I just did. 🙂🙃🤪. I was a huge fan of my kid’s coral iPhone XR. I couldn’t resist. I know my 6 Pro has more features but I have missed having a small (relatively speaking) Pixel since I retired Snowball. Lol hello Glowball? 🤣. It will be a fun phone for the summer. I hope PWM doesn’t laser my brain.
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Pixel 7 / Pixel 7 Pro
- Thread starter jamezr
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Technerd108
macrumors 68040
I agree. The big difference between the 7a and 7 would be screen size and brightness as the 7 is brighter and larger. 6.1" vs 6.3". The battery capacity is just a tiny bit bigger on the 7a and with a smaller screen might eek out just bit more battery life.
You also get a composite back plate which will scratch easier but it won't shatter and should be lighter and stronger.
The other big difference is the 64mp binned main camera sensor vs the 50mp on the 7.
So I would actually prefer the 7a over the 7. Also once there are sales it will be even more affordable.
I definitely think it is a good looking phone. My only hesitation for you is that the Pixel 8 is not too far away and it might have a much improved processor. The Tensor G2 is fine. But it is not impressive like the Snapdragon 8 gen 2. I think the Tensor G3 might be a lot closer to the Snapdragon 8 gen 2 and with Pixel UI might be really impressive.
I am really considering the Pixel 8 Pro myself and trying to decide what I am going to do. I can get the Pixel tablet and sell my tab S8 but I use the tablet as a standalone and have a Alexa speaker which works well for me as a music player. So the Pixel tablet only offers me slightly better integration on my Pixel phone vs my Samsung. But since I also have a s23 ultra, the tab S8 just works so well with that and has the spen that I am hesitant to get rid of it.
What I am most likely going to do is either sell or trade in my Pixel 7 Pro for a Pixel 8 Pro and skip the Pixel tablet this time around. Of course there is a tab s9 in the rumor mill but who knows when Samsung will release it.
Looks to be an interesting year on the Android front.
I am also curious if Apple will release a new iPad air this year which might also be a consideration and I am very curious on a new iPhone SE.
Technerd108
macrumors 68040
I actually think the Pixel 7a is going to be a better phone than your Pixel 6 pro with exception of the screen. The screen on your pixel 6 pro is brighter and higher resolution BUT the 7a has a 429 ppi so you won't see any Pixels.
You might get better battery life, you will have better reception with the newer Samsung Modem, you will have a better general camera but lose the zoom.
I also like the 6.1" size. I generally prefer bigger phones but it is also nice to have a pocket friendly device.
You are required to give us pictures and a mini review with your thoughts and impressions and a camera test. 😂 Lol Just kidding on the required. But would really like your general thoughts.
The coral is a great color!
Hope you really like it and it is eye friendly. Just a guess but maybe with a standard 1080p and lower brightness it might be better on PWM?? Here's hoping anyway!
Did you do a trade in?
Technerd108
macrumors 68040
I really like my Pixel 7 Pro. Battery life is still very good and besides the s23 ultra the best I have had on an Android phone.
I have a hard time deciding what I like best. My s23 ultra or the Pixel 7 Pro.
In some ways I prefer either one to the other. Overall the s23 ultra is still my favorite phone of all time but there are some things that I really like about the Pixel.
Even with a faster chip and storage I still seem to have an occasional glitch on the s23u and I am pretty sure it has to do with OneUI 5.1. Although I feel that OneUI 5.1 is the best software and Android layer Samsung has ever created it still suffers from some of the things that have plagued Samsung software for years. The skin is still heavy, there are still too many apps I don't want or need. The result is an occasional hiccup and certain apps that just don't work right like HBO Max.
I just find Pixel UI more reliable and useful. But I love the camera system, 10x optical zoom, s pen, better performance and battery life and certain features on OneUI.
But the Pixel 7 Pro is lighter in my hand. The screen just has a better color temperature that I can't perfectly replicate on the s23 ultra and the fingerprint sensor is more reliable although the s23u has improved lately.
So when the Pixel 8 Pro comes out and is as fast as the s23u or pretty close, has similar battery life, and very similar camera system, it will be really interesting. If Google improves the screen, thermal cooling, battery life, and performance and has a flat screen to boot it might just best the s23 ultra for me. The s pen would then be the only differentiator.
