Google Pixel 6 Review, Price, Specs, Camera, Battery
Google Pixel 6, Best 5G Phone, Best Camera Phone, Best Battery Life Phone
The Google Pixel 6 isn't the most powerful phone on the market, but its new Tensor chipset pushes its photo-taking capabilities ahead of rival handsets. While it lacks a telephoto lens, and there's nothing to brag about its battery life, it's a big phone with a 6.4-inch display, a radical new design, and a price that could undercut rival Android phones — though. The carrier-specific version may be worth more.
Pros
- Amazing Performance
- Excellent cameras
- Fantastic photos
- Good price
- Intriguing design
Cons
- Battery life can be short over 5G
- No zoom lens
- Middling battery
Google Pixel 6 Review
The Google Pixel 6 is the biggest update to the search giant's smartphone line in years, and while Google's new Tensor chipset doesn't quite reinvent the wheel, it powers the handset's photo software to produce some of the best images we've seen. Is. phone.
The Pixel 6 is a more premium device than its predecessors, offering a sleeker design and more powerful cameras. Most notably, it packs Google's new Tensor chipset, the first silicon manufactured by the company. However, if you were expecting a powerhouse to rival the Apple-made A-series Bionic chipsets in iPhones, you'd be wrong. The Pixel 6 isn't slow, but its benchmark results put its performance potential around that of unusual phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 and even the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE.
That's fine for a phone priced at the Pixel 6's. It also packs 8GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB of storage, and a 4,612mAh battery, which is supposed to last about a day. The 6.4-inch Full HD (2400 x 1080) OLED display is larger than the screen that comes with most flagships, and with a 90Hz refresh rate, offers smoother browsing than phones maxed out at 60Hz – although 90Hz is the minimum we're looking for. Now expect to see the Pixel 6 on a phone in the premium-mid-range price tier.
Still, it will be the phone's cameras that many Pixel fans will be most excited about. Google finally gives us the high-megapixel sensor worthy of its excellent photo software, plus its Tensor chipset tuned for Google's image algorithms. And the hype is worth it: The Pixel 6 takes great photos at all lighting levels, capturing nuances in color and shadow, as well as clearer photos at night than any other phone that came before it.
The two rear cameras include a 50-megapixel main shooter and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera with a 114-degree field of view - lacking any zoom photography, so you'll have to make do with leaving the phone with the main sensor if you're far away. Want to shoot anything. It's not a drawback, as many flagship phones do, but getting 4x telephoto zoom is one of the biggest reasons to upgrade to the Pixel 6 Pro.
This phone was first launched with Android 12, and there are a lot of new features to be discovered. Most of these upgrades are incremental or not very noticeable, but some are pretty big.
At the top of the list is the new Material U color palette coordination, which syncs widgets and UI icons to match the chosen color theme. That's just scraping the surface of the update; Some Android 12 features are only available for the Tensor-powered Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro, like a live translation of audio and via Google Lens that can eventually be done on the device - situational perks, yes, but powerful.
Yes, the Pixel 6 is launching alongside the bigger sibling, but the bigger screen and svelte 5,000mAh battery aren't the only things that set the Pixel 6 Pro apart. Its 6.7-inch OLED display has QHD+ (3120 x 1440) resolution and 120Hz refresh rate and comes with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. It also packs an additional rear camera: a periscope telephoto lens offering 4x optical zoom.
The Pixel 6 Pro is significantly pricier than the standard-issue Pixel 6, which makes the latter incredibly good value for its price. Powerful enough, with the battery lasting a little over a full day, but with a camera and photo software that outpaces other flagship phones. It may not be the most impressive phone on the market, but for its price point, it enjoys a sweet spot of capability and more unique benefits.
| Google Pixel 6 Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $599 |
| Brand | |
| Model | Pixel 6 |
| CAMERA | 50 MP + 12 MP |
| Front Camera | 8 MP |
| DISPLAY | 6.4 inches (16.26 cm) |
| PERFORMANCE | Google Tensor |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| STORAGE | 128 GB |
| BATTERY | 4614 mAh |
| LAUNCH DATE | October 19, 2021 (Official) |
| Operating System | Android v12 |
| Weight | 207 grams |
| Colors | Sorta Seafoam, Kinda Coral, Stormy Black |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
Google Pixel 6 price and release date
Google Pixel 6 Price $599
The Google Pixel 6 was unveiled on October 19th alongside the Google Pixel 6 Pro. The global release date for both devices is October 25.
