During today’s Google I/O event, the company gave us a quick teaser of what we can expect from its next revolutionary smartphone: The Pixel 7.
Although the focus was primarily on the Pixel products that are coming now — the Pixel 6a, Pixel Watch, and Pixel Buds Pro — Google also wants to make sure it’s whetting our appetites for the next big entry in its smartphone lineup.
Recommended Videos
While it’s not launching until later this year, we’d already heard enough to know not to expect any significant design changes, so today’s teaser didn’t include any real surprises. The Pixel 7 that Google showed off looks nearly indistinguishable from the Pixel 6, suggesting that Google has settled on this design as the look for its smartphones.
However, that doesn’t mean that Google isn’t enhancing the design in some exciting ways. At today’s event, it shared that the rear of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro will move to a 100% recycled aluminum finish across the entire rear casing, including the camera bar. The polished and aluminum glass design promises to deliver an even classier look for Google’s flagship smartphone.
Google
As expected, the Pixel 7 will be powered by Google’s next-generation Tensor chip, the second version of Google’s own silicon that builds on the original Tensorintroduced with the Pixel 6. While this is being referred to as the “Tensor 2,” Google hasn’t announced its name just yet. The company did offer up that the Pixel 7 Pro will set a new standard for photography, performance, and design thanks to the powerful new chip that will power more heavy artificial intelligence processing for photography and video.
There have also been some indications that the Google Pixel 7 could adopt an under-display selfie camera for the first time, but the leaked renders we’ve seen have cast some doubt on that. Google didn’t mention this when it teased the new Pixel 7 at today’s event, and it conspicuously avoided showing us any images of the front of the Pixel 7.
The new Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro will ship with Android 13 standard. Google confirmed that it will arrive this fall, but hasn’t shared any pricing or other details on it just yet, so we’ll have to wait and see what else it has up its sleeve for its next major smartphone release.
Google is going to change Pixel phones forever, and I can’t wait
Google's Pixel lineup has never been better. Right now, you can find the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro available, as well as its first folding phone, the Google Pixel Fold. And for those who want a budget-friendly option, Google also has the Google Pixel 7a. The phones aren't perfect, but they are among the best Google has ever produced under the Pixel name.
While rumors from last year made us think that the Pixel 7a could be the last of the A-series, that may not actually be the case. We are likely getting a Google Pixel 8a in just a few months, which we expect to be revealed during Google’s I/O conference in May. However, there are whispers that Google may shift away from an annual upgrade cycle for the A-series and instead move to a bi-annual cycle, similar to Apple’s iPhone SE.
Have one of these Google Pixel phones? You’re getting Circle to Search
Circle to Search — Google's excellent search tool that debuted on the Samsung Galaxy S24 earlier this year — is about to become available to more people. Specifically, it's coming to a bunch more Pixel devices, giving even more people a chance to use it for themselves.
As the name implies, Circle to Search allows you to circle or scribble anything on your screen to perform a Google Search for it. It's great for those times you see something on your phone and want to know more about it, but aren't sure how to type out a Google Search for it. It launched on the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra in January and then quickly made its way to the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
Google Pixel 9: news, rumored price, release date, and more
The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are Google's latest and most powerful devices, but it won't be that way for long. Rumors of the Google Pixel 8a mean this pair of flagships will be supplanted as the latest Google phones fairly soon — but they'll be able to hold on to the title of "most powerful" for a little while longer. The Google Pixel 9 range, while definitely on the way, isn't due to arrive any time soon.
But when it does, it's sure to be a pair of blockbusters. Leaks for the Pixel 9 family are a little thin on the ground at the moment, but it seems as if Google is planning on making some big changes this time around. If leaks are correct, we expect a new look and some exciting new AI features that go beyond what we've seen before.
