Google's Pixel lineup is nowhere as popular as Samsung's flagship and mid-range Galaxy devices. Yet they are highly valued by power users and Android lovers. That's because Pixel phones always prioritize the user experience over raw performance numbers.

With the Pixel 7 series now out, here is a look at some of the features that make it different from other Android phones.

1. Free Google VPN

As a part of a Google One subscription, the big G provides free access to its VPN service. The company will make its VPN available to Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro users in selected countries at no additional cost—without even having to subscribe to Google One.

This will help ensure better user privacy, as the VPN will protect the user's online activity irrespective of the app or browser they use.

The feature won't be a part of the Pixel 7 series at launch, though—it will be available later in 2022. And if you are wondering if you should use a VPN, check out our guide on do you really need a VPN on Android? for the answers.

2. Tensor G2

Google Tensor G2
Image Credit: Google

The Tensor chip plays a significant role in making the Pixel phones what they are. Thanks to the strong hardware and software integration, Google can offer several features exclusively on its Pixel devices. Google's semi-custom Tensor chip debuted on the Pixel 6 series in 2021, and on the Pixel 7 series, it is using the second generation of the chip, the Tensor G2.

The new chip brings improved machine learning, AI, and image processing (ISP) performance, rather than focusing on raw CPU horsepower. Google has optimized the parts of the SoC for special features on the Pixel 7 lineup.

With the next-gen tensor processing unit (TPU), Google has reduced Night Sight processing time by over 50%. Other new features include Cinematic Blur, which lets you record videos with a shallow depth of field, and Photo Unblur.

Outside of iPhones, Google is the only other company that is developing semi-custom CPU solutions optimized specifically for the features it wants to deliver. This contrasts with non-Google Android phones, which typically use Qualcomm or MediaTek's flagship chipset.

3. On-Device Voice Typing

The Pixel 7 (and Pixel 6 series) feature real-time on-device voice typing. This makes using your voice to type notably faster than using the keyboard—Google claims a 2.5x speed improvement.

With the Pixel 7 series, the company is further expanding the feature to more languages, including Spanish, Italian, and French. Additionally, you can search for an emoji or ask Google to insert the emoji you want using your voice. None of the other Android devices features on-device voice typing. They do not process the voice data locally, so there's a noticeable lag in the voice-to-text process.

4. Useful Camera Features

Pixel 7 in Lemongrass color and Pixel 7 Pro in Hazel color

Pixel phones are known for their imaging performance and features, and the Pixel 7 series is no different. Thanks to the powerful ISP and next-gen TPU, you get features like Photo Unblur and faster Night Sight processing on the Pixel 7.

Photo Unblur improves your blurry photos by enhancing their sharpness and details. It can also work its magic on your existing images, but the feature is exclusive to the Pixel 7 lineup for now. As for Night Sight, while it is also available on the Pixel 6 series, Google has been able to make it twice as fast using the additional power offered by the upgraded hardware.

5. Quick Phrases

You can access Google Assistant on almost all Android phones. But on the Pixel, you exclusively get access to a useful Assistant feature: Quick phrases.

It allows you to talk to the Assistant for everyday actions without saying "Hey, Google" first. On the Pixel 6 series, you can say "Snooze" to snooze an alarm or "Decline" to reject an incoming call using just your voice and without having to say the Assistant trigger word.

Google has upgraded the feature on the Pixel 7 series with another Quick phrase: "Silence." So, instead of declining a call, you can say "silence" to mute it. Quick phrases is a handy feature to have, especially if you use Assistant a fair bit in daily use.

Pixel 7 Is More Than Its Specs Sheet

Google's Pixel 7 lineup might not have the most powerful specs sheet or the fastest charging speeds. But thanks to the tight integration between hardware and software, it can offer features you won't get in any other Android phone. And that's what makes this phone special.