Every year, tech fans look forward to Google’s next Pixel phone. On paper, Pixel devices always promise the purest Android experience with smart software features. In practice, however, things haven’t always been smooth. From buggy software to connectivity problems, many users of past Pixels especially the Pixel 6 series have felt some disappointment.
But with the Pixel 7 Pro, Google seems to have finally delivered a refined product. It’s not a radical redesign but rather a polished version of what came before. In this article, we’ll break down the Google Pixel 6 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro specs and focus on what really changed when you hold these phones in your hand.
Quick Comparison
| Build & Protection | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 6 Pro | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus, IP68 | |
| Pixel 7 Pro | Polished aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus, IP68 | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 6 Pro | 6.7″ LTPO AMOLED, QHD+, 120Hz, HDR10+ | |
| Pixel 7 Pro | 6.7″ LTPO AMOLED, QHD+, 120Hz, HDR10+ | |
| Performance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 6 Pro | Google Tensor (5 nm) | |
| Pixel 7 Pro | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) | |
| RAM & Storage | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 6 Pro | 12 GB RAM, 128/256/512 GB | |
| Pixel 7 Pro | 12 GB RAM, 128/256/512 GB | |
| Battery & Charging | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 6 Pro | 5,003 mAh, 30W wired, 23W wireless | |
| Pixel 7 Pro | 5,000 mAh, 30W wired, 23W wireless | |
| Cameras | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 6 Pro | Main: 50+48+12 MP, Front: 11.1 MP | |
| Pixel 7 Pro | Main: 50+48+12 MP, Front: 10.8 MP | |
| Software | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 6 Pro | Android 12 (launch), upgradable | |
| Pixel 7 Pro | Android 13 (launch), upgradable | |
| Connectivity | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 6 Pro | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 | |
| Pixel 7 Pro | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 | |
| Launch Price (US) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 6 Pro | $899 | |
| Pixel 7 Pro | $899 | |
| Color Options | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 6 Pro | Stormy Black, Cloudy White, Sorta Sunny | |
| Pixel 7 Pro | Obsidian, Snow, Hazel | |
Disclaimer: Specs are based on official sources and may vary slightly by region.
Design and Build Quality
At first glance, the Pixel 7 Pro looks very similar to the 6 Pro. Google introduced a bold new design with the 6 series horizontal camera bar across the back and kept it for the newer model. The difference is in the details.
On the Pixel 6 Pro, the camera bar felt like it was simply slapped onto the back. With the Pixel 7 Pro, the bar has been integrated into the aluminum frame, giving it a smoother, more premium finish. The edges are cleaner and the phone looks less experimental and more polished.
In terms of size, the Pixel 7 Pro is only slightly wider. That small change has a big impact on usability. The display now feels flatter, making typing more comfortable. Owners of the 6 Pro often complained that the curved edges made mistypes more common. With the 7 Pro, that problem is practically gone.
Display Improvements
The screen quality is one of the most noticeable differences between these two phones.
- Pixel 6 Pro: The maximum brightness capped out at around 867 nits. While not bad, it struggled outdoors under direct sunlight compared to rivals.
- Pixel 7 Pro: Jumps up to an impressive 1500 nits. This makes a huge difference in outdoor visibility and overall clarity.
Google also added an option to switch between QHD+ and FHD+ resolution on the Pixel 7 Pro. This flexibility can help balance battery life and sharpness. The 6 Pro didn’t have that option.
One thing missing, though, is the “boosted” color mode. On the 6 Pro, users had three options for color profiles. On the 7 Pro, you only get natural and adaptive.
Biometrics: Fingerprint and Face Unlock
The fingerprint sensor was one of the most frustrating parts of the Pixel 6 Pro. Many users reported slow or inconsistent unlock attempts. Thankfully, this has been completely fixed with the 7 Pro. Unlocking is fast and reliable now.
On top of that, Google added face unlock. It doesn’t work exactly like Apple’s Face ID, since you still need to tap the screen after it recognizes you, but it’s quick and convenient.
Performance and Hardware
Both phones use Google’s in-house Tensor chips. The Pixel 6 Pro was powered by the first-generation Tensor, while the Pixel 7 Pro uses the Tensor G2.
- Performance gains: The G2 isn’t a massive leap, but it does bring modest improvements. Apps launch a bit quicker, single-core and multi-core speeds are slightly better, and graphics performance has been tuned.
- Storage speeds: The biggest jump comes in storage read speeds. The Pixel 7 Pro loads large apps, photos, and files faster than the 6 Pro.
- Stability: Many early Pixel 6 Pro users experienced crashes or glitches. The 7 Pro has been reported to run smoother and more reliably.
In daily use, both phones handle typical tasks with ease, but the Pixel 7 Pro feels more refined thanks to software optimizations and the newer hardware.
In objective benchmark tests, the Pixel 7 Pro shows a noticeable lead over its predecessor. The Pixel 6 Pro scores around 721,000 on AnTuTu v10, ranking better than about 79% of smartphones, while the Pixel 7 Pro reaches about 981,200, placing it ahead of approximately 86% of devices. Geekbench 6 results reinforce this lead: the Pixel 6 Pro registers a single-core score of 1349 and multi-core 3104, whereas the Tensor G2-powered Pixel 7 Pro achieves around 1417 single-core and 3455 multi-core scores. These numbers underline the performance gains, especially in CPU and UI responsiveness that make the newer model feel smoother in real-world use.
