Pixel 6 renders primarily based on leaked photographs of Google’s subsequent flagship cellphone.
Jon Prosser
October is the month of pumpkin spice, swirling leaves and Google Pixel releases. But proper now we’re nonetheless within the month of whipped lemonade, sunscreen and swirling rumors. Specifically, rumors in regards to the Pixel 6, Google’s subsequent flagship cellphone. We anticipate the brand new addition to Google’s cellular lineup to reach someday in the midst of October, given the discharge timing of its earlier handsets.Google’s first Pixel cellphone made a splash when it was unveiled virtually 5 years in the past, however since then, the search large’s foray into cellular units has been inconsistent. Last yr’s Pixel 5 acquired excessive marks for its cameras, but it surely lacked the premium options you’d anticipate from a flagship smartphone, particularly for the value. CNET’s Lynn La known as it “hard to recommend.” Compare that to the unique Pixel cellphone (“pure Android at its absolute best” and “our favorite phone, bar none”) and Google’s cellphone trajectory seems tough.The query stays whether or not Google will stay as much as the unique’s legacy with the discharge of the Pixel 6 or proceed to disappoint its one-time followers. Until we catch an official glimpse of the rumored cellphone, let’s go over all the pieces we have heard in regards to the Pixel 6 thus far. We’ll replace this story as new rumors and leaks come to mild.Read extra: Here are all of the iPhone 13 rumors and Galaxy S22 rumors, too.Release date: Pixel 6 will most likely be right here in OctoberBased on hypothesis alone, we have now a fairly good concept of when Google will launch the Pixel 6. Google has unveiled a brand new Pixel cellphone in October yearly since 2016, except final yr’s Pixel 5, which was introduced Sept. 30. But 2020 was an distinctive yr for a lot of causes, together with cellphone launch schedules. Google’s Pixel launch dates often comply with a equally predictable sample, placing telephones on the market inside per week or two of being introduced. Thus, we might anticipate to see the Pixel 6 each unveiled and launched inside the month of October. The chip scarcity might throw a wrench in Google’s plans, pushing the Pixel 6 launch into November or later. But proper now we might put our cash on October. Given the unpredictability of the continuing pandemic and the delta variant, it stays unclear whether or not Google will announce its new smartphone at a stay or digital occasion.A leaked render of Google’s Pixel 6 smartphone.
Jon Prosser
Name: Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 XL… or Pro?Unlike Apple and Samsung, Google has been per its cellphone nomenclature. The authentic Pixel was adopted by the Pixel 2, then the Pixel 3 and so forth, so it would not be too radical to imagine that 2021’s mannequin will likely be christened the Pixel 6. Where some uncertainty does enter the equation, nevertheless, is with the higher-end variant. Google has historically launched an XL mannequin alongside its baseline handset: the Pixel and Pixel XL, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, and so forth. Last yr’s Pixel 5 was the primary with out an accompanying XL model. (The firm additionally launched a midrange line in 2019 with the Pixel 3A and 3A XL, adopted by the Pixel 4A and 4A 5G in 2020. We anticipate to see a Pixel 5A in 2021 as nicely, probably earlier than the Pixel 6.)So will there be a Pixel 6 XL? Maybe. Or perhaps it will be a Pixel 6 Pro, or a Pixel 6 Ultra. Or perhaps the Pixel 6 may even debut unaccompanied. Rumors a couple of Pixel 6 Pro started when leaker Jon Prosser debuted renders depicting the “Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro” in May. Prosser’s renders have been purportedly primarily based on precise photos of the telephones, launched as renders to guard his supply’s identification. Tipster Max Weinbach, however, wasn’t so certain in regards to the new identify, and when Google by chance (perhaps?) included the identify “Pixel 6 XL” in a type meant for cellular recreation builders, he tweeted an I-told-you-so.
