C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Over the previous few months, the hype prepare has been rolling arduous for the Google Pixel 6 sequence. After I first noticed the vanilla Pixel 6 within the flesh, so to talk, it truthfully appeared like outdated hat. Since I’ve been following together with the rumors, leaks, and official bulletins this whole time, the telephone appeared very acquainted instantly, although it was my first time truly seeing it.
Nevertheless, the Pixel 6 nonetheless has some surprises in it. After utilizing it for a bit, I’m astonished by what number of dangers Google has taken with its design and total really feel. Actually, I’ve by no means used a telephone fairly prefer it earlier than. That’s an enormous win, so far as I’m involved, however it invariably goes to ruffle some feathers. In spite of everything, any time an organization strays from the pack, there’s sure to be a ton of criticism.
You won’t know but which aspect of the fence you fall on. Hopefully, I can provide you a few of my early ideas on the Google Pixel 6 and also you’ll be a bit nearer to selecting a aspect.
On the lookout for our ideas on the Pixel 6 Professional? Take a look at our hands-on impressions on the hyperlink.
A giant, hefty boi
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Proper off the bat, the Pixel 6 isn’t a small telephone, neither is it a light-weight one. Its dimensions of 158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9mm put it in the identical league because the OnePlus 9 and Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus. Its hefty 207g weight makes it a number of grams heavier than the iPhone 13 Professional. For the sake of comparability, the Pixel 6 is 27% heavier than the Pixel 5.
In different phrases, for those who had been hoping Google would proceed to supply a extra compact/mild expertise alongside the strains of the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a, that isn’t the way it ended up — the Pixel 6 is hefty.
It does really feel good within the hand, although. The matte end across the edge feels delicate to the contact and instantly recollects the Google Pixel 4 sequence. The matte end right here is useful because it provides you a greater grip on the telephone so you’re feeling much less involved about it sliding out of your hand.
The chunky design additionally recollects the squared-off edges of most Galaxy Notice telephones, though not almost as drastic. Most significantly, it doesn’t really feel low-cost. You may suppose its sub-$600 price ticket would imply the telephone would really feel like a mid-ranger, however that’s under no circumstances the case. The Pixel 5 — which launched at a $100 larger worth — appears like a toy in comparison with this.
OK show
Eric Zeman / Android Authority
The show on the Pixel 6 is nothing fancy. It has a good 1080p decision, a good-enough 411 pixels-per-inch, and a good 90Hz refresh price. It’s not going to win any show awards, however that’s high-quality. The Pixel 6 Professional has the show that pulls out all of the stops, in any case.
Get caught up: All Google Pixel telephones launched thus far
The bezels surrounding the show, although, are actually, actually thick. The photographs we’ve seen on-line main as much as the official launch of the telephones haven’t adequately proven simply how thick they’re. If you put the telephone subsequent to the OnePlus 9, for instance, you may see simply how beefy the bezels are on the Pixel 6. That is an aesthetic factor that just some individuals will truly care about. However for many who do, the show bezels right here might be a deal-breaker.
The factor which may make you look the opposite approach in terms of the bezels is the truth that the show is flat. Whereas curved shows are definitely nicer to have a look at, Android’s navigation gestures merely work higher with flat shows. To this point, navigating across the telephone has been a complete breeze, which I largely chalk as much as the show being good and flat.
Overlaying the show is Gorilla Glass Victus, which remains to be at present Corning’s top-of-the-line cell product. The again of the telephone is the much-older Gorilla Glass 6. Each the back and front glass really feel nice, and it’s good to know that, even on the Google Pixel 6’s worth level, Corning’s strongest glass is defending the entrance.
Let’s discuss concerning the digicam bump
Eric Zeman / Android Authority
Google’s design selections for the again of the Pixel 6 sequence possible aren’t everybody’s cup of tea. Myself, I fairly just like the three-tone aesthetic, with the highest bar being a shade darker than the remainder of the again and a large black digicam module separating them. It’s a singular design that pulls no punches, and I recognize Google’s ambition. It additionally jogs my memory of the Nexus 6P, which isn’t a foul factor.
Nonetheless, there are some downsides to this design. The digicam module sticks approach out and makes the telephone very top-heavy. This might trigger wrist fatigue for some of us for the reason that telephone will continually be knocking down as you employ it one-handed. I do not know how a lot the digicam module itself weighs, however it appears like a big share of the telephone’s full 207g.
