So you’ve got acquired a Pixel — any ol’ Pixel. Or perhaps even a comparatively new Pixel. And you are desirous about getting Google’s glowing new Pixel 7 cellphone or maybe its Pixel 7 Pro sibling.It’s tempting, I do know. (We all love shiny stuff!) But is it really price your whereas to get the Pixel 7, or are you higher off hanging onto your present Pixel for some time longer?Having lived with each the Google Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro for a full week now — and coming from the attitude of somebody who personally owns a Pixel 6, has owned loads of Pixels earlier than that, and has spent a big period of time with each single Pixel mannequin — lemme inform ya: There is not a easy, one-size-fits-all reply.But there may be some sensible steerage I can provide you based mostly on my experiences with these newest Googley telephones and my intimate data of their assorted Pixel predecessors. And a very powerful variable to contemplate is which particular Pixel you are packin’ in your suspiciously sticky palm.So suppose it via with me, will not ya? And whether or not you find yourself snagging the most recent and best Pixel or stickin’ along with your present mannequin, remember to mosey your means over to my free Pixel Academy e-course subsequent. It’ll train you all types of helpful new stuff your cellphone can do for you, irrespective of which Pixel you find yourself possessing.Google Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 6We’ll begin with the newest Pixels and particularly the smaller Pixel 6 — the identical luxurious cellphone I’ve acquired in my outsized man-pocket this second. And this one’s a considerably two-pronged reply: First, your Pixel 6 continues to be completely peachy and set to get Android updates for an additional strong two years. You’ve acquired no significantly urgent motive to make the leap to the Pixel 7, and also you’d definitely be effective to stay along with your present cellphone for an additional 12 months or two.That being mentioned, as somebody with the Pixel 6, there is a first rate probability you are a tech addict and the kind of one that merely likes having the most effective obtainable product. So in the event you’re on the lookout for a motive to improve, I’ll offer you a number of (with advance apologies to your pockets):
Face Unlock: The Pixel 7 brings it again from the useless, and whereas it is undeniably imperfect — the system’s hit or miss in dim lighting, and since it really works via the usual digital camera and with none specialised {hardware}, it is not as safe as a fingerprint and cannot be used for any in-app authentication — it is nonetheless a pleasant added comfort, and you may virtually definitely respect its presence.
Fingerprint velocity: Speaking of authentication, the Pixel 7 sequence strikes to a brand new fingerprint sensor that is noticeably snappier and extra constant than what the Pixel 6 offers you. It nonetheless is not on the degree of the previous rear-facing sensors of Pixels yore, however so far as these in-display variations go, it is about pretty much as good because it will get.
Size: If you are somebody who prefers a smaller cellphone, the Pixel 7 is a nib smaller than the Pixel 6 — with a barely narrower display screen and a noticeably extra svelte torso.
JR
The Google Pixel 7 (left) subsequent to the Pixel 6 (proper)
Given that shrinkage, the improve I’d really counsel considering is a step as much as the bigger land of the Pixel 7 Pro — which is what I’m severely chewing over myself. The Pro cellphone does not really feel that overwhelmingly huge after a 12 months with the common Pixel 6, and going Pro offers you the benefit of a bunch of attractive new digital camera capabilities — just like the Pixel 7 Pro’s wildly spectacular long-distance zooming capabilities and its new super-up-close macro images prowess. JR
A macro shot taken with the Pixel 7 Pro digital camera. (Click to enlarge.)
The Pixel 7 Pro additionally has a considerably much less curved display screen than the 6 Pro earlier than it, which largely addresses my complaints with that earlier mannequin. The curve on this 12 months’s cellphone is kind of refined and extra harking back to the slight edge sloping we noticed means again with the Nexus 4 than the acute and experience-harming slant in final 12 months’s mannequin.Last however not least, there’s the moolah issue to mull over: The Pixel 7 begins at 600 bucks, whereas the Pixel 7 Pro prices a cool $900. But:
If your Pixel 6 is in good situation, Google will provide you with $440 for it as a part of a trade-in. Best Buy will up that quantity to $470 within the US. (It in all probability goes with out saying, however these items is sure to fluctuate in different locales.)
