Hardware

Mobile Phone

Long-term Field Test: 14.03.2023 to date

Google Pixel 7 Pro

Photo: Original box Google Pixel 7 Pro, colour: Hazel

Mobile Phone with Privacy – thanks to GrapheneOS

After weeks of thorough research on privacy-friendly mobile operating systems, I decide on GrapheneOS. It supports Verified Boot and requires a security chip that only Google's Pixel series offers. So I buy a Google Pixel 7 Pro.

You can find the websites and YouTube videos that helped me to decide at the end of this review at Reference Source. This will be supplemented from time to time. Some more excellent sources can be found in the German-language version of this test report.

Purchasing

12.03.2023: Order at computeruniverse.net: Google Pixel 7 Pro with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage, colour: Hazel: 989.00 EUR.
Price with postage (DHL standard delivery): 997.99 EUR.
Delivery time: 1-2 working days. Payment method: Amazon Pay.
13.03.2023: Amazon Pay confirms payment to computeruniverse.net.
13.03.2023: computeruniverse.net informs about dispatch by mail.
14.03.2023: Parcel delivery to desired DHL Packstation.

Equipment

Google Pixel 7 Pro, Model GP4BC with 256 GB internal storage
1 m connection cable from USB-C® to USB-C (USB 2.0)
Quick Guide
Quick Switch Adapter (USB-A to USB-C)
SIM tool (to open the SIM drawer)

Photo: Google Pixel 7 Pro back (colour: Hazel), opened original box shows scope of delivery

Photo: Google Pixel 7 Pro rear side (colour: Hazel), open original box reveals scope of delivery

Specs

Google Pixel 7 Pro
Modell GP4BC

Dimensions & Weight

6.4 (height) × 3.0 (width) × 0.3 (depth) (inch)
162.9 (height) × 76.6 (width) × 8.9 (depth) (mm)
212 g

Display

Smooth Display (up to 120 Hz)
Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus™ cover glass
Always-on display with At a Glance and Now Playing
Up to 1000 nits (HDR) and up to 1,500 nits (peak brightness)
>1,000,000:1 contrast ratio
HDR support
Full 24-bit depth for 16 million colours

Battery and Charging

Beyond 24-hour battery life
Up to 72-hour battery life with Extreme Battery Saver

Minimum 4,926 mAh
Typical 5,000 mAh

Fast charging – up to 50% charge in about 30 minutes – with Google 30 W USB-C® Charger with USB-PD 3.0 (PPS) sold separately

Qi certified
Fast wireless charging
Battery Share

Memory and Storage

12 GB LPDDR5 RAM
128 GB/256 GB/512 GB UFS 3.1 Storage (512 GB not for Germany)

Processor

Google Tensor G2
Titan M2 security coprocessor

Security

Multi-layer hardware security:
Tensor security core, Titan M2 security chip and
Trusty (trusted execution environment)
Minimum five years of security updates
Camera and mic toggles

Main Camera

50 MP Octa PD Quad Bayer wide
1.2 μm pixel width
ƒ/1.85 aperture
82° field of view
1/1.31" image sensor size

12 MP ultrawide with autofocus
1.25 μm pixel width
ƒ/2.2 aperture
125.8° field of view
Lens correction

48 MP Quad Bayer PD telephoto
0.7 μm pixel width
ƒ/3.5 aperture
20.6° field of view
5x optical zoom
10x zoom and Super Res Zoom up to 30×

LDAF (laser detect auto-focus) sensor
Spectral and flicker sensor
Optical + electronic image stabilisation on wide and telephoto
Fast camera launcher

Front Camera

10.8 MP
1.22 μm pixel width
ƒ/2.2 aperture
Fixed focus
92.8° ultrawide field of view

Camera Features

(only available with Google Play services installed)

Macro Focus
Magic Eraser (requires Google Photos app)
Photo Unblur
Motion Mode
Real Tone
Face Unblur
Panorama
Manual white balancing
Locked Folder
Night Sight
Top Shot
Portrait Mode
Portrait Light
Super Res Zoom
Motion autofocus
Frequent Faces
Dual exposure controls
Live HDR+
Guided Frame

Video

Main Camera

4K video recording at 30 FPS, 60 FPS
1080p video recording at 30 FPS, 60 FPS

Front Camera

4K video recording at 30 FPS, 60 FPS

10-Bit-HDR-Video

Cinematic Blur
Cinematic Pan
Slo-mo video support up to 240 FPS
4K timelapse with stabilisation
Astrophotography timelapse
Optical image stabilisation
Fused video stabilisation
4K Cinematic Pan video stabilisation
4K locked video stabilisation
1080p active video stabilisation
Digital zoom up to 20×
Video formats: HEVC (H.265) and AVC (H.264)

Audio

Stereo recording
Speech enhancement
Wind noise reduction
Audio zoom

Authentication

Fingerprint Unlock with under-display fingerprint sensor
Face Unlock (only with Android OS, not with GrapheneOS)
Pattern, PIN (4 or 6 digits), password

Sensors

Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
Accelerometer
Gyrometer
Magnetometer
Barometer

Buttons and Ports

USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 2
Power button
Volume controls

SIMs

Dual SIM (single nano-SIM and eSIM)
Dual eSIM (2 eSIMs without nano-SIM)

Feature is operator dependent. Not supported by all operators or in all countries. Contact mobile operator for details.