The jutted-out module additionally will make circumstances difficult. We don’t have a case to placed on the telephone but, so I can’t say for certain, however I don’t suppose most slim circumstances are going to have the ability to defend the module. This can make it in order that, even when your telephone is in a case, your digicam module will nonetheless be very inclined to breaks. Clearly, some circumstances will likely be extra protecting than others, however it’s one thing to bear in mind.
See additionally: Our information to selecting one of the best case to your new telephone
Total, the again of the telephone might be going to be probably the most divisive side of the Google Pixel 6. On one hand, it’s a daring assertion that appears wholly not like some other machine in the marketplace. Alternatively, it might show to be extra cumbersome and fragile than it’s price.
Oh, and in addition the digicam itself
Eric Zeman / Android Authority
There are two lenses on the again of the Google Pixel 6. There’s a 50MP wide-angle lens paired with a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens. This can be a related setup as we noticed on the Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 5a, however the {hardware} concerned is a large step up.
In actual fact, that is the primary time in a number of generations that Google has stepped away from utilizing a years-old 12.2MP major lens. On paper, the 50MP lens ought to produce higher photographs, which is a large deal. When you think about Google’s means to make an outdated 12.2MP lens produce beautiful imagery utilizing software program smarts alone, what may it’s able to with this newer, higher lens?
The Google Pixel 6 digicam is a large improve however lacks one massive characteristic.
Nevertheless, the Google Pixel 6 lacks an integral lens — a telephoto digicam. For that, you’ll must improve to the Google Pixel 6 Professional. With out a telephoto lens, the Pixel 6 might want to depend on digital (aka lossy) zoom possible with some assist from Google’s Tremendous Res Zoom software program. Should you’re the kind of one who likes to take photographs from far-off utilizing pinch-to-zoom, this won’t be one of the best digicam for you.
Sadly, we haven’t had an opportunity to place this digicam by way of the wringer. Keep tuned for our full evaluate of the Pixel 6 for digicam samples and evaluation.
Buttons, ports, and audio system
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
As with most Pixels, the {hardware} buttons are all on the suitable aspect of the telephone. The ability button is on prime with the quantity rocker beneath. That is the other of how Samsung, Xiaomi, Asus, and others do it. In the meantime, Apple, Oppo, and OnePlus put the ability button on the suitable aspect of the telephone and the quantity rocker on the left.
Clearly, Google’s been formatting its buttons like this for years, however it stands as one other instance of Google going towards the grain. Should you’ve by no means owned a Pixel earlier than, it’d take you a little bit of time to retrain your muscle reminiscence on the place to go for which button.
Buttons and ports stay largely unchanged from earlier Pixels.
Additionally, the buttons are fairly recessed into the physique of the machine. In my temporary time with the Google Pixel 6, I discovered it a little bit troublesome to determine which button was the place as a result of it’s not straightforward to really feel the separation between them. I’m assured I might get used to this, because it’s not so unhealthy that my mind wouldn’t be capable of determine it out. It’s simply one other curious design determination on a curious telephone.
The SIM tray is on the underside proper of the Google Pixel 6. It will possibly solely accommodate one SIM card, however the Pixel 6 additionally helps one eSIM, which makes it a dual-SIM telephone — so long as your provider helps eSIM.
On the underside of the telephone, you’ll discover a typical USB-C 3.1 port. It’s able to charging the telephone at speeds as much as 30W. Nevertheless, you’ll want to purchase a suitable charger individually, as there isn’t one within the field. It’ll additionally have to be a Energy Supply PPS commonplace adapter to get the complete charging speeds.
Flanking the USB-C port you’ll discover two speaker grills that act as the suitable channel for stereo sound. The left channel comes out of the earpiece speaker on the prime of the show.
Different inner {hardware} and software program
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
The star of the Google Pixel 6’s internals is the model new Google Tensor chipset. That is the wildcard of the telephone. Contemplating that is Google’s first-ever try at creating cell silicon, there are a variety of questions on its energy, its vitality effectivity, and longevity. We haven’t had the telephone lengthy sufficient to check this out, so keep tuned for extra.
See additionally: What you must actually count on from Google Tensor
Outdoors of Tensor, the telephone has a adequate 8GB of RAM. Our mannequin has 128GB of inner storage, with no means to increase it, however there’s a 256GB mannequin for people who want extra room.