I really hope Google for all devices improves the length of software support and just gives everyone 5 years of OS and security updates. It would be even better if they did 5 years OS and 7 years security updates which would then rival Apple but just a solid 5/5 would be good for me.
Then they wouldn't be trailing Samsung which is embarrassing IMHO.
I have a hard time deciding what I like best. My s23 ultra or the Pixel 7 Pro.
In some ways I prefer either one to the other. Overall the s23 ultra is still my favorite phone of all time but there are some things that I really like about the Pixel.
Even with a faster chip and storage I still seem to have an occasional glitch on the s23u and I am pretty sure it has to do with OneUI 5.1. Although I feel that OneUI 5.1 is the best software and Android layer Samsung has ever created it still suffers from some of the things that have plagued Samsung software for years. The skin is still heavy, there are still too many apps I don't want or need. The result is an occasional hiccup and certain apps that just don't work right like HBO Max.
I just find Pixel UI more reliable and useful. But I love the camera system, 10x optical zoom, s pen, better performance and battery life and certain features on OneUI.
But the Pixel 7 Pro is lighter in my hand. The screen just has a better color temperature that I can't perfectly replicate on the s23 ultra and the fingerprint sensor is more reliable although the s23u has improved lately.
So when the Pixel 8 Pro comes out and is as fast as the s23u or pretty close, has similar battery life, and very similar camera system, it will be really interesting. If Google improves the screen, thermal cooling, battery life, and performance and has a flat screen to boot it might just best the s23 ultra for me. The s pen would then be the only differentiator.
I really hope Google for all devices improves the length of software support and just gives everyone 5 years of OS and security updates. It would be even better if they did 5 years OS and 7 years security updates which would then rival Apple but just a solid 5/5 would be good for me.
Then they wouldn't be trailing Samsung which is embarrassing IMHO.
Yes I did a trade in. 6 Pro doesn’t get used nearly enough to justify keeping it. Kind of sad because it was the last phone my dad tested with me and was originally going to keep it for that reason. But I have an iPhone I talked more with him that is staying.
Also I honestly just wanted a cute pop of color phone. I’ve been working like a dog. I thought I’d treat myself a little. I’m really looking forward to seeing it. And I like that the display glass is flat!
Vegastouch
macrumors 603
Installed mine the other day. Man they sure take a long time to complete. Takes around 2 hours,...or so nearly every time on my P7.Installing the May security update!
The point and shoot pro
Suspended
So, I have applied to be a writer for a well known android centric website, and I am just waiting to hear back from them now. I had the interview, sent a sample article for them. If this goes through, I will be sporting all kinds of new Android devices this year. Pixel 7a and a hazel 7 pro will be two. I will get a coral 7a for the wife. She LOVES her iPhone and it will be great to get a "non-geek" perspective on going between the two platforms.
Best wishes to you! I hope your wife will enjoy her foray into a new platform.
I can’t break the stranglehold Apple has on my family. Unlike me and my husband, none of the kids has an inherent awe and love of technology. They weren’t around to witness and be part of the evolution the way Gen X and millennials did. None of this is special or even interesting to them.
My Pixel 2 was popular among the kids for awhile. In my experience, Google dropped their chance to win hearts and minds of the next generation when they dropped Google Playground (AR Stickers).
I remember wanting smack one of the Android Central writers upside the head with a tuna when he smugly bid Google Playground good riddance. He was a young and presumably single man with no kids so he had only that perspective on it. Of course Google Playground was going to seem a waste of space to him.
Meanwhile from my perspective, once the kids found out they could no longer have Star Wars characters and Pokémon populating their digital photos and videos, their interest in my Pixel phones evaporated.
It was a small window of opportunity I had to interest them in something different and it was gone.
I tried another more recently when my artist daughter went on a school trip to France. “Hey, look at how Google translate works on a Pixel phone…which I will wipe and set up for you to take to France.”
“No thanks Mom. We have a guide and aren’t allowed to stray far from her. And I just want to carry my iPhone.” 😕
Ah well I can’t really complain. Their interests are meaningful. They want to do cool things like compose music, write stories and poems, and create art and just stay connected with their friends. It’s actually cool that technology is just a means to these ends for them.
The best I can do is educate them to at least be informed shoppers and get the best tools for their jobs. They likely won’t be interested in just the technology for its own sake. Lol, for me, the technology itself IS art.
