Since Google released the first Pixel phone back in 2016, the smartphone range has completely revolutionised the camera phone market, with each new generation pushing the mantle forward with the help of high-quality lenses and Google’s AI smarts. The question is, which is the best for your needs?
While you initially only had to make the choice between the Pixel and the bigger Pixel XL, the Pixel range has expanded and now has options at different price points. It’s not quite the same level as the likes of Xiaomi and Samsung which have plenty of phones at every price point imaginable, but there’s still more choice for consumers than ever before.
We’ve reviewed all the Pixel phones, past and present, including all the flagship models released in late 2022 and the latest cheaper option announced at Google I/O 2023, and we know what makes them tick. We’ve popped our SIMs in and compared all the cameras, batteries and displays along with thoroughly running them all through our industry-standard performance tests.
We’d expect to see the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro launch later this year, though little is known about them yet and we don’t expect them to be announced imminently. There is, of course, the Pixel Fold – Google’s first foldable device which will be arriving in June.
We also have other selections for those after something a little less specific. Our best camera phone round-up focuses on a device’s photographic and videography skills, while our best cheap phone and best mid-range phone lists focus solely on more affordable options depending on your budget.
Best Google Pixel phone at a glance
- Best flagship phone: Pixel 7 Pro – check price
- Best mid-range phone: Pixel 7 – check price
- Best affordable phone: Pixel 7a – check price
How we test
Every Google Pixel phone included in the below list has been properly tested and used for an extended period by one of our product experts. We don’t review phones based purely on specs or a manufacturer’s claims – we use them as our everyday device for at least five days and usually for much longer.
Our review process includes a mixture of real-world tests, along with more than 15 measured tests and industry-standard benchmarks. We believe this gives the most rounded view of a device.
Best flagship phone
- Excellent camera and loads of clever camera tricks
- The best version of Android on the market
- Priced well for the European market
- Charging could, and should, be faster
- Very glossy finish and some odd design elements
- Not a huge upgrade on the Pixel 6 Pro
Best mid-range phone
- Great camera
- Good screen
- Stylish design
- Few upgrades from the Pixel 6
- No telephoto camera
- Slow charging
- Excellent camera for the price
- Plenty of upgrades over the Pixel 6a
- Smart software
- Some nice colour options
- Middling battery life
- Achingly slow charging
Google Pixel 7 Pro
The best flagship Pixel phone
Pros
- Excellent camera and loads of clever camera tricks
- The best version of Android on the market
- Priced well for the European market
Cons
- Charging could, and should, be faster
- Very glossy finish and some odd design elements
- Not a huge upgrade on the Pixel 6 Pro
Our pick for the best Google phone is the Pixel 7 Pro – the current flagship of the series and a perfect combination of features and affordability. This is very much of a rival to devices like the Galaxy S23 Plus, but it’s slightly more affordable while offering a slicker software experience and one of the best cameras around.
All the phones featured here boast smooth, clean and frequently updated software. As Google makes both the phone and the underlying Android software, Pixel phones get updates as soon as Android releases them so you’ll be first in line for Android 14 when it arrives in 2023. This is a rare treat on Android, which in our experience is extremely slow to get updated when new versions come out.
There are a number of reasons why you’d pick the Pixel 7 Pro over the cheaper phones on this list. First off it’s the only model with a 6.7-inch 1440p, 120Hz display meaning it’s bigger, sharper and faster than the Pixel 7 and 6a. It’s certainly the best display on this list, so if that’s a priority you should focus on this model.
It’s also the only version with a triple camera array. Both the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro have excellent main and ultrawide cameras, but with the Pro, you’re also getting a 48MP telephoto zoom. It’s not the very best telephoto zoom we’ve used even if it’s the best on the list.
Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Google Pixel 7 Pro review
Google Pixel 7
The best mid-range Pixel phone
Pros
- Great camera
- Good screen
- Stylish design
Cons
- Few upgrades from the Pixel 6
- No telephoto camera
- Slow charging
Right in the middle of Google’s smartphone range, you’ll find the Pixel 7. This device might not offer quite the same specs as the Pro version (most notably lacking a telephoto sensor and having a slightly smaller screen), but it still packs quite the punch, especially given its relatively modest price tag.
The camera, like with other Pixel phones, is the main highlight here, delivering gorgeously detailed and punchy images regardless of whether you’re using it during the day or at night, but it’s not the only reason you might feel tempted to make one of these your own.
The OLED screen, measuring 6.3-inches, is plenty capable enough of giving some life to the TV shows and games you like to enjoy while you’re on the go, and the design certainly looks sleek and feels premium to the touch as well.
While the slow charging speeds and lack of a telephoto sensor are two obvious compromises, we certainly don’t think that these should be dealbreakers when a smartphone offers as good overall performance as the Pixel 7 does.
Reviewer: Peter Phelps
Full review: Google Pixel 7 review
Google Pixel 7a
The best affordable Pixel phone
Pros
- Excellent camera for the price
- Plenty of upgrades over the Pixel 6a
- Smart software
- Some nice colour options
Cons
- Middling battery life
- Achingly slow charging
If you’re on the hunt for a small Pixel but want to keep the budget low, the Pixel 7a is a great pick. In many of the most important ways, it matches the pricier Pixel 7 and packs a number of features you won’t find on the Pixel 6a.
Those features include Qi wireless charging, 8GB memory, a faster 90Hz screen (the Pixel 6a is merely 60Hz) and an overall more durable body. The Pixel 7a is a much better phone than the 6a, and we’d recommend paying the extra for the newer model.
One of our favourite Pixel 7a features is the camera. There’s a new main 64MP sensor on the back that’s far larger than the one found on the Pixe 6a and it produces better images in all conditions. Skin tones are accurate, low-light performance is exceptional and Google has done a good job at ensuring colours are the same.
Inside the phone, there’s the same Tensor G2 chip as the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel Fold. While we would like a little more power in the flagship range, at this price it is perfectly adequate and a good performer in all of our tests. Tensor also powers many of the AI aspects of the Pixel, like the clever call screening features and excellent voice recorder.
The 6.1-inch 90Hz OLED is good and on par with the slightly larger 6.3-inch panel on the Pixel 7 – the Pixel 7 Pro still has the best screen on a Pixel.
Keeping the Pixel 7a away from top marks is the mediocre battery life and the slow charging. While our reviewer managed to get through the day most of the time, a quick charge was required on busier days with lots of screen time.
Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Google Pixel 7a review
We also considered…
FAQs
None of the phones included in our Best Pixel Phone list comes with a charger in the box, so you’ll have to provide your own. They all come with a USB-C cable and work with the PD charging standard.
Google’s Tensor chipset is very capable and plays games just fine in our tests. You will, however, get better GPU from more recent phones with Apple’s A-series chips or a recent 8-series Snapdragon version.
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Trusted Reviews test data
You can see a summary of the test data we collected reviewing all the Pixel phones in this list in the table below.
Comparison specs
You can compare the core specs of all the Pixel phones in this list using the table below.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.