Pixel 7 / Pixel 7 Pro

[Technerd108]

That would drive me nuts with my OCD I hate them bubbles ...you are right on them prices gets expensive..

Unfortunately I don't see any alternatives? Sure I can get a cheap film but I get way more bubbles on those. The film also slightly distorts the image and feels off to me. The films also are so thin I don't see how they can offer much more than light scratch protection.

If you drop your phone face down on a rocky surface the point of a rock will poke right through the film and scratch the glass or break it.

The Whitestone dome is crazy expensive, hard to install and I generally don't like glue or wet installs but it offers the best protection, works with the fingerprint sensor and feels great.

 

[Technerd108]

So I have been using my Pixel 7 Pro exclusively now for about 6 weeks or so and I don't see myself going back to an iPhone any time soon.

I have gotten over iMessages incompatibility, lack of air drop and Facetime. I have other devices that I can use for Facetime at least.

I am just so impressed with this phone. Sure there are some minor things that bother me but I have those with any phone. For the most part the Pixel has been bug free and smooth.

Performance of the Tensor G2 is really good. I don't feel any lag and browsing has been fast. The AI features Google includes have been really useful and helpful in daily use. The camera is one of the best I have ever had. Battery life has been great. I really like the adaptive charging and although a lot of people complain about the 23 or so watt fast charging I think it is fast enough for the large battery. I don't think those really fast, fast charging speeds are good for a battery anyway and when OnePlus started doing it I always thought this can't be good for battery longevity.

I am still thinking of getting a Samsung s23 ultra as a backup phone but I don't know. Maybe I should just save my money for the next Pixel.

 

[Bkdodger]

Unfortunately I don't see any alternatives? Sure I can get a cheap film but I get way more bubbles on those. The film also slightly distorts the image and feels off to me. The films also are so thin I don't see how they can offer much more than light scratch protection.

If you drop your phone face down on a rocky surface the point of a rock will poke right through the film and scratch the glass or break it.

The Whitestone dome is crazy expensive, hard to install and I generally don't like glue or wet installs but it offers the best protection, works with the fingerprint sensor and feels great.

I'm debating $32 on Amazon.. Though I'm totally cool with my film protector...

 

[Technerd108]

I'm debating $32 on Amazon.. Though I'm totally cool with my film protector...

I understand. It is expensive even on Amazon but I do think if you can get it installed properly it is worth it. I just wish they gave you three instead of two protector at the price they charge.

The Loca glue is good but I do have an area on the bottom right corner where it kind of peeled up. It is just a slight discoloration but I would really like to install a fresh protector but I messed up on the first try so I would have to pay $15 for shipping on a new one?

 

[5105973]

So I have been using my Pixel 7 Pro exclusively now for about 6 weeks or so and I don't see myself going back to an iPhone any time soon.

I have gotten over iMessages incompatibility, lack of air drop and Facetime. I have other devices that I can use for Facetime at least.

I am just so impressed with this phone. Sure there are some minor things that bother me but I have those with any phone. For the most part the Pixel has been bug free and smooth.

Performance of the Tensor G2 is really good. I don't feel any lag and browsing has been fast. The AI features Google includes have been really useful and helpful in daily use. The camera is one of the best I have ever had. Battery life has been great. I really like the adaptive charging and although a lot of people complain about the 23 or so watt fast charging I think it is fast enough for the large battery. I don't think those really fast, fast charging speeds are good for a battery anyway and when OnePlus started doing it I always thought this can't be good for battery longevity.

I am still thinking of getting a Samsung s23 ultra as a backup phone but I don't know. Maybe I should just save my money for the next Pixel.

I have to go with the s23 Ultra because I can't handle the pwm on the Pixel displays right now. I have the pixel 6 Pro and have tried a 7 Pro in store. Don't get me wrong, the displays are gorgeous, but I can physically feel difficulty utilizing them. My nervous system is just too sensitive.

I suppose there's always hope for me with future Pixels, because I used past ones just fine, but for now I will live vicariously through everyone here. But man, I do miss the call screening and just how easily so many little features can be so easily called up with Google Assistant. I do that with Siri on iPhone but GA is just better and faster and does more.

