Google Pixel 7: early rumors and what we want to see

Google Pixel 7: early rumors and what nosotros want to come across

The Google Pixel 6 Pro (in black) and Google Pixel 6 (in coral) laid next to each other on wooden decking

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

We've probable got at least half a year before the Google Pixel vii appears, merely our interest in Google'due south 2022 flagship has already been piqued.

With the Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel half-dozen Pro proving to be the visitor's best phones all the same by some margin, we're keen to see how Google could build on its new Tensor chipset and improved camera systems. Equally, nosotros'd be keen to know what Google intends to do well-nigh the Pixel vi series' weaknesses, such as poor battery life or limited specs on the basic model.

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There aren't many rumors to go off of right now, since the Pixel 6 release only happened a few months ago. But early details are starting to announced, and we likewise know exactly what we'd want to see on the Pixel 7.

Read on for the Google Pixel 7 rumors as they currently stand, and a breakup of everything we'd similar to see Google do for its next flagship phone. And if you're interested in other hereafter Google devices, you should too check out our Google in 2022 commodity for a spot of crystal-ball gazing.

Google Pixel 7 expected release date and price

Google's phone release schedule has proven fairly reliable over the past few years. Therefore without whatever more specific rumors to go off of, nosotros'd bet on Google unveiling the Pixel 7 in Oct 2022.

As for cost, nosotros really promise Google keeps the pricing low like it has for the Pixel vi serial. With the Pixel 6 at $699/£599 and the Pixel 6 Pro at $899/£849, these ii phones undercut their flagship rivals by hundreds of dollars or pounds. Google will tempt a lot of users away from other Android brands if information technology can offer the next generation of Pixels at a similar level.

Google Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor — (Image credit: Future)

Google Pixel 7 rumors

You lot'd think it was too presently to start hearing things about next twelvemonth'south Pixel, merely the rumor manufactory is already in motion. There'southward merely a couple of details to accept a look at right now, but it withal counts, right?

Showtime off, one y'all may have already expected. Google is apparently working on a second-generation Tensor chipset; a follow-upwards to the first-gen Tensor found within the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Updating the chip in the Pixel 7 is an obvious change to make from the Pixel 6, simply unfortunately at the moment there's no sign of what Google would alter, apart from the usual improvements to processing ability and energy efficiency that chipsets aim for every year.

Building on that, 9to5Google has now uncovered evidence that links that new second-gen Tensor chipset to ii new Pixel devices, which it believes to exist the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. According to the site's source, the chipset has the model name 'GS201' and is linked to an unreleased Samsung modem with the model number 'g5300b'. This new modem is in turn linked to two devices with the codenames Cheetah and Panther — which 9to5Google believes to be the Pixel 7 and Pixel seven Pro respectively.

It'south the closest we've come up to confirmation that work on the devices is underway, so wait details to commencement ramping upwards from hither.

The other potential rumor is that Google could add an under-brandish selfie camera to the next-gen Pixel. That's based on a patent filed by Google which takes the bones nether-display selfie camera technology, currently found on select phones similar the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 or the ZTE Axon 30, and improves it by using a mirror arrangement to testify either the camera or a portion of brandish as required. This is only a patent, and and so it could still be some years away from beingness fix to use, if it materializes at all. However information technology would make for a bully centerpiece feature for a futurity Pixel.

pixel 6 pro back to camera leaning against books — (Epitome credit: Tom'south Guide)

Google Pixel 7: what nosotros want to see

The lack of Pixel 7 rumors isn't stopping united states of america from coming upwardly with our own wish list. If anything, we hope that Google is taking suggestions for its next phone.

A more than reliable fingerprint reader

The under-display fingerprint scanner on the Pixel six and Pixel vi Pro is something nosotros complained almost in our reviews. This is Google'due south starting time attempt at putting the fingerprint scanner beneath the screen, as the company previously mounted a fingerprint reader on the dorsum of its phones. However that doesn't excuse how unreliably the scanner works.

We'd exist quite happy if Google just figured out the kinks in its electric current optical fingerprint reader. Equally, if it decided to borrow Qualcomm's ultrasonic fingerprint reader system (found in the Samsung Galaxy S21), which uses soundwaves to recognize your prints and therefore is less affected by scratches on the screen, that would be a practiced approach, too.

Another possibility would be for Google to ditch the fingerprint scanner birthday and employ facial recognition unlocking, like it did with the Google Pixel 4. Nevertheless that system didn't work slap-up either, and would require a fair bit of piece of work earlier information technology was as smooth and reliable as Apple'south Face ID system. It might likewise require Google to render to a larger acme bezel to accommodate the necessary sensors.

