Google Pixel 7 in India challenges iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S22, iQOO 9T

The Google Pixel 7 takes on the standard variants of the iPhone 14 and Galaxy S22 in India. Have a look at its specs.

This is the Google Pixel 7, costing Rs. 59,999. Compact dimensions and a small display here. (Amritanshu / HT Tech)

Google made us wait for three whole years before finally giving India a brand new flagship-class Pixel device. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro have been launched in India as Google's newest flagship phones and they are gunning for the ones that dominate the market. Google goes for a very aggressive and, to be honest, appealing price for the Pixel 7, which is the vanilla flavour of the phone. And with this pricing, the Pixel 7 is up against the best in the business – we are talking Apples and Samsungs here.

While we are yet to get our hands on the review samples, we take a closer look at what Pixel 7 offers and how it fares to its fierce competition from Samsung and Apple this time. Not only that, the Pixel 7 also competes with the recent generation of Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 high performance phones from Motorola and iQOO.

Basics about the Pixel 7:

Having a 6.3-inch 90Hz OLED 1080p display, the Pixel 7 is the compact variant in the Pixel 7 series. You also get to see Google's new Tensor G2 chip, an updated set of rear cameras fortified with improved AI + ML algorithms, a 4355 mAh battery with support for wireless charging, a 10.8MP front camera, and a new design theme. It runs on Android 13 out of the box and Google promises up to 5 years of security support (3 Android updates). Oh, it is IP68 rated for water and dust resistance. It costs Rs. 59,999.

Not sure which
mobile to buy?

Pixel 7 vs the rest of the field

Apple iPhone 14

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The iPhone 14 is the easy pick of the lot, considering Apple's brand appeal in the country. However, it reuses a majority of the spare parts from iPhone 13. Hence, you get a smaller 6.1-inch 60Hz OLED display with a mega notch, the A15 Bionic chip from iPhone 13 Pro, a set of new 12MP cameras on the back, and a new autofocus system for the selfie camera. The iPhone 14 also gets Crash Detection and Satellite Connectivity, the Pixel 7 missing on the latter. Apple hasn't spoken on software support but iPhones get up to 5 years of updates. Starting at Rs. 79,900, it is more expensive than the Pixel 7.

Samsung Galaxy S22

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The Galaxy S22 beats the iPhone 14 on paper, and it does the same for the Pixel 7. You get a triple camera system here with a 3X zoom camera, a 6.1-inch 120Hz display, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, a 3700mAh battery, and Android 12 based One UI 4 out of the box. Samsung promises 4 OS updates and 5 years of security patches here. With ongoing offers, you can buy it for Rs. 57,490, which is cheaper than the Pixel 7.

iQOO 9T

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At Rs. 49,999, the iQOO 9T offers advanced features such as a 120W wired charging with an in-box charger, the fastest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, an arsenal of capable cameras, and a 120Hz OLED display. It, however, runs on Vivo's FunTouch OS, which is yet to impress us with its OS design.

Motorola Edge 30 Ultra

With the same price of Rs. 59,999, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra offers the faster Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, a 200MP main rear camera, a 125W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, a 144Hz OLED display with curved edges, and a Pixel-like stock Android 12 experience with three years of OS updates promised. This is the closest non-Google phone with a Pixel experience.