Google Pixel 7 event: Last-minute leaks and how to watch the launch

When the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro arrive on Thursday, these will be the second phones Google releases this year, following the release of the Pixel 6a this summer.

Assuming Google doesn’t adjust the prices of the Pixel 7 – and it’s rumored to start at the same price as the Pixel 6 at $599 – budget-conscious buyers will have a decision to make. Will the updated Tensor chip and all the other benefits offered by the Pixel 7 be enough to justify the $150 increase over the $449 price of the Pixel 6a? (And if you’re on one of the best Pixel 6a deals right now, you can find the phone for under $400.)

We can’t fully answer that question until we get a chance to test the Pixel 7, but our Pixel 7 vs Pixel 6a comparison can give you an idea of ​​what to expect ahead of the launch event.

Product launches don’t happen in vacuums — not even robot vacuum product launches — and Google’s Pixel 7 debut certainly comes at an interesting time for the smartphone world. The launch event takes place a day before the final iPhone 14 model hits stores – a fact we expect Apple to mention before, during and after the Made by Google event. .

This next version of the iPhone involves the iPhone 14 Plus, in case you forgot. It’s the 6.7-inch model that gives buyers the option of picking up a big-screen Apple handset without paying the premium price of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. (The Plus is $899; the Pro Max is $1,099.) As a reminder, here are our hands-on impressions of the iPhone 14 Plus, along with a pre-launch Google Pixel 7 vs iPhone 14 comparison.

Thursday’s Made by Google event will showcase more than the new Pixel phones and the Pixel Watch. Google also said the new Nest products would be features, although it appears Google announced the devices a few days earlier.

Specifically, the Nest smart home products announced this week include the Google Nest Wifi Pro (pictured above), the second-generation Nest doorbell and a revamped Google Home app. Editor Mike Prospero is particularly pleased with the changes to Google Home, as they will add the ability for smart home devices to turn on or off based on another device’s status. This should make Google’s smart home platform more comparable to what Apple and Amazon offer.

As for Google’s new router, here are some reasons to buy and skip the Google Nest Wifi Pro.

One thing we know will be different between the Google Pixel Watch and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is the bands. Google uses a proprietary login system for its bands that can throw loop carriers first.

Luckily, the default active bands leaked before the expected Pixel Watch, so we know how they work. It should be pretty easy once you get the hang of it, but it definitely seems like a different approach to what we’ve seen on other smartwatches.

Sure, leaks are all well and good, but what we really want to know is whether the Pixel Watch is the best smartwatch on the market. Especially for Android users, who already have great options in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.

Fortunately, we thought the same and pitted the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 against the Google Pixel Watch. Read on to see whether or not we think the Pixel Watch may be one of the best Wear OS devices to debut.

One of the best things about smartwatches is that they allow for tons of customizations. And that should be true for the Google Pixel Watch, with reliable tipster OnLeaks showing a range of faces the Pixel Watch will support, as well as a mix of straps.

These wristbands range from solid color silicone and leather versions to a woven wristband form and what looks like a more durable wristband set for outdoor use. As for the colors, they’re all a bit more subdued than we’d expect from Google, with only the green and red fabric options offering a more playful look.

Alright, let’s talk Pixel Watch. If you’ve been wondering what it might look like outside of glamorous Google renders and lifestyle images, check out some of these images from an early Google Pixel Watch unboxing video.

Although the design looks pleasantly minimal, you can see the chunky display bezels, which may be off-putting to some. I (Roland Moore-Colyer) am still open to the design, which looks a bit like an Apple Watch crossed with a Galaxy Watch 5. I would need to try one out before I was convinced to walk away from the smartwatch of Cupertino.

If you decide you’re not into Google’s October event for the Pixel 7 phones, but instead waiting for the Pixel Watch, then you might be interested in this killer Pixel 6 deal we’ve found.

You can currently grab the Google Pixel 6 (128GB) for $199 @ Best Buy (opens in a new tab), which is a hell of a drop from the original price of $599. Obviously Best Buy is making way for new Google phones, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting the Pixel 6, which is one of our picks for best Android phone.

If you’re excited about the Google Pixel 7 Pro, with its polished design and smart chip, you might want to pre-order it.

Especially since it comes with one killer freebie per order in the form of the Pixel Watch, at least according to the tech tipster. Roland Quandt (opens in a new tab)which also says that this pre-order bonus will also apply to the Pixel 7.

When it comes to specs, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro might feel disappointing, being just iterative upgrades over the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. But standard phone specs aren’t the full story here.

Rather, it’s the Tensor G2 chip, which could offer a big improvement in smart capabilities over the first-generation Tensor chip. This could mean we get an even better Magic Eraser, as well as a mix of clever new abilities. This will probably be the main focus of the Google event.

One of the biggest leaks we’ve had in the lead up to October’s Google event is a specs dump for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. These are as previously speculated and expected, especially with cameras including a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide and 10.8MP selfie camera on both phones, with the Pixel 7 Pro also getting a 48MP.

What is improved are the zoom levels that these cameras can achieve. According to the spec sheet, you can now get up to 8x Super Res Zoom (using the main camera) on the Pixel 7, compared to 7x on the Google Pixel 6. Meanwhile, the Pixel 7 Pro improves optics 4x of the Pixel 6 Pro. zoom by switching to 5x zoom, with a maximum magnification of 30x when combining optical zoom and digital zoom.

Check out a screenshot of the leaked specs below.

Let’s start with a new Google Pixel Watch leak. This one comes courtesy of late-breaking serial leaker Roland Quandt, who appears to have got his hands on some marketing material for the Pixel Watch.

These new images appear to reveal just how comically large the bezels the Google Pixel Watch has. This goes against a previous Google video that showed the smartwatch with what appears to be more screen real estate. This may be a little disappointing for some, who may have been hoping for a nearly bezel-less display to challenge the likes of the Apple Watch 8. But we’d have to get our hands on the Pixel Watch first before jumping to any conclusions. whether the large bezels are a terrible mistake or simply complement the rounded design of the watch.