Media and Audio

Stereo speakers
Three microphones
Noise suppression
Spatial audio

Connectivity and Location

Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz, HE160, MIMO

Bluetooth® v5.2 with dual antennas for enhanced quality and connection
Ultra-wideband chip for accurate ranging and spatial orientation
NFC
Google Cast

Dual-band GNSS
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou

Mobile Network

5G Sub 6 GHz

GSM/EDGE

Quad-band (850, 900, 1,800, 1,900 MHz)

UMTS/HSPA+/HSDPA

Bands 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 19

LTE

Bands B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/38/39/40/41/46/48/66/71

5G Sub-6

Bands n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/20/25/28/30/38/40/41/48/66/71/77/78

Requires a 5G data plan (sold separately). 5G service and roaming not available on all carrier networks or in all areas and may vary by country. Contact operator for details. 5G service, speed and performance depend on many factors, including operator network capabilities and signal strength. Actual results may vary. Some features are not available in all areas. Data rates may apply. See g.co/pixel/networkinfo for info.

eSIM (Hardware supports Dual eSIM)

Colour

Hazel (also available in Obsidian and Snow)

Hearing Aid Suitability

M3/T4 HAC rating
Google devices meet the Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) requirements set by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Security and Operating System Updates

Pixel updates for 5 years

Materials

Scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus™ cover glass
Rimless Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus™ back cover
Polished aluminium housing
Dust and water resistant according to IP68
Fingerprint resistant coating

Limited Warranty

2 years

Practice

Setup

DNS Resolver + Firewall

12.03.2023: NextDNS configured conveniently in the browser window on the MacBook Air M2. This DNS resolver for Private DNS is also a firewall at DNS level – works on all devices! No app required! I have created and installed profiles for iPhones and MacBook.

14.03.2023: Setting on Google Pixel 7 Pro:
1. Preferences → Network & Internet → Extended → Private DNS.
2. Select the option: Host name of the provider for Private DNS.
3. Enter NextDNS domain from customer menu, save, done.

Dual SIM

The Pixel 7 Pro offers Dual SIM ex works by means of a SIM card drawer for a nano-SIM and an eSIM chip for tariff profiles from network operators.

13.03.2023: From tomorrow, I will use my o2 Free Unlimited Max Online tariff previously used with an eSIM in iPhone 14 Pro Max with eSIM in my new Pixel 7 Pro. Therefore, I order a replacement eSIM via “My o2” app.

14.03.2023: After unpacking, I activate the replacement eSIM I ordered yesterday with tariff profile “o2 Free Unlimited Max Online (2021)”. After a short function test, I replace Android OS with GrapheneOS.

16.03.2023: Now I want use my main phone number previously used with Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max with eSIM and o2 Free S Boost tariff with my new Pixel 7 Pro. Ordering a replacement SIM using the “My o2” app. Changing from eSIM to physical SIM is very expensive: 29.99 EUR!

21.03.2023: I read on the internet that Google's current Pixel 7 & 7 Pro models have allegedly subsequently received the “Dual eSIM” function by the March 2023 software update (Google's first "feature drop") and that a physical SIM card is no longer required. I am revoking my SIM card exchange with Telefónica.

06.04.2023: Because Dual eSIM doesn't work yet (see below), I now use the very expensive physical SIM for my main phone number after all.

GrapheneOS

Installing GrapheneOS according to step-by-step instructions.
In this process, the factory-installed operating system is replaced by the alternative operating system GrapheneOS (technical term: "flashed").

Dual eSIM

21.03.2023: Since Telefónica does not allow you to move eSIMs from one device to another, I order a free replacement eSIM.
The procedure actually works quickly and easily, but requires “sandboxed Google Play installation” on the Pixel 7 Pro with GrapheneOS. Otherwise, “privileged eSIM management” cannot be activated. After setting up, the “sandboxed Google Play installation” can be removed again.

Unfortunately, at the point where the QR code of the eSIM is supposed to be scanned, I only get an error message. I try a few more times later, but it doesn't work.

24.03.2023: I suspect that the second eSIM can only be installed with Android OS and I make a backup of my GrapheneOS installation in order to reinstall (“flash”) the original Android OS afterwards.

I don't want to contact Telefónica's service before I have tried it out myself. Besides, this way I also gain experience with resetting to factory settings right away. It costs time, but no money, so I'm investing this time for another experience …

Installation of Android OS 13 according to step-by-step instructions works fine. Then go back to the settings menu “Network & Internet” and try again to load the eSIM profile. Unfortunately, the scan process terminates at the same point with the same error message as under GrapheneOS with privileged eSIM management! Documentation with screenshots. Two hours later I install GrapheneOS again ... (think about Queen's song: “Flash! Aah!”)

06.04.2023: New try to get second eSIM working …
Unfortunately, only “SIM slot 2” is addressed for eSIM. So the Pixel 7 Pro is not yet capable of Dual eSIM.

11.04.2023: I read in the o2 community that Dual eSIM only works with the beta version (build number T3B2.230316.003). I'm afraid I've been taken in by a lousy journalist!
Perhaps Dual eSIM will be officially introduced as a new feature of Android version 13 on 10 May at the Google I/O developer conference?

User Profiles

25.03.2023: Extra user profile created for Google-dependent apps. To keep the main profile Google-free, I created a second user and installed "sandboxed Google Play" in it. The latter is very easy thanks to the GrapheneOS repository “Apps”.

