As a longtime Google follower and self-proclaimed tech geek, I was intrigued when news broke of an alleged Google Pixel 7 Pro unboxing video leaking ahead of the smartphone‘s expected October launch. While leaks are commonplace in the tech world, seeing an unreleased flagship product like this months early is nearly unheard of.
After analyzing the video and reflecting on Google‘s history of keeping devices under wraps, I believe there is compelling evidence that this is indeed our first unauthorized glimpse of the Pixel 7 Pro design and software. If legitimate, it provides critical clues into Google‘s upcoming fall hardware lineup while also raising questions about their launch strategy and ability to control leaks.
Google‘s History of Secrecy Around Unreleased Products
As the company behind Android and countless beloved hardware products like Nest and Pixel, Google is one of the most influential and innovative companies in consumer tech. But across its hardware divisions, they have historically kept unreleased products highly confidential right up until formal announcement events and product launches.
Their two tentpole hardware events, the developer-focused Google I/O in spring and the fall-focused Made By Google showcase, are where we get our first official peeks at upcoming gadgets like Pixel phones and smart home devices. Teaser videos will on rare occasions confirm a future product is in development, but never reveal full details months in advance. Supply chain leaks happen from time to time, but almost never extend to hands-on videos of finished products.
So that‘s why it was downright shocking to see what looks to be finalized Pixel 7 Pro hardware seemingly leak out via an unboxing and setup video from relative obscurity in Bangladesh.
Analyzing the Leaked Pixel 7 Pro Unboxing Video
The leaked unboxing originally surfaced on Facebook from Bangladeshi retailer Gadgetfull BD before quickly getting removed. But based on analysis from myself and other experts, there‘s strong evidence to suggest this was indeed a pre-production Pixel 7 Pro. Let‘s break down what exactly we see in the unauthorized video:
Striking Visual Similarity to Google‘s Teaser
Our first glimpse of the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro design came from Google themselves in the form of a brief product video premiered at their Google I/O conference earlier this spring. Obviously an animated concept video is no replacement for a leaked hands-on look, but there is no denying the uncanny resemblance to what we see get unboxed in this unauthorized video:
- Polished metal camera bar stretching horizontally across back cover with cutouts for triple camera setup: circular main wide angle + ultrawide combo + periscope telephoto lens
- Prominent Google ‘G‘ logo etched onto camera bar
- Identical dimensions and matte finish on rear panel with camera bar seeming flush with cover rather than separate module
Beyond matching the teased design beat for beat, it‘s hard to imagine any other smartphone lining up so perfectly with Google‘s concept footage. This alone lends major credence to the device being a pre-production Pixel 7 Pro.
Booting Reveals Pixel Software Elements
As the alleged Pixel 7 Pro gets powered on during the clip, the boot up sequence reflects current Pixel smartphone interfaces powered by Android. From the loading animation to settings and onboarding walkthrough, Pixel visual identity is on full display suggesting Android 13 software too.
Interestingly, the setup process shows the phone activating on the Bangladesh carrier ‘Robi Axiata Limited‘ network. Curious that this unreleased prototype would already be customized for a regional carrier partner.
While software elements could theoretically be faked, the familiar Pixel UI adds legitimacy alongside the matching industrial design. After all, an entirely new Google flagship phone would be running a Pixel-optimized Android configuration out of the box.
Evaluating the Legitimacy of this Leak
Stepping back and assessing this potential breach of Google‘s infamous secrecy, there‘s compelling evidence on both sides as to whether this unprecedented leak is authentic:
Reasons to Believe Legitimacy
- Extremely close match to official Google teaser video
- Convincing Pixel software running on device
- Bangladesh retailer possibly source of stolen prototypes
- Google products frequently subject to supply chain leaks
Reasons to Doubt Authenticity
- No fluttering of pre-release markings like ‘Confidential‘
- Polish and finish gives illusion of production model
- No corroboration yet from legendary tech leakers
As with any potential leak, there‘s rarely a smoking gun either way. But based on risk-reward alone, the video conveys more compelling evidence of authenticity than any reason to fake such granular Pixel 7 Pro details. This early development unit aligning so closely with Google‘s own teaser points to an extraordinarily early unauthorized look rather than skillful fakery.
And with Google‘s recent slip-ups around controlling confidential unreleased hardware, I wouldn‘t be entirely shocked if this turns out to be legitimate. We‘ll find out soon enough!
