Google Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 6a Reportedly Get 5G Support on Latest Beta, Rollout Expected in Q1 2023

Pixel 6 is powered by the first-generation Tensor processor, while Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro feature the Tensor G2 chipset.

Written by Sucharita Ganguly, Edited by David Delima | Updated: 11 January 2023 12:17 IST

Google Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 6a Reportedly Get 5G Support on Latest Beta, Rollout Expected in Q1 2023

Photo Credit: Google

Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro were launched by Google in October 2022

Highlights

Google Pixel 6a supports 19 5G bands
Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro both support 22 5G bands
None of the phones support mmWave 5G bands in India

Google is one of the last smartphone manufacturers in India to enable 5G network connectivity on its devices. The company was expected to release an update to enable 5G capabilities in December, but it has been delayed. Users who have set up the Android 13 QPR2 Beta 2 update on their Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 7 devices are reportedly able to connect to Jio and Airtel 5G networks. It is worth noting that this is a beta update, and the company is expected to release a stable version to all users in the coming weeks.

According to a report by TelecomTalk, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro owners who have installed the latest Android 13 QPR2 Beta 2 update on their smartphones are able to connect to Jio and Airtel 5G networks in India. It is worth noting that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are also powered by the same chipset on the Pixel 6a.

Installing the latest beta update on the Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro allows users to test the 5G network. However, if the device is being used as a primary smartphone, the beta update may have an impact on the overall functionality of the device. Along with Pixel smartphone users in India, it is also a significant development for telecom operators offering 5G services. If their customers have 5G phones, the telecom companies would want them to be able to use 5G.

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Google confirmed in a statement to GSMArena that the firm's smartphones will support 5G networks in India with an upcoming update. Google assured that a 5G-enabling OTA update will come sometime in Q1 2023. The company added in the statement that they are collaborating closely with Indian carriers to enable next-generation connectivity while adhering to local regulations and standards.

It was also previously reported that Google would roll out 5G support to eligible Google Pixel smartphones in India in the first quarter of 2023. “We have been actively working with Indian carriers on the various requirements that go into provisioning 5G and look forward to rolling this out for Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 6a in Q1 2023,” Google reportedly said at the time.

The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are powered by the Tensor G2 SoC, while the Pixel 6 lineup is powered by the first-generation Tensor SoC. Thanks to the most recent beta software update, users can now enjoy a low-latency 5G network with faster download and upload speeds. In India, the Google Pixel 6a, which facilitates 19 5G bands, is the company's most affordable 5G smartphone. Both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro support 22 5G bands, and all three phones have all of the 5G bands required for good indoor and outdoor 5G coverage. Unfortunately, none of the Google Pixel smartphones in India support mmWave 5G bands, which support very high upload and download speeds.

Are the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro the best in their segment? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Google Pixel 6a

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
IP67-rated design
Impressive cameras for photos
Vibrant OLED display
Stock Android 13 software

Bad
Plastic back is prone to scratches
60Hz display does not feel fluid
Cannot handle heavy gaming
Recorded video needs work
Relatively slow charging, no wireless charging
Battery life could be better

Read detailed Google Pixel 6a review

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Google Tensor

Front Camera 8-megapixel

Rear Camera 12.2-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 6GB

Storage 128GB

Battery Capacity 4410mAh

OS Android 13

Resolution 1080x2400 pixels

More Google mobiles Google mobiles price in India

Google Pixel 7

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Sharp, 90Hz display
Good quality cameras
Good gaming performance
Bloatware-free software, timely updates
Good battery life
IP68 rating

Bad
Video recording could be better
Gets warm under load
No bundled charger
Relatively slow charging

Read detailed Google Pixel 7 review

Display 6.30-inch

Processor Google Tensor G2

Front Camera 10.8-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB

OS Android 13

Resolution 1080x2400 pixels

More Google mobiles Google mobiles price in India

Google Pixel 7 Pro

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Sharp, 120Hz display
Good quality cameras
Good gaming performance
Bloatware-free software, timely updates
Premium design, IP68 rating

Bad
Gets warm under load
No bundled charger
Underwhelming battery life
Relatively slow charging

Read detailed Google Pixel 7 Pro review

Display 6.70-inch

Processor Google Tensor G2

Front Camera 10.8-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 128GB

OS Android 13

Resolution 1440x3120 pixels

More Google mobiles Google mobiles price in India

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Further reading: Google Pixel 7, Google Pixel 7 Pro, Google Pixel 6a, Google

Sucharita Ganguly

Email Sucharita Ganguly

Sucharita is a writer with Gadgets 360 and is mostly found playing with her cat in her free time. She has previously worked at breaking news desks across organizations. Powered by coffee, The Beatles, Bowie, and her newfound love for BTS, she aims to work towards contributing to a better media environment for women and queer folk. More