Google Pixel 6 (2021) vs Google Pixel 7 (2022)

GOOGLE offers some of the best smartphones out there, and if you’re an Android fan, the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 will be on your radar, but which one is right for you?
One is a former flagship and its successor has proved to be a huge hit, so we’ve compared the two head-to-head to help you decide between these two impressive phones.
Google remains one of the leading brands in the Android world and has once again proven its popularity with the release of its new flagship device, the Google Pixel 7.
But with just a year between its predecessor, the Google Pixel 6, it can make choosing a bit more difficult.
Launching back in October 2021, the Google Pixel 6 caused quite a stir and has remained one of Google’s most popular phones.
Just a year later, in October 2022, Google unveiled its latest flagship, the Google Pixel 7, and Android lovers flocked to get their hands on it.
But with a similar design and look, is the Pixel 7 worth the hype? Or is the Pixel 6 still worth your hard-earned cash? We take a look at everything from battery life, cameras, features and price to help you make your choice.
If you want to take a closer look at these two devices, check out our Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro review and Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro facts.
Google Pixel 6 vs Google Pixel 7: at a glance
Similarities:
The Google Pixel 7 inherits many of its design cues from its predecessor, with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 both being made with an aluminum midframe, smooth glass back, and the tough Victus Gorilla Glass front.
Both devices feel and respond smoothly with the same 90Hz refresh rate, and you’ll also notice that both share the same rear camera hardware, with a 50MP main lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens.
Differences:
While each device looks and feels very similar, there are some noticeable differences that you would expect with a new generation.
The Google Pixel 7 takes a leap forward with the Tensor G2 chip, continuing Google’s desire for automated learning to improve user experiences in everything from speed to imaging to video playback.
Google made the Pixel 7 just a tad smaller than its predecessor, with a 6.3-inch OLED display compared to a 6.4-inch OLED display on the Pixel 6.
There’s also a smaller battery for the Pixel 7, measuring in at 4,355mAh compared to the Pixel 6’s 4,614mAh battery, but Google says both have the same expected battery life.
Every device has an in-display fingerprint scanner, but the Pixel 7 finally brings back a new and improved facial recognition feature that Google devices have lagged behind since their first attempt on the Pixel 4.
Google Pixel 6 vs Google Pixel 7: Camera
The Google Pixel 6 camera improvements were a leap forward compared to the previous Pixel series, and many of those innovations were retained in the Google Pixel 7.
The rear camera on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 is actually identical, with a 50MP main lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens. Where the Pixel 7 has given users a nice upgrade is the front-facing selfie camera, stepping up from an 8-megapixel camera on the Google Pixel 6 to an impressive 10.8-megapixel camera on the Pixel 7, so if You have your selfie game at the top You should see a difference.
The biggest difference between the Pixel 6 and 7 is the updated Google Pixel 7 software. The new and improved Google Tensor G2 chip ensures sharper shots and an overall better user experience when it comes to the new flagship’s camera.
Although the camera setup is similar on both devices, the Tensor G2 allows the Pixel 7 to capture sharper multiple shots. Better yet, the improved night vision will make low-light photography much easier on the Pixel 7 compared to its predecessor. However, for the average user who just wants to take decent photos, these two devices will perform just as well.
Google Pixel 6 vs Google Pixel 7: Design
The design choices made on each of these devices are roughly the same, with the Google Pixel 7 tweaking some design choices from the Pixel 6 to give the Pixel 7 a fresher, more premium feel worthy of a flagship.
We’re used to brands getting bigger and better with their upgrades, but not so with the Google Pixel 7, which is slightly smaller than the Pixel 6 at 6.3 inches compared to the Pixel 6’s 6.4 inches.
But both come with the trusted AMOLED display and Gorilla Glass Victus and the same 90Hz refresh rate, making the experience on both devices identical to that of the average user.
The Google Pixel 7 has a slight edge over the Pixel 6 with new and improved Face ID. We haven’t seen this on a Google device since its initial foray into Face ID on the Pixel 4 in 2019, but both the Pixel 6 and 7 come with a fast fingerprint scanner.
Google Pixel 6 vs Google Pixel 7: Features
Google devices are known to prioritize user experience over technical specifications, which is more meaningful to the average user – and shows in both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 with their unique features.
One of the talking points of the Google Pixel 6 and 7 series is its next-gen photo editing tools, not least the Magic Eraser which can remove unwanted photo bombers – which even die-hard Apple fans have to admit is worth the hype.
With the Google Pixel 6 you get Face Unblur, which can add clarity to the faces in your photos, with the Google Pixel 7 this takes it a step further. The updated Google Tensor G2 has made the new Photo Unblur tool a reality, meaning you can make entire photos sharper by merging images from the ultrawide and main camera lenses.
The Google Pixel 7 also comes with its own free VPN (Google One), which works the same as the 2TB Google One subscription, which isn’t included in older series like the Pixel 6.
Google Pixel 6 vs Google Pixel 7: battery life
The Google Pixel 7’s footprint isn’t the only thing to see a slight drop, with the 4,355mAh battery being smaller than the Pixel 6’s larger 4,614mAh battery.
While the smaller battery hasn’t made much of a difference in terms of usage and charging speeds (they’re on par), if you feel like the Pixel 7 handset would go the distance over its predecessor, consider that.
Neither the Google Pixel 6 nor 7 come with chargers and neither are particularly fast when it comes to charging, but both have Qi wireless charging.
Google Pixel 6 vs Google Pixel 7: price
At their respective releases, both devices launched at the same price point, but you can now get your hands on the Google Pixel 6 for less and bag some great deals when it’s on sale.
This is why there is currently a significant price difference of £301 between the SIM free phones.
There’s also a slight price difference if you want to pick up a monthly payment plan – you can pick that up at Buymobiles Google Pixel 6 with unlimited data for £24 a month and zero upfront payment while the Google Pixel 7 costs £32 a month for the same plan.
Here are the retailers stocking both phones:
- purchase mobile
- Affordable Cell Phones
- phone house
- Mobiles.co.uk
- Car Phone Stock
- Three
- O2
Google Pixel 6 vs Google Pixel 7: Which to Choose?
By weighing your options between these two devices, you can rest assured that you are getting value for money whichever you choose.
Both prioritize user experience, have a similar feel and some great features – and while one might be more expensive, it makes up for that with software updates that make all the tried-and-true features seen on both a little smoother.
Hopefully this guide has helped you decide which device is faster and which one to commit to.
Choose the Google Pixel 6 if:
- You’re on a tighter budget but want the same great features.
- You’re not too concerned about phototherapy specs, but you still want a great camera.
- You prefer a bigger phone and want a bigger battery.


Choose the Google Pixel 7 if:
- You have a bigger budget and the performance gains that come with it.
- You want the new Face Unlock feature.
- You want a free built-in VPN feature.
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https://www.thesun.ie/tech/10123135/google-pixel-6-vs-google-pixel-7/ Google Pixel 6 (2021) vs Google Pixel 7 (2022)