So as far as my Pixel 7a order goes, I did get free Pixel A buds in Sky and the free exclusive Casemate Case. I’ll also be getting store credits I might apply to a coral case later on.
I don’t own one of the newer charging stands with built in cooling so I might get one of those eventually. I don’t know. I don’t do much wireless charging anymore. I totally stopped using MagSafe charging because my iPhones would get scary hot sometimes. I’ve been plugging things in to charge them most of my adult life so to me it’s not a big deal to keep on with it.
I don’t own one of the newer charging stands with built in cooling so I might get one of those eventually. I don’t know. I don’t do much wireless charging anymore. I totally stopped using MagSafe charging because my iPhones would get scary hot sometimes. I’ve been plugging things in to charge them most of my adult life so to me it’s not a big deal to keep on with it.
Vegastouch
macrumors 603
If you and your hubby are still paying for their phones, be happy they dont want multiples lol. Just for you two it gets expensive. Imagine doing it times however many kids you have.
Aneres11
macrumors 601
This SWEET Pixel 7a case comes free with the device from the Google store in America - but not in the UK 🙁.
It’s really nice. I love how it has little dots in the colours the phone comes in! Very cool.
I can’t stop watching YT videos of the Coral 7a. It’s SO nice. I want one!
The point and shoot pro
Suspended
Vegastouch
macrumors 603
Id get the Sea color if i got a 7a. And its tempting. Maybe the fingerprint sensor will work on that....UNlike my P7. They will give me a $295 trade in credit.
That’s a good photo of it. I obviously am getting one because of the US order, but I couldn’t really tell what it would look like on the phone. I was just glad to be getting a free case from a decent case maker, thinking it would be a nice temporary case until I could get the credits to apply to the purchase of the coral Google case. And now seeing it, I’m thinking it’s very nice in its own right, to use full time.
I think you could possibly get one of these cases from EBay. I saw one on the US EBay site when I was looking for photos of the case.
Lol you’re the reason I am getting mine, you influencer! I did get an email from Google telling me about the 7a, the Fold and the tablet. I was ignoring all of them. I’m still playing around with my S23 Ultra, after all. It’s still new and fresh to me.
But you brought it to my attention that it’s coral. I had to check it out. And then I decided I had to have it to round out my coral wardrobe.
Back in 2019 I’d gotten the Flamingo Pink Samsung S10+. And I was refreshing my spring and summer clothes around that time because I’d gained a bit of weight after hitting 50 and needed new clothes.
So, inspired by the Flamingo Pink, I went out and bought some coral outfits. And I’ve been adding to the collection since then. In fact I’m wearing a coral sweater and pants combo right now.
Coral is a big color for me in the summer so I’m going to be really happy to have a phone to match my outfits.
I never had the coral iPhone but one of my kids did and I loved looking at it. I always did regret getting the yellow XR instead of the coral one.
Vegastouch
macrumors 603
That’s what the Pixels are all about to me: fun.
I made something of an out character decision with my Pixel 6 Pro purchase. I took it too seriously! I did love the Stormy grey color and I loved the fully featured camera with zoom. So I’m not saying I regretted the purchase. I didn’t and I took full advantage of the higher spec camera!
But I did put too much money into it. I went for max specs and I didn’t do that with my Pixel 2 that I had years of fun with. And that dark grey color was just way too serious and dignified for a Pixel. I just felt a bit off about the way I approached that purchase.
So I was planning, this time around, going smaller and simpler with the Pixel 8, whatever that would end up being. I was hoping for a bright fun color. There’s a sort of mirth and whimsy I associate with the Pixel launcher and I am happier when I get a phone that embodies that through color and design.
But along the way to the 8, what happens? Google releases a small cute Pixel 7a in one of my must-have colors! It has really good specs, so even if I weren’t taking a more relaxed approach to specs this time, it’s still a solid choice on that account. I still have leeway and time to anticipate the Pixel 8 if 7a phone and I don’t get along after all. But the outlook is good that I’m going to have fun with this one! And if I do, and want to keep it, it’s got what it takes to go a respectable distance with me.
I know the Achilles heel might be battery charging speed and possibly battery life.
But I’m not going to be playing Genshin Impact on it or watching lots of YouTube on it or recording my kid’s graduation on it.
That’s not what I do with Pixels. I’m going to take it on little day trips and just have a bit of fun with it, snapping photos and bugging Google Assistant for bits of information about stores and restaurants.