The battery is fairly hefty at 4,600mAh. That’s about the identical capability because the battery contained in the Google Pixel 5a, which blew us away when it got here to battery life. Theoretically, we must always see related battery life with the Pixel 6, however Tensor may throw a wrench into this. I’m excited to see how our testing pans out.
The telephone can cost that battery wirelessly. When you’ve got a standard Qi-compatible wi-fi charger, you’ll see 12W of pace. Should you improve to the Pixel Stand (2021), you’ll get 21W of pace, which is fairly quick. The telephone also can cost in reverse, which might help you cost some earbuds or a smartwatch by leeching energy from the Pixel 6.
Lastly, Android 12 comes pre-installed on the Google Pixel 6. It’s not inventory Android 12 as a result of it has Pixel-exclusive options and tweaks, however it’s fairly shut. We’ll have extra on this in our full Pixel 6 evaluate.
Google Pixel 6 specs
The specs of the Google Pixel 6 are spectacular, particularly once you think about its sub-$600 worth. We’re going to save lots of our opinions on how all these specs work collectively to create a cohesive (or non-cohesive) entire, however for now, take a look at this desk with all the required information.
Google Pixel 6 | |
---|---|
Show | 6.4-inch OLED 20:9 side ratio FHD+ decision 2,400 x 1,080 411ppi 90Hz refresh price HDR assist 24-bit depth Gorilla Glass Victus entrance |
Processor | Google Tensor Titan M2 safety |
RAM | 8GB LPDDR5 |
Inside storage | 128GB or 256GB UFS 3.1 |
Battery and energy | 4,600mAh (typical) 30W wired charging USB-PD 3.0 (PPS) 21W wi-fi charging (w/ Pixel Stand) 12W Qi wi-fi charging Battery share No charger in field |
Cameras | Rear – 50MP major 1.2 μm, ƒ/1.85, 82-degree FoV 1/1.31-inch sensor LDAF, OIS, and EIS – 12MP ultra-wide 1.25 μm, ƒ/2.2, 114-degree FoV – Laser AF Entrance: |
Video | Rear: 4K at 30/60FPS 1080p at 30/60FPS Entrance: |
Audio | Stereo audio system Triple mics Bluetooth 5.2 No 3.5mm port |
Safety | In-display fingerprint Titan M2 chip 5 years safety updates IP68-rated |
Buttons and ports | USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 Energy button Quantity rocker Twin SIM (single nano and eSIM) No expandable storage |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) Bluetooth 5.2 NFC assist |
Bands | [5G Sub 6GHz] Mannequin GB7N6 GSM/EDGE: Quad-band (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) UMTS/HSPA+/HSDPA: Bands 1,2,4,5,6,8,19 LTE: Bands B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14 17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29 30/32/38/39/40/41/42 46/48/66/71 5G Sub-62: Bands n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20 25/28/30/38/40/41 48/66/71/77/78 eSIM [5G mmWave + Sub 6GHz] Mannequin G9S9B3 |
Software program | Android 12 Pixel UI |
Dimensions and weight | 158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9mm 207g |
Colours | Stormy Black, Kinda Coral, Sorta Seafoam |
In-box contents | 1m USB-C to USB-C cable (USB 2.0) Fast Swap adapter SIM device Paperwork No charger in field (*France has charger and headphones included per native legal guidelines) |
Google Pixel 6 hands-on: The early verdict
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
If somebody handed me the Google Pixel 6 and stated, “That is Google’s new flagship telephone,” I might consider it. Should you ignore the truth that the larger, extra highly effective, and far more costly Google Pixel 6 Professional exists, the Pixel 6 seems and appears like a premium machine.
The issue is that it doesn’t look or really feel like some other premium machine on the market. Some will say that it feels disjointed due to its chunky design and large digicam module. Others will argue its thick show bezels and flat show give away its standing as being nearer to a mid-ranger than to a flagship. For me, the telephone appears like what it’s: a daring assertion from Google. Every of these features of the telephone are part of that daring assertion. After 5 years of Pixel gadgets, Google is lastly able to cease taking part in round with the thought of placing its stamp on smartphones and begin to truly put its stamp on smartphones.
The Pixel 6 is a daring assertion from Google.
There’s clearly much more we have to discuss right here. The software program, the digicam high quality, and particularly the Google Tensor processor have to be examined in-depth to offer a full thought of what this telephone can do. Aesthetically, although, the Google Pixel 6 is more likely to be a love-it-or-hate-it affair for many patrons. That’s factor, too, as a result of Google’s been taking part in it protected for approach too lengthy now.