3/19/2023 0 Comments Camera screen shadeAlthough it’s far from perfect, early adopters will be glad to learn this year’s sensor is definitely better. The Pixel 6 would routinely fail to recognize fingerprints, something Google embarrassingly blamed on “enhanced security algorithms.” Ultimately, it doesn’t seem like that was the case after numerous software patches, it remains a mediocre sensor.Īfter some slight improvements on the Pixel 6a earlier this year, it does seem like Google has gotten a handle on the situation. Not only was it slow to unlock, but for the first few months post-launch, it was also completely unreliable for daily use. Plenty of bloggers have worn out their keyboards while covering the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro’s sluggish in-display fingerprint sensor. Let’s talk biometrics, something the Pixel 6 series struggled with. It may be more noticeable on the white or hazel models, but it's disguised perfectly on my black Pixel 7 Pro. In direct sunlight, you might notice the smallest sliver of a speaker. In dim light, it blends right into the phone’s frame, invisible to the naked eye. I really disliked the earpieces used on last year’s phones, but it’s a totally different story on the Pixel 7 Pro. Google has done a good job of hiding the elongated earpiece running above the display. It’s also worth noting that the single bottom-firing speaker is really easy to cover with your palm or thumb while you’re watching videos or playing games, so you may need to adjust how you hold the phone to avoid physically muting the right channel. For whatever reason, it’s far more noticeable to me when the phone is oriented the other way. To my ears, they’re slightly improved, especially when I hold the phone in landscape with the side buttons facing up. Unfortunately, some of the sound balance issues found on the Pixel 6 are still here. I don’t think anyone will complain about Google’s build quality here, though if you're after pure luxury, you might be better off waiting for the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The phone feels premium, though perhaps not quite up to the level of Samsung’s recent Galaxy S-series phones. I have my qualms with the Pixel 7 Pro’s design, but overall, I quite like it. This high-gloss finish feels like something meant to look eye-catching while on display, but certainly not to be touched. If you have sweaty or clammy hands (as I do), the phone feels unpleasant to hold after a while, as all the oils from your palms build up. While the white model should do an alright job of hiding fingerprints and smudges, the black model I’m testing shows everything. This design is a cruel reminder of how I’d do anything to get back to the frosted glass seen on the Pixel 4. Like last year, the back of the Pixel 7 Pro is made of glossy glass, though the two-tone look is gone and replaced by a single shade on both sides of the camera bar. Only the volume rocker and power buttons use a matte finish, giving us a small glimpse into a world where Google gave up on what it considers premium. This metal picks up fingerprints and smudges like crazy and is already showing scratches from regular use. It’s obvious that most smartphone companies see “shiny” as the current premium material to sell to users, but I can’t say I feel the same. Unfortunately, Google opted to use “polished” aluminum on the Pixel 7 Pro’s camera bar and frame rather than the matte metal seen on the Pixel 7. It also helps the phone stand out among a sea of competition - you always recognize a Pixel in a crowded room. Unlike the competition, the Pixel 7 Pro does not rock back and forth when it’s placed on a desk. If modern flagships are all but required to use a bump to fit various lenses and sensors, extending this space across the entire device makes sense. I suspect the camera bar will continue to be controversial among Pixel fans, but a year into this general design, I love it.
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