The smartphone world has two major players when it comes to flagship devices – Google Pixel and Apple‘s iPhone. As 2022 draws to a close, tech enthusiasts are pitting the latest offerings from these companies against each other to see how they stack up. I‘ve done an in-depth comparison of the newly released Google Pixel 7 and Apple‘s iPhone 14 to highlight their similarities and differences across a range of categories.
Brief Background
First, a quick history on both product lines for context. Google entered the hardware arena in 2016 with its first Pixel phone, aiming to showcase the Android operating system. The Pixel series has since evolved over multiple generations to fine-tune the software and hardware combination.
The first iPhone launched in 2007 and has dominated the high-end phone market over the past decade and a half. Each new iPhone release garners the spotlight as customers eagerly await Apple‘s latest innovation. The iPhone 14, released in September 2022, ushered in crash detection and satellite connectivity while retaining much of its predecessor‘s design.
Now, let‘s delve into how these two smartphone heavyweights match up across 10 key metrics.
Display Technology
Both phones sport bright, beautiful OLED displays perfect for watching videos and scrolling feeds. The Pixel 7 has a 6.3-inch screen compared to the iPhone 14‘s 6.1 inches. Apple‘s offering has a higher pixel density at 460 ppi versus 416 ppi for the Pixel.
The iPhone 14‘s Super Retina XDR display also supports Dolby Vision and can hit a peak brightness of 1200 nits. The Pixel 7 display tops out at 1400 nits brightness and includes HDR10+ instead.
Verdict: Very similar displays but iPhone 14 gets a slight edge in sharpness and high dynamic range content.
Design & Dimensions
You‘ll get an aluminum alloy frame with Gorilla Glass front and back no matter which phone you choose. The Pixel 7 is a hair wider but not quite as tall, while the iPhone 14 has trimmed down bezels for a 86% screen-to-body ratio over the Pixel‘s 84.9%.
At 7.8mm thin, the iPhone also squeaks past the Pixel at 8.7mm. However the Pixel 7‘s smaller battery contributes to a lighter weight of just 197g versus 172g for the iPhone.
Verdict: Slimmer and lighter give the iPhone 14 a marginal design win.
Camera Capabilities
Both smartphones incorporates 12MP selfie cameras with support for 4K video recording. Around back, Apple included a 12MP wide angle and a 12MP ultrawide sensor. Google went with a 50MP wide and 12MP ultrawide camera combo.
While the megapixels don‘t tell the whole story, independent testing gives the Pixel 7 cameras top marks for still photos, low light performance and video stabilization. The iPhone 14 pulls ahead for videographers needing Dolby Vision HDR.
Verdict: It‘s a photo finish but the Pixel 7 cameras shine brighter overall.
Battery Life & Charging
Google managed to squeeze a larger battery into the Pixel 7, with its 4355 mAh capacity trailing the iPhone 14‘s 3279 mAh. However both deliver roughly the same 9-10 hours of normal usage per full charge.
The Pixel 7 supports faster wired charging at up to 30W with its USB-C port. It can also reverse charge other devices like headphones and smartwatches. Both phones lack a charger in box but work with wireless charging stands.
Verdict: With reverse charging and slightly faster speeds, the Pixel 7 wins for battery and charging.
Processing Power
The brains behind these phones reveal a predictable pattern with Apple‘s A15 Bionic chip outperforming the Google Tensor G2. In benchmarks, the iPhone 14 earned over 1600 single-core and 4500 multi-core scores versus 1068 and 3149 respectively for the Pixel.
Real world results are certainly much closer, but the iPhone 14 has more peak performance potential thanks to a faster CPU and better optimization between hardware and software.
Verdict: iPhone 14 processor easily beats the Pixel 7.
Software & Features
Being an iPhone, the iPhone 14 runs the proprietary iOS 16 software optimized specifically for Apple devices. The Pixel 7 showcases Android 13 with Google‘s minimalist Pixel version of Android. Both operating systems have ardent fans and detractors when it comes to UI design, customization potential and ecosystem integration.
As you would expect, the Pixel 7 touts tighter integration with Google services like the Google Assistant voice AI. The iPhone 14 connects seamlessly with Apple‘s ecosystem including iCloud storage, Apple Watch syncing and AirPlay media streaming.
Both smartphones cater towards different preferences, so this category comes down to personal taste. But the Pixel 7 does offer fingerprint unlocking while Apple ditched Touch ID in favor of Face ID facial recognition.
Verdict: Tie depending on your ecosystem allegiances.
Storage & Memory
Apple offers more variety when it comes to storage space, with the base iPhone 14 starting at 128GB. Pixel 7 buyers choose between 128GB and 256GB models. However the base Pixel 7 includes 8GB of RAM which helps with heavyweight multitasking. The iPhone 14 has 6GB memory across the board.
Verdict: Pixel 7 better for juggling apps thanks to extra RAM.
Pricing
The iPhone 14 debuted at $799, a hefty premium over the Pixel 7‘s launch price of $599. Those prices are for the base 128GB models. Opting for more storage costs more on both devices.
However, the iPhone 14 can expand up to 512GB while the Pixel 7 tops out at 256GB. Going with 256GB does put both at $899 MSRP. Regardless, the Pixel 7 undercuts Apple at almost every turn for cost-conscious buyers.
Verdict: Over $200 cheaper gives Pixel 7 the value victory.
Availability
The Pixel 7 just launched on October 13, 2022 with decent availability in the United States and key regions abroad. Apple‘s iPhone 14 preceded it, hitting store shelves on September 16, 2022 but stock has proven hard to find due to exceptional demand.
Both devices are sold unlocked or tied to carriers. iPhone fans know securing one before the holidays can be tricky with supply issues persisting over a month later. The Pixel 7 buying experience should prove less frustrating as Google catches up with orders.
Verdict: Easier procurement goes to the Pixel 7.
Which Should You Buy?
In the battle of Pixel 7 vs iPhone 14, there is no unanimous winner. The iPhone 14 justifies its steep asking price with a fast processor, polished design and easy connectivity within Apple‘s ecosystem. Power users will appreciate the buttery smooth experience.
For shoppers motivated by value, the Pixel 7 packs impressive hardware and coveted Google features into a more wallet-friendly package. Its cameras hold their own against the iPhone 14‘s while still saving buyers hundreds of dollars.
Ultimately both are excellent flagships embracing different philosophies. Your preferences for software, cameras, battery charging and budget should point you towards the right choice. For most Android fans or bargain seekers, the Pixel 7 strikes the best balance of performance and value in the non-Pro segment. But switching camps comes down to weighing hardware against ecosystem lock-in and overall user experience.
Hopefully this detailed feature comparison gave you some useful facts to help decide between the latest Google and Apple phones on your next upgrade! Let me know in the comments which one you would pick and why.