Tip: an online password vault makes handling much easier.
Actually, I prefer local password managers and avoid online services. But if you want to use two user profiles that are completely isolated from each other, it becomes very cumbersome.

Password-protected apps of the second user profile are unusable without access to the password manager in the owner profile. It does not help to pass through apps for e-mail, messaging or a password vault from the owner profile or even to install them twice. Such apps cannot be copied together with credentials. They also ask for credentials after every start in the second user profile. Since I only use very secure, very long passwords, nothing works without a password vault.
I would often have to copy a KeePass file via USB memory stick.

Password Manager

That's why I'm now testing Bitwarden, the only platform-independent open-source online password manager. It is really very secure and yet very user-friendly! I use the app for both profiles and thus have access to all passwords at all times. Bitwarden can and should definitely be protected by 2FA – Aegis Authenticator fulfils this purpose excellently – for both profiles.

App Store

Thanks to GrapheneOS, your phone really belongs to you!
No need to have your phone activated by a manufacturer!
No forced registration and no unwanted apps!
This is a very pleasant experience!

After fresh installation, the start screen is almost empty: only phone, SMS, settings, browser and camera are on the start bar. “Gallery” is the only app above it. Nothing else can be seen.
Only the swipe-up gesture makes all installed apps visible:
Apps: Repository by GrapheneOS – here you can set whether and how often to check for updates and whether to install them automatically. The Google Play Services can be installed if required and then run non-privileged in a sandbox.
Auditor: test the integrity of a GrapheneOS installation.
Those who have a second Android smartphone available can install this app on it, connect both smartphones via USB cable and then check the smartphone with GrapheneOS from the smartphone with ordinary Android or GrapheneOS. If both smartphones are running GrapheneOS, they can check each other.
Camera: the camera software supplied with GrapheneOS.
Files: the file manager.
Settings: This is used to configure the entire smartphone.
Gallery: Here you can view all the pictures, the photo album so to speak.
Info Service: SIM Toolkit. Available on every phone.
Contacts: the phone book on the smartphone.
PDF Viewer: every user needs, therefore already supplied.
Calculator: the mobile calculator. Everyone needs one.
SMS/MMS: Standard app for text messages.
Phone: Default app for telephony.
Clock: World clock, timer, stopwatch and alarm clock.
Vanadium: very privacy-friendly variant of the Chromium browser.

To install my own apps, I use both app stores from Aurora.
These serve as a frontend for repositories from F-Droid and Google:

Aurora Droid

Front end to the F-Droid repository. Also provides links to repos from devs, companies and foundations which have their apps listed at F-Droid.
You can easily add further external repos, e.g. from Threema, Session and NewPipe ...

Manual Addition in Aurora Droid requires minor Modifications

At F-Droid, the URL for a repo starts with fdroidrepos://
At Aurora Droid, the URL for a repo starts with https://

F-Droid uses one long URL incl. fingerprint for the entire link
Aurora Droid expects the fingerprint in a second input field

Modification explained using the Example of Threema Libre

Aurora Droid has three input fields:
1. Repository Name
2. https://
3. Fingerprint (optional)

Threema Libre

1. Repository Name

https://releases.threema.ch/fdroid/repo

2. The URL of the repo (omit everything from "?fingerprint=")

5734E753899B25775D90FE85362A49866E05AC4F83C05BEF5A92880D2910639E

3. fingerprint ("?fingerprint=" omitted from the URL)

After successful addition, select the dialogue to select the desired repos so that the list of repos appears. Now tick Threema Libre and confirm below.

Then use the app selection/app search view again.
Now you can see the repos at the bottom. Either select one to show only its apps or use the search.

Aurora Store

More informative, prettier front end for Google's app repository. Also shows detailed info about the trackers! There is a useful filter for searching: Google Service Framework (GSF) required, advertising, free.
There are two ways to log in: with your own Google account or anonymously.
• Anyone who has previously bought apps from Google Play or finds a new interesting paid app can log in with an existing Google account and download the app(s) to the Pixel 7 Pro. If the app(s) have already been paid for in Google Play before, nothing will be charged.
• If you find free apps without advertising, you can download them anonymously. Apps with advertising want to spy on customer data and use trackers for this, I don't think much of that.

Tip: Install as few apps as possible, because any app can theoretically become a security risk at some point. Be it through a developer's mistake or through the sale of an app or entire software forge to a dubious company (the latter has happened several times, fortunately none of my apps have been affected so far).

Backup

The current GrapheneOS version no longer supports data exchange with a desktop computer using MTP and PTP protocols. Their use has long been discouraged in the FAQs because you have to trust the computer. This could be contaminated with a Trojan and transfer malicious code to the smartphone. Quote:

Since you need to trust the computer, we recommend transferring the files with a flash drive or sending them to yourself via an encrypted end-to-end messaging app.

This is not a real disadvantage, because it works without dependence on a desktop computer anytime and anywhere and is ideal for those who don't have a desktop computer at all – USB memory stick with sufficient storage space or card reader including (micro)SD card will do!

Tip: To be on the safe side, use several SD cards alternately.

If necessary, send it to yourself by e-mail as a file attachment, e.g. with Tutanota.
Sending smaller files is also possible with Threema and Session.

Battery Performance

Battery Life, Battery Saving, Charging Time

Battery Life (Time after Battery Charge until next Charge)

I am cautious about making statements about the regular runtime. During the setup and familiarisation phase, a smartphone is used much more intensively than later in everyday life. Hopefully, my notes will help you to assess how long the battery could last in your everyday life.

