Google Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro don’t support the latest 5G standard: report

The Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro have gained 5G support in India following the release of the Android 13 QPR2 Beta 2 update earlier this year. The latest Google Pixel series phones only support 5G networks on Airtel and Jio. However, a recent report has revealed that the Pixel 7 series phones will only support the first 3GPP 5G standard i.e. Release 15 and not the latest 5G standard. Release 15 is the first 5G standard, launched in 2018.

according to a report from 9to5 Google, Pixel7 series only includes the first 3GPP 5G standard i.e. Release 15. It was launched in 2018, followed by Release 16 in July 2020 and Release 17 and 18 in 2022. Release 16 was also added by Qualcomm to the Snapdragon X65 in 2021 like the X70 -Modem. Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro Phones are equipped with Samsung’s Exynos 5300 modem, which supports version 15.

However, Samsung has mentioned that the Exynos 5300 modem can support Release 16 and therefore the Pixel 7 series can get the same later this year. A recent Android 13 QPR issue tracker via Cstrong reads like that too. It says the Pixel 7 modem is Release 16 capable and is expected to be reused for the Pixel 8.

Qualcomm previously stated that Release 16 is better than Release 15. It shared that the second 3GPP 5G standard brings a number of improvements to the foundation of the 5G system, including coverage, capacity, latency, performance, mobility , reliability and more . Release 16 is said to support uplink at full power to provide improved cell edge coverage.

Meanwhile also Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon X75 modem with Release 17 and 18 support earlier this month. Each new 3GPP version improves the performance and efficiency of MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output). The Snapdragon X75 with Release 17 and 18 support offers peak 10 Gigabit 5G download and peak 3.5 Gbps upload speeds, as well as high-speed coverage and power efficiency.