The new Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro showcase one of many largest year-to-year cellphone upgrades I’ve seen in a very long time. In the lead-up to Google’s fall Pixel occasion Tuesday, the corporate behind Android and YouTube did one thing many different phone-makers do not and introduced each new Pixel 6 telephones again in August. The Pixel 6 has new digital camera {hardware}, runs on Google’s first in-house processor and has a design that appears in contrast to another cellphone offered as we speak.The Pixel 6 sequence is a crucial launch for Google as a result of it is a large shift away from the corporate’s nice midtier cellphone technique of the previous and a big step towards a portfolio designed to compete with premium telephones from Apple, Samsung and Huawei.
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Thematically, Google has aimed to make the Pixel 6 work nicely for extra folks. Part of which means making the cameras work higher for folks with completely different pores and skin tones and bettering voice recognition to simply determine completely different talking patterns and accents.Of the 2 telephones, the $599 (£599) Pixel 6 is the extra reasonably priced mannequin. It’s priced to compete with the iPhone 13, the Samsung Galaxy S21 and different midtier Android telephones resembling the present Motorola Edge. For extra info on the Pixel 6 Pro, take a look at my comparability beneath or learn our first impressions of the Google Pixel 6 Pro by my colleague Andrew Hoyle. (Pricing for Australia hasn’t been introduced, however the worth within the UK, which has related tax, converts roughly to AU$1,100.)The Pixel 6 has some of the eye-catching designs of 2021.
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The Pixel 6 design highlights its digital camera bump stripGoogle used 100% recycled aluminum for the physique of the Pixel 6. The sides have a matte end and general the Pixel 6 has an IP68 ranking for water and dirt resistance. The Pixel’s defining bodily characteristic is its horizontal digital camera bump strip. It could be straightforward to say the digital camera strip was impressed by Robocop’s visor, or the visor on Cylons from Battlestar Galactica. But Google stated it needed to make a singular digital camera bump that celebrates the digital camera system. So as an alternative of a sq. within the nook the designers went for a strip.Instead of a sq. within the nook, the digital camera bump on the Pixel 6 runs horizontally throughout the again of the cellphone.
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In individual it appears to be like like a chunk of a black mineral that has been lower, formed and polished right into a digital camera bump that retains your cellphone degree so it does not wobble. The digital camera bump homes vast and ultrawide cameras (extra on these in a second).On the entrance of the Pixel 6 is a 6.4-inch show coated in Gorilla Glass Victus with an under-display fingerprint reader. The display has a 90Hz excessive refresh price, which ought to make animations look smoother and really feel extra responsive.Tensor defines the Google Pixel 6The brains of the brand new Pixel do not come from Qualcomm. Instead the cellphone’s powered by a brand-new chip known as Tensor. It’s the primary processor designed by Google and it has been custom-made for the Pixel. Google stated that it is 80% quicker than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chip present in final 12 months’s Pixel 5. Google needed to go farther with software program and computations and therefore created the Tensor chip. As a lot because the digital camera bump strip defines the design, Tensor defines the Pixel. It permits for on-device AI like quicker, extra correct speech recognition and picture processing.I requested about the potential of seeing a Tensor chip in one other system and whereas Google declined to remark, the corporate did say that this was not a one-off. Pixel 6 digital camera will get higher at pores and skin tones with Real ToneThe most important digital camera on the Pixel 6 has a large angle lens and a 50-megapixel sensor, which is the biggest sensor ever in a Pixel digital camera. The digital camera makes use of pixel-binning to mix a number of pixels collectively to create a 12.5-megapixel picture. The outcomes are brighter pictures with higher particulars and extra correct colours. Google claims the brand new most important digital camera can seize 150% extra gentle than the primary digital camera on the Pixel 5.There is a brand new ultrawide digital camera with a 12-megapixel sensor and a 114-degree subject of view. Around the entrance is an 8-megapixel selfie digital camera.These are three pictures Google offered us with that had been taken with the Pixel 6.
