Google Pixel 7 Pro Vs iPhone 16e

Google Pixel 7 Pro
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:211.00

Versus €899.99 new

See options
iPhone 16e
iPhone 16e
Starting at

Refurbished price:405.00

Versus €719.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Google Pixel 7 Pro, released in October 2022, and the iPhone 16E, launched in February 2025, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality from their respective manufacturers. While the Pixel 7 Pro offers a premium Android experience with a focus on advanced computational photography and a large, high-resolution display, the iPhone 16E provides a streamlined iOS experience in a more compact form factor, integrating Apple's latest processor and AI capabilities. Both devices aim to deliver a capable smartphone experience, but they cater to different user preferences through their operating systems and hardware priorities.

Scores

Durability

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical durability.

  • Release Timeline and Age: The Google Pixel 7 Pro was released in October 2022, making it over three years old as of early 2026. The iPhone 16E, launched in February 2025, is a more recent device, though it had a short retail lifespan, being discontinued in March 2026 in favor of a newer model. This means the iPhone 16E is primarily available as a refurbished option.
  • OS Support Duration: Google guarantees five years of OS and security updates for the Pixel 7 Pro, extending its support until at least October 2027 for security updates and October 2025 for OS updates. Apple typically provides 5-7 years of major iOS updates for its iPhones, with security patches often continuing for longer. The iPhone 16E, launching with iOS 18.3 and supporting iOS 26, is expected to receive software updates for a considerable period, likely until around 2030-2032.
  • Durability Features: Both devices offer robust build quality. The Pixel 7 Pro features Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The iPhone 16E incorporates Apple's Ceramic Shield front cover and also boasts an IP68 rating, allowing for submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes.

Year of Release

2022

2025

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from navigating apps to demanding gaming sessions. Both the Pixel 7 Pro and iPhone 16E offer capable performance, though they achieve it through different hardware and software optimizations.

  • Processor Capabilities: The Google Pixel 7 Pro is powered by a processor designed by Google, which focuses on efficient AI and machine learning tasks, contributing to features like advanced photography and voice processing. The iPhone 16E features a recent-generation Apple-designed chip, known for its strong general-purpose performance and efficiency across the iOS ecosystem.
  • System Responsiveness and Multitasking: The Pixel 7 Pro typically comes with 12GB of RAM, allowing for smooth multitasking and handling of numerous applications simultaneously. The iPhone 16E, with 8GB of RAM, is optimized by iOS to manage applications efficiently, providing a fluid user experience even with multiple apps open.
  • Storage Options: Both devices offer a range of internal storage configurations to suit different user needs. The Pixel 7 Pro is available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage. The iPhone 16E also comes in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB variants.

Memory

12 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer high-quality viewing experiences with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: The Google Pixel 7 Pro features a large 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a Quad HD+ resolution (1440 x 3120 pixels), resulting in a high pixel density for sharp visuals. The iPhone 16E has a 6.1-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels, offering clear and vibrant images.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The Pixel 7 Pro's display boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, which provides very smooth scrolling and fluid animations, enhancing the overall user experience, especially during gaming or fast-paced content consumption. The iPhone 16E features a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is sufficient for everyday use but does not offer the same level of visual fluidity as higher refresh rate displays.
  • Brightness and Viewing Experience: The Pixel 7 Pro can achieve a peak brightness of up to 1500 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The iPhone 16E's OLED display also offers good brightness and contrast, providing a pleasant viewing experience for various content types.

Resolution

1440 x 3120

2532x1170

Audiovisual

Both the Google Pixel 7 Pro and the iPhone 16E offer capable camera systems, each with strengths tailored to different photographic preferences and scenarios.

  • Rear Camera System: The Google Pixel 7 Pro features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide lens, and a 48 MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. This configuration allows for a wide range of photographic styles, from expansive landscapes to detailed distant subjects. The iPhone 16E comes with a single 48 MP wide rear camera, which also includes an integrated 2x telephoto capability through computational photography.
  • Photography Performance: The Pixel 7 Pro is renowned for its computational photography, excelling in areas like low-light performance with Night Sight, detailed zoom capabilities with Super Res Zoom, and a dedicated Macro Focus mode. The iPhone 16E's single main camera is designed to capture high-quality images in various conditions, leveraging Apple's image processing for good detail and color accuracy.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices support 4K video recording. The Pixel 7 Pro can record 4K video at 30 or 60 frames per second and offers features like Cinematic Blur. Its front camera is 10.8 MP. The iPhone 16E also records 4K video with Dolby Vision up to 60 fps and features a 12 MP TrueDepth front camera.

Front camera

10.8 megapixels

TrueDepth 12MP

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical features and design elements differentiate these two smartphones, impacting daily usability and user convenience.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The Pixel 7 Pro includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, along with a USB-C 3.2 port for data transfer and charging. The iPhone 16E features Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, and has transitioned to a USB-C port, though it operates at USB 2.0 speeds.
  • Biometric Security: The Pixel 7 Pro offers both an under-display fingerprint reader and face unlock for secure access. The iPhone 16E relies on Face ID, Apple's facial recognition system, for secure authentication.
  • Physical Design and Handling: The Pixel 7 Pro is a larger device, weighing 212g with dimensions of 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm. The iPhone 16E is more compact and lighter at 167g, with dimensions of 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.8 mm, making it potentially easier for one-handed use. The iPhone 16E also includes an Action Button, offering customizable quick access to various functions.

Weight

212 g

167 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.1

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Google Pixel 7 Pro and the iPhone 16E cater to users with differing priorities, reflecting their respective ecosystems and design philosophies. Users often praise the Pixel 7 Pro for its exceptional camera capabilities, particularly its advanced computational photography features that deliver impressive results in various lighting conditions and zoom ranges. Its large, high-refresh-rate display and clean Android experience are also frequently highlighted as strong points. Some users, however, have noted that its battery life, while generally good, might not always match the very best in its class for heavy usage, and its size can be a factor for those preferring a more compact device.

The iPhone 16E, on the other hand, is often lauded for its integration into the Apple ecosystem, its robust and efficient processor, and its compact, lightweight design. Its battery life is frequently cited as a significant improvement for a 6.1-inch iPhone, offering reliable all-day power for many users. Criticisms might include its standard 60Hz display, which doesn't offer the same smoothness as higher refresh rate panels, and its single rear camera setup, which, while capable, lacks the versatility of multi-lens systems found on more premium devices.

Users prioritizing a versatile camera system with advanced AI features, a large and fluid display, and a pure Android experience may find the Google Pixel 7 Pro well-suited to their needs. Conversely, users who value a compact form factor, long-term software support within the iOS ecosystem, strong overall performance, and a reliable battery life will likely lean towards the iPhone 16E. Both devices offer compelling features, and choosing between them often comes down to personal preference for operating system and specific hardware priorities. For those looking for an eco-friendly alternative, both models are available as quality-assured refurbished options.

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