Manufacturer's information: More than 24 hours of battery life.

How long the battery will last in practice will become clear after a few weeks of operation. I log this for a while (see below).

Usage Profiles

I'm still adjusting it, until then a few details.
For all usage profiles except standby, this applies: at night, airplane mode + low-power mode are activated. That is about 9 hours a day.

Standby

??? h (lying unused on the table).
Dual SIM, good mobile coverage (4G/5G), Bluetooth on, WLAN off.
Not tested yet because it is always used as my daily driver.

Low Use

About 48 h (emails, messenger, calendar, web).
Dual SIM, good mobile coverage (4G/5G), Bluetooth off, Wi-Fi off.

Moderate Use

About 24 h (emails/SMS, calendar, web surfing, 3 h Threema voice call).
Dual SIM, good mobile coverage (4G/5G), Bluetooth on, Wi-Fi off.

Heavy Use

About 10 h (reading a book [Kindle app], Threema messages or SMS, many emails, calendar, calls, 5 h listening to music, 3 h web surfing).
Dual SIM, good mobile coverage (4G/5G), Bluetooth on, Wi-Fi off.

Extreme Use

About 5 h (as a WLAN hotspot for streaming).
Dual SIM, good mobile coverage (4G/5G), Bluetooth on.
When Apple's iOS update version 16.4 was released, I used the Pixel 7 Pro as a Wi-Fi hotspot for my Apple devices.

Battery Saving

I treat batteries as gently as possible to avoid wear and tear.
With at least 30 % remaining charge, the battery is charged to max. 70 %. Deviations from this only occur when I check on the device too late.
If you leave the battery almost empty and charge it to 100 % (e.g. overnight), you stress it and also use up a full charge cycle each time.

Modern lithium-ion batteries can withstand 500 charging cycles. In practice, these are achieved within 1–5 years, depending on the treatment.

Low-Power Mode

Set Timetable

• No activation according to timetable
• Activation according to set battery level
(selectable in steps of five: 10 to 75 %)

I have set 35 %. If I do not think about charging in time, the energy consumption is already throttled and until 30 % remaining charge is reached, I will (hopefully) still notice the need for charging in time.

Battery Warning

Because the BatteryBot Pro app can only warn me about values below/above five, I set it to 35 %. And as soon as 65 % is exceeded, I also let myself be warned and continue charging until 70 % or disconnect at 66 % if I won't be able to see the charging indicator afterwards.

Charging Time

Battery-saving slow charging: to do this, I plug the USB-A adapter of the "Long-Life Cable USB-C to USB-C 3.2" into a socket on the USB Hub D-Link DUB-H7 and the USB-C plug at the other end of the 1.2 m long nylon reinforced charging cable into the USB-C socket on the Google Pixel 7 Pro.
I haven't even tried that yet.

For fast charging, Apple's 30-watt fast charger model A1882 is suitable or the lower front socket on the Anker PowerExpands Elite (labelled with “PD”). Or I connect the Google Pixel 7 Pro directly to the MacBook Air with the 1 m USB-C® to USB-C (USB 2.0) connection cable that comes with it. The latter takes a little longer, but is gentler. The battery does not get very warm (max. 40 °C., usually stays below 37 °C.). So far, I have only charged on the MacBook Air and also tried MagSafe the first time.

You can expect these Charging Times

Chronologically sorted (source: battery log of the app BatteryBot Pro)

24.03.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:01 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
25.03.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:57 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
26.03.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:57 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
27.03.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:59 h (29 %–71 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
27.03.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:59 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
28.03.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:57 h (32 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
29.03.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:18 h (30 %–81 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
29.03.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:57 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
30.03.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:07 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
31.03.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:57 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
31.03.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:57 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
01.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:53 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
02.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:54 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
02.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:59 h (30 %–71 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
03.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:00 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
04.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:18 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
05.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:57 h (34 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
06.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:03 h (34 %–76 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
07.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:41 h (31 %–73 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
08.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:55 h (31 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
09.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:58 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
10.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:00 h (30 %–71 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
11.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:58 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
11.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:58 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
12.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:45 h (32 %–61 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
13.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:10 h (34 %–80 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
14.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:59 h (29 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
15.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:01 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
16.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:54 h (33 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
17.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:52 h (34 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
18.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:56 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
19.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:57 h (32 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
20.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:36 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
20.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:03 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
21.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:58 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
22.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:00 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
23.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:55 h (31 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
24.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:35 h (33 %–59 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
25.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:53 h (33 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
26.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:58 h (32 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
27.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:55 h (32 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
28.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:00 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
28.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:53 h (31 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
29.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:01 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
30.04.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:25 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
02.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:23 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
02.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:05 h (30 %–71 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
03.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:59 h (31 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
05.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:00 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
06.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:55 h (33 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
07.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:56 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
09.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:58 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
11.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:57 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
12.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:52 h (33 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
13.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:00 h (31 %–71 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
15.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:00 h (30 %–71 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
16.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:57 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
18.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:00 h (30 %–71 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
19.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:50 h (35 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
20.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:00 h (29 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
23.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:00 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
24.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:56 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
25.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:01 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
26.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:58 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
27.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:21 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
29.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:05 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
30.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:59 h (31 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
31.05.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:57 h (31 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
01.06.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:03 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
03.06.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:57 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
04.06.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:59 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
05.06.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 0:58 h (30 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
07.06.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:02 h (30 %–71 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
08.06.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:03 h (30 %–73 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)
08.06.2023: Charging time on USB-C 3.1 port: 1:00 h (31 %–70 %)(Apple MacBook Air M2)

Battery Protocol

I can save myself manual logging thanks to BatteryBot Pro. This app had already made battery maintenance easier for me back in 2013 (alarm times for falling below and exceeding any charge level in 5 percent steps and any temperature, battery status and log).

