Should you buy the Pixel 7 or wait for the Pixel 8?

For Pixel fans in need of a new smartphone, you might be wondering what your options are in 2023. First, you could consider getting the brand new Pixel 7a, or even the Pixel 6a if you’re on a tight budget. For those looking for something more powerful from the Pixel family, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are great choices, but they are now six months old. In other words, the Pixel 8 family isn’t too far away. Should you wait? We take a quick look at the Pixel 7 vs Pixel 8 to help you make that decision.

Pixel 7 vs Pixel 8: Expected differences

Although we don’t know everything about the Pixel 8 just yet, there are enough rumors that we can tell you some of the biggest differences.

While the Tensor G2 is a powerful chip with a major focus on machine learning, it’s also relying on relatively old ARM core technology. Thankfully that may change with the Pixel 8 series.

According to Phone Arena, the Tensor G3 will be based on the Samsung Exynos 2300 and will feature a 1+4+4 configuration. Supposedly the SoC will feature a high-end Cortex-X3 core at 3.09GHz,  backed by four Arm Cortex-A715 performance cores running at 2.65GHz, and four ARM Cortex-A510 efficiency cores running at 2.10GHz.

For those that don’t know, the Cortex-X3 is an ARM V9 core and a big move from the ARMV8.2 cores on the G2. While we can’t say for sure if this rumor is true, there is evidence Google is getting ready to move to more modern ARM cores. In the first developer preview of Android 14, Mishaal Rahman discovered a feature called “Advanced Memory Protection.” This prevents errors in handling memory and is a feature that the older ARMV8.2 CPU cores can’t handle. Odds are Google will showcase this new feature in the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.

Rumors also suggest the Tensor G3 will offer an Arm Mali-G715 GPU in an eight-core configuration. This is a notable upgrade over the older Mail-G710 seven-core configuration found in the Pixel 7 series. According to ARM, there’s a 15% ISO-process performance gain and a 2x machine learning improvement.

Even with these upgrades, it’s likely the Tensor G3 won’t attempt to compete directly with Qualcomm in terms of raw performance. Instead, the SoC will continue to focus on AI and machine learning first and foremost.

When it comes to the Pixel 7 vs Pixel 8, the design won’t be a major factor. Google settled on a new design language with the Pixel 6 and has only made small refinements to that formula in the last two years. While the Pixel 7 refined the camera and made a few other key improvements, looks like the Pixel 8 might feature nearly an identical setup to its predecessor. That is, except for the size.

The alleged Pixel 8 dimensions are 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm, which is a bit smaller than the Pixel 7 at 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm. The screen will obviously shrink as well, with rumors claiming the Pixel 8 has a 6.16-inch display versus the 6.32-inch screen on the Pixel 7.

Although this might not seem like a huge difference, it will make the phone feel much more compact. It will also make it easier to use with one hand. There is a shortage of phones with small footprints these days, so this could be a wise move for Google and help better set it apart from the Pixel 8.

At the same time, that brings its size more in line with the Pixel 7a. The two phones are already super similar devices, so hopefully, the Pixel 8a makes a few changes to help keep the two phones from being too similar.

The Pixel 8 might not be much different from its predecessor beyond size, but the Pixel 8 Pro is set to receive a few key changes. First, the display is now flat, like the Pixel 7. The corners are also more rounded than before. This should make the phone easier to hold than before.

The camera module is also slightly different, with all three cameras encased in the glass pill. It’s a small change, but we think it looks a little more refined than the previous design. You’ll also notice the camera bar has a new sensor, but it has nothing to do with photography. Reportedly this is an IR thermometer. This could measure your own body temp as well as the temperature of objects around you.

It seems a bit odd Google didn’t bring the camera bar changes to the base Pixel 8, but perhaps the company is trying to set its two phones apart a bit more this year in order to appeal to different audiences. The Pixel 8 is increasingly looking like the option for compact phone enthusiasts, while the Pro if for those who want the kitchen sink approach and a larger display.

Google hasn’t changed its cameras much over the last two generations, with the exception of the Pixel 7 Pro’s improved telephoto camera. Tipster Kuba Wojciechowski claims this won’t be the case for the Pixel 8, which could support staggered HDR technology. The GN1 main camera on the Pixel 6 and 7 families doesn’t support this tech, meaning Google is likely going to make the move to the newer Isocell GN2 sensor.

What does staggered HDR do exactly? In short, it brings faster, more efficient HDR shots with richer colors and better detail. We don’t know much else about the camera. Based on Google’s history, we can safely bet on two rear cameras in the Pixel 8 and three shooters on the Pro. It’s unclear if there will be any improvements to the self-camera upfront, either.

Beyond the move to a GN2 sensor, Google may introduce a few new software features too. An APK teardown indicates the Pixel 8 might get a new video unblur tool as well as an improved Night Sight function that combines photos taken by the main and telephoto lenses to further enhance the center of the image.

Reasons to consider waiting for the Pixel 8

The Pixel 7 is a good phone and can often be found on sale for much cheaper than its advertised $600 price tag. If you really need a phone right now, you won’t regret buying it. Those who don’t need a new phone immediately might be better off waiting a bit longer. Here are just a few reasons:

• The Pixel 7 family is only going to get cheaper. Ahead of the Pixel 7a, Google slashed the Pixel 7 down to as little as $450 in order to push more units. Since then, pricing has returned to normal. It’s very likely these kinds of steep discounts will return once the Pixel 8 gets closer to release. We could also see further discounts on the Pixel 7a and even the Pixel 7 Pro.
• The Pixel 8 may give you a big upgrade for the same price you’d buy a Pixel 7 or 7 Pro today. With a better SoC and camera, the Pixel 8 family could bring enough upgrades that you might feel like you missed out by not waiting for more rumors and details on pricing. If Google jacks up the Pixel 8 family pricing (similar to the 7a’s price increase) the Pixel 7 might still be the right move, but if Google keeps the pricing the same, it might make more sense to just get a Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro.
• The Pixel 8 comes with Android 14 out of the box. The Pixel 7 will absolutely see Android 14, but it won’t see all the improvements. There are some features that will likely be dependent on the Tensor G3. That means you really should wait if you want to experience Android 14 at its absolute best.

The Google Pixel 7 is a great phone, but unless it’s on sale for under $600, we’d personally wait. After all, Google has brought this phone down to around $400-450 before and so paying $150-200 more just doesn’t make a lot of sense. Still, there are a few reasons you might want to consider buying the Pixel 7 right now:

• You need a phone now. If your current phone is broken or woefully out of date, waiting another 5-6 months might just not be in the cards. Still, unless you can find it at a discount, we’d likely get a Pixel 7a or Pixel 6a instead.
• You don’t want a smaller design. Personally, I like big phones. I prefer the Pro’s footprint but didn’t want to spend the premium. The Pixel 7 is about as small of a phone as I want. If this sounds like you, the Pixel 7 might be a better choice if you’re not willing to sacrifice screen real estate for the Pixel 8’s new features.