There's just something special about Pixels and I am so happy to hear so many good reviews and opinions on the overall quality of the 7 and 7 Pro. I know they aren't perfect, but they clearly progressed in the right direction!

I do still use my 6 Pro for some tasks. I used it to record and transcribe a video call with my kid's pediatrician. It was an hour long consultation my husband couldn't attend but wanted to see, and it helped having everything go down in writing so well. I wish I'd had this phone when I was a student! I suppose there's ways of doing the same with my iphone or Samsung but with the Pixel it's just more apparent and available. Lol and I was using my Samsung to video record the call and my iPhone to actually make the call, so I did end up putting them all to work anyway! 😁

 

[unclejamaal]

I'm looking at getting the Pixel 7 or Pro via CEX grade A or B, to replace my iphone 11 Pro Max which Ive had for over 2 years and the battery is on its last legs

Can you do face ID on these while paying contactless? Or is it fingerprint only? I read somewhere the finger print sensor has issues, especially over a screen protector? I really couldnt live without a screen protector on any phone, as I tend to randomly drop every now and then and the amount of times the protector has saved the screen is unbelievable.

Are there any other minus points of this phone, especially coming from iOS ?

 

[robvalentine]

wallet/banking apps etc need fingerprint, which seems ok to me. Not as convenient as face id was TBH. FP sensor works fine for me with screen protector on

I'm looking at getting the Pixel 7 or Pro via CEX grade A or B, to replace my iphone 11 Pro Max which Ive had for over 2 years and the battery is on its last legs

Can you do face ID on these while paying contactless? Or is it fingerprint only? I read somewhere the finger print sensor has issues, especially over a screen protector? I really couldnt live without a screen protector on any phone, as I tend to randomly drop every now and then and the amount of times the protector has saved the screen is unbelievable.

Are there any other minus points of this phone, especially coming from iOS ?

 

[Bkdodger]

I'm looking at getting the Pixel 7 or Pro via CEX grade A or B, to replace my iphone 11 Pro Max which Ive had for over 2 years and the battery is on its last legs

Can you do face ID on these while paying contactless? Or is it fingerprint only? I read somewhere the finger print sensor has issues, especially over a screen protector? I really couldnt live without a screen protector on any phone, as I tend to randomly drop every now and then and the amount of times the protector has saved the screen is unbelievable.

Are there any other minus points of this phone, especially coming from iOS ?

I don't have any issues here logging into apps or unlocking the phone with the fingerprint but I know others don't like the FPS as much as other phones... There are a few others here that are using screen protectors without issues.. but then again they're all depends on individual.. you won't be able to use the face ID for contactless payment

Pixel 7 / Pixel 7 Pro
If you have a Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro, you can use Face Unlock to unlock your phone.

Face Unlock can’t be used on Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro for signing into apps or making payments. For those activities, you can instead make use of Fingerprint Unlock and/or strong passwords, patterns, or PINs.

 

[mariuskv]

I went from iPhone 14 pro Max to pixel 7 pro. Best choice i have made. I am so happy. Finally pixel got released in Norway

 

[mjschabow]

Quick question on the Pixel 7 Pro. The Live Transcription and Translate, can you theoretically record a spanish speaking person, and the phone will transcribe and translate to English real time?

 

[Technerd108]

I'm looking at getting the Pixel 7 or Pro via CEX grade A or B, to replace my iphone 11 Pro Max which Ive had for over 2 years and the battery is on its last legs

Can you do face ID on these while paying contactless? Or is it fingerprint only? I read somewhere the finger print sensor has issues, especially over a screen protector? I really couldnt live without a screen protector on any phone, as I tend to randomly drop every now and then and the amount of times the protector has saved the screen is unbelievable.

Are there any other minus points of this phone, especially coming from iOS ?

It really depends how integrated you are in the Apple ecosystem? Do you have friends and family who use an iPhone? Do you have a Mac and/or iPad?

If you don't have friends and family that also use iPhones then I would say there is little that would affect you.

If you have a Mac and/or iPad you will have to use a browser to receive and send texts. You will not be able to make phone calls from those devices.

