Two weeks with a Pixel 7 Pro - My experience
To set the stage, I've always been a fan of non-nonsense reliable phones. My cellular usage started with a Nokia brick, moved on to a few Motorolo flip phones, then entered the Blackberry world as soon as data service become available in my area. With the demise of RIM, I went o a Moto X, made a misstep in to the Samsung world, then to a Pixel, a Pixel 3XL, and now a Pixel 7 Pro.
I only made the jump to the 7 Pro due to the 3XL starting to show it's age. The charging part wouldn't always connect, the battery would barely make it through the day, and the case was starting to fall apart. Of within three days of removing the case I dropped the phone, cracking the glass back....
The 7 Pro is awful to hold, without a case. I was waiting a week for the Spigen Liquid Air case to show up, and during the time I hated using the phone. The camera bulge felt awkward and sharp, the surfaces were slippery and the phone would slide around. The rounded edges of the screen would produce phantom taps, just all around a bad experience. Now that I've added the case though, it feels a whole lot better.
The user experience has been fairly good, thought not without some annoying bugs. I did the migration from my old Pixel to my new one, and while it did a reasonably job, preserving the launcher layout etc, the app installation process was strange. Google Play tried to install all the apps, but was stalled. I had to tap on each app to manually install them, they were just sitting there "Pending...", whether I was on battery or charger, WiFi or mobile. Once everything installed, and I added my accounts, it was fine, and now apps auto-update.
Notifications are acting a bit funny with Reddit is Fun, although that won't be an issue for much longer :-(. If I get notified of Mod Mail and a Message in RiF, tapping the notification message does nothing. This worked fine on the 3XL. I've also had one spontaneous reboot, and one night where the phone was plugged in, but decided not to charge. Lots of people complained about heat issues, which was a problem for me on the 3XL, but only in extreme cases. After sitting out in full sun with the 7 Pro, I'd say it is about the same, possibly a bit better regarding it's overheating. Many people also reported that the phone would feel warm/hot in their hands for the first few days as it "learned" your behavior. Never experienced that. Battery life and (lack of) heat levels have remained the same.
I got the Pixel 7 because the trade in value for my Pixel 5 was just too tempting. I love almost everything about it (sidenote: did you know how big of a difference a good haptic motor makes in a phone? The Pixel 7 has the nicest haptics I've ever used in a phone, I finally understand why people keep keyboard haptics on), but there's one huge flaw. The fingerprint sensor is borderline unusable outdoors, and pretty slow at any other time too. I have a fitness tracker that I can set as a paired device to keep it unlocked, but I genuinely don't think I'd recommend the device to most people if they didn't use a smartwatch or tracker for this single reason.
Forgot to mention that. I hate the screen brightness required for the touch to work, but aside from that, it isn't really any better or worse than the dedicated sensor on the 3 XL.
Ok, maybe I prefer it being on the front instead of the back a tiny bit, sometimes.
I miss rear fingerprint scanners. I could find the scanner on the Pixel 5 with my index finger as I was taking it out of my pocket, having it unlocked by the time I was looking at it. In-screen scanners have no intuitive muscle memory build up because you can't feel for them.
Have you enrolled your thumbs? I've found that when unlocking with a finger on the 3XL, my thumb would rest exactly where the sensor is on the 7 Pro.
Yeah I use my thumbs to unlock the 7. But it's still not nearly as intuitive as just putting your index finger on the sensor as you put your hand around the device when pulling it out of my pocket for me.
Mine is currently part of the power button and I actually prefer it that way. At least I can unlock it while it's either facing up or down in my desk.
Don't have a google pixel. Just wanted to say that my phone has a fingerprint scanner on the side, exactly where your unlock button usually sits. And if the finger is wrong it just functions as a button that shows the login.
It's the first phone I've had that does that, but it's so intuitive and easy to use that I cannot believe not all phones place it there.
Im still using my Pixel 4a, and before I even buy i new phone i already know that ill hate the in-screen reader. I just hope for an option of similar size(the p4a/p5 were the perfect size to me).
