Some people adore October for the autumn leaves, a Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Latte and the cooler weather. We love all that too – but we also love it because it's when Google announces their latest and greatest releases. And with a history of performing well, we've learned to sit up and pay attention.

The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro might look familiar at first glance – because they're incredibly similar to last year's models when it comes to design – but that just goes to show that appearances can be deceiving.

Google's latest devices don't look too different, it's true – but that's because Google has worked on refining and improving everything that came before, and we have to say they've done a damn fine job of it.

So, if you're wondering which one to go for, we've made it easy to decide with a quick and simple comparison of everything you need to know to make the right decision.

Design

We'll start on familiar ground, because familiarity is key here – both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro have stuck to a similar design that's much like last year's devices, but better. Though no one's quite sure what to call it, the camera bar (yes, that's what we're going with) that spans the back of both phones has been carried over from 2021, but with upgrades. This time, it's made of premium aluminium and is part of the frame – with a sleek matte finish on the standard Pixel 7 and polished to perfection on the 7 Pro.

In terms of size and weight, the Pixel 7 Pro is the larger of the two (162.9mm x 76.6mm x 8.9mm), and as you'd expect, weighs a little more at 212g. The Pixel 7, for comparison, weighs 197g and measures 155.6mm (H) x 73.2mm (W) x 8.7mm (D). Both share Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the display and the rear of the device, with IP68 water and dust resistance, so in terms of durability, they're head-to-head.

If colour is a deciding factor for you, you might be interested to know that both models are available in Snow White and Obsidian Black. However, the Pixel 7 is also on offer in Lemongrass – a sort of pale, summery yellow colour. The Pixel 7 Pro comes in yet another new shade, Hazel, which is a timeless grey-green that's about as ultra-modern as it gets.

Either way, Google has created two phones that stand out in a crowded smartphone market, offering colours and design features that haven't been seen elsewhere, and that offer a hefty premium feel that hints at the goodies below the surface.

Camera

When you create a camera bar that's prominent and eye-catching, it only makes sense that the tech inside is the main feature – and that's exactly what Google have done here. The cameras are the star of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro show, and deservedly so.

We'll start with the Pixel 7, which features a dual rear camera with a 50MP main lens and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. Around the front, we've got a fairly standard 10.8MP. But as we've come to expect from Google, it's not all about the hardware.

The two lenses on the Pixel 7 are identical to those on the Pro model but without the third addition. However, the software features that back up the tech are pretty fantastic, including familiar favourites and a few newbies, such as Motion Mode, Photo Unblur, Real Tone, Magic Eraser and Night Sight.

On the Pixel 7 Pro, the 50MP main lens and 12MP ultra-wide lens are housed alongside a 48MP telephoto lens that's the real major difference between the models. It allows for the Macro Focus feature and 30x high-resolution zoom that takes it up to a professional level, while the standard Pixel 7 can't go beyond 8x zoom.

But which one is better for you all depends on how you use your camera, and both devices share a 10.8MP lens around the front with 4K video capabilities.

It's also worth mentioning some of the brilliant, inclusive features Google has included in the Pixel 7 range, from Real Tone (which ensures all skin tones are accurately represented in photos) to Guided Frame (which helps users with low vision to take top-notch selfies using voice guidance).

Performance

If the design of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro made you wonder if Google had genuinely changed things up, the most important reassurance you need is the all-new Tensor G2 chipset, which powers both of the new devices to take them to whole new levels of performance.

Built around Google's concept of how we should experience our smartphones, the chip upgrades the AI and machine learning capabilities we saw from last year's Tensor chip to make it the smartest silicon we've seen. With more power for photos, videos, speech recognition and of course, security (alongside the Titan M2 security chip), it's the secret behind the software tricks that make these phones so good.

The main performance difference between the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro isn't in its processor, though – it's in the RAM and the battery.

The Pixel 7 comes with 8GB of RAM, with 128GB or 256GB of storage. The Pixel 7 Pro, in comparison, comes with 12GB of RAM and offers the same storage, with the addition of a 512GB option in some areas. Whether or not this affects how you use your phone depends on how you use it, what you use it for, and how much storage you need – which is entirely down to you.

When it comes to battery life, we can offer a clearer picture, since most of us like our phone to hold out for at least a full day. The Pixel 7 packs a 4355mAh battery, while the Pixel 7 Pro offers a 5000mAh battery – but both have wireless charging and can reach 50% in half an hour, as well as reverse wireless charging (Battery Share). So, either way, you're likely to get what you need on an average day.

Display

The display on a shiny new device is probably something you don't give much thought to, as most of us don't notice the difference unless we put our new phone and our old phone side by side – and who does that?

Of course, one thing we do notice is the screen size. The Pixel 7 has a smaller screen, at 6.3-inches when measured diagonally. It's also Full HD+, has a 90Hz refresh rate, and brightness of up to 1400 nits. Meanwhile, the Pixel 7 Pro measures 6.7-inches, has an LTPO and Quad HD+ screen and refresh rate of up to 120Hz, and a peak brightness of 1500nits.

If that sounds like jargon, we'll break it down for you – they both look really, really good. The Pixel 7 Pro has the sharper display of the two and brings smoother scrolling to the table, but we'd bet you won't notice unless you had both to play with and compare. However, the Pro also has a slightly curved screen, which is quite a nice option.

Price

For a lot of us, the ins and outs of the tech specs don't always matter quite so much as the price, so you'll be pleased to hear that Google haven't changed their pricing much with these models. To buy the devices outright, you'll need to fork out £599 for the Pixel 7, or £849 for the Pixel 7 Pro. However, there are some truly spectacular deals on both devices with Three, Vodafone and O2 on both that you won't want to miss out on.

Conclusion

It's hard to argue with the awesomeness of both the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro. Yes, the Pixel 7 doesn't have quite the same camera specs as the Pro model, and the screen isn't quite as good. But Google have gone all out to add the full Tensor G2 chipset to both devices, which is more than Apple did with their latest releases.

The result makes for two powerful phones with seriously good specs – and only a couple of crucial differences. We'd be lying if we said the Pixel 7 wasn't fantastic, as it's really a gorgeous, nifty little piece of tech that showcases all the things we love about Google phones. However, there are a few all-important extra perks that come with the Pixel 7 Pro that are hard to dismiss.

Pixel 7 Pro has more RAM, a bigger battery, a better display, screen size, and of course an extra camera to boot. But for everyday use, the Pixel 7 is more than capable, and excellent for the price.

So, it comes down to preference – what are you willing to compromise on? Do you want and need the bells and whistles of the Pixel 7 Pro, or fancy saving a bit of dosh and going with the excellent but more inexpensive Pixel 7? Only you can decide.