Google Pixel 7 and Apple iPhone 14: Google’s Pixel 7 competes fiercely with Apple’s iPhone 14, and with comparable prices and features, the question has been: which should you buy?
Each phone has a lot to like, from its powerful specs and premium design to its amazing cameras and long battery life.
While they have many similarities, one thing they don’t share is pricing: the Pixel 7 starts at $599, while the iPhone 14 starts at $799, a $200 difference. Given that they are both entry-level models for Google and Apple’s flagship smartphone sections, the question is: which should you buy?
We’re pitting both devices, Google Pixel 7 and the Apple iPhone 14 against each other to help you decide which to buy.
Google Pixel 7 and Apple iPhone 14: Pricing and Availability
The Google Pixel 7 and Apple iPhone 14 are now available for purchase through their respective online stores as well as major retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and various carriers. The former costs $599, while the latter costs $799. The prices for each model are as follows.
- Pixel 7 (128GB): $599
- Pixel 7 (256GB): $699
- iPhone 14 (128GB): $799
- iPhone 14 (256GB): $899
- iPhone 14 (512GB): $1,099
Google Pixel 7 and Apple iPhone 14: Full Specifications
| Specifications | Google Pixel 7 | Apple iPhone 14 |
| Build | Aluminum mid-frame Gorilla Glass Victus back Gorilla Glass Victus front | Aluminum mid-frame “Ceramic Shield” front and back |
| Dimensions & Weight | 6.13 x 2.88 x 0.34 inches (155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm) 6.95 ounces (197g) | 5.78 x 2.81 x 0.31 inches (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8mm) 6.07 ounces (172g) |
| Display | 6.3-inch Full HD+ AMOLED 90Hz refresh rate | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED 60Hz refresh rate |
| SoC | Google Tensor G2 | Apple A15 Bionic |
| RAM & Storage | 4,355mAh 20W wired fast charging 20W wireless Reverse wireless charging No charger inbox | 6GB RAM 128GB/256GB/512GB |
| Battery & Charging | 3,279mAh 20W wired fast charging 7.5W wireless charging 15W MagSafe wireless charging No charger inbox | 3,279mAh 20W wired fast charging 7.5W wireless charging 15W MagSafe wireless charging No charger in box |
| Security | Optical in-display fingerprint scanner Face unlock | Face ID |
| Rear Camera(s) | Primary: 50MP wide, Samsung GN1, f/1.9, 1/1.31-inch Secondary: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.2, 114-degree | Primary: 12MP wide, f/1.5, 1/1.7-inch Secondary: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, 120-degree |
| Front Camera(s) | 10.8MP | 12MP |
| Port(s) | USB-C | Lightning |
| Audio | Stereo speakers | Stereo speakers |
| Connectivity | 5G (sub-6GHz and mmWave) Wi-Fi 6e (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMO Bluetooth 5.2 NFC | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) Gigabit LTE with 4×4 MIMO and LAA Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMO Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Software | Android 13 | iOS 16 |
| Other features | Dual SIM (nano and eSIM) IP68 rating Car Crash Detection | Dual eSIM support (U.S. models are not compatible with physical SIM cards) IP68 rating Emergency SOS Crash Detection |
Google Pixel 7 and Apple iPhone 14 Design and hardware: Minimal changes, maximal differences
Neither the Pixel 7 nor the iPhone 14 made a significant leap in smartphone design year over year. On the contrary, they are nearly identical to their predecessors, particularly the iPhone. Apple did not go out of its way to reinvent the wheel, instead simply choosing to carry over the iPhone 13’s design with a few new colors to the iPhone 14. It’s a textbook example of the adage “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Google followed a similar strategy with the Pixel 7. It replaced the glass camera visor on the back with an aluminum one, and the volume and power buttons have been moved down slightly. Aside from those changes, it’s difficult to tell the difference between this and the Pixel 6.
When you put them side by side, the differences become apparent. The Pixel 7 features more rectangular corners, curved edges, and a horizontal camera layout. Meanwhile, Apple’s iPhone 14 retains a rounded display, flat sides, and a camera cluster in the upper left corner.
The Pixel 7 also includes a simple hole-punch cutout and an in-display fingerprint reader, whereas the iPhone 14 retains a notch and Face ID.
The iPhone 14 is significantly lighter than the Pixel 7, weighing 172 grams versus 197 grams, but the Pixel 7’s extra heft isn’t entirely a bad thing. It gives it a premium feel, which is unusual for a phone at this price point.
Google Pixel 7 and Apple iPhone 14 Displays: Both are very solid
The Super Retina XDR display on the iPhone 14 measures 6.1 inches diagonally. It’s an OLED panel with a resolution of 2532×1170 and a brightness of up to 1,200 nits. Meanwhile, the Pixel 7 does get a larger 6.3-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2400×1080 and a brightness of 1,400 nits. Google also includes a 90Hz refresh rate, whereas Apple only offers 60Hz.
If you’re looking for a clear winner, the Pixel 7 is it. Sure, Apple’s displays have more accurate colour reproduction than Google’s, but higher brightness and a faster refresh rate can’t be beat. Furthermore, the Pixel 7 includes an always-on display, whereas Apple’s more expensive iPhone 14 Pro line does not.