No charging percentage display is set at ex-works and no screenshots are possible during the first initial start-up dialogues.
So I could not determine the first operating time exactly.

After switching on the phone for the first time, the start-up procedure cannot be interrupted and the battery status is only displayed as a small symbol. That's why I can't see the battery status as a percentage. Only then can I finally switch to the percentage display.

24.03.2023: after 16:31 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
25.03.2023: after 16:31 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
26.03.2023: after 20:30 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
27.03.2023: after 24:22 h at 29 % charged to 71 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
27.03.2023: after 17:31 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
28.03.2023: after 8:10 h at 32 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
29.03.2023: after 17:35 h at 30 % charged to 81 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
29.03.2023: after 20:22 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
30.03.2023: after 22:25 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
31.03.2023: after 5:17 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
31.03.2023: after 17:37 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
01.04.2023: after 15:56 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
02.04.2023: after 7:11 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
02.04.2023: after 22:25 h at 30 % charged to 71 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
03.04.2023: after 20:29 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
04.04.2023: after 24:46 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
05.04.2023: after 19:57 h at 34 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
06.04.2023: after 22:36 h at 34 % charged to 76 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
07.04.2023: after 7:46 h at 31 % charged to 73 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
08.04.2023: after 21:00 h at 31 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
09.04.2023: after 22:00 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
10.04.2023: after 24:14 h at 30 % charged to 71 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
11.04.2023: after 20:31 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
11.04.2023: after 21:41 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
12.04.2023: after 17:46 h at 32 % charged to 61 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
13.04.2023: after 8:44 h at 34 % charged to 80 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
14.04.2023: after 22:00 h at 29 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
15.04.2023: after 41:01 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
16.04.2023: after 8:26 h at 33 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
17.04.2023: after 21:34 h at 34 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
18.04.2023: after 19:55 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
19.04.2023: after 24:25 h at 32 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
20.04.2023: after 20:34 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
20.04.2023: after 21:23 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
21.04.2023: after 22:35 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
22.04.2023: after 20:56 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
23.04.2023: after 25:00 h at 31 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
24.04.2023: after 18:14 h at 33 % charged to 59 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
25.04.2023: after 11:30 h at 33 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
26.04.2023: after 21:00 h at 32 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
27.04.2023: after 21:40 h at 32 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
28.04.2023: after 20:25 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
28.04.2023: after 19:07 h at 31 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
29.04.2023: after 22:27 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
30.04.2023: after 26:23 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
02.05.2023: after 26:17 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
02.05.2023: after 19:21 h at 30 % charged to 71 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
03.05.2023: after 18:28 h at 31 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
05.05.2023: after 31:30 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
06.05.2023: after 26:12 h at 33 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
07.05.2023: after 21:01 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
09.05.2023: after 44:10 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
11.05.2023: after 48:22 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
12.05.2023: after 36:19 h at 33 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
13.05.2023: after 29:00 h at 31 % charged to 71 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
15.05.2023: after 29:00 h at 30 % charged to 71 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
16.05.2023: after 40:56 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
18.05.2023: after 33:43 h at 30 % charged to 71 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
19.05.2023: after 23:00 h at 35 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
20.05.2023: after 38:16 h at 29 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
23.05.2023: after 47:37 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
24.05.2023: after 24:37 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
25.05.2023: after 24:41 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
26.05.2023: after 40:38 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
27.05.2023: after 25:05 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
29.05.2023: after 25:12 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
30.05.2023: after 27:02 h at 31 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
31.05.2023: after 24:05 h at 31 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
01.06.2023: after 38:29 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
03.06.2023: after 25:06 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
04.06.2023: after 27:44 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
05.06.2023: after 39:46 h at 30 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
07.06.2023: after 25:08 h at 30 % charged to 71 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
08.06.2023: after 27:48 h at 30 % charged to 73 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)
08.06.2023: after 17:27 h at 31 % charged to 70 % (Apple MacBook Air M2)

14.03.2023: Here I will comment on charging times/special features.
28.03.2023: Long use as WLAN hotspot for Apple's updates.
29.03.2023: Use as a WLAN hotspot for the latest iOS update.
11.04.2023: No mistake: two charges on one day.
20.04.2023: Battery charging takes longer today: the energy-supplying MacBook Air urgently needs a battery charge itself and is already charging the iPhone 11 Pro, whose battery is almost empty. In addition, the Pixel 7 Pro temporarily serves as a WLAN hotspot at 5 GHz because the iPhone 11 Pro only supports 2.4 GHz as a hotspot and this WLAN frequency band sometimes is completely overloaded.
20.04.2023: No mistake: two charges on one day.
24.04.2023: Battery charge finished at 59 %. Let's see if the battery lasts as long as it usually does at 70 % with low-power mode activated.
25.04.2023: Heavy use today, so no comparison of consumption with yesterday possible.
28.04.2023: No mistake: two charges on one day.
02.05.2023: WiFi hotspot for MacBook Air, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone Xs for updates: macOS 13.3.1 (a), iOS 16.4.1 (a) and iOS 16.5 Public Beta 3.
02.05.2023: No mistake: two charges on one day.
05.05.2023: As a test, low-power mode remains on this time.
06.05.2023: As a precaution, I decided to recharge the battery before going to bed with 35% charge remaining. Before that, I used the Pixel 7 Pro a little bit and the battery was already at 33% remaining charge. If I had set the phone to flight mode a little earlier for the night, another 10 h of operating time would have been possible with subsequent battery charging at 30 % remaining. So approx. 36 h with power-saving mode active throughout. 5 h more than without low-power mode.
06.06.2023: WiFi hotspot for MacBook Air, because the WLAN connection between MacBook and iPhone 11 Pro was unstable when streaming.