Price: Pixel 6 might price the identical as Google’s final flagshipCost is one other side of the Pixel 6 that we’ve not heard many whispers about but. Last yr’s Pixel 5 made some compromises to get the launch worth all the way down to $699, making it extra of a midrange cellphone than its predecessors, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 4, which each launched at $799. It’s probably that Google picks up the place the Pixel 5 left off and retains the value (and specs) in keeping with final yr’s providing. Judging from the specs leaks we have seen thus far (extra on that under), a Pixel 6 price ticket that roughly matches the Pixel 5’s would make sense. And it additionally is smart that Google would wish to go after this phase of the market, with rivals additionally releasing comparable price-conscious handsets not too long ago — the iPhone SE and Galaxy S20 FE, for example. And if the Pixel 6 XL (or Pixel 6 Pro) is actual, we might be taking a look at a extra high-end price ticket for that mannequin to match the higher-end specs.Design and colours: Google may give the Pixel 6 a makeoverSo far there have been two main Pixel 6 renders leaked, each of which counsel that Google’s subsequent flagship will likely be present process a big redesign. Among the modifications are a centered hold-punch selfie digicam (in contrast with the off-center entrance digicam on final yr’s mannequin), thinner bezels throughout, an under-display fingerprint scanner, curved show and, most notably, a maximalist digicam bump that juts out and spans all the width of the cellphone.Prosser’s renders present a black digicam bump with a two-toned backing with both a vibrant orange or extra impartial champagne stripe throughout the highest, although it is potential this finally ends up being nearer to Google’s “Not Pink” shade, which is seemingly not highly regarded. Weinbach additionally talked about a silver, inexperienced and black shade possibility in a subsequent rumor.A follow-up render from @OnLeaks confirmed an analogous design to Prosser’s, however with a barely bigger chin. According to this leak, as reported by Digit, the Pixel 6 will function a 6.4-inch AMOLED show, with the Pixel 6 XL (or Pro) going as much as 6.67 inches.Here’s what the Pixel 6 cellphone might seem like, in line with a leaked render.
Jon Prosser
Camera: What’s up with Pixel 6’s selfie digicam?Earliest rumors in regards to the Pixel 6’s digicam setup included hypothesis that Google may improve to an under-display selfie digicam, nixing the somewhat-intrusive hole-punch fashion of its most up-to-date telephones. This rumor is predicated on a patent filed by Google that appeared to not have a visual entrance digicam, so the choice interpretation can be no front-facing digicam in any way. Considering the renders we have seen since that present a centered hole-punch entrance digicam, we’re guessing this one will not be going to come back true for the Pixel 6.Speaking of the selfie digicam, 9to5Google reported some attention-grabbing implications in March, primarily based on code examined in an improve to Google’s digicam app. Takeaways embrace a corroboration of the centered hole-punch principle (with a redesigned standing bar that shifts the clock to the left), and help for 4K video. But what in regards to the rear cameras? Based on renders alone, we are able to assume the Pixel 6 will embrace two rear cameras, with the 6 XL/Pro sporting three. Renders additionally present an unknown sensor above the flash. Prosser launched a full spec sheet for the Pixel 6 and XL/Pro, which says that each variants will embrace a 50-megapixel wide-angle lens and a 12-megapixel ultrawide, with the bigger cellphone additionally boasting a 48-megapixel telephoto lens.A July report indicated that Google digicam app code instructed a potential 5x zoom possibility within the Pixel 6, which suggests its digicam setup might embrace a periscope-style telephoto lens. If true, the Pixel 6’s optical zoom functionality can be on par with Samsung’s Galaxy S20 Ultra.We’ve additionally heard whispers about improved stabilization, with a gimbal-like steady-cam mode that might lead to “big improvements in video.” We noticed what a smartphone gimbal digicam might do with final yr’s Vivo X50 Pro, which CNET’s Sareena Dayaram known as “buttery smooth.”Finally, Google introduced enhancements to its software program for “a more accurate and inclusive camera” that works higher for a wide range of pores and skin tones. This improve consists of changes to the cellphone’s auto-white-balance algorithm.
Discover the most recent information and finest opinions in smartphones and carriers from CNET’s cellular specialists.
Specs and options: Whitechapel chip and all the pieces else Pixel 6 might haveRumored new options to the Pixel 6 lineup embrace an under-screen fingerprint scanner, changing the rear-mounted sensor of the Pixel 5, potential wi-fi charging and twin stereo audio system. Perhaps essentially the most intriguing Pixel 6 rumor, nevertheless, is the buzzy “Whitechapel” chip that might be made by Google itself as an alternative of Qualcomm. According to 9to5Google, the Whitechapel chip is a collaboration between Google and Samsung, making the house-made chip just like Samsung’s Exynos processors.Below are the entire rumored Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 XL/Pro specs we have heard thus far. In the meantime, this is how one can determine between a Pixel 5 versus the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4XL, the Pixel 5 versus the Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 5 versus the iPhone 11, Galaxy S20 FE and OnePlus 8. Plus, six causes to purchase a Pixel, and what we consider the Pixel Buds A-Series.Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 XL rumored specs
Pixel 6
Pixel 6 XL/Pro
Screen dimension
6.4-inch
6.71-inch
Display
AMOLED
Plastic OLED
Rear digicam setup
50MP (broad) + 12MP (ultrawide)
50MP (broad) + 48MP (tele) + 12MP (ultrawide)
Front digicam
8MP
12MP
Battery
4,614 mAh
5,000 mAh
Processor
Ram
8GB
12GB
Storage
128GB / 256GB
128GB / 256GB / 512GB
OS
Android 12
Android 12