Google Pixel VS Galaxy S7 VS iPhone 7: the big Christmas battle

The year 2016 is more or less closed in terms of the smartphone universe in France. Of course, we’re still waiting for a few announcements, but major manufacturers have already drawn their guns to conquer the fast-approaching Christmas.

In the high-end industry, we have 3 devices that naturally stand out, and for good reason: all 3 rely more on brand messages than innovation. Of course Apple has mastered the marketing rhetoric from the first iPhone to the latest iPhone 7.

The Korean giant Samsung, which will succeed in becoming the world number 1 in the market. And Google, whose services ended Android’s life or death, and now has its own rival to the Google Pixel and Pixel XL, as well as the iPhone. So the battle for the 5 inch begins, but what are these phones really worth?

Comparative technical sheet of Google Pixel, Galaxy S7 and iPhone 7

In the raw power of each of the phones, we have to admit that they are more or less the same thing. According to AnTuTu, Apple is in the lead but the Snapdragon 821 hasn’t reached its limits yet and the 820 is head to head.

Samsung is powerful enough to surpass the 820 this year with the Exynos 8890. It’s simple: The race is on a pocket handkerchief. You’d think the iPhone 7 would be slower because of its 2GB of RAM, but the optimization of its system means it’s just the same thing after all.

You have to go near the added assets to appreciate a real difference. Starting with the water resistance: The iPhone 7 is IP67 certified, while the Galaxy S7 is IP68 certified. In fact, phones will therefore withstand prolonged immersion in fresh water, allowing them to easily withstand daily life.

The Google Pixel is only IP53 certified, which means it will be vaguely resistant to rainwater. It’s a fact that’s hard to excuse when its Android rival offers much better than it did months ago.

But the iPhone 7 easily loses the charging battle. It has only a 1960 mAh battery, which, despite its optimizations, cannot keep up with today’s smartphones. While both the Google Pixel and Galaxy S7 feature fast charging, the undisputed champion in autonomy is none other than the Galaxy S7. It also has support for micro SD cards.

Photo is no longer Apple’s guardian

The most shocking thing about this year is Apple’s decline in photography. This device, which is generally considered the simplest to use and the most efficient device for it, is now completely dominated by Android smartphones.

Quite simply: throughout 2016, the Galaxy S7 was the best photo phone of the year according to DxOMark. The iPhone 7, which was released, lagged behind the S7 as well as the Xperia Z5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+. It will be linked to the LG G5 and Galaxy S6 Edge. It is the fall of the tenor of the market.

Then the Google Pixel was announced, and it turned everything upside down by directly taking the first place in the rankings with 89 points for DxOMark, just one point more than the Galaxy S7. The 3 devices are of course very powerful and fast to use, but the Google Pixel has for it unlimited, lossless and free photo and video storage available in Google Photos. That’s why the best photophone is Pixel.

price above all

We are at the top of the range that guarantees good performance and a good camera. Remember that subjectivity is in its own best interest of course, so none of these 3 phones will truly disappoint you. Design is of course an important element in a purchasing decision.

But if we have to objectively consider these 3 devices in the 5-inch and similar segment, there is no comparison: the Galaxy S7 definitely wins. The iPhone 7 lags behind and doesn’t have the added benefits of fast and wireless charging that its competitors bring, while the Google Pixel’s lack of IP68 certification hurts it.

What’s more, if you buy your smartphone bare as we suggest, it will cost you much less than the competition, while being just as powerful. Next to the Google Pixel is the Google Assistant, which could revolutionize the way we use our smartphones, but it will never be ready in time for the French language in 2016.

Alongside the iPhone 7 is iOS and a beautiful display… but unless you’re already locked into the Apple ecosystem, these two arguments alone don’t justify falling for it. Without a doubt, the Galaxy S7 is the tallest 5-inch phone to buy at the end of the year, bringing together the best assets of the year in one package.