Battery Logging

BatteryBot Pro makes it much easier to record measurements. In addition, I take screenshots at start of charging, end of charging and at relevant status changes such as flight mode on/off in order to be able to clarify discrepancies later and in case BatteryBot Pro does not write an event in the log.

Music Player

20.03.2023: A chat friend recommends me the music player Metro and gives me the developer's Github URL. I also search this app at Aurora Droid and find: Metro – A music player for Android.
I have been looking for something like this! – A wonderful tool to reorganise my music collection, which was messed up by Apple – so I can conveniently download the right album covers from the internet for those deleted or incorrectly assigned by Apple.

After restoring the album cover of my favourite house dance CD “Felix: #1” as a test, I immediately listen to the album. It's not to everyone's taste, but I like this album. Play tip: Track #4: “Stars”. Goosebumps ...

Afterwards, I test the sound quality further with the listening test CD “Stakkato” from the German Hi-Fi magazine “Audio”. Musical instruments: Bösendorfer Imperial grand piano, Steinway grand piano, bassoon, saxophone, (church) organ, kettledrums, double bass, vibraphone etc. help to objectively assess the sound quality.

Finally, I listen to the double CD “Substance 1987” by the British New Wave band New Order. Play tip: Track #4: “Blue Monday” on CD #1 (translated quote from Wikipedia Germany:) is considered a pioneering piece of electronic dance music and synth pop, as well as a forerunner of techno, due to its innovative sound engineering and early sampling sounds. The original version of the track appeared on the 12″ maxi-single of the same name in 1983. The record is one of the best-selling 12″ singles, with over a million copies. The track itself (including the '88 and '95 remixes) is estimated to have sold over 10 million copies.

As an interim result of this test report, I can attest to the Google Pixel 7 Pro's uncoloured sound reproduction. Favourite tracks from my music collection sound as good as they do on other playback media.
The Google Pixel 7 Pro has a ruler-like frequency response down to the low bass range.

Audio Test Equipment

As a measuring instrument, I only have my good hearing, various particularly suitable music titles (encoding with constant quality; dynamic data rate up to max. 320 kbit/s) and the Bluetooth headphones …

Apple AirPods Pro (2. Generation).
These also harmonise very well with the Google Pixe 7 Pro!

Unlike their predecessors and cheaper models, you can control them with gestures and don't need an app. I was worried whether I would be able to continue using the AirPods Pro if I switched completely from iPhones to Pixels, but at worst I would only have used them on the MacBook Air, which I use to stream TV and watch YouTube movies.

Messaging

Threema

Threema can optionally be used without personal data such as telephone number or email address. The Threema ID is sufficient!
Chats are end-to-end encrypted and phone calls are tap-proof.

Session

The Messenger Session does not use any personal data, i.e. neither telephone number nor e-mail address! There is no connection to the address book of the device! The Session ID is generated locally on the device and serves as a public key.
Chats are end-to-end encrypted and phone calls are tap-proof.
Further advantages: decentralised Onion-Routing network, free of charge.

Telephony

28.04.2023: The acoustics are flawless. So far, only one phone call from the Telefónica mobile network to the fixed network, but more than twenty hours of voice calls via messenger (Threema, Session, SimpleX Chat).

Call Filter

Please do not disturb

This is the name of the professional call filter of Android OS.
Create various schedules with individual conditions.

Allow Calls

This can be configured in the Settings menu “Do not disturb”:

From all
Only from contacts (all saved in own address book)
Only from marked contacts (this means favourites)
Do not allow calls

Important Settings of the Phone App

At the top right, you can reach the menu for the Call List and Settings via the three vertical dots.

Settings

It is better to check and define the many useful configuration options here as soon as the phone is put into operation, as it will save a lot of time later and make it easier to use:

Display Options

Sorting of names in the address book, e.g. by last name, but name format: first name first.

Tones and Vibration

Here you set the default ringtone, select vibration settings and whether “Do not disturb” should be active during a phone call.
If, like me, you don't like haptic feedback and find vibrations rather annoying, this is one of the many hidden menus for turning off the annoying energy-consuming vibration.

Short Answers

Four SMS templates for callers who call at an inopportune moment are stored in an editable form.

Call Accounts

Settings for SIM cards used, important for Dual-SIM and SIP.
Companies or parents find the number restriction here, WLAN telephony can be preferably started via WLAN or mobile network, forwardings are defined (always/if busy/if no answer/if not reachable).

