These last few weeks have been dominated by hype about upcoming devices like the Galaxy Note 8, iPhone 8, and Google Pixel 2. However, one of the greatest things about new device launches is the reduction is price on models that are only one year old and still very, very awesome. I’m the first to admit that I’m the kind of person who always runs 1 generation behind. If you’re like me then you might be looking at upgrading this fall but you won’t be looking at the brand spanking new devices hitting the market. Two of the top devices from last fall’s launch window are the iPhone 7 and the Google Pixel. Of course, these are still very good devices. We’re not even 1 year into their life cycle and both devices still have a lot to offer. So, if you’re looking for a “new” device this fall then follow along for our in-depth iPhone 7 vs Google Pixel comparison.
I will go through some of the main features of each device and name a winner of each category. At the end, I will crown the ultimate winner of the iPhone 7 vs Google Pixel showdown.
Design
Okay, design is kind of a subjective thing. What I love may not be what someone else loves. However, there are some pretty major design differences between these two devices that need to be considered when trying to pick the best of the two. Their basic appearance is very similar. With new, bezel-less devices coming this fall, the bezels on the iPhone 7 and Google Pixel will look dated. Still, that’s not to say that either design is unattractive. The Google Pixel has a very clean design while the iPhone 7 still uses a home button on the front of the device; something that Apple is doing away with in the iPhone 8. On the back side, the Google Pixel has housed the fingerprint sensor very conveniently in the upper-middle portion of the device while the iPhone 7 has a very clean, sleek appearance. This is a tough call to make and could honestly go either way depending on your own sensibilities. I’m giving the nod to the Pixel simply because of the home button on the iPhone 7. There is a reason that the iPhone 8 won’t have a home button. It’s not necessary.
Winner: Google Pixel
Camera
Next up in the iPhone 7 vs Google Pixel battle is the camera. Both devices sport very high quality camera sensors. The Google Pixel slightly edges out the iPhone 7’s rear camera by 0.3 pixels. In addition, the Pixel sports an 8 megapixel front-facing camera while the iPhone 7 has a 7 megapixel selfie shooter. Not enough to make a judgement call. After all, the real test is in the software. This is where the two devices show their strengths and weaknesses. The Pixel tends to outperform the iPhone 7 when shooting selfies and low-light photos. The iPhone 7 excels with portraits and action shots. I can’t call a winner in this category because it really depends on how you use your camera. If you take selfies or you want great low-light shots then you want the Pixel. If you’re looking for beautiful portraits, the iPhone 7 is your winner.
Winner: Tie
Siri vs Google Assistant
Our smartphones are modern assistants that live in our pockets. It makes sense that you would want the best assistant possible. Siri is the original voice assistant and her voice is iconic. Google Assistant harnesses the power of Google to perform tasks as complex as translation. So, who comes out on top in this battle? I’m going to give the nod to Google Assistant with a small caveat… iOS 11 is coming to all iOS devices this fall and will feature a number of updates to help Siri compete with Google Assistant in areas like translation. Once that happens, this might end up being another tie. Until then, Google Assistant wins this round.
Winner: Pixel
Display
With more and more VR applications coming to smartphones, you want to make sure your display is up to the task. On the Google Pixel you have a 5-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 which equals a pixel density of 441ppi. The iPhone 7 has a 4.7-inch display at a resolution of 1334 x 750 which amounts to 326ppi. The Pixel also uses an AMOLED display which offers brighter colors when compared with the iPhone 7’s LCD display. However, the iPhone 7 offers 3D Touch which offers additional, pressure-sensitive options. The Google Pixel does not have a similar feature. With that said, I’m not sure that’s an absolutely game changing feature.
Winner: Pixel
Hardware
The Pixel houses a 2770mAh battery which outlasts the iPhone 7’s 1960mAh battery. It’s difficult to compare chipsets between the two devices as they are two totally different beasts and perform their jobs very well. The Pixel does have more RAM onboard but Android is known for requiring more memory than iOS so the extra RAM is necessary to compete with the iPhone 7. The iPhone 7 famously dropped the headphone port while the Google Pixel still has a handy 3.5mm headphone port. Both devices offer water and dust resistance with the iPhone 7 achieving a higher rating. So, what does it all mean? Well, clearly each device slightly edges the other in some categories. I’m not sure it’s enough to make a call, especially since they will depend on individual use.
Winner: Pixel
Conclusion
Before I incite a war between Android lovers and iOS fans, let me be clear: both devices are awesome. Each has its strengths and neither has any glaring weaknesses. What you choose will largely depend on how you use your smartphone. It will also depend a lot of what kind of setup you use in your day to day life. Someone who is a dedicated Mac and iPad user would obviously benefit more from adding an iPhone 7 to their arsenal than someone who is more platform agnostic. Truthfully, you can’t go wrong with either device and the price may be the ultimate decider for some. But, with that said, I have to choose a winner. So, without further adieu… The winner in the iPhone 7 vs Google Pixel battle is…
Winner: Pixel
