro already.

The pricing of the 256GB and 512GB variants also stays the same. The former comes in at $999, while the latter will set you back $1,099.

The Pixel 7 Pro is available from Google, Amazon, Best Buy, and all the major carriers. The story is similar with the Pixel 6 Pro, although it will slowly become harder and harder to get once retailers and carriers start running out of stock.

Specs

Google Pixel 6 And 6 Pro Black Friday Deals 2023

Last Updated on November 23, 2023

Best Black Friday Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro deals

Google’s latest smartphones have come out swinging, leveraging excellent cameras, boosted performance specs, and stock Android OS, so you aren’t limited with bloatware. But, for the most part, Google’s phones are often a bit expensive, but these Google Pixel 6 Black Friday deals will ensure you get the best deal on a new smartphone.

The Pixel 6 phones are an incredible step up over the previous iterations, with a whole new Tensor chip gifting the devices with top-notch security, in tandem with new cameras that ensure everything is in focus when taking shots. The Google Pixel 6 line even utilizes an AI-run feature that erases out ‘photobombers’ – similar to Adobe’s Content-Aware feature.

On the Pro side of things, you get a much better camera with more ‘pro’ level features out of its sensors, including 4x optical zoom and ‘Super Res Zoom’ up to 20x into the distance, and much more overall. The Pixel Pro also features wireless and fast charging, and its Battery Saver mode allows it up to 48 hours of essential app use if you find yourself without a charger.

Best Black Friday Google Pixel 6 deals in 2023

Black Friday is closing in, and the wait is over to secure yourself the Best Black Friday Google Pixel 6 deals. Below is a list of all the early Black Friday deals out right now on the base and Pro level Google Pixel smartphone, with more on the way in the lead-up to the holiday sales season:

Where to find the best Google Pixel 6 Black Friday deals?

All of the major online retailers will have Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones available at steep discounts this Black Friday. Below is a list of the best spots to pick up a new Pixel smartphone at a good bargain during the holidays:

Best Black Friday Google Pixel 6 deals When will Google Pixel 6 Black Friday sales start in 2023?

November 25th is the official start date for this year’s Black Friday, but most retailers will kick off their holiday sales season a bit sooner. Below is a list of all major online retailers hosting Google Pixel discounts with their Black Friday schedules included:

Amazon: November 25th to November 27th

Best Buy: November 19th to November 28th

Newegg: November 22nd to November 27th

Target: November 21st to November 27th

Walmart: Online starting November 2nd at 7 PM EST, in-stores on November 4th at 5 AM local time

How to get the best Black Friday Google Pixel 6 deals

The best way to get the most affordable price on the item you crave this holiday season is by keeping a close eye on the product page via its specific online retailer. Several stores will also have newsletters, alerting you when new deals go live so you can hop right into the awesome savings as soon as they are available.

This page will also be updated regularly as Black Friday rolls in this November 25th, ensuring you don’t have to scour the internet consistently as Google Pixel 6 discounts get listed.

Features to consider when looking for a Black Friday Google Pixel 6 deals

The Google Pixel has several awesome features that make it stand out as a beat among smartphones, but when comparing the two models, it may become a bit tricky in deciding what specific device you will need. Below is a list of major features to consider when deciding between the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro:

Ultra-wideband

8GB RAM vs 12GB RAM

512GB of storage

6.4″ FHD vs 6.7″ QHD

8MP vs 11MP camera

4614mAh vs 5003mAh battery

How much was the Google Pixel 6 on Black Friday?

Last year, the Google Pixel 6 say a discount of $100, pitting the new phone at a $500 premium, meaning this year’s savings are set to be even more exciting. Although the Pixel 7 has yet to be fully debuted just yet, the Pixel 6 and its Pro model will both be seeing some amazing discounts for the holiday season.

Various rumors suggest the Pixel 7 should launch as early as October 13th, with an event on the near horizon signaling its soon-to-be limelight. With its debut, the Pixel 6 line is sure to be set at a more affordable rate during the holiday sales season.

Does Google do Black Friday deals? Will there be a Pixel 6 Black Friday deal?

Yes, most major online retailers will be hosting Black Friday deals on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Last year, Best Buy has an ongoing sale throughout November, setting the price of the device at $100 off, which made it a steal at the time. Consumers can expect even more savings this time around at Best Buy and beyond, given the Pixel is now in its first year in users’ hands.

Is the Google Pixel 6 worth it in 2023?

If you can’t stretch to the Google Pixel 7 this year, the Google Pixel 6 is still a strong option for those looking to upgrade their phone. There are not a vast amount of differences between the two phones. The main differences can be seen in the new Tenser G2 chip and upgraded camera features. With Google’s announcement that the Google Pixel 6 will receive its long-term update commitment, your Pixel 6 will receive OS updates up to 2024 and security updates till 2026, making buying a Pixel 6 this year still a sensible option.