The most important thing is hidden under “Additional Settings”:
Caller ID – Show number on outgoing calls with the options:
• Network default setting (usually means “suppressed call number”!)
• suppress phone number
• show phone number

In addition, you can switch on “Call waiting” here if you do not want to miss other callers during a call and perhaps even want to toggle between them (switch back and forth).

Blocked Numbers

„Unknown” – Block calls from unidentified callers (switch on or off).
If you switch it on, also callers with suppressed call number receive a busy signal or are forwarded to the mailbox in the case of “Call forwarding on busy”.
SMS from blocked numbers are also not delivered.
Turn this off if you have a business and need to answer all calls.

Mailbox

Here, mailbox notification and setup can be achieved for each of the two SIM cards.

Operating Aids

Speech or hearing impaired people will find the TTY mode here.
TTY = Abbreviation: Telephone TYpewriter.

Info

App version, licence data, privacy policy, terms of use

Accessibility for the eternally outdated and stubborn, who you love anyway

Despite the threat of punishment by the Federal Network Agency, there are still too many dubious companies that do not comply with the law and call us with suppressed or falsified telephone numbers. That's why I don't even temporarily switch off the blocking of anonymous callers in order to be accessible to stubborn people and can no longer recommend this to others.
In the meantime, word has also got around that you can reach fewer and fewer people with a suppressed number …

For stubborn acquaintances and relatives who do not want to have the free number transfer switched on by the network operator, I would use the mailbox if necessary.
I would formulate the announcement text of the mailbox accordingly:
„… landed on the mailbox because of a suppressed call number, … please always call with activated caller ID!”

As soon as automatic diallers of dubious advertising callers start ringing at short intervals without interruption and suppress their own telephone number or transmit a faked, constantly changing telephone number, “Do not disturb” must remain active, otherwise you are no longer reachable for serious callers!

Alternatives to “Do not disturb”

Since Android OS version 6, you no longer need an app as a call filter, which serious call filter developers state in their app description!

I bought a real call filter (Advanced Call Blocker by wahooka) for my Android smartphone Samsung Galaxy Note on 12 December 2010.
Since 24.03.2011 I have been using a location and time-dependent profile control called Llama on the above-mentioned smartphone. Both are no longer available for current Android versions.

Blocking individual Phone Numbers

In Android OS, unwanted phone numbers can be blocked directly from the call list without having to save them in the address book!

Block dubious Numbers directly from the Call List

Calling up the call list
Tap the centre of the list entry of the interferer (not the handset symbol!)
A menu pops up with the options Send SMS, Block number, Call details
Tap on „Block number”
A security query appears: Block (phone number)?
„You will no longer receive calls from this number.” Cancel | Block contact

In case of an accident (e.g. slipped in line, got the wrong contact) you can tap on “Unblock” immediately afterwards.
If you want to unblock later or check all the blocks already stored, you can do this in the settings menu of the phone app:

Go to Settings/Blocked Numbers.
All blocked numbers are listed here.There is an X to the right of each entry. Click on it and the block will be deleted after confirming the security query.

Firmware

The Google Pixel 7 Pro comes with Android version 13.
I immediately replaced Google's Android OS with GrapheneOS.
New software versions are downloaded automatically and installed after confirmation. I document this in each case with the installation date as the heading. This is usually a few days after the release date, which is part of the build number.

14.03.2023

GrapheneOS version 2023030400 released
After initial operation and basic configuration, the device reports the availability of a software update (471 MB). After installing it, I see that it is the security update for February 2023. Just four minutes later, I am offered the next update (49.58 MB). It contents GrapheneOS software:
GmsCompatConfig: update to version 35
GmsCompatConfig: update to version 36
Vanadium: update to version 110.0.5481.154.1
Vanadium: update to version 111.0.5563.49.0
Apps: update to version 16

Android Version

Android Security Update

5 February 2023

Baseband Version

g5300g-220923-221028-B-9229469

Bootloader Version

cloudripper-1.0-9288096

Kernel Version

5.10.168-android13-4-g8cbae0321d75
#1 Tue Feb 21 04:56:09 UTC 2023

Build Number

TQ1A.230205.002.2023030400

24.03.2023

GrapheneOS version 2023031500 released
This March 2023 security update has been eagerly awaited as it closes four very critical vulnerabilities in the Pixel series modem chip.

Android Version

Android Security Update

5 March 2023

Baseband Version

g5300g-221229-230210-B-9589366

Bootloader Version

cloudripper-1.0-9618356

Kernel Version

5.10.168-android13-4-38cbae0321d75
#1 Tue Feb 21 04:56:09 UTC 2023

Build Number

TQ2A.230305.008.C1.2023031500

25.03.2023

GrapheneOS version 2023032000 released
Bootloader update

Bootloader Version

cloudripper-1.0-9618366

Build Number

If your Google services-dependent apps do not need to run constantly, it is definitely worth creating a separate user, because then “sandboxed Google Play” does not have to run permanently in background, consuming energy…
So, for example, check your account balance briefly, make transfers if necessary and then log out again straight away!
Logging off makes the profile inactive so that none of the applications installed in it can be run. It also deletes the disk encryption keys from memory and hardware registers, returning the user profile to sleep mode.

I have always preferred open source software and therefore only had to check for banking apps, Post & DHL and my health insurance app whether they also work without Google services.
I have now installed these in a specially created user profile and also Google Camera & Google Photos. Without internet authorisation! And the Photos app is only allowed to access the camera folder.

