The major selling point of any new phone is its design — specifically, its screen design. Compared to the standard Google Pixel 7 model, the Google Pixel 7 Pro has a 6.7-inch OLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz, a resolution of 3120 x 1400 pixels, and tough protection on the front as well as the back of the phone thanks to Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
In our comparison of the two new smartphones, we declared the Pixel 7 Pro victorious over the Pixel 7, despite having most of the same features, but the quality of the screen sold itself just as much as it sold its overall size. It allows videos to play in beautiful 4K with a resolution of 1080p at 60 frames per second (fps) all while the phone is running at 12GB of RAM. However, there’s still the matter of the phone’s external screen design — particularly if it still carries a curved screen just like the Pixel 6 Pro.
Yes, the Google Pixel 7 Pro has curved edges. Whether you liked that feature or not, it still does, but Google tweaked it in a way you might like.
The Pixel 7 Pro’s curves are less drastic than those of its predecessor. The Google Pixel 6 Pro had curved edges on each side that gave it a sort of waterfall effect — think of the Horseshoe Falls side of Niagara Falls — which made it a double-edged sword. The extremely curved edges made the Pixel 6 Pro the most stylish phone in the Google Pixel Pro series, but that design was flawed because it caused problems with palm rejection, making it extremely difficult for some people to hold onto without dropping it and breaking the screen.
Google allowed the Pixel 7 Pro to retain the curved screen, but it redesigned them in such a way that they’re as intense as the Pixel 6 Pro. It might be a nuisance to people who weren’t fond of the Pixel 6 Pro’s curves, but the slimmed-down curves on the Pixel 7 Pro allow for a little more stability in consumers’ hands. This is important whether they’re gripping the phone tight in their fist or holding onto the corners to take pictures and selfies. The curves may have improved, but they haven’t made it flat enough for a screen protector.
If a curved screen is a deal-breaker for you, well, maybe skip the Pixel 7 Pro. Thankfully, you don’t have to avoid Google’s latest range altogether, as the Pixel 7 has a flat screen you can take advantage of. With a flat screen, you can be less worried about palm rejection and the other downfalls of curved screens, even if it does mean your smartphone is a little less elegant looking at a result.
Google Play is borrowing one of the Nintendo Switch’s most useful little tricks. A new Sidekick tool called Playbacks captures a short clip after something interesting has already happened, sparing players from running a screen recorder throughout an entire game.
Playbacks is part of Google Play Store v53.8 and keeps saved clips on the phone. Google first announced it earlier this month, but the new Play Store update marks its arrival for players. Anyone who has watched a perfect win vanish because the record button came too late already understands the appeal.
Samsung’s scandal over its Game Optimizing Service, or GOS, has returned with a bill attached. South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has tentatively fined the company 20.1 billion won, or about $15.1 million, over gaming claims made for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S22, and Tab S8.
The regulator says Samsung promoted the devices as gaming powerhouses without disclosing that GOS placed preset CPU and GPU limits on certain demanding games. Samsung disputes that conclusion, calling GOS a legitimate way to manage heat.
Apple's next cheaper iPhone could get a brand-new processor while keeping its most stubborn display compromise. Digital Chat Station tips the iPhone 18e for a 2027 release with a 2nm A20 chip and a 6.12-inch OLED screen still limited to 60Hz.
The rumored camera setup includes a single 48MP rear camera and a possible 24MP selfie camera. There's new hardware to consider, but buyers hoping Apple would extend that upgrade generosity to smoother scrolling could be disappointed.