Better and brighter displays for all models

There are a couple of ways Google could improve the displays of the Pixel 7 series. First off: effulgence. Google has fitted the Pixel half-dozen and Pixel half-dozen Pro with surprisingly dim displays, even when set at maximum brightness in straight light. Beingness unable to see your smartphone'south display properly is inarguably a bad affair, so if Google could creepo upwardly the brightness of the Pixel 7's brandish a few hundred more nits, that would exist i of the Pixel 6 series' worst areas stock-still.

The other potential area of improvement would be the specs of the standard Pixel seven model'south screen. While the Pixel 6 Pro offers 120Hz, the standard Pixel 6 only offers 90Hz. That's better than the 60Hz that used to be all you'd get from a smartphone, but given that phones cheaper than the Pixel 6 can offering 120Hz — look at the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G or the Redmi Annotation 10 Pro — nosotros'd similar to see Google practice it besides. Upping the Pixel 6's FHD resolution to QHD like the Pro would too exist benign only isn't as large a deal.

I of our TG writers who just bought a Pixel vi Pro also said he'd similar to see Google ditch the curved display for a flat one on the Pixel 7 Pro. Google didn't utilize a curved display prior to the Pixel half dozen Pro, and then there's a chance this pattern choice volition not exist returning if enough Pixel 6 Pro users complain. The only issue and then would be ergonomics, as curved edges help users interact with the display of the big half-dozen.eight-inch handset.

Some other camera on the base Pixel 6

Google has arguably short-changed the Pixel vi by only giving information technology two rear cameras. It'south the same amount that the Pixel five and the Pixel 4 had, and as well what the base of operations iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini offering, but it's still disappointing given some premium phones are now offering up to 4 cameras plus a depth sensor (such as the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra).

The obvious pick for a tertiary camera on the base Pixel 7 would be a telephoto lens, even if its magnification wouldn't lucifer the 4x optical zoom of the Pro model. A depth photographic camera for more than accurate portrait shots and improved AR functioning, or a dedicated macro photographic camera for super close-up shots, could also make for a good addition.

Longer battery life

This is something we'd always like to run into with every new generation of a given phone series, but it'south more important for the Pixel seven series than most.

Despite having the largest batteries ever in a Pixel phone, the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro proved to have disappointing longevity when connecting to the internet over 5G. That's going to become an increasingly big bargain every bit 5G networks scroll out nationwide in the U.South., U.K. and beyond, unless you can rely on regular and speedy Wi-Fi connections wherever you go.

Given the capacity of the Pixel 6 and Pixel six Pro's' batteries (4,614 mAh and 5,000 mAh respectively), information technology doesn't seem like the batteries are too pocket-sized. Instead Google probably needs to focus on using the power it has available within the cells efficiently.

Faster charging

Speedier charging is again something every telephone should aim to improve on, and while Google did improve this with the Pixel vi, more than piece of work is needed to arrive a proper competitor.

After years of using 18W charging, the Pixel 6 and Pixel half-dozen Pro tin can charge at up to 30W wired and 23W wireless. Just despite having a adequately high charging wattage, in our testing the Pixel 6 only reached 29% full after half an hour of charging on a third-party 30W charger. (The Pixel half-dozen doesn't send with one in the box). That'south not that fast, specially factoring in phones like the OnePlus 9 series which charges to most total in half an hr.

It'southward possible that the Pixel 6 charges much faster if you lot use a plug from Google itself, but as information technology stands, this is disappointingly tedious. Google could do with increasing the wattage of its charger for the Pixel vii, or peradventure using a twin-jail cell battery like the OnePlus 9 to let faster filling at the aforementioned wattage.

An alert slider

For iPhone users (and to a bottom extent OnePlus owners), the alarm slider is a critical feature of the phone. It is an effective fashion to quickly enable or disable notification sounds without needing to unlock the telephone or even turn on the screen.

We've never seen an warning slider on a Pixel phone before, and given information technology's only actually used by Apple and OnePlus phones, information technology seems unlikely Google'due south going to change its mind. Nonetheless we stand past the idea that this would make a great improver to the Pixel 7.

Richard is a Tom's Guide staff writer based in London, covering news, reviews and how-tos for phones, gaming, sound and whatever else people need advice on. Following on from his MA in Mag Journalism at the University of Sheffield, he's also written for WIRED U.Thou., The Annals and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he'south probable thinking nigh how to mash the perfect loving cup of specialty coffee.