The fingerprint sensor has been a major source of issues and complaints since the Pixel 6 series. I wish they would figure that out.
Im really hoping there is a big improvement on the P8.
I actually really like my Pixel 7 Pro, although I mainly got it for the good camera and because LineageOS works on it. Although I haven't gotten around to installing LineageOS again as I first wanted to test everything out and I'm worried that the camera quality will discrease without all the Google magic in the background. Has anyone here tried that before?
Also, the camera zoom rattles :/ Not sure if I should try to replace it in case it gets worse. On the other hand, if it's just a bit of noise, then I don't want to produce more e-waste.
The camera is supposed to rattle fyi it's part of the optical image stabilization system.
I bought the pixel 7 (non pro) specifically to put GrapheneOS on it; I didn't use the stock Android OS at all beyond the bare minimum to be able to setup GrapheneOS so I have no reference point.
What I have heard is that the camera app isn't as good as Google's but you can download Google's app and it sandboxes all the Google Play store apps. I only really use phone cameras to take or send photos as notes.
I've got the 7 Pro. Had to RMA it once because it was having a green colored screen that seemed pretty common in my searching. The new phone had touch screen issues that seem to have been resolved with a full factory reset.
I've never been overly impressed by any of my Pixels, but I love me some stock android so I really hope they can get their hardware shit together and put out some better devices.
In my experience what keeps me on Pixels is the "minor" stuff that makes your day-to-day easier, like the call screening.
I’ve had the Pixel 6a for nearly 10 months now, replacing my OnePlus Nord N10.
I know a lot of people have complained about the fingerprint sensor. The first few days it took me a while to get adjusted to the location of the sensor, but since then I’ve had no issues. Most people suggest registering the same finger/thumb twice to improve accuracy but that isn’t something I’ve had to do. I don’t use a screen protector.
The only issues I do have with it are slight glitches when switching between portrait and landscape and “lift to wake screen” or “tap to wake screen” not always working when my phone is plugged into my car with Android Auto running. It also gets a bit toasty.
As someone who's used samsung since the Note 1, what's your beef with it? My only complaint is bloatware, but the only time it got in the way for me was with Bixby (and the Bixby button they included on my last phone, the Note 9).
Currently running with the S23 Ultra and I have no real complaints.
Bloatware, and I just like the button locations on the Pixel phones. Don't need to re-learn where stuff is with each new phone purchase.
I seem to be the only one who hates/complains about losing a large % of my apps.... since they were only 32bit.
7 is 64 bit only, so a lot of my older apps, or some games, don't work. I keep thinking they will make 64 bit versions soon, but some are too old, or too low budget/homebrew etc.
For the record... this is a soft lock... apparently i can format, get root, and unlock 32bit... wish i did that on day 1, or google would just allow it already.
Got a Pixel 7a. Really happy with it so far. On day 1 it got a bit toasty during file transfer, but since then no issues. Screen and haptics are a big upgrade from my last phone and battery is good so far.
Also I agree with OP's choice to get Spigen cases: have had a bunch of them and they've always been there when my phones needed it most.
What was your previous phone if you don't mind me asking?
I'm considering getting Pixel 7a because my Pixel 5 is on its last legs (can't hold a battery charge for more than three hours, even if not in use). Pixel 7a seems nice but I am also hoping to maybe get a Pixel 8 instead since it might be a little bit smaller than 7a.
Regardless of size, the 7a should be much cheaper than the 8 - and it's a great value with the 90 Hz screen. I believe I've even heard that the 7a has the best battery life of the Pixel 7 line-up.
My last phone was a recent Motorola. It was very good for the price, best battery I'd ever had, but the support commitment and screen was very lacking. That's why I spent more this time. Probably won't feel as big of an upgrade from a flagship, but I've really been enjoying it.
I have a P7P for a few months now, upgraded from a P2XL. I kept the old phone for so long because the battery and reliability was too great to give up as I've been a magnet for shitty phones in the past (Charge being one of them).