Prices for the Google Pixel 6 start at $599 / £599 (about AU$999) for 128GB of storage; We are still waiting for the price of the 256GB model. That starting price is lower than the launch price of the Google Pixel 5, which was available in only one configuration (and a sub-flagship chipset) for $699 / £599 / AU$999. The Pixel 6 costs significantly less than rival handsets at the lower end of the flagship spectrum: standard iPhone 13 prices start at $799 / £779 / AU$1,349, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs roughly the same amount as $799 / £769 / AU Is. $1,249.
We must reiterate that the above price is a starting point; This may be higher in your area due to the different versions sold by carriers. In the US, Google sells its version of the Pixel 6 that only has sub-6 5G, while Verizon and AT&T sell a variant that supports sub-6 and mmWave at a higher price, $699 and $739, respectively.
In contrast, the Google Pixel 6 Pro, with prices starting at $899 / £849 / AU$1,299 for 128GB of storage, climbs up after that. However, that price is still well below rival flagship phones. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus comes in at $999 / £949 / AU$1,549, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max prices start at $1,099 / £1,049 / AU$1,849. In comparison, both new Google phones seem cheap, though keep in mind that they are not technically as powerful.
The Pixel 6 is available in three colors, with the 256GB storage model available in Stormy Black (grey/black) and sorta seafoam (blue/green), Kinda Coral (pink/red) only in the 128GB storage option. To avoid any confusion, some US carriers have opted to sell only the former two colors – or just Stormi Black.
Google Pixel 6 Design
The Google Pixel 6 sports a new look that was revealed months before the phone was officially launched. Perhaps it was meant to prepare the masses for a radical redesign on the more modest-looking Google Pixel 5, which featured only a subtle fingerprint sensor and a single-color rear marked by a square camera block.
On the other hand, the rear of the new Pixel 6 is two-tone and is divided by a horizontal camera block that spans the width of the phone. It's a bold design to be sure, and comparisons to Star Trek's Geordi La Forge's joke are plentiful. It's unique, and will likely be a dealbreaker for those who want a more modest camera array on their phones. As a result, the Pixel 6 will certainly need a unique case - and it considers borderline essential.
Google includes a silicon Pixel 6 case in the box, with additional bumpers above and below the camera gap, to make sure the glass doesn't scratch against the surface you lay the phone on. We are not particularly sure that it will survive a drop that directly affects the back of the phone; Nor are we sure that the rear glass is of Gorilla Glass Victus that protects the front.
Still, we placed the Pixel 6 in Google's official case during testing, and while it doesn't add much weight, it made an already sizable phone feel bigger — which should be alarming for those who prefer smaller handsets. could.
With or without the case, the Pixel 6 won't lie flat on a desk, with the sizable camera bump creating a ramp-like tilt.
However, unlike the Pixel 5, iPhone 13, and Galaxy S21 range, the full-width camera bar on the Pixel 6 means the handset doesn't move when the screen is shaken. The latest models from both Apple and Samsung continue to see their camera blocks placed in one corner of the device, an unbalanced posture when the phone is placed on a flat surface.
Something else that impresses the camera bar is the Pixel 6's weight. At 207g, the handset is heavier than the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro as well as the Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus. Pick it up and you'll find that the Pixel 6 is top-heavy, requiring a firm grip when held in one hand to ensure its safety. The lifeless balance, weight, and camera block protruding from the rear mean the phone is less wide than other handsets. You can gently pull it out of the pocket or bag and hold it along the way.
The Pixel 6 has a glass rear, rather than the metal wrapped around the back and sides of the Pixel 5, but the new phone has the same matte finish as its metal frame, with quality materials that don't feel cheap. The power and volume keys both reside along the right edge of the handset, with the latter falling relatively neatly under the thumb. The power button will be a bit reachable for those with smaller hands, but its location isn't terrible.
IP68 dust- and water resistance means the Pixel 6 should happily survive a trip to the beach or a quick dip in the bath.
Overall, the Google Pixel 6 isn't as curved as the Pixel 4 and Pixel 5-series phones, with its more straight edges and less-rounded corners resulting in a look that isn't entirely different from the Sony Xperia 1 III. However, it feels a bit wide, which may lead users to mess around with the phone while handling it; It is not suitable for one-handed use.
