Our Google Pixel 6 review
Aside from the fact that Google’s new Tensor processor doesn’t quite reinvent the wheel, it enables the Pixel 6’s camera software to generate some of our favorite images ever taken on a phone.
In comparison to its predecessors, the Pixel 6 is a sleeker and more powerful gadget, with a better camera and a faster processor. Google’s Tensor chipset, the first silicon manufactured by the business, is the most notable feature.
The A-series Bionic chipsets in Apple’s iPhones, on the other hand, are a powerhouse in their own right. There is nothing wrong with Pixel 6, but its benchmark results put it below even the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE in terms of performance.
This is fine for a phone at the price of the Pixel 6’s. An 8,400mAh battery powers the phone for about a day of use, as well as 128 or 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. Pixel 6’s OLED display has a 90Hz refresh rate, which makes it smoother to use than other flagships, but 90Hz is the minimum we’d expect to see on a phone in the Pixel 6’s premium-mid-range pricing category, which is 6.4 inches.
However, many Pixel aficionados will be most enthusiastic about the phone’s cameras. With the release of its Tensor chipset and higher-megapixel sensors, Google has finally caught up with the quality of its exceptional photo software. In fact, the Pixel 6 has a fantastic camera, capable of producing stunning images in all lighting conditions, catching subtlety in color and shadow, as well as taking sharper nighttime photos than any other phone in its class.
If you’re looking to take photos from a distance, you’ll need to use the phone’s main camera, which has a 50-megapixel sensor and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera with a 114-degree field of view. Although several high-end smartphones have a similar feature, the 4x telephoto zoom is the most compelling reason to buy the Pixel 6 Pro.
As the first device to ship with Android 12, there are a slew of exciting new features to explore. The majority of these upgrades are minor, but a few are massive.
It’s hard to beat the new Material You color scheme, which coordinates widget and UI icon color schemes according to a predetermined color scheme. Only the Tensor-powered Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro can take advantage of some Android 12 features, such as Live Translate of audio and Google Lens, which can finally be done on-device — though these are situational perks, they are strong.
It’s true that the Pixel 6 Pro has a larger screen and a higher 5,000mAh battery capacity, but these aren’t the only differences between the two devices. QHD Plus (3120 x 1440) resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 512GB of storage are all included in the 6.7-inch OLED display. A periscope telephoto lens with a 4x optical zoom is also included on the back of the phone.
The Pixel 6 Pro is much more expensive than the standard-issue Pixel 6, making the latter a fantastic deal at its price point. Battery life isn’t great, but the cameras and photo software make this phone stand out from the competition. However, despite its lack of power, it has a number of unique features that make it worth the price.
The Google Pixel 6 and the Google Pixel 6 Pro were revealed on October 19 and released on October 25, respectively.
A 128GB Google Pixel 6 starts at $599 / £599 / AU$999, while a 256GB model is $699 / AU$1,129 more expensive. Until now, we don’t know how much the higher-end model will cost in the UK.
Starting at $699, it’s less expensive than the Google Pixel 5, which launched at $699 / £599 / AU$999 with only one configuration with a sub-flagship processor. The Pixel 6 is significantly less expensive than the iPhone 13 and the Samsung Galaxy S21, which are both priced at $799 / £769 / AU$1,249.
This year’s Google Pixel 6 features a new design that was unveiled months before the phones were released. Perhaps this was done to prepare the public for the radical change over the more generic-looking Google Pixel 5, which had a single-color back identified only by a discreet fingerprint sensor and square camera block on the rear.
In contrast, on the back of the new Pixel 6 is a horizontal camera block that spans the entire width of the phone in two colors. The analogies to Star Trek’s Geordi La Forge are numerous, but it’s a daring design. It’s a one-of-a-kind feature, and it could be a dealbreaker for people who prefer a smaller camera setup on their smartphone. As a result, the Pixel 6 is going to necessitate a unique case — and it feels almost necessary.
A silicon housing is included in the box, with additional bumpers above and below the camera gap, to guarantee that the glass does not scratch against the surface on which it is placed. A direct collision to the back of this phone would be difficult to survive, and we don’t know if it’s made of Gorilla Glass Victus, which protects its front.
While the official Google case didn’t add much weight, it made the already generously-sized Pixel 6 feel even larger – which can be disconcerting to those who prefer smaller phones.
Even if you don’t use a case, the Pixel 6 won’t lie flat on a desk because of the large camera bulge.
Pixel 6’s full-width camera bar, unlike the iPhone 13 and Galaxy S21 series, means that the phone doesn’t rock on prodding the screen. When put on a level surface, the latest models from both Apple and Samsung still have their camera blocks positioned in a corner of the device, resulting in an uneven posture.
The weight of the Pixel 6 is also influenced by the camera bar. This is heavier than the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro, as well as the Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus, which are lighter in weight. The Pixel 6’s top-heavy design necessitates a tight hold when used in one hand in order to keep it secure. Slenderness is hampered by the unwieldy balance, weight, and camera block protruding from its back. Pulling it out of a purse or a pocket may take longer, and you may discover it catches as you do so.
Unlike the Pixel 5, the Pixel 6 features a glass back instead of metal, but the phone still has a matte finish to its metal frame, with high-quality materials. Located on the right side of the phone, the power and volume buttons are easy to reach with the thumb. For people with smaller hands, the power button may be a bit of a challenge, but its location isn’t bad.
The Pixel 6’s dust- and water-resistance rating of IP68 ensures that it will fare well in the shower or on a day at the beach.
In general, the Google Pixel 6 has less rounded corners and straighter edges than the Pixel 4 and Pixel 5-series phones, giving it an appearance that’s not too dissimilar to the Sony Xperia 1 III. Despite its size, the phone isn’t really designed for one-handed operation; it’s a little too large for that.
However, it’s best used for media consumption, including watching and listening. Even though we were big fans of the Pixel 4’s speakers, we’re still a fan of the Pixel 6’s balanced audio. Google’s Pixel 6 has two speakers that offer a more balanced combination of treble and bass than other phones’ dual speakers, which have a tendency to prefer one treble or bass over the other.
With the Pixel 6, Google appears to be going for a more mature look and feel, and the heavier weight and less cutesy design assist to achieve this goal.
You’ll have to upgrade to the Pixel 6 Pro for a telephoto camera, but the camera suite has been enhanced with higher-megapixel cameras and software, which Google claims is enabled by its Tensor chipset.
If you compare it to a flagship like the iPhone 12 Pro or previous year’s Google phones, such as the Pixel 5a, Pixel 6 captures better shots than all of them. It has a more realistic color and shadow range, as well as a more accurate temperature, reflecting the actual state of the world around us.
The Pixel 6 boasts a 50-megapixel main camera with an 82-degree field of view and f/1.85 aperture, as well as a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera with a 114-degree field of view and f/2.2 aperture on the back.
The Pixel 6 also sports an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, housed in a punch-hole at the top of the screen, with an 84-degree field of vision and an f/2.0 aperture.
Although there is no optical zoom here, as there is on the Pro model, the Pixel 6 has a 7x digital zoom.
It is important to note that digital zooming is not as excellent as optical zooming because it crops into the screen to artificially pull you closer to the action, producing a minor loss in image quality. The Pixel 6’s zoom capabilities are, as predicted, constrained.. Unless you’re willing to shell out for the Pixel 6 Pro, don’t expect much clarity beyond 2x zoom.
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