It is no secret that Google and Apple have been rivals in the mobile industry for a long time. Android and iOS are the two market leaders in market share and revenue, after all. However, that rivalry has probably never been more relevant than today. The Google Pixel vs iPhone 7 debate is far more obvious than Android vs iOS. After all, this is the very first phone that Google has designed and developed in-house since it sold off Motorola to Lenovo, despite the fact that it is actually made by HTC. It is a direct competitor to the iPhone 7 in the sense that it is a new, premium brand that will receive the very best Android care with exclusive features to boot.
One could certainly say that Google is mostly competing with Samsung’s top-end line here. However, I will make the argument that the Google Pixel is the most relevant comparison to the iPhone 7, particularly for those who simply wish to know about the best that iOS and Android have to offer.
Hardware – Design, exclusive features
Design is one of the hardest areas to talk about objectively. The fact is that both the iPhone 7 and the Google Pixel are phones with exceptionally sleek designs. The iPhone 7, a refined and updated version of the previous model, looks and feels fantastic. The design is at once sturdy, elegant, and light which makes the phone very satisfying to use. Furthermore, the new home button with its Taptic Engine is a joy to use after a while, particularly in combination with the existing Force Touch features. As always, the Touch ID sensor also works great.
The Pixel is also a phone that stands out from the crowd. Its half-glass back is the most standout feature. That design certainly looks strange at first glance. However, once you get used to it, you can certainly appreciate Google’s unique approach. The fingerprint sensor on the back of the phone also works great, particularly if you have used phones with similar features such as the Nexus line. Unlike the iPhone 7, the Google Pixel does not have any physical buttons.
One area in which the Google Pixel is particularly lacking is waterproofing. The Pixel is merely splash-resistant whereas the iPhone 7 can actually be submerged up to 1M deep in water. On the other hand, the iPhone 7 came with Apple’s very controversial decision to remove the headphone jack. The Pixel retains the headphone jack but only has a single, bottom-firing speaker compared to the stereo ones found in the iPhone 7.
Display – Size, quality
Apple’s Retina displays have always looked great, even though their resolution and ppi is technically lower than much of the competition. The iPhone 7 has a 4.7-inch LCD screen with a 1334 x 750 resolution. Based on those numbers alone, one might make the mistake of assuming that the screen is lacking in some areas. However, its color reproduction, brightness levels, and overall look are all top-notch.
The Google Pixel comes with a larger 5-inch AMOLED display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Colors look great and sharp. The viewing angles are also very good. Brightness levels are lacking in comparison to the iPhone 7 which may pose a problem when using the phone under direct sunlight. Overall, however, the Pixel’s large display looks absolutely fantastic.
Where the iPhone 7 wins, however, is the pressure-sensitive display. What that means is that pressing on the screen with varying amounts of force produces different results which feels great to use once you get the hang of it.
Software – Interface, ease of use, performance
Both iOS and Android have grown a lot since their early days and are now incredible mobile operating systems in their own right. Both Apple and Google have been taking features from each other and others in the mobile industry, despite an unwillingness to admit it. The end result, however, are two systems that work great for both experienced and amateur users alike. Furthermore, performance is extremely similar across the two devices. Both of them can handle demanding tasks with ease, after all.
Android wins a bit in the customization department though iOS is getting better at it too. Siri and the new Google Assistant are also great digital assistants with very few noticeable differences for the everyday user. In the end, it all boils down to personal preference so you will have to use both systems to decide which one you like best. For more information, you can check out our Getting Started with Android and iOS articles, respectively.
Camera
When it announced the Pixel, Google said that it had the best camera of any smartphone in the market. With such a bold claim, users and critics alike immediately put Google’s announcement to the test. The results, as usual, were mixed. For someone like me, who enjoys taking pictures but cannot tell extremely subtle differences, both camera produce stunning results. The details and colors look amazing and you will really be hard-pressed to tell the photos apart in most occasions. With all that said, the two phones do reproduce colors in somewhat different ways. Again, this will boil down to personal preference. The only way to be certain is to check photo comparisons and make up your mind.
Google Pixel vs iPhone 7 – Conclusion
As you might have originally expected, the conclusion is that both devices are exceptional. Google’s Pixel and Apple’s iPhone 7 both have the benefit of being in-house products which means that they will receive the best features as fast as possible. Both phones are equally well-made but offer somewhat different features for the end-user. Those who love to take pictures outside, during the day or in harsh conditions, might prefer the iPhone 7’s brighter screen and water-proofing, for instance. Those who like to fully customize their phones might go for the Pixel instead. Moreover, the price is exactly the same for both devices though the iPhone 7 can be acquired through more carriers than the Pixel. In the end, what you should really keep in mind is that you will not regret the decision to buy either of these two devices.
As I have mentioned before, this particularly content series will be looking to address some of the biggest rivalries in tech, old and new. What that means is that these issues will likely raise some controversy so please feel free to drop a comment down below and share any issues or concerns with us.