An iPhone 14 Pro vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro showdown is in the cards next month, as Apple's just revealed its latest phone and Google's already told us when its next device is coming. But we don't have to wait until then to see how these phones measure up, given all the rumors in the air.
You can understand why people are excited. Apple and Google typically make the best cameras you can buy, so any comparison between their flagships is often a hard-fought one. (Just look at the Google Pixel 6 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max face-off to see how the current phones stack up.)
Apple is first out of the gate with the iPhone 14 Pro, a moderate update to the previous iPhone 13 Pro that boasts a higher-res camera, a new Dynamic Island to replace the notch and an always-on display amongst its upgrades.
In contrast, the Pro version of the Google Pixel 7 should be very similar to the Pixel 6 Pro, with a new chipset the only major change that Google's confirmed to date. However, the Pixel 6 Pro was already an excellent deal for a top-tier phone, and with some refinement, it can continue to make the competition look overpriced while matching them on key features.
Read on to see how an iPhone 14 Pro vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro comparison is likely to shake out. For a more general face-off, check out our iPhone 14 vs Google Pixel 7 match-up.
iPhone 14 Pro vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: Possible release date and price
We expect the iPhone 14 models, include the new Pros to be the star of the show at Apple's next launch event on September 7. You can follow our Apple event live blog to get the latest news and rumors leading up to the 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT event.
Apple unveiled the iPhone 14 range, including the Pro models, on September 7, and they've been on sale since September 15. There's a long wait for these models though, as you can see over at our iPhone 14 delivery dates page.
Like Apple, Google rolls out its phones in the fall, and the company just set a product event date. The Google event takes place October 6 — a month after Apple shows off its new hardware. And we'd imagine the Pixel 7 Pro will be among the devices shown off then.
As for price, the iPhone 13 Pro was already at a $100/£100 disadvantage to the Pixel 6 Pro, and since the iPhone 14 Pro hasn't changed price ($999 for the Pro, $1,099 for the Pro Max) we expect to see a similar gap between the iPhone 14 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro.
There's no word on Pixel 7 Pro pricing, but you'd imagine Google will try to stick to the $899 the Pixel 6 Pro debuted at.
iPhone 14 Pro vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: Design
The iPhone 14 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro look quite different from each other, although they're very similar to their predecessors.
Apple has again gone with a flat-sided handset with a triangular arrangement of cameras on the back for the iPhone 14 Pro, with a choice of Deep Purple, Space Black, Silver or Gold matte-textured colors. One major change however is that the notch has gone, replaced with the Dynamic Island. It's effectively a pill-shaped camera cutout for the selfie camera and Face ID sensors, but Apple's used it as a hub for notifications and ongoing app activities to make it more than just a hole in the screen.
Google gave the Pixel 6 a completely different design from previous Pixels, but the Pixel 7 will iterate on its predecessor's look rather than shaking things up again. There is a subtle change to the rear camera bar to make the camera sensors stand out from the rest of the visor-shaped bump, and Google will likely offer one or two new colors to help differentiate the new model as well. Otherwise, it'll look a lot like the Pixel 6 series, as we've seen in a Pixel 7 Pro unboxing video.
iPhone 14 Pro vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: Display
The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max offer 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, respectively. These both use ProMotion 120Hz displays like before too, except now they can scale lower, and can offer an always-on display mode so you can keep an eye on your notifications at all times.
The Pixel 7 Pro should also have a 6.7-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate, as the Pixel 6 Pro did before it. One possible upgrade may boost the screen's brightness, which would help make the display easier to use in bright sunlight.
iPhone 14 Pro vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: Cameras
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has taken over as our number 1 pick of the best camera phones, and given that the Pixel 6 Pro currently occupies second place, we imagine the Pixel 7 Pro will soon be joining the new iPhone at the top.
The basic arrangement of the iPhone 14 Pro's main, ultrawide, telephoto and selfie cameras (plus its rear LiDAR sensor) is almost the same as last year's model's, but now there's a 48MP main camera that offers more detailed ProRAW shots and a new 2x zoom setting. The selfie camera's also been changed for a new unit with a wider aperture and autofocus abilities.