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But if there’s one factor Google Pixel cameras are recognized for, it is software program and computational images. Google designed the Pixel cameras and computations to be extra correct irrespective of your complexion with Real Tone. For the previous 18 months Google has partnered with administrators, photographers and cinematographers like DP Kira Kelly and colorist Alex Bickel, recognized for his or her stunning depictions of communities of coloration. The concept was to enhance the Pixel’s cameras and algorithms in two methods.The first is detection. Google needed the cellphone to have the ability to determine a face, irrespective of how gentle or darkish somebody’s pores and skin is or how complicated the lighting is. The second half is working with engineers to enhance the aesthetics of how pictures had been rendered. When a topic has a darker complexion, the algorithm provides extra nuance to midtones and undertones.
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Android 12 and different notable software program additions for the Pixel 6The Pixel 6 runs Android 12, which presents extra customization round preferences and aesthetics. Just because the Pixel 6 represents the largest cellphone improve from Google in years, Android 12 marks the largest OS replace in years. Android 12 is full of visible upgrades like customizable coloration palettes, greater buttons and up to date notifications.This is the Android 12 lock display for the Pixel 6.
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And the Pixel 6 will get a bunch of recent nifty software program updates, notably Wait Time, which helps you to know the most effective instances to name a enterprise so you will not have a protracted wait. There’s additionally Direct My Call, which makes use of Google Assistant to work its means by means of the automated prompts of a name till it will get to an precise individual.In pictures, there is a new instrument known as Magic Eraser that allows you to shortly take away undesirable issues and other people out of your pictures. RIP, all you photobombers. There’s additionally a Motion mode, which may create Action Pan pictures the place the background is blurred to imitate your topic shifting shortly. Motion mode also can create Long Exposure pictures that make operating water appear to be silk and seize gentle trails from automobile site visitors.Read extra: Google Pixel 6 vs. 6 Pro vs. Pixel 5 vs. 5A: What are the variations?Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 6 Pro: All the variationsThe two telephones Google launched Tuesday are related in various methods. But there are variations that set them aside and maybe the biggest distinction is worth. In the US, the Pixel 6 begins at $599 and the Pixel 6 Pro at $899.On the left is the Google Pixel 6 Pro and on the proper the Pixel 6.
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The display on the Pixel 6 has a 6.4-inch, FHD Plus, excessive refresh-rate show that may change between 90Hz and 60Hz. The Pixel 6 Pro has a bigger 6.7-inch QHD LTPO (that is low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) that may adapt the refresh price between 10Hz and 120Hz. The show on the Pro curves over the edges of the cellphone.In phrases of cameras, the Pro has a 48-megapixel, 4x optical zoom telephoto digital camera. The Pixel 6 does not. The Pixel 6 has an 8-megapixel front-facing digital camera with an 84-degree subject of view that may document 1,080p video at 30 frames per second. The Pro has an 11-megapixel selfie digital camera with a wider 94-degree subject of view that may document 4K 30fps movies.Other variations:The again of the Pro has Gorilla Glass Victus and the Pixel 6 has Gorilla Glass 6.The Pixel 6 Pro has an ultrawideband chip and the Pixel 6 does not.The Pixel 6 has a 4,614-mAh-capacity battery and the Pro has a 5,003-mAh one.The Pixel 6 Pro helps each sub-6 and mmWave 5G.The Pixel 6 helps sub-6 5G. A dearer provider model additionally helps mmWave.The Pixel 6, 5G and battery lifeThe Pixel 6 helps sub-6 5G. Some provider variations