What are the best Google Pixel smartphones in 2023?

Google offers its Pixel smartphones as alternatives to models from big brands like Samsung or Xiaomi. They have their own design and in terms of performance they have nothing to envy to their competitors.

It was with the Pixel and Pixel XL that Google entered the smartphone market in 2016. And since then the American firm has continued to improve its formula. One of the great strengths of the Google Pixel is the camera which is always of high quality. But that’s not all. They also receive numerous and frequent updates, but above all they are the first to have the latest innovations of the Android system such as version 14.

Unlike its competitors, Google releases few smartphones each year. This is why during this guide we will offer you more or less recent Google Pixel. But rest assured, some older models still have excellent performance. I have to say that the brand guarantees 5 years of updates on all these smartphones. So if you want to get a Google Pixel smartphone, we are going to compare the different models on the market for you.

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Google Pixel 7 Pro, the best of the Google smartphone

We start with the most high-end mobile from Google, which like its predecessor, is one of the best photo smartphones of the year. With a 50 Mpx wide-angle, a 12 Mpx ultra-wide-angle and a 48 Mpx telephoto lens (5x optical zoom), it covers almost all types of shots, including in low light. This is made possible by efficient image processing, facilitated by the Tensor G2 processor. The latter is always more efficient and consumes less energy. The large 6.7-inch QHD Amoled display has a 120Hz refresh rate. It is also HDR10+ compatible. Only negative point, the battery whose autonomy has not improvede. Finally, this model exists in 128 ou 256 Go and with 8 or 12 GB of ram. To see its successor, we will have to wait, the Pixel 8 Pro is not expected before October 2023.

Read also : you can find our test of the Google Pixel 7 Pro here

Google Pixel 7, a powerful and affordable little brother

We continue with the little brother of the Google Pixel 7 Pro, the Pixel 7. On the official website of the brand, there is more than 200 euros difference between the two versions, but even if the 7 Pro is superior, the Google Pixel 7 remains a very good smartphone at a more affordable price. On the power side, it is also equipped with the Google Tensor G2 and offers two versions with 128 Go ou 256 Go de stockage. But they embark only 8 GB of ram in both cases. It has a 6.3-inch OLED screen with a refresh rate of 90 Hz. For the photo part, everything is similar except for the absence of the 48 MP telephoto lens. An absence that we very much regret, when we know that the great strength of a Google Pixel is its camera. Finally, it is equipped a 4355 mAh battery against 5000 mAh for the Pixel 7 Pro.

Read also : you can find our test of the Google Pixel 7 here

Google Pixel 6 Pro, a quality photophone

The Google Pixel 6 Pro hit the market in October 2021 and quickly ran out of stock. We are in 2023, and this model remains a smartphone with an excellent quality / price ratio. It is equipped with a 6.7-inch OLED screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz. On the photo side, you can count on 3 sensors, an 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultra wide-angle and 48MP telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom. On these points, it is very similar to the Google Pixel 7 Pro. Even the 5000 mAh battery is the same. On the difference side, it embeds a first generation Tensor processor. Generally, the Pixel 6 Pro poses as an excellent alternative for those who don’t feel like shelling out around 800 euros for the latest version of Google smartphones.

Read also : you can find our test of the Google Pixel 6 Pro here

Google Pixel 6, the best value for money

The Google Pixel 6 offers as an alternative to the Pixel 7, and it must be said that it does not have much to envy. Released at the same time as the Pro version, there is a difference the absence of the 48 Mpx telephoto lens. Which is always harmful on a Google phone, but which also explains the price difference. However, this model is equipped a 4600 mAh battery against a 4355 mAh for the Pixel 7. You can obviously last a whole day with a full charge of your smartphone. It is also offered with 128/256 GB capacitybut only 8 Go to the ram are offered with this version. Finally, it has a 6.4-inch OLED screen with a refresh rate of up to 90 Hz. With its affordable price, and all its qualities, the Google Pixel 6 is a great model for anyone looking to own a Google smartphone.

Read also: you can find our test of the Google Pixel 6 here

Google Pixel 6a, Google quality for less than 400 euros

The Google Pixel 6a is a more affordable version than its elders. But of course the performances are not the same. Already, in terms of storage, this model is available only in 128 GB and is just accompanied of 6 Go of ram. In terms of power it is equipped with the first generation of Google Tensor. The latter offers honorable performance, but it is not the best phone for gaming either. For the photo part, strong point of Google, there are only two sensors : a wide-angle and an ultra-wide-angle of 12 Mpx. To finish, it has a 4410 mAh battery and is equipped with a 6.1-inch OLED screen with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. In short, without being the best smartphone of the American brand, it allows you to take advantage of the Google environment without breaking the bank.

Google Pixel 5a, the most affordable Google Pixel

The Google Pixel 5a is the most affordable smartphone, but also the oldest of this selection. However, without being the most powerful of Google phones, in 2023 it still deserves to have its place in this ranking. In effect, it has a 4680 mAh battery who can guarantee you about 2 days of autonomy. Photo side it is not the most efficient, but it provides the essentials. It is equipped with a wide-angle of 12.2 Mpx and an ultra-wide-angle of 16 Mpx. Here from Google Tensor, plus a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G SoC along with 6 GB of ram and 128 GB of capacity. For this price, this smartphone has very honorable performance. Finally, there is a 6.3-inch OLED screen of very good quality. You have understood it, it is not the best smartphone from Google, but with a price around 300 euros, difficult to blame him for his faults.

? Why choose a Google smartphone?

Owning a Google Pixel smartphone offers several advantages. As said at the beginning of the guide, one of the great strengths of the brand is on the side of the photo. When it comes to photography, Google smartphones are among the best on the market. They are not the ones with the most sensors, but it is clear that the rendering is always excellent. Even older versions will give you a great experience. Day or night, the photos will be of high quality. It is explained by the very good performance of its specialized image processing software.

We can also talk about the design which is quite unique compared to its many competitors also under Android. Moreover, these are theOwners of Google Pixel who benefit first from the latest versions of Android. And we will also note more than good performance on the processor side. These are very good smartphones for gaming, especially the latest models.

? What is the price of a Google Pixel?

As you have seen throughout this guide, Google Pixel smartphones are far from the most expensive. Even the high-end models are more affordable than their counterparts from Samsung or Apple. A 128 GB Pixel 7 Pro will cost 849 eurosagainst around 1400 euros for a Galaxy S23 Ultra of the same storage. Even if the latter remains more efficient, the price difference is very substantial.

All in all, the best Google smartphones are never going to exceed 1000 euros. Pixel 7 and 7 Pro will cost between 699 and 999 euros depending on the version. For high-end smartphones and in today’s market, they have very decent prices.

And if you get older versions, the price will go down even further. For example, you can find the Google Pixel 6a at only 459 euros on the official Store. And it is possible to find it cheaper at certain specialized retailers. In short, with the Google Pixel, it is difficult to find a better quality/price ratio for a smartphone.

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