Google’s new Pixel 7 line is here. Is it worth the upgrade?

October’s Made by Google 2022 event marked the full launch of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. Thanks to some credible leaks, we saw a lot of this coming, but now we know the lowdown on all of the phones’ exciting new software features — like macro mode and Photo Unblur.

Now that the Pixel 7 line is officially official, one question remains: How do the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro compare to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro?

Let’s break it down.

Display

The Pixel 6 has a 6.4-inch display while the Pixel 7 comes in at 6.3 inches. Both have a 90Hz refresh rate, so there’s not much difference here.

Memory and storage

Both the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 7 have 8 GB of RAM and offer 128 or 256 GB of storage.

Processor

The Pixel 6 was the first model to come with Google’s in-house Tensor chip as opposed to the Qualcomm chips in previous Pixel phones. The Pixel 7 builds on this Google Tensor technology with a second-generation chip, the G2. As Mashable’s Matt Binder outlined in a full Tensor G2 analysis, the chip is 60 percent faster, 20 percent more efficient, and powers emoji suggestions with voice dictation, audio message transcription within text messages, and immediately displays automated directory options with the Direct My Call feature.

Cameras

The Pixel 7 has the same 50MP and 12MP ultra-wide rear cameras as the Pixel 6, so no upgrades there. However, the Pixel 7 does have an upgrade in the 10.8MP selfie camera as compared to the Pixel 6’s front-facing 8MP lens.

When the Pixel 6 came out, what really set users’ hearts aflutter (like Mashable’s tech editor Joseph Volpe) were all of the fun, new camera features. There’s the Magic Eraser to remove any eyesores from your otherwise perfect shot, Motion Mode for crisp action shots, impressive low-light performance, and Real Tone technology that displays vivid shades of a wide spectrum of skin colors.

The Pixel 7 continues to build on those innovative camera features with Photo Unblur, which you guessed it, unblurs photos.

Security

Coming later this year, the Pixel 7 will have a built-in VPN powered by Google One cloud storage. The search giant also brought back face unlock, which initially debuted with the Pixel 4 line, alongside an in-display fingerprint unlock as an additional way to access your Pixel phone.

Pixel 6 Pro vs. Pixel 7 Pro

Display

The Pixel 7 Pro has the same 6.7-inch display and 120Hz refresh rate as the Pixel 6 Pro. So, no change, but it’s still top-of-the-line as far as display specs go.

Memory and storage

Like the Pixel 6 Pro, the Pixel 7 Pro also has 12 GB of RAM and comes in 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB storage options.

Processor

The Pixel 7 Pro runs on Google’s Tensor G2 chip which enables a host of imaging and AI features, like Photo Unblur, macro mode, and upgrades to Direct My Call.

Cameras

Like the Pixel 6 Pro, the Pixel 7 Pro has the same 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, and 48MP telephoto lenses, but that doesn’t tell the full story. The Pixel 7 Pro’s telephoto lens can now zoom in up to 30x but still maintain sharp resolution and image stabilization.

Curiously, the he Pixel 7 Pro features a 10.8MP selfie camera and a slightly narrower field of view as compared to the Pixel 6 Pro’s 11.1MP front-facing camera.

In addition to the Photo Unblur option that’s also featured on the Pixel 7, the Pixel 7 Pro is equipped with Macro Focus, which captures extremely up-close images with crisp, vivid detail.

Security

Like the Pixel 7, the Pixel 7 Pro adds Face Unlock to its security detail — a feature that’s been missing since its debut on the Pixel 4 line — and will also include a built-in VPN eventually.

Time to upgrade?

If all this sounds good to you, the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro are available for presale now. The Pixel 7 starts at $599 and the Pixel 7 Pro starts at $899.