In terms of the phone itself the only major difference is authentication method. You will lose FaceID and have to use a fingerprint for all secure authentication. That is about it.

All of the features on the iPhone are available on the Pixel 7 Pro. A lot of them that have recently been added were Android features that Apple incorporated into iOS.

The fingerprint sensor is optical 2d vs. newer ultrasonic fingerprint sensor used in Samsung. It is not as fast or accurate but generally works very well. I have had no issues with the fingerprint scanner.

In terms of screen protector. It has a curved screen so aftermarket tempered glass screen protector are not very good unless you use a LOCA style like Whitestone dome. There are tons of cheap film TPU screen protectors available but I would not recommend them.

I went from a iPhone 13 Pro Max to the Pixel 7 Pro. While I am rather invested in the Apple ecosystem so the transition was not as simple for me I have no regrets. To me the Pixel is just a better phone. There are some things that I like better on iPhone like the speakers, the build quality and color choices, I also like the heavy stainless steel frame in terms of looks but not weight.

I didn't buy an iPhone 14 because of esim only which I hate. I also felt that Android 13 is better as an OS in terms of features and use. The Pixel has several AI features that are exclusive that no other phone company can replicate.

The pluses of the Pixel for me are a lighter device with a better aspect ratio which makes the screen look larger than the iPhone 13 Pro Max even though it isn't. I like the screen better on the Pixel over the 13. I like the cameras better on the Pixel. I like the UI better.

Battery life has been comparable to the iPhone 13 Pro Max since the iOS 16 update which killed my iPhone battery life.

So I think if you are willing to make a few changes and if you like Android the Pixel is a great choice. It is not perfect but it is very good. The Tensor G2 is fast in daily use and I can't tell a difference between it and the a15 in use. The modem seems fine and I don't have connectivity issues.

Hope all that helps.

 

[Technerd108]

Quick question on the Pixel 7 Pro. The Live Transcription and Translate, can you theoretically record a spanish speaking person, and the phone will transcribe and translate to English real time?

Yes it should work. I have heard other people doing just that with their Pixel.

 

[mjschabow]

Yes it should work. I have heard other people doing just that with their Pixel.

Phenomenal! Thank you.

 

[unclejamaal]

It really depends how integrated you are in the Apple ecosystem? Do you have friends and family who use an iPhone? Do you have a Mac and/or iPad?

If you don't have friends and family that also use iPhones then I would say there is little that would affect you.

If you have a Mac and/or iPad you will have to use a browser to receive and send texts. You will not be able to make phone calls from those devices.

In terms of the phone itself the only major difference is authentication method. You will lose FaceID and have to use a fingerprint for all secure authentication. That is about it.

All of the features on the iPhone are available on the Pixel 7 Pro. A lot of them that have recently been added were Android features that Apple incorporated into iOS.

The fingerprint sensor is optical 2d vs. newer ultrasonic fingerprint sensor used in Samsung. It is not as fast or accurate but generally works very well. I have had no issues with the fingerprint scanner.

In terms of screen protector. It has a curved screen so aftermarket tempered glass screen protector are not very good unless you use a LOCA style like Whitestone dome. There are tons of cheap film TPU screen protectors available but I would not recommend them.

I went from a iPhone 13 Pro Max to the Pixel 7 Pro. While I am rather invested in the Apple ecosystem so the transition was not as simple for me I have no regrets. To me the Pixel is just a better phone. There are some things that I like better on iPhone like the speakers, the build quality and color choices, I also like the heavy stainless steel frame in terms of looks but not weight.

I didn't buy an iPhone 14 because of esim only which I hate. I also felt that Android 13 is better as an OS in terms of features and use. The Pixel has several AI features that are exclusive that no other phone company can replicate.

The pluses of the Pixel for me are a lighter device with a better aspect ratio which makes the screen look larger than the iPhone 13 Pro Max even though it isn't. I like the screen better on the Pixel over the 13. I like the cameras better on the Pixel. I like the UI better.

Battery life has been comparable to the iPhone 13 Pro Max since the iOS 16 update which killed my iPhone battery life.

