Robert Triggs / Android Authority
It’s been over six months since Google launched the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, and the phones have been a huge success for Google (at least compared to the previous Pixel). The Pixel 6 also walked away with our award for best Android phone of 2021. However, it’s now well into 2022, which means we’re getting closer to the inevitable Google Pixel 7.
This begs the question: would it be better to just grab the Pixel 6 or wait another six months and get the Pixel 7 series device? The answer will depend on your individual situation, but we can at least provide you with the information you need to make a good decision.
Will there be a Google Pixel 7?
Google hasn’t confirmed this yet. However, we’re fully expecting a new Pixel flagship to land this year, and most likely it will be called the Pixel 7.
See below for the information you need to know!
Why you should buy the Google Pixel 6 now
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
As mentioned, we have rated the Pixel 6 as the best overall buy of 2021 for most smartphone buyers. The phone has a great display, solid performance, great cameras and a commitment to stay updated for a long time. Yes, slightly better hardware is being offered by Google’s Pixel 6 Pro and powerhouse Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. However, the Pixel 6 has a starting price of just $599, which makes it a no-brainer compared to the respective $899 and $1,199 starting prices of those other phones.
With the Pixel 6 series being six months old, you can often find them even cheaper than their launch prices. Whether it’s carrier deals, used models, or the occasional discount day at certain retailers. There has never been a better time to buy the Pixel 6.
Our Reviews: Google Pixel 6 | google pixel 6 pro
If you’re looking for premium hardware, the Pixel 6 Pro still stands up well against the best 2022 phones we’ve seen so far. The camera, display and internal hardware of the Galaxy S22 Ultra – the best phone launched so far this year – doesn’t get much better than what the Pixel 6 Pro has to offer. Sure, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is more powerful than Google Tensor on paper, but Tensor hasn’t faced the throttling and overheating problems plaguing Snapdragon models. The Galaxy S22 Ultra has more camera sensors on the back, but the Pixel 6 Pro has better software from Google to bridge the gap. The Pixel also has a competitive IP rating and wireless charging. In fact, both the phones are quite similar in many ways.
The Pixel 6 series is six months old, but they are still some of the best devices you can buy.
When is the Pixel 7 coming?
Google has launched every flagship Pixel phone in or very close to October. As such, this would be a good time to expect the Pixel 7.
Lastly – and this may be the most important thing to keep in mind – we don’t expect much upgrades for the Google Pixel 7 series compared to the Pixel 6 series. The phones will almost certainly look very similar, boast similar camera systems, and feature many of the same internals.
However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bother waiting for the Pixel 7.
Why you should wait for the Google Pixel 7
Before we get into that, we can’t confirm anything for sure about the Google Pixel 7 just yet. We have had a lot of leaks and can make some guesses based on what Google has done in the past. But nothing is set in stone until the phone is launched. With that disclaimer, here’s what we expect from the Pixel 7 series.
Will the Pixel flagships of 2022 look much different from the Pixel 6?
Maybe not. Google completely revamped the design in 2021 and will probably retain most of those design elements in 2022.
Notably, the phones probably won’t look much different from the Pixel 6 series. It appears that Google is sticking with the same design elements as its 2021 phones. The image above shows that the leaked Pixel 7 design is a dead ringer for the Pixel 6. In other words, if you like the look of the Pixel 6, you’ll love the look of the Pixel 7.
All leaks: Everything we know so far about the Pixel 7 series
Internally, we expect the Pixel 7 to support the second generation version of Google Tensor. This chip should be faster and more efficient than the original Tensor, with new CPU cores and faster graphics. Tensor was Google’s first attempt at making a mobile processor, so Tensor 2 could be a huge leap forward, making the Google Pixel 7 series worth the wait.
There may be some internal hardware upgrades that will make the Pixel 7 worth the wait.
While we don’t expect changes to the camera layout, Google may update the hardware for those cameras. This would make the Pixel 7 a better buy than the Pixel 6 for shutterbugs.
Lastly, we’d be incredibly surprised if Google significantly increased the prices of the Google Pixel 7 phones. The entry price of the Pixel 6 series at $599/$899 is a big reason for the success of those phones. Google would be foolish, frankly, to mess with that. If you can wait for the Pixel 7 series, you might be able to get the new model for the same price as the old one, which can be pretty worthwhile.
How much will the Pixel 7 cost?
We don’t know for sure, but we think the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro will cost the same as the Pixel 6 series. If anything, phones can get more expensive, so don’t plan on cheapening them out.
Verdict: Buy now or wait?
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Every buyer is different, so there’s no way to give a definitive answer as to whether you should buy the Pixel 6 in 2022 or wait for the Google Pixel 7. However, we still have some solid advice for some buyers.
Firstly, if you have a broken/lost phone or are otherwise in dire need of something today, the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro would absolutely be a solid investment. Both phones will see updates for five years, along with three Android upgrades, so they’ll be good for the long haul. The cameras are some of the best of 2021 and there isn’t much yet to compete with them in 2022. The prices are great too, with no discounts, so your wallet will be happy. The phones are also 5G capable, so you’re semi-future-proof (the unlocked vanilla Pixel 6 doesn’t support mmWave 5G, though).
Will you buy the Pixel 6 today or wait for the Pixel 7?
12 votes
Buy Pixel 6 today
42%
wait for pixel 7
58%
If you’re not itching for a new phone right now and don’t care for active discounts then waiting for the Pixel 7 series may be worth it. A second-generation Tensor chip could be a huge step forward in speed and efficiency, and there’s also the potential for better camera hardware. When you take that into account we don’t expect the prices to increase and the phones will look similar to the Pixel 6 series, so there’s no harm in waiting for six months.
six months later review, Google Pixel 6 Pro revisited
what do you think Tell us where you fall in this debate by answering our poll above!
google pixel 6
more affordable pixels
The Google Pixel 6 sports a 6.4-inch FHD+ display and runs on the all-new Google Tensor SoC. It has an advanced camera system, exclusive software features, and offers some of the best hardware Google has ever made.
google pixel 6 pro
The Pixel 6 Pro beats its smaller sibling with a 6.7-inch QHD+ display and 120Hz refresh rate. It has the same dual rear cameras as the Pixel 6 but with an additional 4x optical telephoto lens.
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