Audio and Call Quality
Call quality was a known weakness of the Pixel 6 Pro. Dropped calls and weak reception were commonly reported. Google addressed this by adding a new modem in the Pixel 7 Pro, and the difference is clear. Calls sound clearer, voices are easier to hear, and reception is stronger even compared to some rival flagship phones.
The speakers have also been fine-tuned. While both phones use similar hardware, the Pixel 7 Pro sounds more balanced. The Pixel 6 Pro leaned towards sharper highs, while the newer model emphasizes mids and bass for a warmer sound.
Camera Comparison
The cameras are always a highlight of Pixel phones, and both of these devices deliver strong results.
Hardware
- Pixel 6 Pro: 50 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide, 48 MP telephoto with 4x zoom.
- Pixel 7 Pro: 50 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide, 48 MP telephoto with 5x zoom.
On paper, the difference is small, but in practice, the Pixel 7 Pro takes zoom further with up to 30x digital zoom compared to 20x on the 6 Pro.
Photo Quality
Dynamic range is where the Pixel 7 Pro shines. Skies look natural without being overexposed, and details in shadows are better preserved. Compared side by side, the Pixel 7 Pro produces more balanced images, though the improvement is subtle if you only look at photos from one phone.
Video
This is where the iPhone still has an edge, and both Pixels fall a bit short. The Pixel 7 Pro adds cinematic blur modes and active stabilization, but video recording tops out at lower resolutions compared to Apple’s offerings. Still, for casual video capture, both Pixel phones do a solid job.
Battery and Everyday Use
Battery life is always a tricky area to measure because it depends so much on usage.
- Pixel 6 Pro: A full day was possible, but heavy use drained it faster than some competitors.
- Pixel 7 Pro: Offers better endurance thanks to software efficiency and display optimizations. Most users can comfortably get through a full day with 30–40% left. Light users may even stretch it to two days.
Charging speeds remain the same across both models, which is an area where Google still lags behind some brands that offer extremely fast charging.
Software and Features
This is where both phones stand out. Google’s version of Android is clean, smart, and filled with helpful tools. Features like Hold For Me, Call Screen, and Live Translate make real-world tasks easier. The Pixel 7 Pro builds on this with faster Assistant responses and ongoing improvements to speech recognition and translation.
Both phones will receive years of software updates, but the Pixel 7 Pro obviously has the advantage of starting later, meaning it will get one more year of support.
Small but Notable Extras
- “Fake MagSafe” effect: Surprisingly, both models have magnets strong enough to hold an Apple wallet on the back. Of course, they don’t integrate with Apple’s Find My system, but it’s a fun bonus.
- Build and grip: Both are slippery without a case, and fingerprints show up easily. Skins or cases are highly recommended.
Which One Should You Buy?
So, which phone makes more sense in 2025?
- If you already own a Pixel 6 Pro and it works well for you, no reception issues, no fingerprint sensor frustrations you may not feel a dramatic difference by upgrading. The improvements are refinements, not revolutions.
- But if you’ve been waiting to try a Pixel, the 7 Pro is the safer bet. It fixes the reliability problems, delivers a brighter display, better call quality, and a smoother fingerprint experience. It feels like the phone the 6 Pro was meant to be.
Final Thoughts
When comparing the Google Pixel 6 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro specs, the truth is that Google didn’t reinvent the wheel. Instead, they corrected mistakes and polished the formula. The result is a flagship phone that finally feels complete.
The Pixel 6 Pro was ambitious but imperfect. The Pixel 7 Pro takes that ambition and refines it into something dependable. For anyone who values clean Android software, smart AI features, and strong camera performance, the Pixel 7 Pro is the one to get.
FAQs
Is the Pixel 7 Pro a big upgrade over the Pixel 6 Pro?
Not really a huge leap, but it’s definitely more refined. The Pixel 7 Pro improves on areas where the Pixel 6 Pro struggled, like fingerprint scanning, display brightness, call quality, and overall stability.
Which phone has the better display?
The Pixel 7 Pro clearly wins here. Its screen can reach up to 1500 nits of brightness compared to about 867 nits on the Pixel 6 Pro, making it much easier to see outdoors.
How do the cameras compare?
Both phones take excellent photos, but the Pixel 7 Pro edges ahead with improved zoom (up to 30x) and better dynamic range. For video, however, neither matches Apple’s iPhones.
Is the battery life better on the Pixel 7 Pro?
Yes, thanks to efficiency improvements and adaptive software. The Pixel 7 Pro typically lasts longer in daily use, with many users reporting over a full day of charge with 30–40% left by bedtime.
Should I upgrade from the Pixel 6 Pro to the Pixel 7 Pro?
If your Pixel 6 Pro works fine and you’re not facing issues, the upgrade isn’t essential. But if you’ve been frustrated by fingerprint problems, call reception, or dim brightness, the Pixel 7 Pro fixes those and is worth the switch.