How To Take A Screenshot On A Google Pixel 7

The old saying that “an image can say a thousand words” holds very true in the current age of smartphones. Sometimes taking a screenshot of what you’re seeing on your device can more efficiently communicate an idea or situation. If you can’t figure out how to take a screenshot on a Google Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro, we’re here to help. There are actually multiple methods. Let’s get to them.

Editor’s note: We used a Google Pixel 7 to assemble instructions in this post. Things might be different depending on your specific hardware and software version.

How to take a screenshot on Pixel 7 using the hardware keys

This is considered a universal way to take a screenshot on Android devices. It will work with most phones running Google’s mobile operating system, including the Pixel 7 series.

How to take a Pixel 7 screenshot using the hardware buttons:

Navigate to the page you want to take a screenshot of.

Press the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously.

That’s it!

Capturing Pixel 7 screenshots from the Recent Apps

Don’t feel like fumbling around with buttons? Here’s a way to use software to create a screenshot.

How to use the Recent Apps to take a screenshot:

Navigate to the page you want to take a screenshot of.

Pull up the Recent Apps view by dragging your finger from the bottom of the screen up.

Tap on the Screenshot option.

You can also move to other apps within the Recent Apps view to take a screenshot of other apps you’ve been using.

Google Assistant can help

Maybe using your hands is not even an option. You can also use voice commands!

How to take a screenshot using Google Assistant:

Navigate to the page you want to take a screenshot of.

Pull up Google Assistant by saying, “OK, Google,” or “Hey, Google.” You can also press and hold onto the Power button for a few seconds.

Say, “Take a screenshot.”

If your device isn’t responding to the hotword, it’s likely because the feature is disabled. Here’s how to take care of that.

How to enable the “Hey, Google” voice command:

Launch the Settings app.

Go into Google.

Select Settings for Google apps.

Tap on Search, Assistant & Voice.

Hit Google Assistant.

Pick Hey Google & Voice Match.

Toggle Hey Google on.

Likewise, if the phone is launching the power options when you press and hold onto the Power button, you probably changed it prior. Here’s how to get it to pull up Google Assistant, if you’re interested.

How to change what pressing and holding the Power button does on a Pixel 7:

Launch the Settings app.

Go into System.

Select Gestures.

Scroll all the way to the bottom and tap on Press & hold power button.

Select Digital assistant.

How to take a scrolling screenshot on the Google Pixel 7

If you need to capture more than what your screen is currently displaying, you can also choose to take a scrolling screenshot.

How to capture a scrolling screenshot on a Pixel 7:

Navigate to the page you want to take a screenshot of.

Press the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously.

Select Capture more.

You can drag the edges to take a screenshot of the desired area.

Hit Save when done.

Where are screenshots saved on the Google Pixel 7?

How to edit a screenshot on a Google Pixel 7

If you want to make changes, cover information, or improve the look of your screenshot, you can technically edit it the same way any other image would. It’s saved as a photo, after all. Google Photos has its own editing tools, though. Here’s how to access them.

How to edit your screenshots using Google Photos:

Open Google Photos.

Find the screenshot you want to edit.

Tap on the Edit button.

You can now crop, erase, blur, make exposure edits, control the color, add filters, and more.

There is no limit to how many screenshots you can take, other than your phone’s storage space.

Yes. Just take a screenshot and select Capture more when the pop-up shows up.

Screenshots are images, and can be treated as such. You can edit them using any photo editing software, or simply accessing the editing tools within Google Photos.

Google Lens makes it possible to translate text on any image, including screenshots. Just go to Google Photos, select the screenshot you want to translate, tap on Lens, and pick the Translate tab.

7 Hidden Google Pixel Features You Need To Know And Try

Google’s Pixel lineup comes with a plethora of impressive functions, but some are easier to find and activate than others. The coolest bonus features are hiding just beneath the surface. This list examines the most intriguing.

Whether you’ve just received a new Pixel for Christmas or simply want to learn more about your phone, these features are guaranteed to enhance your user experience.

Note for this tutorial we used a Pixel 4a running the latest Android 11 version.

1. Know What’s Playing

Now whenever music is playing nearby, the Pixel will be able to pick up and identify the sound waves, then show you which track is playing on your lockscreen. Pretty handy!

2. Add Captions to Any Audio

To test this out, open a YouTube video on your device and press play. You should start seeing the captions appear underneath. You can resize or reposition the caption box on the screen according to your needs. Note that at this moment, the feature works only for English language audio, but Google says more languages will be added in the near future.

Under Live Caption, you’ll find additional options – for example, Caption calls. This service provides live captions when you’re on the phone with someone. It’s enabled by default, although your Pixel will ask you if you want captions every time you get a call unless you instruct it otherwise. If you don’t want this, you can turn the feature off from here.

3. Silence Notifications When You Place Your Phone Down

Need to focus on something and don’t want any distractions? The Pixel offers an easy solution to get some peace and quiet. Activate the “Flip to Shhh” option to trigger a Do Not Disturb mode, which silences notifications and other distractions whenever your phone is face down on a flat surface.