I ordered the phone when they were having a sale, and before I pulled the trigger I made sure to buy a new case first; Unicorn Beetle. I had a similar case on my P2XL and it had been rock solid: dropped it more than a few times, be it on corners or flat, and not even a scratch! I didn't even take the phone out of the original box until the case arrived....just to be safe.
The size is a little bigger than I expected. My 2 gripes about it are the onscreen thumb print doesn't always unlock as expected, and for some reason the charge will not fill connect at all times. This has been solved by rotating the USB once. I did immediately turn off the swipe motion/swipe features to have an actual BACK and HOME button, because of I was playing a game or something it would detect movement as BACK which became a nightmare. Overall, battery is good so far, but it's still within the first year. I do follow the same rules with my old phone which helps extend life; don't leave it charged overnight, don't use while charging and not having notorious battery draining apps like FB, IG, etc. Snapchat isn't bad and the worst I have is the Cracking the Cryptic Sudoku app, which I generally only use on the can or when I'm particularly bored or waiting for something.
I recently switched to the Pixel 7 after using an iPhone for the last few years. I'm really enjoying the stock experience so far. The only real issues I've encountered thus far are the fingerprint reader being a bit rubbish when outside (inside it's fine), and the back does get a bit warm when doing mundane things like browsing the web, from time to time.
All in all, it's a great device, just on the limit of what I can handle (the 7 Pro was too big for me unfortunately), I do wish I had that third telephoto lens though.
I have (and love) the Pixel 5, and the battery is starting to show its age. I'm tempted to have it replaced, but I'm concerned about Google ending support in (potentially) a few months. I'm holding out hope that the 8 won't be so huge, as I love the smaller size of the 5, and that they'll do the really good trade in offer again. I'll miss the back-of-the-phone fingerprint reader, but I've adjusted before and can do it again.
I upgraded from a Galaxy A50 to the Pixel 7 pro a few months ago when an errant falled killed it. So far it has done everything I've needed it to and then some. The reason I chose this over a cheaper alternative is because of commission work I started picking. For the commissions I needed a camera that could perform how I needed and damn has it ever. Besides the camera the functionality has been great with only a few complaints here and there. My main one with how Google photos is organized but that is a rather small gripe.
Interesting posts here, thanks!
I just bought a Pixel 7. Was first thinking about getting a 7a, but the price difference was at 30€ so I got the 7.
I'm very happy with my Oneplus 8t, but I want to switch to Graphene OS, and it's only supported on Pixel phones. I have hardened my Oneplus already, basically removed most of all Gapps, changed from Chrome to Firefox and replaced the play services with MicroG. Was thinking about installing Calyx OS initially - but I want to go all in now.
I will use the 8t as a backup/festival phone, or a place where I don't have to worry about getting it stolen/lost/broken.
Hope it works out well!
Iva had the Pixel 1, 3XL, and now the 6. The 3 was the best phone. If it didn't start slowing down I wouldn't have got a new one. It was huge but I loved the size. I miss the back fingerprint reader. The camera was great. I love a water resistant phone. I just got a Samsung tablet, and it's good, but I can't stand the Samsung software on top. Apparently I need simple UIs.
Interesting to hear your experience! Any reason why you liked the 3XL more than the 6?
I went from a Pixel 3 to a 6 Pro. Personally, the 6 Pro after 1.5 years has certainly been a better experience than with my 3. The 3 had 4GB RAM, which was pretty low for flagship phones in 2019 (Galaxy S10 had 6-8GB for example) and thus a ton of my multi-tasked apps would stop running in the background far too easily. I also started having the camera's autofocus stuttering like crazy. When taking videos, the camera frequently stuttered and you could hear it in recorded videos. Of course, the smaller battery in the 3 also suffered a lot--I'd need to charge 1-2x a day if I was taking a daytrip in the city.
