Google Pixel vs iPhone 7: Which Phone Reigns Supreme?
Stuck between a rock and a hard place when choosing your next smartphone? The smartphone market is a battlefield, and two titans have long battled for dominance. Today, we’re diving deep into a classic clash to help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
We’re putting the Google Pixel head-to-head against the iPhone 7. Both phones were game-changers in their time, offering innovative features and sleek designs that captivated users worldwide. This comparison will break down everything from performance and camera quality to battery life and overall user experience.
Get ready to explore the strengths and weaknesses of each device. We’ll examine the software ecosystems, the hardware capabilities, and the overall value proposition. By the end of this comparison, you’ll have a clear understanding of which phone is the perfect fit for you: the Google Pixel or the iPhone 7.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Google Pixel | iPhone 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 5.0 inches | 4.7 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels | 1334 x 750 pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 | Apple A10 Fusion |
| RAM | 4GB | 2GB |
| Internal Storage | 32GB/128GB | 32GB/128GB/256GB |
| Main Camera | 12.3MP | 12MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP | 7MP |
| Operating System | Android 7.1 Nougat | iOS 10 |
| Water Resistance | No | IP67 |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | No |
| Battery Capacity | 2770 mAh | 1960 mAh |
| Expandable Storage | Yes | No |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Design & Build Quality
- Google Pixel: The Pixel features a two-tone design with a glass and aluminum back. It offers a premium feel with a comfortable in-hand experience, but the glass back is prone to scratches. It has a fingerprint sensor on the back.
- iPhone 7: The iPhone 7 boasts a sleek aluminum unibody design with a minimalist aesthetic. It’s known for its robust build quality and water resistance (IP67). However, the design feels somewhat dated compared to newer phones.
- Winner: Pixel
Display
- Google Pixel: The Pixel has a vibrant AMOLED display, offering deep blacks and excellent contrast. The display is sharp and provides great viewing angles. Some users may prefer a higher refresh rate available in later phones.
- iPhone 7: The iPhone 7 features a Retina HD display, which is bright and color-accurate. While it doesn’t use AMOLED technology, it still delivers a crisp and clear visual experience. It lacks the punchy colors of the Pixel.
- Winner: Pixel
Camera
- Google Pixel: The Pixel is renowned for its exceptional camera performance, even with a single lens. It excels in low-light conditions and offers a user-friendly interface. The image processing is very strong.
- iPhone 7: The iPhone 7’s camera captures good quality photos with accurate colors. It includes features like optical image stabilization and portrait mode (on the Plus model). It is still a capable camera but not as good as the Pixel.
- Winner: Pixel
Performance
- Google Pixel: The Pixel, powered by a Snapdragon processor, delivers smooth and responsive performance for everyday tasks and gaming. Software updates are timely due to Google’s direct control.
- iPhone 7: The iPhone 7 is equipped with the A10 Fusion chip, providing excellent performance and responsiveness. iOS is well-optimized, and apps run smoothly.
- Winner: Tie
Software
- Google Pixel: The Pixel runs on a clean, stock Android experience with timely software updates and exclusive Google features. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate.
- iPhone 7: The iPhone 7 operates on iOS, known for its user-friendly interface, robust app ecosystem, and strong security features. The ecosystem is tightly integrated.
- Winner: Tie
Battery Life
- Google Pixel: The Pixel’s battery life is decent, providing all-day usage for moderate users. However, it may require charging before the end of the day for heavy users.
- iPhone 7: The iPhone 7’s battery life is average, generally lasting through a full day with moderate use. Heavy users may need to top up during the day.
- Winner: Tie
Storage & Price
- Google Pixel: The Pixel offers various storage options and generally has a competitive price point, especially used. Cloud storage is also available.
- iPhone 7: The iPhone 7 comes in several storage options. The price point is higher than some Android phones when new, but the used market is very active.
- Winner: Pixel
Audio
- Google Pixel: The Pixel has a single bottom-firing speaker, which provides decent audio quality. It has a headphone jack.
- iPhone 7: The iPhone 7 has stereo speakers, offering a better audio experience than the Pixel. It removed the headphone jack, forcing users to use a dongle or Bluetooth headphones.
- Winner: iPhone 7
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Camera | Google Pixel |
| Performance | Tie |
| Display | Google Pixel |
| Operating System | Subjective |
| Design | Subjective |
| Battery Life | Google Pixel |
| Water Resistance | iPhone 7 |
What They Have in Common
- Premium Design: Both phones feature a premium design, although the materials and aesthetics differ. Both feel great in hand.
- Fast Performance: Both the Pixel and the iPhone 7 offer fast and smooth performance for everyday tasks and gaming.
- Excellent Cameras: Both phones boast excellent cameras that capture high-quality photos and videos. Both are considered among the best in their respective times.
- High-Quality Displays: Both phones feature vibrant and sharp displays, although the Pixel’s is slightly larger. Both offer great viewing experiences.
- Large App Ecosystem: Both platforms have a vast app ecosystem. You’ll find most apps are available on both Android and iOS.
