High-quality zoom remains the last major challenge for smartphone photography. Unlike traditional cameras, most phones simply do not have the space for lenses with variable focal lengths. While some manufacturers like Samsung have tried to solve the challenge by tossing in additional lenses to fill the gap between focal lengths, Google’s approach is slightly different. Starting back with the Pixel 3, Google opted for computational smarts to increase the reach of its smartphones with what it calls Super Res Zoom. The latest Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro build on this foundation. This time around, Google is expanding the Pixel 7 Pro’s reach even further with a new-fangled 5x telephoto lens and increasing the overall reach to 30x.
Can the combination of machine learning, an AI-optimised chipset, and good ol’ optics help the Google Pixel 7 Pro keep up with some of the farthest-reaching camera phones in the business? Android Authority took the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 7 on a trip around Paris and Luxembourg City to try out its zooming chops. Here are the results.