So I think if you are willing to make a few changes and if you like Android the Pixel is a great choice. It is not perfect but it is very good. The Tensor G2 is fast in daily use and I can't tell a difference between it and the a15 in use. The modem seems fine and I don't have connectivity issues.

Hope all that helps.

I have a MacBook Air, IPad Pro, and the rest of the family uses iPhones. Despite this, I wouldnt say I'm heavily invested in the ecosystem. I dont use the MacBook that much tbh. The only 'pain' for me would be to ensure all my contacts, photos and some whatsapp chats got transferred over to the Pixel.

Ideally I wanted the Pixel 7, but I see its battery capacity is less than the Pixel 6 which doesn't make sense. I'm keeping an open mind, and will see if the price of the Pixel Pro drops or special offers come up when Samsung and others release new phones in the next month or so.

Are there any screen protectors people recommend with this? Hate curved screens for this very reason, as I always have a screen protector for drop protection. The Whitestone seems nice, but the price is too much.

 

[aldo82]

What smart watch (if any) are people using with their pixel 7/7 pros? Did anyone get the pixel watch and if so can you compare it to the Apple Watch?

Im 95% decided I’m switching back to android but still debating s23 ultra vs pixel 7 pro. Need a replacement for my Apple Watch so that’s a factor too

 

[mjschabow]

What smart watch (if any) are people using with their pixel 7/7 pros? Did anyone get the pixel watch and if so can you compare it to the Apple Watch?

Im 95% decided I’m switching back to android but still debating s23 ultra vs pixel 7 pro. Need a replacement for my Apple Watch so that’s a factor too

If I were to switch to Android, I think I’d try to go without a watch first and see how it goes.

 

[andy2141]

What smart watch (if any) are people using with their pixel 7/7 pros? Did anyone get the pixel watch and if so can you compare it to the Apple Watch?

Im 95% decided I’m switching back to android but still debating s23 ultra vs pixel 7 pro. Need a replacement for my Apple Watch so that’s a factor too

I and a few others got the Pixel watch as part of the pre-order promo.

It's ok.. but that's about as far as I would go. It looks pretty... battery life just about gets through a day with limited usage. It's a lot smaller than most expect on the wrist which may or may not be a problem for some.

Would I buy another... probably not and definitely not at full retail price.. If I had to get an Android smartwatch again it would probably be a recent Samsung one.

When I use my iPhone, I much prefer using my now aging series 5 which performs way better in my opinion.

 

[robvalentine]

What smart watch (if any) are people using with their pixel 7/7 pros? Did anyone get the pixel watch and if so can you compare it to the Apple Watch?

Im 95% decided I’m switching back to android but still debating s23 ultra vs pixel 7 pro. Need a replacement for my Apple Watch so that’s a factor too

I use a Garmin Venu 2 plus. Health/activity tracking and battery is way ahead of apple IMO. As a smart watch.. apple wins hands down.

 

[840quadra]

The Irony.

iOS 16.3 install on my 14 pro wiped ALL of my contacts on all Apple devices.. Thank heavens for Google sync and backup on my Pixel 7!

Honestly have ZERO idea what has happened to services within apple these days.

 

[aggie99]

The Irony.

iOS 16.3 install on my 14 pro wiped ALL of my contacts on all Apple devices.. Thank heavens for Google sync and backup on my Pixel 7!

Honestly have ZERO idea what has happened to services within apple these days.

I didn't lose contacts but 16.3 on my 14 PM is hot garbage.

I hardly even use my iPhone these days. Only reason I keep it charged and pick it up occasionally is to sync workout and health data with my Apple Watch Ultra. That device on the other hand I love. Too bad there will never be android compatibility.

 

[840quadra]

I didn't lose contacts but 16.3 on my 14 PM is hot garbage.

I hardly even use my iPhone these days. Only reason I keep it charged and pick it up occasionally is to sync workout and health data with my Apple Watch Ultra. That device on the other hand I love. Too bad there will never be android compatibility.

I really like my 14 for work, as my corporate laptop is a 14" MacBook Pro, and I also use an iPad for work. The new features with the whiteboard tool and others are game changers for my team.