6 Pro was a huge step up for me personally. Performance is still great to this day, battery is still decent (I can go a full day without needing a charge still!), camera quality is awesome, and I've never had any bad memory management issues. OLED is also fantastic. Not sure if I'll stick with Google again for my next upgrade, but I'm very happy with what I have now.
I have had the Pixel 7 Pro since Mid October since the Pixel 6 Pro trade-in was so good. I really like it overall. It solved my biggest grip about the 6P, which was the modem/network strength. The camera and Google's photo tools seem sleeker too.
The only thing I dislike about both phones are the minimum brightness settings. Compared to my wife's iPhone at night, Google's screens are way to bright and so I use an app to set a filter over everything to help with that.
Really? I’ve never had any issues with notifications on any of the modern Samsung Android phones I’ve owned. Do they just not show up or what?
Commenting as I'm curious as well
I haven't had a probably with notifications on mine.
I went from a Pixel 1 to an iPhone SE back in 2020. The switch went well for me and the iPhone holds up reasonably well. Right now my plans are to get the Pixel 7a - unless Apple brings back the iPhone mini as a 2023 model of the SE.
What I've gathered is that there's really not that much of a difference between the iPhone/Android experience as long as you're not buying a budget Android phone. There are little issues like the non-standard charging port on the iPhone (which may get fixed this year), or not being able to use the iPhone as a storage device. But nothing big enough to matter.
Great post!
I've been a Samsung guy for the last 6 years or so and I've been considering switching either to Pixel or iPhone. I've just been getting more and more annoyed with the One UI skin. The two features that kept me on Galaxy with my last phone upgrade were the S-Pen and the Smart Capture edge panel but I've been using those features less and less these days so I feel like it's time for a big change.
Pixels, and previous Nexus phones, have always caught my attention as they were the only phones that had Android as Google wanted you to experience it. I've always wanted to get one but for one reason or another, I ended up with phones from other brands. With the Pixel 6/6Pro, Google really caught my attention and that distinctive camera bar is gorgeous. The 7/7Pro just improved upon that design and it sort of made me regret getting my S22 Ultra. I really can't wait to see what the 8 Pro brings to the table this year. I honestly don't remember seeing much about it in leaks, other than the fact that the 8 Pro will have a temperature sensor on it. Really hope they don't make the 8 Pro a repeat of the 4 with the Project Soli face unlock.
I previously tried jumping to iPhone back in 2021 as I had similar feelings about Samsung back then. However, the notifications, the limited widgets, the lightning port, and the uncomfortable square edges (despite how beautiful it looked) just made me hate using my phone. I ran back to my Galaxy as soon as I could, giving the 13 Pro I'd bought to my little brother. Recently however, I've started doing iOS development and got an iPhone 11 as a dev device. iOS 16 and now iOS 17 seems to have fixed a lot of the issues I previously had. Hope the rounded edges of the 11 (at least on the rear) and a USB-C port appear with the iPhone 15 Pro.
I 100% agree with you about the caseless experience. I've had a 7 Pro since November of 2022 and I can't stand using it without a case.
Fair warning though:
I'm on my FOURTH 7 Pro. I've had to RMA three of them due to the screen developing a weird green flickering glitch. It seems to happen when the phone heats up (after using it for anywhere from four months to six weeks), and Google support has thankfully been fine with RMAing this many devices, but it's been a massive pain in the ass. I like the Pixel line a lot and I have the earbuds and the watch, but man. I thought I was futureproofing myself by going with the flagship.
Ugh. Yeah, unreliable hardware seems to be a recurring theme with Pixel phones. I bought my wife an OG Pixel only for it to develop the microphone issue.
I'm hoping my 7 Pro behaves. I'm outside the US so warranty returns are an expensive nightmare.
Well shit. Best of luck mate.
Definitely appreciate the post, and all the comments everyone is adding. My 5a is starting to stutter much more than I'd like it to...but I'm not ready or prepared to give up the 3.5 mm audio jack, or more importantly the rear fingerprint scanner.