Google Pixel 7 review: A great pocket astrophotography camera

By Owen July 17, 2023 Science 0 Comments

The Google Pixel 7 takes over from the Pixel 6 as Google’s second iteration of smartphones to accommodate their home-made Google Tensor chip however this time within the type of the newly developed G2 chip which it charges as sooner, extra environment friendly and safer.

We do not usually cowl telephones right here on Stay Science, however we do love our astrophotography cameras and the Google Pixel 7 is positioned as an incredible various to a devoted astro digital camera, so we needed to test it out.

Google Pixel 7 specs:

Dimensions: 6.1 x 2.9 x 0.3 inches (155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm)
Weight: 6.9 oz (197 g)
Show dimension: 6.3-in (160.5-mm), 20:9 facet ratio
Show decision: FHD+ (1080 x 2400) OLED at 416 PPI
Digital camera: Rear 50MP f/1.85, Extremely-wide 12MP f/2.2, Entrance 10.8MP f/2.2
RAM: 8 GB LPDDR5
Inside reminiscence: 8 GB LPDDR5
OS: Android
CPU: Google Tensor G2
Battery capability: Minimal 4270 mAh, Typical 4355 mAh

Pixel smartphones have all the time been recognized for his or her glorious digital camera efficiency and the Pixel 7 isn’t any totally different. Similar to the Pixel 6 it has all of the common options (which we’ll get into extra down under) but additionally introduces a brand new Cinematic Blur function which applies a shallow depth of discipline blur impact to movies and data them at 24FPS (the cinema commonplace framerate).

There are just a few bugbears that also hold over from the Pixel 6 although, together with the frustratingly intermittent biometric fingerprint lock and awkward swipe-down menu for turning Wi-Fi and cellular information on and off. Nevertheless, it is a incredible smartphone and performs speedily.

Google Pixel 7: Design

Styling and size compared to 6 pro

The Google Pixel 6 Professional (left) in comparison with the Pixel 7 (proper). (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

Digital camera visor strip now even larger
Similar slippery glass again makes for tough dealing with
Wrap-around display has gone for simpler one-handed use

Not surprisingly the Pixel 7’s digital camera visor strip continues to be there, having first appeared within the Pixel 6. However not it is even larger. Holding it as much as the Pixel 6 we are able to see the notch is deeper and is now constructed of aluminum reasonably than glass. Fairly why Google felt the necessity to proceed this visor bump is slightly past us as a result of it takes the general depth of the telephone from its slim 0.3 in (8.7 mm) thickness to 11.3mm (in keeping with our digital calipers). This most depth is what digital camera case producers will work to so as to defend the system. Meaning a thick telephone on prime of an already fairly tall and extensive telephone at 6.1 in (155.6 mm) x 2.9 in (73.2 mm).

One-handed use is difficult except you may have massive arms so two arms are nearly all the time required when utilizing the highest slide-down menu. This consciousness from Google is clear once we first boot the system as a result of all of the app icons are positioned on the backside of the display.

Screen brightness compared to 6 pro

An actual-world display comparability between the 6 Professional (left) and the 7 (proper) exhibits negligible distinction in brightness, regardless of the 25% elevated declare. (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

There’s so much to like in regards to the Pixel 7’s development. Its housing is created from recycled supplies, which comprise 19% of the smartphone’s weight (it isn’t totally created from recycled supplies as a few of the promoting could lead us to imagine if learn incorrectly). The 6.3-inch show is vibrant and simply usable exterior in vibrant daylight. Once more, the promoting marketing campaign states that it is 25% brighter than the Google Pixel 6 and 6 Professional in comparison with measured nits between gadgets.

Nevertheless, we could not replicate this discovering in the actual world. Evaluating the Pixel 7 side-by-side with the Pixel 6 Professional we set each screens to white at full brightness and located it arduous to inform the distinction. Asking others within the workplace to weigh in some really argued that the 6 Professional was brighter (maybe because of the elevated dimension of the 6 Professional’s display) however one factor was obvious: There was a rise in pearlescence on the Pixel 7. Shifting forwards and backwards, trying on the screens from all angles the Pixel 7’s display shifted by means of yellows and pinks extra usually than the 6 Professional, which is a tad disappointing. That mentioned, the Pixel 7 is IP68 water and dustproof and comprises Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the back and front of the system for added safety.

Picture 1 of 3

The aspect profile of the Pixel 7 exhibits it resting on the digital camera visor. (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

Google Pixel 7: Performance

Spirit level on camera

The digital camera and apps loaded on the system load rapidly and effortlessly. (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

Apps are quick to load and glitch-free
Audio system give good readability however lack low-end discovered on 6 Professional
Fingerprint scanner is awkwardly unreliable

One thing we like in regards to the Pixel 7 is its blistering pace when in use. Need the digital camera to look? Double-tap the ability button and the digital camera rapidly zooms into view able to take a snap. Need the display on? Double-tap it to have the massive clock show, date and climate show together with the lock display. All of the Google apps (Chrome, Maps, Images, Gmail, Play Retailer) open with pace and have given us no glitches at any level.