Either retailer may also throw in a $100 retailer credit score in the event you purchase a Pixel 7 and a $200 credit score in the event you purchase a Pixel 7 Pro within the US.
With each of these components mixed — and assuming you have got one thing worthwhile to spend the credit score on within the months forward — you’d successfully be getting $540 to $570 off the price of a Pixel 7 or $640 to $670 off the price of a Pixel 7 Pro.
So with that in thoughts, a brand new Pixel 7 would really solely value you 30 to 60 bucks in the event you’re buying and selling in your Pixel 6, whereas a Pixel 7 Pro would run you roughly $230 to $260. The common Pixel 7 improve virtually looks as if a no brainer in that situation — I imply, actually, why not?! — whereas the Pixel 7 Pro ventures into “hell of a deal” and “easy to justify if you’re already feeling the urge, anyway” terrain.➜ The verdict, briefly: If you are itchin’ for one thing new and you are the type of one that geeks out over the finer factors of cellular know-how (hiya!), you may be thrilled with the Pixel 7 improve coming from an everyday Pixel 6. The most vital change will include shifting from the common Pixel 6 to the Pixel 7 Pro. That being mentioned, you definitely do not want it, and the purely wise recommendation can be to hold onto your present cellphone for some time longer (although the trade-in risk can provide you some further excuses in the event you actually wish to speak your self into it).Google Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 6 ProFor anybody palming the plus-sized Pixel 6 Pro, the identical actual recommendation we simply went over additionally applies to you — with a number of key exceptions:
First, the scale issue is not a related issue for you, until you are eager to bump all the way down to one thing smaller with the common Pixel 7 mannequin.
Second, the digital camera upgrades from the Pixel 6 Pro to the Pixel 7 Pro will not be fairly as substantial, since you’ve got already acquired that zesty zooming goodness. The zooming high quality does get a bit higher with the 7 Pro, although, and also you additionally achieve the brand new macro images magic — together with a smattering of different fascinating new modes and choices.
And third, your trade-in worth for a superb situation Pixel 6 Pro within the US jumps as much as $480 from Google or $500 from Best Buy together with that $100 retailer credit score towards a Pixel 7 or $200 credit score for a Pixel 7 Pro.
That means you’d successfully be paying a mere 20 bucks for an everyday Pixel 7 from Google or principally getting the cellphone free from Best Buy, offered your 6 Pro is in cheap situation. If you go the Pixel 7 Pro route, you’d convey the cellphone’s value all the way down to $220 from Google or $200 from Best Buy. Not too shabby. ➜ The verdict, briefly: Like our common Pixel 6 friends, you positively need not make this improve. But if you wish to, it will be a pleasant little enchancment for you — albeit a way more refined one than people will see going from the common Pixel 6 to the Pixel 7 Pro. And if you end up craving Google’s newest and best, the trade-in worth and present retailer credit score promotion could make it fairly straightforward to rationalize.Google Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 6aGot Google’s most up-to-date midrange Pixel mannequin? Moving to the Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro would completely be an enchancment for you, however that is largely since you’re shifting from a extra budget-minded proposition into premium flagship terrain.That means you may get a fancier-feeling cellphone physique (for no matter that is price to you), together with plenty of further bells and whistles and niceties — together with all the brand new digital camera goodies we simply went over.The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are additionally in a totally totally different league in relation to processing energy, which may make the cellphone really feel a good bit snappier. That being mentioned, the Pixel 6a is definitely no slouch with efficiency for many average-mammal wants, and chances are you’ll or might not discover any apparent distinction in your day-to-day use (particularly in the event you aren’t doing a ton of multitasking and different high-resource-requiring work).The greatest query to ask your self is why you went with the Pixel 6a within the first place. If it is due to the value and worth, then shifting as much as the Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro in all probability is not an advisable transfer. Your 6a nonetheless has a strong few years of lively software program help below its belt, and nothing in regards to the improve is gonna dramatically revolutionize your core person expertise or what your cellphone’s able to doing — exterior of images, a minimum of, however even there, we’re speaking extra niceties and added talents versus core competency.