Google Pixel Vs Iphone 7 Buying Guide
Performance
The Google Pixel, powered by a Snapdragon 821 processor, often provided a slightly smoother experience in day-to-day tasks compared to the iPhone 7’s A10 Fusion chip, although the differences were often subtle. Pixel excelled in multitasking, handling multiple apps simultaneously with ease. The iPhone 7’s optimization, however, made it feel incredibly responsive, especially in its user interface and app loading times. Both phones are still capable performers, but the Pixel sometimes had an edge in raw power.
Camera
The Google Pixel’s camera was renowned for its exceptional image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. Its single-lens setup, paired with Google’s advanced image processing, consistently produced stunning photos with vibrant colors and excellent dynamic range. The iPhone 7, with its dual-lens setup (depending on the model), also delivered impressive results, but its image processing was often seen as less refined than the Pixel’s. The iPhone 7 Plus offered a telephoto lens for optical zoom, which gave it an advantage in certain situations. The Pixel was a favorite for its simplicity and quality.
Display
The iPhone 7 featured a Retina HD display that provided accurate colors and excellent viewing angles. Its screen was bright and easy to read in direct sunlight. The Google Pixel’s AMOLED display offered richer colors and deeper blacks, enhancing the visual experience, particularly when watching videos. The Pixel’s display was also slightly larger, providing a more immersive feel. Both screens are crisp and clear, but the Pixel’s AMOLED screen offered a better visual experience for media consumption.
Battery Life
The iPhone 7 and Google Pixel both offered respectable battery life, but the exact performance varied depending on usage patterns. The iPhone 7’s battery was often found to be more consistent throughout the day. The Pixel’s battery life could fluctuate, especially with heavy camera use or extensive gaming. Both phones can get you through a full day of moderate use, but power users might need to carry a charger or power bank. Charging speeds were relatively similar.
Software and User Experience
The iPhone 7 ran on iOS, known for its user-friendly interface, robust app ecosystem, and tight integration with Apple’s services. The Google Pixel ran on Android, offering a more customizable experience and Google’s suite of services. The Pixel came with a clean, stock Android experience with timely updates directly from Google. Both operating systems are intuitive and easy to navigate, though user preferences often leaned towards one ecosystem. The software experience is a key differentiating factor.
Design and Build Quality
The iPhone 7 featured a sleek and premium design with an aluminum unibody construction. Its build quality was excellent, providing a solid and durable feel. The Google Pixel also featured a premium design, using a combination of glass and metal. The Pixel’s design was more unique, with a two-tone back that set it apart from other phones. Both phones felt great in hand and were built to last, but the style of the phone is a personal preference. Water resistance was a feature on the iPhone 7.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy Google Pixel If…
- You prefer a phone with a headphone jack.
- You want a phone with expandable storage.
- You value a more open and customizable operating system like Android.
- You prioritize a slightly larger display.
Buy iPhone 7 If…
- You prefer the iOS ecosystem and its user experience.
- You want a phone with water resistance.
- You value a more streamlined and integrated user experience.
- You prefer a more compact design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which phone has the better camera?
The Google Pixel generally has a slight edge in camera performance, especially in low-light conditions, due to its superior image processing algorithms. The iPhone 7’s camera is also excellent, delivering great photos in most situations. However, the Pixel often produced photos with more detail and better dynamic range. The iPhone 7 Plus’s dual-lens setup offered optical zoom, which the Pixel didn’t have.
Which phone is faster?
While both phones are fast, the iPhone 7 generally felt slightly more responsive in everyday use due to iOS’s optimization. The Google Pixel, with its powerful processor, handled multitasking very well. The difference in speed is negligible for most users. Both phones can handle any application thrown their way, including games.
Which phone has better battery life?
Battery life varied depending on usage. The iPhone 7’s battery life was typically more consistent. The Google Pixel’s battery life was also good, but could fluctuate. Both phones offered enough battery life to get through a full day of moderate use. It’s recommended to test each phone to see which fits your needs.
Which phone is more durable?
Both phones are well-built and durable. The iPhone 7’s aluminum unibody design and the Pixel’s combination of glass and metal provided a solid feel. It’s recommended to use a case for both phones to provide extra protection against drops and scratches. Both phones are water-resistant, but not waterproof.
Which phone has a better display?
The Google Pixel’s AMOLED display offered richer colors and deeper blacks, enhancing the visual experience, especially for videos. The iPhone 7’s Retina HD display provided accurate colors and excellent viewing angles. Both screens were crisp and clear, but the Pixel’s display was more visually appealing. It depends on your preference.
Which phone has more storage options?
Both phones were available in various storage options, including 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB models, depending on the model and year of release. The storage option you choose depends on how much content you plan to store on your phone. Consider your needs and plan ahead to ensure you will have enough storage.
Which phone is better for software updates?
The Google Pixel received timely software updates directly from Google, ensuring you get the latest Android features and security patches quickly. The iPhone 7 received software updates directly from Apple, offering a consistent and reliable update schedule. Both phones were well-supported in terms of software updates, but Android’s update process is often slower.
Final Verdict
Both the Google Pixel and iPhone 7 were excellent smartphones, offering great performance, cameras, and user experiences. The Pixel excelled with its camera and software, while the iPhone 7 provided a streamlined experience and robust ecosystem. The best choice depends on your priorities and preference for Android or iOS.
Winner: Google Pixel