of the Pixel 6 can even assist mmWave, which is the quick model of 5G that is not extensively out there. Google says that battery life is a single day when utilizing 5G. The Pixel 6 has a 4,614-mAh battery and helps 30-watt USB-C quick charging, however as with just about each different phone-maker, the fast-charger is offered individually. Google Pixel PassGoogle guarantees to assist the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro with 5 years of OS and software program upgrades. The search big additionally has a brand new subscription service known as Pixel Pass that allows you to purchase the Pixel 6 and get cellphone safety, YouTube Premium, YouTube Music Premium, Google One and Google Play Pass for $45 a month over two years. You can get a Pixel move for the Pixel 6 Pro for $55 a month.Here’s every thing to know concerning the Pixel 6 Pro and Google’s new Tensor chip. Plus, why Pixel telephones are nice alternate options to Apple and Samsung telephones (and why the Pixel 6 is extra thrilling than the iPhone 13), and whether or not it is nonetheless price it to purchase a Pixel 3, 4 or 5.Google Pixel 6 specs vs. Google Pixel 6 Pro, Google Pixel 5, Apple iPhone 13
Google Pixel 6
Google Pixel 6 Pro
Google Pixel 5
Apple iPhone 13
Display dimension, decision
6.4-inch OLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels; 60Hz or 90Hz
6.7-inch LTPO OLED; 3,120×1,440 pixels; 10-120Hz
6-inch FHD+ OLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels
6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels
Pixel density
411 ppi
512 ppi
432 ppi
460 ppi
Dimensions (inches)
6.2×2.9×0.4 in
6.5×3.0x0.4 in
5.7×2.8×0.3 in
5.78×2.82×0.3 in
Dimensions (millimeters)
158.6×74.8×8.9mm
163.9×75.9×8.9mm
144.7×70.4x8mm
147x72x7.65mm
Weight (ounces, grams)
7.3 oz; 207g
7.41 oz; 210g
5.33 oz; 151g
6.14 oz; 174g
Mobile software program
Android 12
Android 12
Android 11
iOS 15
Camera
50-megapixel (vast), 12-megapixel ultrawide
50-megapixel (vast), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 48-megapixel (telephoto)
12.2-megapixel (commonplace), 16-megapixel (ultrawide)
12-megapixel (vast), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)
Front-facing digital camera
8-megapixel
11-megapixel
8-megapixel
12-megapixel
Video seize
4K 30, 60fps (rear), 1,080p 30fps (entrance)
4K 30, 60fps (rear), 4K 30fps (entrance)
4K
HDR video recording with Dolby Vision as much as 4K at 60fps
Processor
Google Tensor
Google Tensor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
Apple A15 Bionic
Storage
128GB, 256GB
128GB, 256GB, 512GB
128GB
128GB, 256GB, 512GB
RAM
8GB
12GB
8GB
Undisclosed
Expandable storage
No
No
No
No
Battery
4,614 mAh
5,003 mAh
4,000 mAh
Undisclosed; Apple lists 19 hours of video playback
Fingerprint sensor
Under show
Under show
Rear
No (Face ID)
Connector
USB-C
USB-C
USB-C
Lightning
Headphone jack
No
No
No
No
Special options
5G sub 6 (some provider fashions even have 5G mmWave) assist, Wi-Fi 6E, 30W fast-charging, wi-fi charging, Magic Eraser, Motion mode, Real Tone, Face Unblur, Cinematic Pan, 5 years OS safety updates, IP68 ranking for mud and water resistance, Gorilla Glass Victus (entrance), Gorilla Glass 6 (again), dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM)
5G sub 6 and mmWave assist, Wi-Fi 6E, Ultrawideband, 30W fast-charging, wi-fi charging, Magic Eraser, Motion mode, Real Tone, Face Unblur, Cinematic Pan, 5 years OS safety updates, IP68 ranking for dust- and water-resistance, Gorilla Glass Victus (back and front), dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM)
5G enabled; waterproof (IP68); 90Hz-refresh-rate show; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); reverse wi-fi charging; quick charging
5G enabled; MagSafe; waterproof (IP68); wi-fi charging; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM)
Price off-contract (USD)
$599 (128GB)
$899 (128GB)
$699
$799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)
Price (GBP)
£599 (128GB)
£849 (128GB)
£599
£779 (128GB), £879 (256GB), £1,079 (512GB)
Price (AUD)
Converts to AU$1,100
Converts to AU$1,570
AU$999
AU$1,349 (128GB), AU$1,519 (256GB), AU$1,869 (512GB)