Tip: The Pixel camera requires Google software for best quality and use of all features. And the Google Camera preview requires Google Photos. Retouching (eraser) is easy with it. Attempts to replace the Photos app only cause problems.
Since the firmware update in April 2023, Google's Camera app and Photos app work without Google Play services! As “Storage Scope” I only allow them access to this directory: Main storage/DCIM/Camera.
I have revoked the internet authorisation for both! Works fine!

My Threema ID is moving from iPhone 14 Pro Max to Google Pixel 7 Pro.
I can use again the licence from the Threema shop that I last used with the Fairphone 4.
Tip: To prevent new incoming messages from landing on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, I switch it to flight mode!
First I export all chats from the Threema app on the iPhone 14 Pro Max as encrypted files and email them to myself via Tutanota, because I have extra storage space there and everything is end-to-end encrypted.

After Threema Libre is installed on the Pixel 7 Pro and the Threema ID is imported, I delete Threema ID including chats on the iPhone 14 Pro Max and then the app itself (may only be installed on one device).

Unfortunately, the chats cannot be moved when changing eco systems, but if I want to read an old chat, I can decrypt the archive file and read it on my MacBook. Thanks to Threema Safe, the Threema ID (incl. public and private key), nickname, profile picture, contacts (incl. trust level) and group memberships are retained.

Switch from iOS to Android OS/GrapheneOS

Back in September 2021, before buying a Fairphone 3+ (with /e/OS), I had searched for and found Google-free apps.

You can find interesting and tested apps under Mobile Apps.
For apps without test report, I link to the developer's website or to f-droid.org for further information.

Display

The touch display is great! It is slightly curved backwards on the left and right, but this does not lead to incorrect inputs. So not like displays of the Samsung Galaxy Edge devices. Google is right to call it a full-screen display, because there is only a small camera hole for selfies and make-up mirror forgetters, but no significant housing edge.

The factory setting is Full HD+ with 1080p and requires less energy.
You can enjoy the full resolution of the 6.7-inch full-screen display via the menu path Settings/Display/Screen Resolution.
Here you can switch from 1080p FHD+ to 1440p QHD+.

To save energy and protect the display from unauthorised viewing, a short display switch-off time of 15 seconds is recommended.

Camera

In winter temperatures, my smartphone always stays in the pocket to protect it. The change in temperature from the cold outside to the warm inside can lead to condensation in the device.
So for now, no detailed camera test with outdoor shots. I'll do that soon when the weather is nicer.

Photos

(will be added as soon as photos have been taken)

Leather Sleeve

For years, I have protected each mobile phone with a custom-made black nappa leather sleeve by fitBAG (Made in Germany).

Surprisingly, the Pixel 7 Pro fits perfectly into the fitBAG sleeve of the iPhone 14 Pro Max! I didn't expect this after comparing the dimensions from the data sheets. But I had them made a little bigger so that the iPhone could be removed easily. Even with a very thin case, both devices could just about fit into this fitBAG sleeve.

Because I have already sold the iPhone 14 Pro Max to wirkaufens.de, I am saving myself the trouble of ordering a new fitBAG case this time.

Photo: black fitBAG Nappa Leather Sleeve

Photo: View inside the leather bag with lining “Microfibre Premium (IFP)”

Pros

housing with excellent build quality
excellent borderless high-resolution 6.7" full-screen display (1440 x 3120 pixels)
reliable optical fingerprint sensor under the display
Dual SIM is supported (1× Nano-SIM, 1× eSIM)
Dual eSIM (2× eSIM) will be supported with Android 14
noise-free very good sound quality when telephoning
(supports HD Voice and HD Voice Plus = EVS)
current Bluetooth version 5.2 (very energy-saving!)
NFC support
alternative operating systems like GrapheneOS easy to install
SW updates + security patches for at least 5 years, possibly longer

Cons

Battery cannot be changed by the customer without tools
in Germany only 128 GB or 256 GB storage, no 512 GB version

Conclusion

The Google Pixel 7 Pro is an excellent upper-class smartphone with good features. Display and build quality are excellent and the processor performance is very good.
Except for Dual eSIM, all runs as smoothly as on iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Annoying: thanks to lousy journalists, I wasted unnecessary time trying to use Dual eSIM on an Android version that doesn't even support it yet.
Good news: Google is catching up with eSIM technology and is working on making all smartphones Dual eSIM-capable from Android 14 onwards.

Alternatives

Apple iPhone 14 Pro – Glass body, angular stainless steel frame, 6 GB RAM, max. 1 TB storage, 6.1-inch OLED display, triple camera (48 MP) + Lidar, 5G, Dual eSIM
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max – Glass body, angular stainless steel frame, 6 GB RAM, max. 1 TB storage, 6.7-inch OLED display, triple camera (48 MP) + Lidar, 5G, Dual eSIM
Fairphone 4 – Aluminium body, plastic back, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB storage, max. 2 TB (microSDXC card), 6.3-inch LCD display, dual camera (48 MP WA/SWA), 5G, Dual SIM
Google Pixel 7 – Glass housing, aluminium frame, 8 GB RAM, max. 256 GB storage, 6.3-inch full-screen OLED display, dual camera (50 MP WA, 12 MP UWA), 5G, Dual eSIM
Google Pixel 7a – Plastic housing, aluminium frame, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB storage, 6.1-inch full-screen OLED display, dual camera (64 MP WA, 13 MP UWA), 5G, Dual eSIM

Reference Source

Last edited: 09.06.2023