I’ve been a long-time consumer of Apple’s iPhone — since 2008, to be precise. I received my first iPhone as a birthday current, and it was the unique one which began it all. Every yr since, I’ve upgraded to the newest and best that Apple has to supply (most lately, the iPhone 14 Pro), and I don’t remorse my resolution one bit.
However, since I began at Digital Trends, I’ve been increasing my horizons by giving Android units a strive. There are a ton of various producers, and every one has its personal model of Android. But up to now, my favourite has been Google’s personal Pixel 7. To me, it’s identical to Google’s model of an iPhone, and it’s fairly pretty.
Android is to Google what iOS is to Apple
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
Apple unveiled the iPhone in 2007, which got here outfitted with iPhone OS. Android was initially developed by the Open Handset Alliance, and the primary industrial sponsor was Google. In 2005, Google purchased Android, Inc., and it helped refine the Android working system earlier than launching the primary Android cellphone, the T-Mobile G1, in 2008. Even although there are lots of Android producers as of late, it’s primarily Google that handles the event of the Android working system. Individual manufacturers have closely custom-made variations of Android on their units, however Google nonetheless leads the cost.
With the Pixel 7, the {hardware} is designed by Google, and the model of Android on it is fairly pure in comparison with different manufacturers. The Pixel 7 additionally makes use of Google’s personal in-house Tensor G2 chip, just like Apple and its A-series Bionic chips in iPhones.
I’ve tried a handful of various Android smartphones up to now few months, however up to now, my favourite has undoubtedly been the Pixel sequence. One of the largest causes is that the software program doesn’t really feel like bloatware.
As somebody who has used iPhones for over a decade, I really feel just like the Google Pixel 7 with Android 13 is fairly comparable. Android 13, with none customization from third events, is quick, snappy, and responsive. It additionally feels similar to iOS 16; I picked up the Pixel 7 and began utilizing it naturally with the swipe navigation gestures I know from iOS, and it’s just about the identical. Swipe up from the underside to return dwelling, do an extended swipe as much as deliver up the app switcher, swipe down from the highest to deliver up notifications and fast settings, swipe from the left to return, and many others. I utilized what I knew from iOS, and it labored flawlessly on the Pixel 7.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Like most individuals my age, I’ve had a Google account for many of my lifetime. I primarily use Gmail, I have a ton of photographs already backed as much as Google Photos, my main calendars have at all times been on Google (*7*), I reluctantly use Google Drive/Docs/Sheets/Slides when mandatory, and I’ve saved my tackle ebook in Google as a failsafe.
So, although I use an iPhone (and different Apple gear), most of my information is in Google — which means I can entry it on something. I love that when I log in to my Google account on the Pixel 7, all of my vital stuff is already on the gadget, and I don’t have to arrange any third-party account (like with Samsung, OnePlus, and many others.) to again up my information.
Though I like Android 13 up to now on the Pixel 7, I do discover some issues are nonetheless finished higher on the iPhone. For instance, it’s a bit jarring when I’m scrolling via one thing, and it instantly stops when I attain the underside. I additionally love tapping on the prime of the standing bar on my iPhone to easily return to the highest of the display, which apparently is not a factor on Android. When it involves small issues like that, I nonetheless respect iOS and how it provides a little bit of elasticity and bounce when scrolling. They’re little particulars, however they matter to me.
The Pixel 7’s design sport is too good
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
I’m a little bit of a butterfingers, so the second I get a brand new cellphone, I will shove it proper in a case if I have one — and the Pixel 7 is no completely different. However, when I have it out of a case, the glass materials for the again cowl makes it really feel premium, even with the aluminum enclosure.
I actually want my iPhone 14 Pro had an aluminum body as an alternative of stainless-steel as a result of I’m not a giant fan of the shiny end (fingerprint smudges). Of course, since my Pixel 7 unit is the Obsidian black variant, it does get fingerprints simply.
I’m additionally a giant fan of what Google did for the digicam with the digicam bar design. Again, as somebody who has been utilizing iPhones, the triple-lens digicam array on the iPhone 14 Pro is a bit tiring at this level, and the digicam bar is distinctive and distinctive — just like how iPhones have been after they first got here out. I additionally take pleasure in how the digicam bar has a matte aluminum look since it’s an extension of the aluminum body; it provides a pleasant distinction with the shiny again.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Oh, and let’s not overlook that the digicam lenses sit flush with the digicam bar. Though the bar stands proud just like the digicam bump on the iPhone 14 Pro, as soon as you set a case on the Pixel 7, the digicam bar protrusion isn’t noticeable.
Apple units are at all times thought-about premium by way of aesthetics, however I’m very impressed with what Google has provide you with within the Pixel 7, even when it’s not the Pro model. To me, the {hardware} of the Pixel 7, mixed with a pure model of Android 13, simply makes me assume if an iPhone was made by Google, this is able to be it.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
One of the primary causes why I at all times improve my iPhone yearly is for the digicam enhancements that Apple provides to the Pro fashions. However, the efficiency of the Pixel 7 as a digicam has left fairly an impression on me, particularly the post-editing instruments.
Though my iPhone 14 Pro stays my main gadget, I’ve loved testing the Pixel 7 digicam in my time with it up to now. Images that I’ve captured with the Pixel 7 have been balanced with the correct colours that you simply’d see in actual life, that are fairly just like the outcomes I get with the iPhone 14 Pro. I haven’t taken any photographs that appeared washed out or synthetic, not like different Android telephones I’ve examined, just like the OnePlus Nord N300 5G. Of course, the selfie digicam on the Pixel 7 isn’t the most effective due to inaccuracies with pores and skin tone, however the twin rear-camera system is ace.
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
However, whereas I might simply simply level the Pixel 7 digicam at something and get good outcomes, it’s not my favourite function of the cellphone. No, I really love Google’s photograph modifying instruments extra, which is what I want Apple would add to the iPhone. Specifically, the Magic Eraser software is the largest promoting level for me, and one of many causes I would buy a Pixel if I weren’t an iPhone consumer.
As somebody who has primarily solely used iPhones for photograph modifying, the built-in modifying instruments within the Photos app are fairly barebones. You have simply the fundamentals and a couple of filter-like results. I would love to see Apple add in a software like Magic Eraser as a result of I have completely loved utilizing it to eradicate strangers within the backgrounds of a few of my favourite Disneyland photographs. I additionally like how Google will make the most of its synthetic intelligence (AI) to research a photograph and make solutions on the right way to enhance it. I don’t at all times use the solutions, however I like having the choice in case I want inspiration.
I haven’t made full use of each function that the Pixel 7 has to supply by way of digicam and photograph modifying, however it’s simple to make use of and get nice photos, and modifying has by no means been easier. I actually want Apple would have some related options in iOS later down the road.
The Pixel is Google’s iPhone, and that’s factor
Joe Maring/Digital Trends
I’m nonetheless going to make use of my iPhone 14 Pro as my main gadget, but when my iPhone tie-in weren’t so robust, the Pixel 7 (even perhaps the Pixel 7 Pro if I tried one out) could be my cellphone of alternative. I merely love how briskly and snappy Android is on it, with out the custom-made forks of Android that different producers use on their {hardware}. The total aesthetics and really feel of the Pixel 7 are additionally very nicely finished, and the digicam and photograph options are nice.
I know there’s nonetheless rather a lot for me to check out on this planet of Android, and I’m solely simply beginning to tread the waters. But the Pixel expertise — up to now — has been so nice for me. Even although different producers have their very own strengths too, I want all Android units could possibly be pretty much as good because the Pixel.
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