The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro officially launched on October 13, so you might be wondering how to get the most out of your shiny new Google flagship. The truth is, there are a lot of new features to try out this year, but some need to be enabled or found first.
We’ve collected all the important information you need to know. If you’re using a Pixel 6, some of these features may also appear on your phone. Without further ado, here are 11 features you can enable and disable on the Pixel 7.
Feature to enable
Call me directly
This feature will transcribe the options in the automated voice message menu so you don’t have to memorize them. Now, the new version will show them before the voice even speaks them, while adding more numbers.
But you have to open it first. Open the Phone app, then tap the overflow menu in the upper-right corner, then tap Settings. Under the Auxiliary section, go to Direct My Call. Toggles the Direct My Call and Faster menu options.
Photo deblur
Photo Unblur is a new feature in this year’s Google Pixel 7. This is a self-explanatory add-on that lets you clear some less fortunate images. It even works with old photos in your Google Photos library.
First, open the blurred photo. Select the Edit button on the bottom bar, then swipe to Tool Options. You’ll get three options, one of which is Unblur. Doing this, the Pixel 7 will do everything it can to clean up the image.
Face unlock
You may be prompted to enable it during initial setup, but if you skip it, you can easily re-enable it. Head to Settings > Security > Face & Fingerprint Unlock. Enter your PIN and tap Face Unlock.
Active stabilization
Active stabilization is Google’s answer to Apple’s mode of action. It effectively enhances video stabilization, allowing you to get smoother video when you or your subject is in motion. To use this feature, open the camera app and swipe to Video. Click the little hand shake icon to the right of the video mode selector. In the menu that appears, select Active.
Assistant continues the conversation
When you query Google Assistant, you don’t have to keep saying “Hey, Google” every time to continue the query? This isn’t unique to the Pixel 7, but it’s a nice feature. Note: If you start a new query after a pause, you still need to activate the phrase. To do this, go to Settings > Apps > Assistant and tap the toggle for Continue Conversation.
Extra dim
Tired of your phone display burning your eyes at night? If you want, the Pixel 7 can give you that extra dimness. To turn this feature on, go to Settings > Accessibility. Under the Display section, you can click the “Extra Dim” toggle here, or select the option to see more information and customize it.
Car accident detection
With this feature turned on, your Pixel 7 can detect if you’ve been in a car accident and call emergency services and emergency contacts. To turn it on, go to Settings > Safety & Emergency > Crash Detection. If you are not already logged into Personal Safety, you will be asked to do so.
Save photos to locked folder
Android 13 introduces Locked Folders for Google Photos, allowing you to store sensitive pictures safely from prying eyes. Pixel 7 can save pictures directly to it without you having to do it manually.
All you need to do is open the camera app and look for the grey button next to the shutter button. Press and hold it to bring up a menu of where you want to save the photo. The selected locked folder. Remember that you need to set up a locked folder first.
Common faces
If you have Top Shot enabled in your camera app, you can choose to use common faces. This feature prioritizes the people you photograph the most. Google says it helps prioritize skin tones and more accurately recommend the best photos from Top Shot. Frequent face data is stored locally. To enable it, go to Camera > Settings > Common Faces.
Features to Disable
QHD+ on Pixel 7 Pro
The Pixel 7 Pro has a QHD+ display, but you can set it to FHD+ if you want to save some battery. (Pixel 7 only works as FHD+ mode.) This may have been done for you when you set up your phone, but if not, here’s how to switch between the two resolutions. Open Settings and go to Display. Scroll down to Screen Resolution and tap it. Choose a high resolution.
Header
Google has its own version of Live Photos called Top Shot. Your Pixel shoots a very short video to capture more of the shutter button presses. Sometimes it’s neat, especially when the phone suggests the best frame for the final photo. But it gets annoying. Fortunately, it’s easy to close.
In the main viewfinder of the camera app, tap the drop-down menu in the upper-left corner. The second option is Top Shot: Off, Auto, and On. Set it to your preference.
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