Implications on Google‘s Launch Strategy
For a company accustomed to keeping flagship smartphones under tight wraps, this potential breach of trust could force Google to reevaluate launch strategies moving forward. Assuming the leaked device proves real, it highlights deficiencies around supply chain security that risk future marketing efforts.
What‘s striking about this Pixel 7 Pro video is the depth of access. An unboxing and boot-up demo for a refined product version suggests a near-finalized pre-release device stolen and resold from manufacturing channels. Rather than a stolen prototype, it implies breach of controls much later in the development pipeline.
The risk for Google here is losing control of their narrative, marketing build-up, and intentional unveiling of features. If verified details like camera specs, battery size, or next-gen Tensor chip capabilities leak out piecemeal over months rather than a tight unveiling, it dilutes buzz and gives rival brands opportunities to predict and respond to Pixel 7 updates. Remember – Google still aspires to take premium smartphone share from Apple and Samsung. Letting unfinished devices circle the globe with hands-on videos is no way to conquer an entrenched duopoly!
This fiasco around their most important phone launch in years could force process changes around supply chain distribution and limiting prototype circulation. When final hardware designs now leak out to random exporters months in advance, it severely hampers launch secrecy regardless of NDAs or other legal safeguards. If exclusive Made by Google announcements lose impact due to premature device availability, they may need to restrict access far sooner even if complicating development.
Google‘s pending October 6th launch event just got a whole lot more interesting!
What Questions Remain Around the Pixel 7 Pro?
For all we apparently just learned about Google‘s upcoming smartphone thanks to this video supposedly showing the Pixel 7 Pro inside and out, there‘s still much left to the imagination even if genuine:
Processor and Performance
The second-generation Tensor chip expected to power the Pixel 7 series remains a mystery—the leaked devices would likely run early Tensor samples rather than final silicon. How much of a performance leap over the Pixel 6 and in what areas? Machine learning capabilities, computational photography and speech enhancements may all see upgrades with Tensor Gen 2.
Improved Fingerprint Sensor
The under-display fingerprint reader on Pixel 6 devices drew user complaints over reliability issues. Will the sensor indeed see performance improvements or relocation to resolve this? Any changes aren‘t easily discerned from this hands-on footage.
Software-Focused Enhancements
Unique Pixel software strengths around camera, speech and accessibility are harder to showcase in leaked hardware videos—these differentiators remain mostly under wraps. We still have no visibility into updates on vital camera algorithms that historically set Pixel phones apart from the competition. Software-based Pixel 7 surprises await the fall launch!
Pricing and Storage Options
While the physical Pixel 7 Pro now seems mostly finalized through these leaks, device pricing and internal storage tiers haven‘t been hinted at yet. Google may shift from current Pixel 6 Pro models ranging up to $1,099 with 512GB capacity to more configurations to rival Samsung. Exactly how the Pixel 7 Pro will be priced against rival flagships remains to be seen.
What Else to Expect at Google‘s October Launch Event
Beyond the smartphone headliner, Google‘s upcoming Made by Google event should bring some additional long-awaited hardware reveals centering around their ecosystem ambitions:
Pixel Watch
After years of relying solely on WearOS partnerships for smartwatches complementing their Android phone platform, the Pixel Watch promises to be Google‘s first attempt at a unified 1st party wearable device marrying hardware, software and services. Rumors point to deep integration with Fitbit after their recent acquisition. This could establish Google‘s overdue beachhead in wearables if strategic capabilities and battery life measures up.
Pixel Tablet
Tablet hardware has never been one of Google‘s high priorities, but recent developments around Android 13L point to an impending Pixel tablet after years of negligence. This would naturally pair with Pixel phones and showcase latest software capabilities. Rumored for 2023, there‘s outside possibility of a preview at this fall‘s event. With Apple still dominating premium tablets, this is Google‘s chance to re-enter the race.
While we await Google‘s final word on the legitimacy of this leaked unboxing footage as Pixel 7 Pro suspicions swirl, the stage is set for an October 6th Google event jam-packed with hardware unveilings and software updates. Anchored by their crucial next-generation smartphone driving Android innovation, Pixel fans have plenty to anticipate as the fall device refresh nears while this leak adds dramatic intrigue. Buckle up for Google‘s Made by Google 2022 showcase set to explore the full scope of leaks and announcements!
