Image credit: Abbi Tech | Twitter: @abbi_tech
While Google has already provided some information about the Pixel 7, there are still many details that are in question, including the camera specifications.
However, we now have a better understanding of what the Pixel 7’s front-facing camera might be able to do thanks to code discovered in a new version of the Google camera app.
In the recently released Google Camera 8.5, a news outlet dug around and discovered code for both the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro. This code indicates that the front-facing camera on both models should be capable of recording 4K video.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro already has this capability, so that would only be an upgrade for the Google Pixel 7.
While that would be a useful improvement, it might also indicate a more significant change since it might imply that the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro share the same sensor. Although we are unsure of the exact sensor, it may be the 11.1MP one on the Pixel 6 Pro, which is noticeably superior to the 8MP one on the Pixel 6.
However, as the camera code doesn’t specify which sensor is used, all of that is currently just conjecture. But since slightly more megapixels are typically required for 4K recordings, it’s likely to be a different sensor from the Pixel 6 in any case.
Having said that, we advise using caution when interpreting these results. However, it’s also possible that Google is just experimenting with features and that 4K recording won’t ultimately be supported on the Pixel 7. Their inclusion in the Google Camera code suggests this is probably accurate.
The least necessary upgrade
Image credit: Techardi | Twitter: @Techardi_
Although it appears that the Google Pixel 7’s selfie camera will receive a significant upgrade, this isn’t the area of the camera hardware that needs to be improved the most.
Although the 4K upgrade for video would be nice, not many users will likely find it to be particularly crucial.
The Google Pixel 6 only has wide-angle and ultrawide-angle cameras, so what we really want to see is the addition of a telephoto lens on the back. The absence of a telephoto camera, while obviously contributing to cost savings, also gives the Pixel 6 Pro, which does have one, a competitive advantage.
But even the basic Pixel 6 is pricey enough that we’d like to see one, so hopefully the Pixel 7 will have one to help it compete with the best camera phones.
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