Google Pixel phone vs Samsung Galaxy S7: which is better for me?

We compare the latest Google-branded mobile, dubbed the Pixel phone, with Samsung's 2016 flagship phone, the Galaxy S7. What's the difference in specs, camera tech, performance and battery life, and which phone is right for you? Here is our full comparison between the Pixel phone and the Galaxy S7.

Google's Pixel phone offers a high asking price, but also has the latest specs and Google's all-new Android Nougat, making it one of the most sought-after mobiles. of 2016. So how does it compare to the

Galaxy S7

, Samsung's flagship phone released in March? Back then, the S7 sported the best smartphone camera and incredible performance, but is that still tough competition for the Pixel?

Here's our full Pixel vs Galaxy S7 comparison, and check out our

Pixel phone hands-on review

as well as our

PixelXL hands-on review

.

Google Pixel phone vs Galaxy S7: Features at a glance

Phone

Google Pixel

Samsung Galaxy S7

Screen size

5inches

5.1inch

Screen resolution

Full HD 1920×1080

Quad HD 2560×1440 p>

Fingerprint sensor?

Yes

Yes

Waterproof?

Nope

Yes

BONE

Android 7.1 Nougat

Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow

Processor

Snapdragon 821

Snapdragon 820/Exynos

Memory

4GB

4GB

Storage

32/128GB

32/64 GB

MicroSD?

Nope

Yes

Battery

2770mAh

3000mAh

Rear camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

8 megapixel el

5megapixels

Price

From £599

From £500

Google Pixel vs Galaxy S7 Phone: Design

Google's Pixel phone is about the same size and weight as the Galaxy S7, and both phones are perfectly comfortable for one-handed gaming.

The Galaxy S7 is perhaps the prettier of the two – depending on your personal taste of course – with sexy curves and an appealing color choice. But the Pixel phone's mix of glass and metal on the back is certainly quirky, making it instantly recognizable.

If you want a phone to play with in the bath, shower or pool (like you do), then the Galaxy S7 is your only choice. The Pixel phone cannot withstand water beyond a light splash, while the Samsung phone is fully water resistant.

Google Pixel phone vs Galaxy S7: screen and stand

On paper, the Galaxy S7's 5.1-inch Quad HD display is the best here. By comparison, the GooglePixel phone's 5-inch Full HD screen doesn't come close to picture sharpness.

However, to notice the difference, you really have to see the two phones side by side and study them. closely. The Pixel still produces crisp images and gets the most out of your high definition movies, while colors are beautiful and punchy, just like on the S7. Viewing angles and brightness levels are also high on both handsets.

You can expand the built-in storage with a microSD memory card on the S7, so you'll have plenty of room for your photos, movies, and everything in between. The Pixel can't be expanded, so you'll have to go for the 128GB model if you want plenty of space for your photos, apps and other stuff.

Google Pixel Phone vs Galaxy S7: OS and Features

Both of these flagship mobiles use Google's Android operating system, but the Pixel phone sports the latest version ("Nougat") while the S7 still uses the older Marshmallow. This means that the very latest and greatest Android features such as the surprisingly smart AI assistant can only be found on the Pixel.

Sure, the Galaxy S7 should get a full Android Nougat update soon, but S7 owners still won't get the Assistant feature - that's exclusive to the Pixel handset. But at least Samsung's phone makes up for it somewhat when it comes to fitness features, as it has a built-in heart rate sensor and Samsung's S Health app.

Both the Pixel phone and the Galaxy S7 use a fingerprint sensor for added security and convenience. On the Galaxy S7, you'll find it below the screen, while the Pixel phone is stuck on the back. The Pixel's sensor is easier to use because your fingers naturally fall on it when you pick up your phone. But it's quite difficult, to be fair.

Google Pixel phone vs. Galaxy S7: performance and battery life

The Snapdragon 821 processor of the Google Pixel phone

Snapdragon 821 p>

promises improved performance over existing chipsets, so the Pixel is likely to score slightly better in benchmark tests. However, when it comes to day-to-day user experience, we expect the Pixel to perform exactly the same as the S7.

After all, the Galaxy S7 is still a smooth operator, delivering satisfying smoothness no matter what you're doing. The latest games always run at the perfect frame rate - no stuttering or stuttering in sight.

In terms of longevity, the Galaxy S7 offers at least a day of heavy use per charge - but not much more. Quick charging is supported, although not as fast as QuickCharge 3.0 offered by most other flagships.

We'll be testing the Pixel phone's battery life fully when our review sample arrives, but early word is that Google's flagship can go on for even longer. Fast charging is again supported, while both handsets use a USB Type-C port for power and data transfer.

Google Pixel phone vs Galaxy S7: cameras

The Google Pixel phone has a 12-megapixel snapper slapped on the back, with a lens that sits perfectly flush with the surface of the phone. We haven't fully tested it yet, but we played at Google's launch.

Our test photos were pleasantly sharp and likely to contain the same amount of detail as images taken with the Galaxy S7's 12-megapixel camera. camera. However, while the Pixel phone has a new HDR+ mode to deal with questionable contrast, the S7's wide-aperture lens makes for seriously impressive low-light photos. It has not yet been improved in 2016 (although the

Xperia XZ and iPhone 7 are getting closer

). So if the Pixel phone can beat it, that will be a serious accomplishment.

The Galaxy S7 and Google Pixel can shoot video in Full HD or 4K resolution, with effective image stabilization to limit camera footage shake as you move.

Google Pixel phone vs. Galaxy S7: price and verdict

Both the Pixel phone and the Galaxy S7 are full-price phones with solid specs. But while the S7 is already six months old, it still sports one of the best mobile cameras of 2016, along with pleasing performance and a gorgeous Quad HD display. The Pixel will have to really impress with its camera tech to claim the crown, although the Google Assistant is a tempting feature.

You can enter the

Galaxy S7 from O2< /p>

, starting at £38 per month with an initial cost of £9.99. Discover our overview of

best Pixel phone deals in the UK

.

Stay tuned for our full review of Google Pixel phones.