It’s still a bit pricey, but with a trade in it’s going to be a price I can live with. So I don’t have to sit here agonizing over “should I wait for a sale?”
I’m anticipating the return of lightness and fun with this Pixel.
I’ve preordered a mid range Pixel before and chickened out. This time I’m feeling more confident about my choice. I probably shouldn’t have chickened out the last time, either.
I use Ringke clear cases a LOT for my phones. But usually I’ve got a Slickdeals coupon code to bring the cost down to almost nothing. When I shop through Slickdeals I used to end up with a deluge of cases because I could get $50 worth of cases for less than $15!!! Spigen and Ringke often offer coupons at Slickdeals so I got mostly nice cases for very little. But occasionally I’d get some weird off brands.
Sometimes Ringke clear cases hold up for a few months, sometimes they don’t. I attach rings to these cases to help me hold the phones without hand fatigue. They’re good for that.
Unfortunately these cases are more or less to be regarded as disposable because they don’t stay clear. So try to get them on sale on Amazon or with coupon codes. Check Slickdeals for codes often. Ringke codes show up a lot. I didn’t ever join Slickdeals nor do I use their app. I just go to their site and copy the codes I see.
Good luck! Yeah the non technology person is always a good perspective.
The point and shoot pro
Suspended
Yes, She’s all apple for her mobile devices. She has an iPhone 13, iPad 10th gen and Apple Watch. Once I start writing for them, she will have some other ones to use and provide me with her thoguhts. Should be fun!
Vegastouch
macrumors 603
Didnt find a Ringke cheap but found another clear case im gonna try for $2.08 on Slickdeals.
Technerd108
macrumors 68040
The Pixel 7 Pro seems to be very efficient during gaming.
I have tested the device against the s23 ultra and it lasts a lot longer. It doesn't even get warm.
It is odd because some tasks on the Pixel 7 Pro heat up the device rather quickly and easily. You would think gaming would be one of them. Obviously the GPU is not the CPU but gaming on phones with heavy 3d animations generally tax both.
So many people have complained about the Tensor G2 and even I hope the Tensor G3 is more efficient the G2 is not a bad chip.
Good luck Jamezr although since you argued so heavily in favor of Apple's ecosystem I find it a little shocking you are such a a fan of Android?
Anyway, I hope you get the job and enjoy it!
I have tested the device against the s23 ultra and it lasts a lot longer. It doesn't even get warm.
It is odd because some tasks on the Pixel 7 Pro heat up the device rather quickly and easily. You would think gaming would be one of them. Obviously the GPU is not the CPU but gaming on phones with heavy 3d animations generally tax both.
So many people have complained about the Tensor G2 and even I hope the Tensor G3 is more efficient the G2 is not a bad chip.
Good luck Jamezr although since you argued so heavily in favor of Apple's ecosystem I find it a little shocking you are such a a fan of Android?
Anyway, I hope you get the job and enjoy it!
Technerd108
macrumors 68040
So I did an experiment for about a few weeks to a month on my Pixel 7 Pro and s23 ultra turning off adaptive battery.
After turning it back on I can definitely say that at least on my phones it makes a decent difference. Gaming on my s23 ultra used up battery faster than I expected and just idle when adaptive battery was turned off and now with it on it seems much more efficient.
On the Pixel 7 Pro the phone doesn't seem to heat up as much.
I have to say it seems like Google has improved battery life on the Pixel 7 Pro. It used to run through the battery pretty quickly for such a large capacity. Now it seems to get about 10-20% more life out of a charge which I find pretty significant.
Really looking forward to the Pixel 8 Pro but from what I have been hearing from people trading in their Pixel 7 Pro for the fold Google is giving pretty pathetic values. I really hope they don't do it with the 8 Pro.
I generally upgrade often but if Google improves the Tensor enough and with a flat screen it may just stay for a while.
After turning it back on I can definitely say that at least on my phones it makes a decent difference. Gaming on my s23 ultra used up battery faster than I expected and just idle when adaptive battery was turned off and now with it on it seems much more efficient.
On the Pixel 7 Pro the phone doesn't seem to heat up as much.
I have to say it seems like Google has improved battery life on the Pixel 7 Pro. It used to run through the battery pretty quickly for such a large capacity. Now it seems to get about 10-20% more life out of a charge which I find pretty significant.
