The first Google Pixel 7 Pro leaks show few design changes

By Michael Allison Published February 23, 2022

Just months after the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro launched, the first renders purporting to show the Pixel 7 Pro have arrived. The images from reliable leaker OnLeaks (Steve Hemmerstoffer) show off an evolution of the design language Google initiated with the Pixel 6.

Going off the images, the Pixel 7 looks a lot like the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. The changes are subtle. For example, the rear camera visor now blends with the frame rather than sits atop it. The other changes relate to the dimensions, with the Pixel 7 Pro predicted to be shorter, thinner, and less wide than the 6 Pro. Expect the same 6.7-inch to 6.8-inch curved display, single USB-C port, and dual speakers to make a return.

The first leaked images of the upcoming Pixel 7 Pro. — OnLeaks / Smartprix

Google’s Pixel 6 and 6 Pro shipped with distinct designs that set them apart from the iPhone clones that run rampant in the Android market, and it seems the company isn’t backing away from that. It’s to be expected, though. Google did keep the original Pixel design for three generations and eight smartphones, with the Pixel 4 style also lasting through two generations and six smartphones.

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Aside from these images, a few other Pixel 7 details have come to light from code hidden in the Android 13 developer preview. The phone is said to be equipped with Google’s Tensor 2 chip paired with a new Samsung Exynos Modem. The Pixel 6 has been dinged for poor signal performance as a result of the current Exynos modem compared to phones from Samsung and Apple, which use Qualcomm modems. Hopefully, the new modem will go a long way in rectifying that.

Google’s Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are expected to debut this October. More details should trickle out before then, even if Google doesn’t make its own pre-announcement as it typically does.

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Michael Allison

Former Digital Trends Contributor

A UK-based tech journalist for Digital Trends, helping keep track and make sense of the fast-paced world of tech with a…

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Here’s when you can buy the Google Pixel 9a

Alleged depiction of Google Pixel 9a.

After a tidal wave of rumors and leaks, the Google Pixel 9a saw an official announcement earlier this month — and now we know it will be available for purchase on April 10 in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. On April 14, the Pixel 9a will make its way to an additional 23 European countries, before finally arriving in India, Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia on April 16.

This midrange budget handset will start at $499 for the 128GB model, with a bump up to $599 for the 256GB model. It has a 6.3-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, paired with a maximum brightness of 2700 nits. That means you'll be able to use it in direct sunlight without worrying about visibility.

Mobile

Android 16 brings a blind fingerprint unlock perk to Pixel phones

Enabling off screen fingerprint unlock feature in Android 16.

Google is currently moving full steam ahead with the development of Android 16. Following the release of a third beta update just over a week ago, Android 16 has reached the platform stability milestone. Though the latest test build is light on feature updates, it brings a cool new trick.
On Pixel smartphones, users can now unlock their phone even if the screen is completely dark. First spotted by the folks over at Android Authority, the new “Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock” feature has been integrated within the phone’s Security & Privacy dashboard.
So far, Pixel smartphone users had to wake up the screen and put their thumb atop the fingerprint sensor icon on the Lock Screen. This had to be done either by waking up the screen with a tap gesture, or by pressing the power button.
Thanks to the new screen-off unlock convenience, users can simply place their thumb atop the in-display fingerprint sensor and get past the Lock Screen. There is no longer an intermittent hassle of lighting up the screen.

I was able to enable this feature after installing the Android 16 Beta 3.1 build, which runs atop the March 2025 security update, on a Pixel 8 smartphone. The new feature is a thoughtful convenience and works flawlessly.
It does, however, take a bit of muscle memory to land the thumb right above the fingerprint sensor on an otherwise dark screen. Also worth noting here is the fact that Google won’t be the first smartphone maker to offer this convenience.
I tried unlocking my OnePlus 13 and Samsung Galaxy S25 without waking up the screen, and it works just fine. Both devices are currently running Android 15, and notably, offer a faster fingerprint unlock experience compared to the Pixel 8, irrespective of whether the screen is on or off.
I’d like to point out that the screen-off fingerprint unlock system has arrived with a beta build, and Google might remove — or delay it — when the stable Android 16 update starts rolling out widely in the coming months.
For now, your only option to experience it is by enrolling in the Android 16 beta-testing program on a compatible Google Pixel smartphone. I would, however, recommend waiting out a few more weeks for the stable update to land on your Pixel smartphone, and save yourself the buggy mess of test builds.

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The Google Pixel 9a is missing a crucial life-saving feature

Person holds Pixel 9a in hand while sitting in a car.

Launched earlier this week, the Pixel 9a packs Pixel 9's magic in a condensed, more affordable form. With a lower price, though, the Pixel 9a loses some perks of the more premium Pixel 9 phones, including some defining Gemini AI features.

Despite running the same Tensor G4 chipset as the Pixel 9 and the 9 Pro, the Pixel 9a loses on a life-saving feature: satellite-based SOS functionality. Google confirmed the lack to Android Authority, validating you won't be able to call or text in cases you get stranded without network -- as you would be able to with the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and the 9 Pro Fold phones. Google offers these services on premium Pixel phones in the U.S., Canada, UK, and parts of Europe.
Why Pixel 9a lacks satellite SOS connectivity
The reason behind Google skipping satellite connectivity from the Pixel 9a is an older modem. Unlike the Pixel 9 series, which uses the newer and more advanced Samsung Exynos 5400 modem, the 9a uses the previous generation Exynos 5300. The newer modem is what enables 5G non-terrestrial networking (NTN) that is used to connect with low-orbit communication satellites when cellular network is absent.

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