➜ The verdict, briefly: If you are jonesing for a extra premium Pixel expertise, you may be delighted by the transfer to a Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro — however that is principally since you’re hopping from one product tier to a different. For most individuals who purchased the 6a within the first place, sticking with that cellphone for an additional 12 months or two will make extra sense.Google Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 5The Pixel 5 is an uncommon Pixel in that it is the one flagship-level Google cellphone that was extra of a price play than a high-end, premium-feeling product.With that in thoughts, the Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro can be a considerable improve for you, throughout, and a significant leap ahead.But your present cellphone can also be nonetheless completely effective. It’ll get Android updates via October 2023.So this one actually comes all the way down to a matter of need over want. If you need it, it is properly worthwhile, and you may definitely see sufficient of a distinction to justify the change. But you positively do not want it, and in the event you aren’t feeling the urge to get one thing new, there’s actually no motive to not keep on with what you’ve got acquired.➜ The verdict, briefly: The Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro can be a pleasant improve for you however in no way a needed one. Ask your self how a lot you actually need one of many gadgets and the way a lot you may abdomen the associated fee for what’s certainly an inessential buy.Google Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 5aThe story with the Pixel 5a is actually fairly just like what we simply mentioned with the Pixel 5 — particularly because the Pixel 5 was extra of a midrange mannequin.The Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro can be a big improve from the 5a in each potential measure, and also you’d completely discover the distinction. But your present cellphone continues to be effective, and the 5a is ready to be supported with Android software program updates all through August 2024.Just like with the Pixel 6a, the true query right here is how badly you wish to transfer to a extra premium, high-end cellphone expertise and the way a lot you are keen to spend to get it.➜ The verdict, briefly: For most 5a homeowners, there is no urgent motive to improve — although going from that cellphone to the Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro would completely be an enormous and instantly noticeable enchancment, in the event you merely needed to present your self the added niceties of the extra premium Pixel path.Google Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 4As a former Pixel 4 proprietor myself, I’ve acquired a delicate spot in my coronary heart for Google’s extra experimental Pixel mannequin. Despite the dangerous rap it acquired early on, the Pixel 4’s Soli radar system genuinely did make the Pixel 4 extra helpful — even when it solely reached a tiny fraction of its potential earlier than Google annoyingly gave up on the idea.Soli was additionally one a part of what made the Pixel 4’s Face Unlock system so efficient in follow: The radar would detect if you had been choosing up your cellphone and shifting it nearer to your face, then the Pixel 4’s particular infrared digital camera would kick in and rapidly acknowledge your face to allow you to in — it doesn’t matter what type of lighting was concerned. The consequence was near-instant activation and authentication everytime you grabbed your system, which was a reasonably unimaginable benefit to have.That form of comfort was powerful to depart behind with the next Pixel fashions, however the Pixel 7 sequence brings Face Unlock again into the equation — albeit in a much less superior method, given the lack of Soli and the infrared digital camera. Still, it softens the blow significantly and makes the transfer away from the Pixel 4 far more palatable to anybody nonetheless hanging onto that cellphone. Just know that that particular a part of the expertise will not be fairly pretty much as good as what you’ve got acquired now.Even so, the Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro are in all probability price your whereas to purchase. For all its positives, the Pixel 4 is getting fairly lengthy within the tooth at this level. And it is not actively receiving working system updates or safety patches as of this month (although Google might find yourself being gracious and providing you with a pair extra patches earlier than formally pulling the plug).Hanging onto a cellphone that is not rockin’ present software program isn’t a totally advisable transfer. If you actually wish to preserve your Pixel 4 some time longer, you may get away it for an additional handful of months. But the Pixel 7 or 7 Pro will likely be a significant leap ahead for you, and from virtually each potential perspective, it is an improve price making.