The audio system on the Pixel 7 are clear and exact for a smartphone with good high-frequency efficiency and spectacular loudness. In comparison with the 6 Professional although it does lack in low-end frequencies with a noticeable drop-off within the low-mids so music is not fairly as impactful as its predecessor however be aware that we didn’t take a look at this in opposition to the 6, solely the 6 Professional.

Close-up of speakers at bottom of device

The audio system give good clear audio however have a noticeable lack of bass response. (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

Day-to-day use is difficult with out a telephone case due to the aforementioned slipperiness of the glass again and one thing Google nonetheless appears to not have improved is the biometric fingerprint ID function which unlocks the telephone. Positioned on the decrease third of the display customers ought to have the ability to contact and go to open the telephone and when it really works it’s tremendous quick. Nevertheless, we had successful charge of about 75%, just like the 6 Professional which is actually disappointing. In comparison with when Google positioned the fingerprint scanner on the rear of the gadgets the place it was nearly 100% profitable relying on how soiled our arms had been, we predict that is one thing Google actually must type out.

Google Pixel 7: Digital camera efficiency

Fingerprint scanner on device

The fingerprint scanner solely works about 75% of the time, which is irritating. (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

As common for Pixel telephones, the digital camera efficiency on the Pixel 7 is excellent. Quick autofocus even in low mild settings makes it a doddle to get sharp photographs and a close-focusing potential means close-up photographs of topics are easy. Just like the Pixel 6 it has autofocus monitoring with the intention to choose a topic after which transfer the telephone round all whereas the smartphone retains deal with that topic which works exceptionally nicely.

We had been actually stunned at some essential enhancements from even the 6 Professional on noise dealing with with clearly some further processing magic occurring inside to scale back shadow noise when photographing inside. Colours at the moment are extra muted than the 6 Professional which is rather less spectacular initially however in the end extra life like and computerized utilized sharpness has additionally lowered, once more for the higher. This leads to cleaner photographs and movies and Google’s RealTone makes some extent of having the ability to correctly expose portraits regardless of the colour of your pores and skin.

The identical 0.7x ultra-wide choice is obtainable when in selfie mode and this helps match bigger teams or extra backdrops within the shot throughout selfie seize. Selfies additionally appear to have inherently extra distinction within the 7 in contrast with the 6 Professional and this helps preserve faces clear and distinct which we discover a plus.

We had nice outcomes utilizing it for photographing the evening sky too, that means it is a incredible alternate options to the most effective astrophotography cameras should you do not wish to purchase a devoted digital camera. We had been taking pictures throughout summer time nights, which is not perfect for astrophotography, however we nonetheless captured some great photographs as you possibly can see under.

Pricing within the US: 128GB: $749 256GB: $849 512GB: $949
Pricing within the UK: 128GB: £474 256GB: £574

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Astrophotograph example images taken with the phone — Astro capabilities with the Pixel 7 are good, although we had been testing throughout summer time and had restricted darkish skies (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

Ought to I purchase the Google Pixel 7?

We’ve got highlighted just a few of the problems surrounding the Pixel 7 that are surprisingly nonetheless a hangover from the Pixel 6 however in the end these are hair-splitting points that the majority customers will simply ignore (besides that pesky biometric fingerprint scanner). There are just a few different enhancements on the within corresponding to Google’s Titan M2 chip and extra safety which we like however in the end, the informal consumer is not going to note this on a day-to-day foundation.

This smartphone is finest for photographers and videographers who worth their picture and pictures high quality and desire a telephone that simply works completely wherever and each time they’re round. A very good 24-hour battery life (prolonged as much as 72 hours on excessive battery saver mode) makes it eminently travelable and all of the Google apps we all know and love operate speedily with out concern.

If this product is not for you

Need all of the digital camera and video efficiency with out the worth tag? We would advocate the Pixel 6 or the 6 Professional as a result of apart from slightly noise discount in shadows and a distinction in picture processing off-the-bat (which could be combated with taking pictures RAW) we will not see a sufficiently big distinction to warrant the additional expense. Dropping some cash on the 6 Professional may also get you a telephoto lens to offer 4X optical zoom, excellent for distant portraits or zooming into landscapes and cityscapes.

Not a fan of Android? The iPhone 14 and 14 Professional at the moment are accessible and have improved low-light efficiency on the primary and ultra-wide digital camera lenses. Whereas we have not examined them out but we would argue that these are presumably the most effective non-Android telephones on the market even when put next with their earlier 13 and 13 Professional fashions, although they’re much larger and bulkier so trickier to make use of in smaller arms.

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