Really looking forward to the Pixel 8 Pro but from what I have been hearing from people trading in their Pixel 7 Pro for the fold Google is giving pretty pathetic values. I really hope they don't do it with the 8 Pro.
I generally upgrade often but if Google improves the Tensor enough and with a flat screen it may just stay for a while.
Thanks for sharing the results of your experiment!
My 7a should be arriving tomorrow! The trade in value on my 6 Pro was not great but it was the best I had seen in a while.
What I'm worried about trading away my 6 Pro is that it is a pro device AND I won the quality control lottery on this Stormy. The fingerprint sensor has always worked well for me, and it's just been a really wonderful Pixel.
I am using it right now. I had to do a couple of days adjusting to the display again. But I was already having migraines on my 14 Pro Max before I even did this switch.
(Mostly I've been using my S22 Ultra. That is the most benign display for my condition. It's a shame I can't put the S22 Ultra display on my S23 Ultra phone. Then I would have the perfect Samsung phone for me).
I don't know how it's going to go with the Pixel 7a and my neurological sensitivity.
I have seen so many mixed opinions on this 7a. I know it will come down to my luck in the lottery. I'm hoping I get a good one like I did with the 6 Pro.
I sincerely do want to downsize my Pixel experience though. I went so big on iphone and Samsung.
I am not writing off the Pixel 8. I've got all spring and summer with the Pixel 7a. If the 8 knocks my socks off I can trade for it.
The Coral Pixel 7a is here! You’re going to have to take my word for it that it’s almost the same color glass and aluminum as the Coral iPhone XR. I get to see them together in person.
Photographing was really difficult because 3 cats converged on me and the phones as I was trying to take the photos. Chaos ensued.
This is the best I could get. I am borrowing the Xr and the case on it is kind of brittle so I couldn’t chance removing it to get a true color comparison. But I could see enough to feel confident they’re super close to being identical. The Pixel is just a tiny bit lighter but not as much as it appears in these photos. The Pixel aluminum does have more of a yellow tinge to it. But again, I think the photos emphasize it more than what I see with the naked eye.
Photos taken with 14 Pro Max. The poor quality is my fault not the fault of the phone. I could blame the cats, too. They almost knocked all the phones out of my hands when I was trying to set up. They wanted pets. It’s a complete myth that cats are aloof. They’re not.
Okay I’m going to be setting up!
Photographing was really difficult because 3 cats converged on me and the phones as I was trying to take the photos. Chaos ensued.
This is the best I could get. I am borrowing the Xr and the case on it is kind of brittle so I couldn’t chance removing it to get a true color comparison. But I could see enough to feel confident they’re super close to being identical. The Pixel is just a tiny bit lighter but not as much as it appears in these photos. The Pixel aluminum does have more of a yellow tinge to it. But again, I think the photos emphasize it more than what I see with the naked eye.
Photos taken with 14 Pro Max. The poor quality is my fault not the fault of the phone. I could blame the cats, too. They almost knocked all the phones out of my hands when I was trying to set up. They wanted pets. It’s a complete myth that cats are aloof. They’re not.
Okay I’m going to be setting up!
So far I seem okay with the display. Hard to tell this early in. But at least I can focus on it.
I'm setting the phone up from scratch. I put the sim from my S23 Ultra into the 7a.
I'm getting used to typing on a smaller display again. I'm also swiping. Swiping is easier on this phone than on my larger phones. Cats continue to be interested and bother me. 😆
The free case is cute. And more than adequate. Oh wow swiping is kind of addictive on this phone. 😁
External speakers are decent. Fingerprint sensor so far is fast and works great. We will see how that holds up over time. I'm using a Spigen glass screen protector that advertises itself as built in partnership with Google. It's a case friendly design so does not go completely edge to edge but does cover all of the active display area.
I'm setting the phone up from scratch. I put the sim from my S23 Ultra into the 7a.
I'm getting used to typing on a smaller display again. I'm also swiping. Swiping is easier on this phone than on my larger phones. Cats continue to be interested and bother me. 😆
The free case is cute. And more than adequate. Oh wow swiping is kind of addictive on this phone. 😁
External speakers are decent. Fingerprint sensor so far is fast and works great. We will see how that holds up over time. I'm using a Spigen glass screen protector that advertises itself as built in partnership with Google. It's a case friendly design so does not go completely edge to edge but does cover all of the active display area.
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