4. View Notifications Using Your Fingerprint

If you often use your phone one-handed, you’re going to like this trick. It allows you to view notifications without having to swipe your finger from the top of the display. Instead, you can swipe on your fingerprint sensor at the back of the phone, which is much more comfortable when you don’t have both hands free.

To view your notifications, swipe down on the sensor. Alternatively, if you wish to close them, swipe up.

5. Take Advantage of the Built-in VPN

Connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks is quite a dangerous affair, but Pixel owners have a set of tools in place that can protect them from such unpleasantness.

Once you do so, Google sends the Wi-Fi assistant over to notify you that in order to protect your privacy on public Wi-Fi, your data will be transmitted through a secure VPN, courtesy of Google. Tap on the “Got it” button to finally turn the feature on.

The option is on all Pixel and Nexus devices running Android 5.1 and above. According to Google, it’s currently available in select countries, including the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Mexico, Norway, Sweden and the UK.

For those with Google Fi, the Wi-Fi assistant is also available in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.

6. Create Custom Themes and More

Here you can select from the numerous styles available or create your own by tapping on the Custom button. Pick your fonts and select which type of icon pack you’d like to have, then finish by selecting the highlight color and shape of icons.

7. Be Prepared in Case of Emergency

Newer Pixel models come with an app called Safety pre-installed. This service lets you set an emergency contact who will be allowed access to your phone without having to unlock it. You can also add vital information in the app, such as any allergies you may be suffering from, medications you are on or whether you’re an organ donor.

You can also enable automatic crash detection, a feature which alerts emergency responders, as well as your contacts, that you’ve been in an accident. Right now the option only works for owners of the Pixel 3 (and above) who live in the U.S., U.K., and Australia.

If you’re looking for some additional apps to install on your Pixel, you may want to consult our list of the best Android file managers to help you organize everything or check out the best weather apps that deliver comprehensive forecasts at your fingertips.

Alexandra Arici

Alexandra is passionate about mobile tech and can be often found fiddling with a smartphone from some obscure company. She kick-started her career in tech journalism in 2013, after working a few years as a middle-school teacher. Constantly driven by curiosity, Alexandra likes to know how things work and to share that knowledge with everyone.

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Galaxy S7 Vs Google Pixel Camera Review : Test The Best

Galaxy S7 vs Google Pixel Camera Review : Test the Best

Google Pixel XL’s camera battles Samsung’s Galaxy S7 in our first of several tests of the best. When the Galaxy S7 (and S7 Edge) first came out, they topped the quality charts for mobile cameras. Now several months old, the S7 family may need to make way for a new emperor of mobile photography in the Pixel.

Google Pixel XL features a Sony Exmor IMX378 image sensor. This means it’s picking up 1.55µm-sized pixels in 12.3-megapixel photos. This camera’s lens has a focal length of 4.67 mm and works with an f/2.0 aperture. Of note is the fact that the Google Pixel XL has the exact same camera setup as the non-XL Pixel. Both models should end up performing exactly the same.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 uses a Sony Exmor IMX260 image sensor. That is to say that our version of the Galaxy S7 has this image sensor – there are also Galaxy S7 units using ISOCELL. Today’s test is on the IMX-toting version of the Galaxy S7, most common in the USA.

First we’ve got a set of photos captured indoors at close range with only yellow light to assist. Here both cameras seem to perform rather similar. You might notice cooler colors in the Pixel XL photo which, in this case, is less accurate than the Galaxy S7.

A photo of grass taken in the afternoon on a clear day shows distinct differences between cameras. Galaxy S7 tends to run warm while the Pixel XL goes a bit cooler. The Galaxy S7 view seems to be sharper than the Pixel XL, too.

Once we get close, we see that the Galaxy S7’s view of the world is sharp. Maybe even too sharp. Compared to the Pixel’s processing, the Galaxy S7’s photo looks over-sharp and unnatural.

In this set of photos taken at dusk, we see that the Galaxy S7 wants to latch on to warmer tones while Pixel XL wants to go cool. This test isn’t super scientific because of the differences in angles and tones vehicles. It does show, though, how well both cameras handle semi-dark scenes with moving objects.

While the Galaxy S7’s photo might end up being more pleasing, the Pixel XL seems to stick more to color accuracy. On the other hand, the Galaxy S7’s result is sharper than the Pixel XL.

Next is a bunch of rocks photographed by the Galaxy S7 (on the left) and the Pixel XL (on the right). While the Pixel XL seems to get color accuracy points in most areas over the S7, the S7 gets sharper in others. Again – pretty much a toss-up here until we get up close and personal.

Once we’re in close, we see that the devil is in the details. The Galaxy S7 seems to get over-sharp in some places, while the Pixel XL stays truer to human sight.

Below is a battle of total darkness and flash LEDs in a closet. The images show how the Galaxy S7 found focus closer than the Pixel XL, while both did find a spot to settle on. While light could be more even, both cameras avoid the total wash-out.

We live in an age where smartphone cameras give even the worst photographer potential. Each successive release of Sony’s image sensors make for better photos. That’s true even here, with two cameras in the same year.