Steve Hemmerstoffer (@OnLeaks) and Smartprix
Drawing on precedent, it’s more than likely that Google will launch its next Pixel phone in October. But even months away from that possible release date, rumors about the expected Pixel 7 are trickling in.
Google took a bold new approach with its flagship Pixel 6 series and it seems to have paid off, earning the company critical praise and commercial success, at least for the relatively small batch of phones it did release. The Pixel 6 series ushered in a new era for Google’s sagging smartphone business, helped by this new design.
Out went last year’s midrange processor, in came the company’s years-in-the-making Tensor chip. Out went the generic, tried-and-tested hardware design. In came a statement device with a signature camera bar running across the width of the chassis. CNET’s Andrew Lanxon, who reviewed the higher-end Pixel 6 Pro, called it a true iPhone competitor. (Read our full reviews of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.)
For the Pixel 7 (if that’s what Google decides to name it), the search giant will likely take a similar approach, drawing on its Tensor chip to enhance the device’s machine-learning features. To be clear, there are few credible rumors to lean on to help us get a better sense of what Google plans to do with the Pixel 7. (Though there has been a leak about a Pixel smartwatch.) But that won’t stop me from trying to piece together what might be in store. I’d suggest bookmarking this page since this currently short list will grow: We’ll update it whenever we hear of any credible rumors.
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Processor: Pixel 7 may run on second-gen Tensor chip
Google is apparently in the process of developing a next-gen Tensor chip for the upcoming Pixel handset. This wouldn’t come as much of a surprise to Pixel watchers considering Google endeavored to develop an in-house chipset in the first place — a project that is typically complex and costly. This detail was first discovered when an internal Google developer board called Cloudripper was added to apps on the Pixel 6, according to 9to5Google.
Specs: Pixel 7 could feature a punch-hole front camera
Two new leaks from reliable tipster Steve Hemmerstoffer (known on Twitter as @OnLeaks) have given us some insight into what the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro could look like. Hemmerstoffer tweeted earlier this week that he sent renders of the rumored two phones to Indian tech site Smartprix and car review site CARHP respectively.
Credit: Steve Hemmerstoffer (@OnLeaks) and CARHP
The Pixel 7 leak says the flagship will have a display between 6.2 and 6.4 inches, a tad bigger than the 6.1-inch Samsung Galaxy S22 and the rumored display size for the expected iPhone 14. It shows two 50-megapixel back cameras and a punch-hole front camera, a space-maximizing feature where the selfie cam is embedded within the screen instead of resting above it.
The Pixel 7 Pro renders also show a punch-hole front camera but three back cameras instead of two. The leak says the phone will have a curved OLED display around 6.8 inches, similar to the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and its S21 predecessor.
Read more: Google Pixel 7 Pro Leak Shows Punch-Hole Camera, S22 Ultra-Like Display
Release date: Pixel 7 will likely launch in October
To be clear, we haven’t seen any credible rumors so far indicating a release date for the Pixel 7, but Google’s flagship handsets have launched in October for years, ever since the first-gen Pixel was unveiled to the world. Well, all of them except for the Pixel 5, which was unveiled at the end of September. Barring any worsening supply chain issues and other macro factors, it’s probably safe to assume that the Pixel 7 will receive an official launch in October.