While Google has already revealed some details about the Pixel 7, there’s a lot that hasn’t been confirmed yet – and the camera’s specs are among those things. However, thanks to code found in a new version of Google’s camera app, we now have a clearer idea of what the Pixel 7’s front camera might be capable of.
9to5Google (opens in new tab) scoured the recently released Google Camera 8.5 and found the code for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. This code reveals that both models must be able to record 4K video using the front camera.
This would just be an upgrade for the Google Pixel 7, as the Google Pixel 6 Pro is already capable of this, while the Pixel 6 is not.
While this is a useful update, it could point to an even bigger change, as it could mean the Pixel 7 has the same sensor as the Pixel 7 Pro. We’re still not sure which sensor it would be, but it could be the 11.1 MP found in the Pixel 6 Pro – which is distinctly better than the 8 MP in the Pixel 6.
However, this is all just speculation for now, as the camera code does not reveal which sensor is used. But it’s likely to be a different sensor than the Pixel 6, as a little more megapixels are typically needed for 4K recordings.
All that said, we would take these findings with a pinch of salt. Their presence in the Google Camera code suggests this is likely accurate, but it’s possible that Google is simply experimenting with features and that 4K recording may not be supported on the Pixel 7.
Analysis: Not the most essential update
While it looks like the Google Pixel 7 might have a major selfie camera upgrade, this isn’t the aspect of the camera hardware that needs improvement the most.
In our review of the Pixel 6, we were quite pleased with the performance of the front camera for stills – although it doesn’t quite match up to the Pixel 6 Pro, which also benefited from a wider field of view.
Upgrading to 4K for video would be nice, but it’s not something that many users are likely to find very important.
What we really want to see is the addition of a telephoto lens on the rear, as the Google Pixel 6 only has wide and ultrawide cameras. The lack of a telephoto camera helps keep the cost down, of course, and gives the Pixel 6 Pro an additional selling point, as this phone has one.
But even the standard Pixel 6 is expensive enough to be a feature we’d like to see, so we’re hoping one will be added to the Pixel 7 to help it rank among the best camera phones.