We're not expecting any changes to the Pixel 7 Pro's cameras front or back, which isn't a surprise given Google changed so much last year. We may see some new software-side upgrades to compliment existing features like Magic Eraser — Google expanded that feature's capabilities with the release of the Pixel 6a, for example. The Pixel 7 Pro could add other small refinements to the existing cameras.
iPhone 14 Pro vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: Performance
Apple's once again got the best performing phone out there thanks to the iPhone 14 Pro's A16 Bionic chipset. The benchmarks blow away all the Android competition, so the Pixel 7 Pro's going to have a tough time keeping up.
However the chip in the Pixel 7 Pro will be interesting for its own unique reasons. Google's already said it will be using a second-generation Tensor chip to power the new flagship Pixels, after introducing the original Google Tensor on last year's Pixel 6.
As with the first one, Tensor 2 is focused on AI and machine learning applications rather than raw power, which should hopefully mean lots of smaller enhancements for Pixel users rather than a simple performance bump like Apple will offer.
The Pixel 7 Pro could get a boost in one other area. An early Pixel 7 hands-on claimed the Pro model would feature 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, along with 256GB of storage.
iPhone 14 Pro vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: Battery and charging
After testing, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has proven to be an incredibly long-lasting phone, while the iPhone 14 Pro has turned out to be a disappointing downgrade compared to last year. However, the Pixel 7 Pro still has a big mountain to climb.
There are no rumors or specific claims from Google about Pixel 7 Pro battery size or longevity. In lieu of more specific claims, we would assume the Pixel 7 Pro will use a 5,000 mAh battery like the Pixel 6 Pro did. We just hope it lasts a bit longer on a charge than the 6 Pro did, as disappointing battery life is one of the worst parts of the Pixel 6 Pro experience.
At least the Pixel 7 Pro should still beat the iPhone on charging. Apple stuck with its 20W wired/15W wireless speeds for the iPhone 14 family, whereas the Pixel is capable of up to 23W wired and 12W wireless.
iPhone 14 Pro vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: Software
Here we have the biggest divergence between these two phones. Apple introduces the newest version of iOS alongside the iPhone for that year, and this time it's iOS 16. This adds new abilities like customizable lock screens, editing and deleting options for your iMessage texts, haptic keyboard feedback and more.
Google also debuts its latest flagship phone with the latest version of Android, which means this year it'll be Android 13. That software update is available for current Pixels, and it will come pre-loaded on the Pixel 7 series.
Upgrades in Android 13 include new customization options for the OS' Material You design, a new Now Playing widget for the lock screen, editable copy/paste text and more granular permissions for apps to keep your data as private as you need it to be.
iPhone 14 Pro vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: Outlook
The iPhone 14 Pro has proven to be a modest upgrade to the iPhone 13 Pro.The upgrades for the iPhone 14 Pro are more interesting on balance. The removal of the notch, the new 48MP main camera and the always-on display are big upgrades even though the phone doesn't look much different from previous generations. However, a higher-resolution camera sensor, AOD and punch-hole display are things the Pixel 6 Pro already has, and will no doubt pass on to the Pixel 7 Pro. Plus, the price gap will likely remain in place, meaning the Pixel will offer a much more impressive value proposition once again.
The Pixel 7 Pro has its own array of rumored updates, that seem smaller in scope at the present time, though we expect more leaks to come between now and October 6. Chances are Google will introduce some fun software updates that we'll only find out about on launch day. Failing that, the Pixel 7 Pro seems bound to be a capable but unexciting update of the Pixel 6 Pro. If you prioritize performance-per-dollar though, the Pixel 7 Pro once again looks like it'll be unbeatable for what you'll pay for it.
We'll find out more as the Pixel 7 Pro arrive in stores next month, and we get to try out the phone and compare it to the iPhone 14 Pro. While neither look to be radically different phones, we can at least expect an iPhone 14 Pro vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro battle to be the best camera phone of 2022, if not best overall phones.
