The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
A solid flagship with impressive cameras and thoughtful software features at an attractive price.What's good
- Strong camera quality
- Great value for price
- Smooth performance
- Crisp display
- Fast software updates
What's bad
- Slow charging speed
- No microSD support
- Limited optical zoom
- No charger included
- Fingerprint sensor lag
Design
The Pixel 7 showcases a modern design with an aluminum camera bar that stands out from typical smartphone designs, making it instantly recognizable. While this unique camera setup adds style, you may find it doesn't sit flat without a case. Reviewers from many sources note that the phone "feels great in hand" and possesses a more refined finish than previous models.
The recycled aluminum construction complements the Gorilla Glass Victus front and back, enhancing durability without compromising on aesthetics. Users have praised the improved IP68 rating, adding peace of mind with water and dust resistance.
The phone's design shifts to a slightly smaller, more compact form than its predecessor, making it manageable even for one-handed use. Some reviewers celebrated the return of the well-liked design aesthetics, emphasizing the fun color options, though options like "Lemongrass" polarize opinions around its boldness.
Display(s)
The Pixel 7's screen delivers a bright and colorful experience, ideal for watching videos or playing games. Its 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animation feel fluid and smooth.
Compared to other phones, the display provides a solid balance between performance and efficiency, excelling in outdoor visibility with high brightness levels.
Techradar praised it, stating that "you'll find the display incredibly sharp and clear in all lighting conditions."
Performance
The highly efficient processor focuses on machine learning and AI, providing fast and fluid everyday performance. Experts highlight the chip strengthens low-light photo capture and offers digital unblur to perfect past images.
While test scores suggest lower raw power, the phone excels in real-world tasks like gaming and seamless multitasking, delivering a snappy user experience that feels effortless.
Software & Storage
The Pixel 7 runs the latest Google Android version, offering you a clean and speedy experience. It stands out for minimizing unnecessary pre-installed apps, which many users find annoying on other brands.
Expect five years of security updates, ensuring your phone stays protected longer. Experts state, "The Pixel's Android experience is the cleanest and most pleasant you can get on any smartphone," confirming its leadership in software design.
For image tweaks, Pixel 7 includes unique features like Photo Unblur, a handy tool for refining your old and favorite photos.
Cameras
The Pixel 7's cameras excel, capturing vibrant shots with its 50MP main and 12MP ultrawide lenses. You’ll notice a seamless shooting experience, thanks to Google's refined software.
Critics at Tech Advisor highlight how it "does everything for you and quickly, too," underscoring its user-friendly design.
While it lacks the telephoto lens found in pricier models, reviewers agree that Google's Super Res Zoom makes up for much of it, delivering solid cropped images.
Battery
The Google Pixel 7's battery exceeds expectations, delivering reliable power that can easily last through a day's worth of activities. Experts have commended the phone's ability to maintain 'a full day of normal use with zero issues.' This counts as an excellent feature for users tired of frequent recharges.
While the battery is slightly smaller than its predecessor, the efficient Tensor G2 chip helps prolong usage, underscoring Google's smart design choices. Busy individuals will appreciate that the phone supports 30W fast charging, allowing for significant battery recovery in a short time, even with a charge from 0 to 50% in just over 30 minutes. Offering quick wireless charging as well, it aligns with everyday convenience, ensuring you're rarely caught off-guard by low battery warnings.
Audio
The phone offers a crisp audio experience, especially during calls, with good vocal clarity even in noisy environments. "Music and loudspeaker quality is better than expected, delivering well-balanced sound," experts note. This ensures you won't miss any important conversation details, and watching movies is enjoyable without listening fatigue.
While speakers are effective, for a richer audio experience during movies or music, connecting to external speakers or using quality headphones is recommended. You'll enjoy the robust sound quality that keeps entertainment engaging and calls crisp.
The Bottom Line
This smartphone stays true to the brand's focus on delivering exceptional photography and a clean software experience without breaking the bank. With a Tensor-driven smart processor, you can expect quick and intelligent performance. With expected long-term software updates, it's a secure choice that will remain relevant.
Reviewers from various outlets agree that while the hardware upgrades may seem modest, the price point makes it a top value pick. "It’s just $599...which is super cheap for a flagship smartphone," noted one expert, reflecting its competitive pricing against other flagship models.
What the Critics Are Saying...


- Samuel Willetts, Pocket TacticsGoogle Pixel 7 packs just about everything you could want in a midrange smartphone, punching well above its weight when it comes to software and camera quality. Most mobile gamers can be content with the performance it offers, but enthusiasts will want to look elsewhere for top-tier specs.


- Roderick Scott, Ryan Whitwam, The WirecutterThe Pixel 7 offers the best version of Android, with guaranteed security updates through fall 2027—plus the best Android smartphone camera we’ve ever tested. It also has excellent build quality and costs half as much as Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra.


- Jason England, Laptop MagThe Google Pixel 7 continues to be one of the best compact android phones — sporting a refined design, stellar cameras, and the vastly improved Tensor G2 chipset, with great value for money to boot. The compromises Google made are in the right areas for most users, but they are still sacrifices to t...


- Joshua Waller, Amateur PhotographerThe Google Pixel 7 a lovely mid-price phone with enough features and performance to keep most users happy, especially at its current price which is $599/£599 for the 128GB version. The lack of a telephoto and a macro camera are negatives and if you want those features and a bigger display then go fo...


- Simon Cocks, Digital SpyIt should come as no surprise that the Pixel 7 gets a thumbs up from us – it's an excellent smartphone and, even if we pretend that the Pixel 6 doesn't exist, it's still terrific value at its starting price of £599. We live in a world where the Pixel 6 is still kicking around, though, so we'd still...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Google Pixel 7 prices will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. Google's suggested retail price is $599.00. You can compare Pixel 7 prices from around the web here on The Informr.
Google backs up the Pixel 7 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Pixel 7 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Google support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Google's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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