Both phones are made of tough glass, with the Pixel 7 sporting Gorilla Glass Victus and the iPhone 14 sporting Apple’s Ceramic Shield. It’s difficult to say which is more durable (glass is glass, and it will shatter if dropped correctly), but either way, you’re covered.
Cameras: Pixel 7 is smarter, while iPhone 14 is better at video
Both the Pixel 7 and the iPhone 14 have cameras that are nearly identical to their predecessors. Google adds some new software tricks, while Apple updates its image processing pipeline, but aside from that, the hardware is very similar.
On paper, you’d think the Pixel 7 was far superior to the iPhone 14 when it came to photography. To some extent, this is correct. The 50MP primary lens produces stunning images in all lighting conditions, with attractive contrast and well-balanced exposure. The iPhone 14’s 12MP main lens is no slouch either, but it overexposes scenes that require a lot of HDR. Both phones also have 12MP ultra-wide cameras, which are as useful as ever, but no telephoto cameras for zoom.
Because of features like Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, and Real Tone, Google’s cameras are also smarter than Apple’s. While all of them are extremely useful, anyone who values video quality will prefer the iPhone 14.
Apple remains the undisputed king of smartphone videography and the iPhone 14 series cements that position with new features such as Cinematic mode (now with 4K 30fps support) and Action mode. The Pixel’s videos aren’t necessarily bad, but they’re far behind the quality of the iPhone.
Performance: Tensor G2 vs A15 Bionic
Apple did not bother with a new chip for the iPhone 14. Instead, the new A16 Bionic processor was reserved for the iPhone 14 Pro, while the A15 Bionic from the iPhone 13 was retained. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; it’s still one of the fastest chips on the market, and it continues to outperform many Android phones in benchmarks and everyday use.
The G-branded SoC is quick and efficient, powering all machine learning and AI tasks in the software. This alone makes it a great processor, and it helps the Pixel 7 feel fast and fluid, but the iPhone 14 is the clear winner in terms of raw horsepower.
It’s evident in almost everything you do (well, beyond machine learning and AI stuff). The iPhone 14 is more capable of dealing with whatever you throw at it, from photo editing to exporting videos to juggling multiple apps.
If you use the Pixel 7 a lot, it can start to choke after a while, and anything involving content creation will feel slower than it does on the iPhone. Multitasking is also smoother also on iPhone, but I’m impressed with how well the Pixel 7’s 8GB of RAM handles my workload.
Battery life and charging: Similar endurance, very different recharge speed
On a full charge, the iPhone 14’s 3,279mAh battery lasts roughly as long as the Pixel 7’s 4,355mAh battery, which is to say comfortably all day for moderate to heavy users. They typically have a battery life of 12-13 hours, which is sufficient for most people. These aren’t two-day phones, but there’s nothing wrong with consistent all-day battery life.
Obviously, when compared to the iPhone 14 and its significantly smaller battery, the Pixel 7 should be an endurance champion. On the contrary, Apple knows how to do efficiency well, as evidenced by its latest iPhone.
The two phones differ in terms of charging. The iPhone 14 can only charge at a maximum of 20W via Lightning cable, 15W via MagSafe, or 7.5W via Qi wireless charging. The Pixel 7 supports 30W USB-C charging and up to 21W fast wireless charging (when using a Pixel Stand), so you can charge it faster.
Furthermore, the Pixel 7 supports reverse wireless charging, allowing you to charge an accessory like earbuds or a smartwatch while on the go. That functionality is simply not available on the iPhone 14, which is unfortunate.
Software: Android 13 vs iOS 16
Look, it’s nearly impossible to recommend an iPhone over a Pixel (or vice versa) based on whether iOS 16 or Android 13 is superior. Do the two platforms each have their own set of advantages and disadvantages? Yes. Are they all fantastic in their own right? Absolutely. Is it a matter of personal preference? Without a doubt.
To be sure, iOS and Android have never been more alike. Over time, Apple has made the platform more customizable, whereas Android has gradually evolved into a system that is easier to use and feels less geeky to use.
Apple introduced some exciting new features with iOS 16, including lock screen customization, improved Focus modes, and Live Activities. Meanwhile, Android 13 improves Google’s Material You user interface, simplifies app permission management, and makes your phone run faster thanks to improved efficiency.
These are two mature operating systems, both of which are perfectly capable of handling your daily tasks. In terms of support, Google promises up to three years of major Android updates, which is far less than Apple has historically done with the iPhone.
To put this in context, the iPhone 8, which was released in September 2017, can run iOS 16. According to this, the iPhone 14 will most likely be supported until at least 2027. If you intend to keep your phone for an extended period of time, the iPhone will continue to be supported.
Google Pixel 7 vs iPhone 14: Which one should you buy?
For $599, Google’s Pixel 7 provides a lot of value, including a great software experience, fast performance, excellent cameras, and all-day battery life. The iPhone 14 improves on certain aspects of that equation, such as improved video quality, more powerful performance, and better speakers. However, justifying a $200 price increase to get those features is difficult.
Google did an outstanding job with the Pixel 7. It’s one of the best-rounded phones available for less than $600. Apple’s iPhone 14, on the other hand, maybe a minor upgrade over the iPhone 13, but it remains an excellent go-to option in the iPhone lineup. You’ll have a great time regardless of which you choose.
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