➜ The verdict, briefly: You ought to consider carefully about getting the Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro. It’s time — and the return of Face Unlock in some type will make this the primary Pixel improve that will not require a complete compromise in that division.Google Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 4aThe Pixel 4a is barely newer than its normal 4 cousin, which suggests it is scheduled to obtain software program help via August 2023.With that in thoughts, you may simply get away with conserving it for an additional 12 months but after which desirous about an improve subsequent fall. And because you’re on the midrange path now, chances are you’ll properly wish to keep on with that very same route and take into consideration the subsequent Pixel “a” cellphone as a substitute of taking the full-price, flagship-phone street.Now, that being mentioned, in the event you’re merely tempted to get the Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro, both system would characterize a monumental enchancment for you in virtually each measure. You will discover the distinction in your day-to-day use, and it will be a really good improve.But there’s additionally no motive you may’t take advantage of your present cellphone and wait one other 12 months to make a change — whether or not you find yourself shifting over to the premium Pixel path or sticking with the still-perfectly-pleasant and arguably extra wise Pixel “a”-line choice.➜ The verdict, briefly: The Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro can be fairly the improve, however your 4a’s acquired a little bit extra life in it but. Unless you are simply prepared for one thing new and wanting to maneuver to a extra premium Pixel expertise, there’s actually no motive to not wait a little bit longer.Google Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 3This one’s straightforward: If you’ve got acquired the Pixel 3, get the Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro. Your cellphone’s been old-fashioned since early this 12 months, which suggests you did not get Android 13, have not gotten safety patches in a number of months, and will not get every other main software program updates shifting ahead.That apart, Google’s Pixel {hardware} has come an insanely great distance over the previous 4 years. You’ll be blown away by what the Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro will likely be like to make use of and the way spectacular of an expertise both system will provide you with.Plain and easy, it is time. (And the identical recommendation applies to the Pixel 3XL, by the way in which, which is principally only a larger model of the identical third-generation system.)➜ The verdict, briefly: The Pixel 3 is previous its prime and previous the purpose of advisable possession. If the brand new Pixels are too dear on your choice, you may definitely avoid wasting cash and get the Pixel 6a as a substitute. But a method or one other, you want a brand new cellphone.Google Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 3aSame deal as above: Coming from the midrange “a” path, you would possibly favor the Pixel 6a, if value is a priority otherwise you simply do not significantly care in regards to the premium cellphone perks (bodily type, digital camera extras, further under-the-hood oomph, and all that enjoyable stuff).But getting a brand new Pixel of some type is 100% the advisable factor to do.➜ The verdict, briefly: Get the Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro if you would like the very best Pixel expertise, or think about the Pixel 6a if you wish to keep on the still-exceptional midrange Pixel path.Google Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 2 and Pixel 1This final mixed class is perhaps the best reply of all: If you are still clinging to the Pixel 2 or the first-gen Pixel 1 mannequin, for Goog’s sake, get your self a brand new cellphone.The Pixel 2 and its XL companion are nonetheless on 2020’s Android 11 software program and have not obtained a safety replace in almost two years. That apart, the telephones themselves at the moment are 5 years previous. And lemme inform ya: We’ve come a loooong means since their launch.I’ve nonetheless acquired my Pixel 2 in my desk drawer. It’s bordering on painful to make use of at this level in comparison with the present Pixel normal.And that is much more true for the first-gen Pixel I’ve acquired close by as properly. Much as I like it, that cellphone is now six years previous, caught on 2019’s Android 10 model of the working system, and three years old-fashioned on safety patches.In any of those situations, shifting to a Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro will fully blow your thoughts by way of how far Google’s {hardware} and software program have come and the way nice and superior of an expertise you may encounter. But past that, they’re going to additionally offer you an optimally safe and privacy-protecting setup with a degree of efficiency that is in a completely totally different league from what you’ve got acquired now.➜ The verdict, briefly: It’s properly previous time so that you can improve to a extra present system, and the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are the proper alternatives to make that transfer occur.Don’t let your self miss an oz. of Pixel magic. Sign up for my free Pixel Academy e-course to find tons of hidden options and time-saving tips for no matter Pixel you are utilizing!
Copyright © 2022 IDG Communications, Inc.