Should I get a Google Pixel 7 or a Google Pixel 7 PRO?

October 3, 2023 7:23 AM

Is the battery life going to be better with the Pro? what else?
posted by DMelanogaster to Technology (12 answers total)

Best answer: I've had the 7 Pro since it came out. The technical specs are brilliant, including battery life. I don't think you'll be disappointed with either model, honestly, and I think the main improvements in the pro model are real but small gains in photo/video capture.

My one complaint: it is a *gigantic* physical object. I like bigger phones, but this is too big for me. It sits oddly in the pocket. It's difficult to reach the top and bottom of the screen with the typing thumb when held in one hand (and there are software tools that try to help with this but feel very clunky to me). I'll use it until it wears out, but I have sworn to never again buy a phone this big (and to definitely hold a phone in my hand before I buy it).
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 7:34 AM on October 3, 2023 [3 favorites]

The pro is certainly pretty big and heavy - it weighs like a phone and a half, but it is very nice to use. With big hands you can use it one handed, but it's a stretch - so 2nding l.a.d.h that you should hold it before you buy one.

I mainly bought it over the non pro for the zoom lens, and it's good for IDing distant birds and animals but the shots aren't as nice as I hoped - it's still a nice camera in most other situations though.

The pixel 8 is out tomorrow, so it might be worth waiting for either a discount on the 7, or seeing how the 8 stacks up.
posted by samj at 8:25 AM on October 3, 2023

Response by poster: Waiting for the 8 is exactly what I'm doing, with the idea that I'll get the 7 at a reduced price, but want to choose between the 7 and the Pro. I have to get to the Google store to look at them. thanks!
posted by DMelanogaster at 8:41 AM on October 3, 2023

I have a Pixel 6 Pro. I've always shied away from phones this big, but the 6 Vanilla was not available from my carrier. My understanding is that the 6s and 7s are roughly the same form factor.

I have really liked having a phone of this form factor, mainly because of the screen. It is so much easier to read small text, watch movies, have video calls, and so on. Other phones feel tiny now.
posted by grouse at 8:52 AM on October 3, 2023 [2 favorites]

I should also say that I have large hands and I almost never use the phone one-handed. If I did have a practice of one-handed phone use, I think I would find the form factor annoying despite my large hands.
posted by grouse at 9:13 AM on October 3, 2023

I have the Pro 7 and very small hands, and I use a LoveHandle Pro on the back (for all of the kickstand, the magnets so I can attach it to magnetic car mounts and most importantly the ability to hold and use the phone one handed). With the lovehandle I use it one handed constantly with absolutely no issues. Love how big the screen is. As a woman with normal woman pants I already couldn't fit the regular into my pocket really, so I don't notice that as an issue (and it does fit just fine into my leggings with those side legging pockets).
posted by brainmouse at 9:57 AM on October 3, 2023

The pro has a 5x telephoto lens that the regular 7 does not have. Its occasionally very useful but not something i use a lot. Its one of the main differences between the 7 & 7pro.
posted by TheAdamist at 10:14 AM on October 3, 2023 [1 favorite]

I don't think you'd notice a massive difference between the two phones in terms of battery life. The Pro has a larger battery, but it powers a much larger screen. Fundamentally, my Pro can comfortably get me through the day with charge to spare, and I'd imagine the smaller phone would too.

The other difference not mentioned above is that the Pro has a slightly smoother display (120Hz vs 90Hz). You might find that to be a small but welcome improvement, or you may not notice it at all.
posted by dudekiller at 11:13 AM on October 3, 2023

Do they both have wireless charging?
posted by falsedmitri at 2:21 PM on October 3, 2023

There are a lot more complaints about battery life on the Pro versions of the Pixel 6 and 7.
posted by wierdo at 4:43 PM on October 3, 2023

I have the normal Pixel 7 and it's already a bit larger than I'd like. Battery life seems fine to me, usually gets me through a day easily with moderate usage, and closer to two with light usage.
posted by Aleyn at 8:51 PM on October 3, 2023

Response by poster: Today I went to a Verizon store and saw the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro and was surprised that they are not larger, given all these posts. My 2XL is as wide as the Pro! only the Pro is a little longer. I'm not sure what to buy now, but thank you!
posted by DMelanogaster at 5:35 PM on October 5, 2023