Pixel 7 Rumors: A Few Possible Specs and Speculation – CNET [CNET]

From the release date to an upgraded Tensor chip, here’s what we’ve heard about Google’s next flagship phone.

With Google I/O happening today, the Pixel phone is once again in the spotlight. Though it’s not likely we’ll see the rumored Pixel 7 this early in the year — a fall reveal and launch would follow the precedent set with Pixel 6 and earlier models — we just might get some new clues about Google’s 2022 flagship at today’s event. Far more likely to be unveiled at Google I/O is the budget Pixel 6A phone, bringing a cheaper take on the bold design approach that debuted on the Pixel 6. We also expect more details about Android 13, which likely will get its own reveal with that next line of Pixel phones, much like how Android 12 began its rollout first with the Pixel 6 series.

So far we’ve heard buzz about a new processor for the Pixel 7 and a display that’s smaller than that of the Pixel 6. There’s even a render showing a new light blue color option for the Pixel 7 Pro on the Chinese website MyDrive (although it warrants some skepticism, as MyDrive is vague about where this render came from). 

For now we do know that the rumored Pixel 7 series will need to follow up the flashy launch of the Pixel 6, which shook up the design that the last five generations of Pixel phones otherwise held onto. Out went the previous year’s midrange processor. In came Google’s in-house 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.)

To be clear, there are few credible Pixel 7 rumors to lean on to help us get a better sense of what Google plans to do with the Pixel 7 (though there have been rumors about a Pixel Watch and the expected Pixel 6A). But that won’t stop us from trying to piece together what might be in store. We’d suggest bookmarking this page since we’ll update it whenever we hear of any credible rumors. 

Release date: Pixel 7 will likely launch in October

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 a safe bet that the Pixel 7 will receive an official launch in October. Leaker Jon Prosser tweeted that the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro will indeed launch that month alongside a Pixel Watch. (Other rumors suggest the Pixel Watch could arrive at Google I/O on May 11, alongside the Pixel 6A. It’s unlikely we’ll see such an early launch of the Pixel 7, but you never know.)

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 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 in February that he sent renders of the rumored two phones to Indian tech site Smartprix and car review site CARHP respectively. 

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, with 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: Pixel 7 Pro Leak Shows Punch-Hole Camera, S22 Ultra-Like Display

More recently, display analyst Ross Young suggests the Pixel 7 will be slightly smaller than the Pixel 6, with a 6.3-inch display compared with the Pixel 6’s 6.4 inches. The Pixel 7 Pro, however, is said to have the same 6.7-inch screen as the Pixel 6 Pro.