That said, I agree that 16.3 is poorly conceived and trash from what I have experienced so far.

How the Heck can Apple have a bug that kills contacts here and now in 2023? This has NEVER happened to me using Apple iPods and Mac computers religiously since 2003. HUGE gap and loss of trust for me. Something I never considered ever needing a backup for, is now a top priority for me. Thank heavens I had a backup on Google as ALL my Apple devices have a nuked version of my contact list that has been developed since my first cell phone in 1998!!

HUGE disappointment and loss of trust for Apple IMO.

 

[Technerd108]

I really like my 14 for work, as my corporate laptop is a 14" MacBook Pro, and I also use an iPad for work. The new features with the whiteboard tool and others are game changers for my team.

That said, I agree that 16.3 is poorly conceived and trash from what I have experienced so far.

How the Heck can Apple have a bug that kills contacts here and now in 2023? This has NEVER happened to me using Apple iPods and Mac computers religiously since 2003. HUGE gap and loss of trust for me. Something I never considered ever needing a backup for, is now a top priority for me. Thank heavens I had a backup on Google as ALL my Apple devices have a nuked version of my contact list that has been developed since my first cell phone in 1998!!

HUGE disappointment and loss of trust for Apple IMO.

I am just going out on a limb to speculate but I think COVID has really put a kink in Apple hardware and software. I think the recent lockdowns affecting Foxconn production of iPhones 14 Pros specifically led to a lot of hardware issues we have not seen as much in previous iPhone releases and possibly the work from home model has caused software development issues. Maybe it is a loss of talent? I don't really know.

I do know something has changed since 2020 and it is not good. A ton of M2 MBA had really poor quality control on the screens. iPhone hardware issues on the 14 Pro and Pro Max and a terribly buggy iOS, iPad issues with the hardware as well.

For the cost of Apple products Apple has to get their stuff together. Their only saving grace is a series and m series chips which perform so well.

I had three iPad air 5 and until the third they all had different hardware issues from really low speaker volume to poor screen. The 3rd one I got was so much better. I have heard many people on these forums say similar things. It is almost as if the customer is now quality control.

It kind of sours the reputation Apple has built up over the years for generally excellent hardware and software.

 

[840quadra]

I am just going out on a limb to speculate but I think COVID has really put a kink in Apple hardware and software. I think the recent lockdowns affecting Foxconn production of iPhones 14 Pros specifically led to a lot of hardware issues we have not seen as much in previous iPhone releases and possibly the work from home model has caused software development issues. Maybe it is a loss of talent? I don't really know.

I do know something has changed since 2020 and it is not good. A ton of M2 MBA had really poor quality control on the screens. iPhone hardware issues on the 14 Pro and Pro Max and a terribly buggy iOS, iPad issues with the hardware as well.

For the cost of Apple products Apple has to get their stuff together. Their only saving grace is a series and m series chips which perform so well.

I had three iPad air 5 and until the third they all had different hardware issues from really low speaker volume to poor screen. The 3rd one I got was so much better. I have heard many people on these forums say similar things. It is almost as if the customer is now quality control.

It kind of sours the reputation Apple has built up over the years for generally excellent hardware and software.

This issue has been a solid reminder to never keep all my eggs in one basket.

For the most part, I try to keep platform neutral for various technical solutions I purchase into. Thankfully that has paid off as both Google and Apple have been a bit of a flake on various subjects / issues over the years.

Middle ground is never popular, but dang it, it is a nice place to be when things implode.

 

[Technerd108]

This issue has been a solid reminder to never keep all my eggs in one basket.

For the most part, I try to keep platform neutral for various technical solutions I purchase into. Thankfully that has paid off as both Google and Apple have been a bit of a flake on various subjects / issues over the years.

Middle ground is never popular, but dang it, it is a nice place to be when things implode.

Completely agree. I have always been platform agnostic.

Plus it is fun to see how different platforms solve the same problems.

 

[unclejamaal]

I didnt realise iPhone 14 was esim only. Makes changing sims so inconvenient. This has now made me even more determined to move over to something like the Pixel whenever I can. Although I do fear all the Android manufacturers will soon follow in Apple's footsteps and be esim only.