However, where it is excellent for watching media - and listening to it. We like the Pixel 4's speakers, and we're constant fans of the Pixel 6's audio, which sounds evenly balanced between highs and lows. Other handsets have uneven divisions between their dual speakers (usually around the earpiece and next to the power port), with treble or bass favoring one or the other; But the Pixel 6 feels even more so, with its two speakers providing an even mix.
The increased weight and less flashy design help create the more mature aesthetic Google is aiming for with the Pixel 6, which helps it look and feel like a real premium contender.
There's no headphone jack here, which puts the Pixel 6 in line with the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4 before it. If you're a fan of wired listening you'll need to keep your fingers crossed that a Pixel 6a comes with a 3.5mm port – Google has retained this connection for its cheaper 'A' series handsets to date.
Google Pixel 6 Display
The Pixel 6's 6.4-inch OLED display is the largest screen included in a Pixel phone, except the Pixel 6 Pro. Its 6.7-inch screen is also up from the 6.3-inch Google Pixel 4 XL from 2019.
Here the Full HD Plus 2400 x 1080 resolution (so not QHD) equals 441 pixels per inch, which is on par with other phones around the price (and even with some of the more expensive options like the Samsung Galaxy S21.
But in comparison between the Pixel 6 and its more expensive Pixel 6 Pro sibling — which has a QHD (3120 x 1440) display — we couldn't determine much of a difference in detail viewing similar media (a 4K YouTube video). scaled for each phone's respective resolution). It wasn't until we were within inches of both phones that we could discern any difference, and even then, it was very little.
The display leads to a more vibrant mix of colors than on handsets like the iPhone 12 Pro – and it's not just in the overall palette. The Pixel 6's OLED screen displayed greater contrast in adjacent colors, going from bright to dark; The iPhone 12 Pro's display is simultaneously more colorful in a side-by-side evaluation of contrast.
The big update to the Pixel 6 display is its size, but the faster refresh rate, as seen on its predecessor, is also welcome. It's a 90Hz screen, which makes the UI and browsing websites much smoother. While the difference in the rear panel is more minor compared to the 120Hz refresh rate on the Pixel 6 Pro's display, the Pixel 6 costs less than its 120Hz rivals, and 90Hz is likely to be enough for most users. This is better than static browsing on the 60Hz refresh rate screen.
Google Pixel 6 Cameras
The Pixel 6 doesn't pack a higher camera count than its predecessor (you'll have to upgrade to the Pixel 6 Pro for the telephoto shooter), but the suite has been upgraded with a higher-megapixel camera and software, which Google Asserts for its Tensor. Powered by the chipset.
However, the proof is in the photos - and whether the Pixel 6 takes better pictures than images captured on flagships like the iPhone 12 Pro, or last year's Google phones such as the Google Pixel 5a, the Pixel 6. There are more nuances in color and shade, along with more real-life temperatures that reflect real conditions.
At the back, the Pixel 6 sports a 50-megapixel main shooter with an 82-degree field of view and f/1.85 aperture, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor with a 114-degree field of view and f/2.2 aperture.
The Pixel 6 also includes an 8-megapixel front-facing camera placed in the punch-hole at the center-top of the display, with an 84-degree field of view and an f/2.0 aperture.
There's no optical zoom available like the Pro model, but the Pixel 6's 'Super Res Zoom' offers 7x digital zoom.
Note that digital zoom isn't as good as optical, as it artificially crops the image to get you closer to the action, resulting in a slight loss in image quality. As expected, the Pixel 6's zoom capabilities are limited. Don't expect to get more clarity from a 2x zoom - for that, opt for the Pixel 6 Pro instead.
The new Motion mode is a mixed bag. It's possible to get some fun imagery with its two sub-modes, Action Pan and Long Exposure, for photos that capture a still subject with motion and blurry light trails around them, respectively. The former is easy to pull off, although there are no instructions on how you do so; You have to figure it out on your own. As for Night Mode, the Pixel 6 also improves on its predecessor, producing far less noise when illuminating low-light photos.
Google Pixel 6 Performance
The specs of the Google Pixel 6 were another great mystery: How good will the Google-designed Tensor chipset be? While benchmarks don't outperform the phone to any major flagships, the phone has enough power to run smoothly and take great pictures.
Other key specifications of the Pixel 6 are respectable, with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of storage. As mentioned earlier, it is the only 128GB model that comes in Kind Coral Hue.
The combination of 8GB of RAM and Tensor chip garnered the Pixel 6 an average Geekbench 5 score of 2837 — which is just above the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 at 2801 and the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus at 3034. Note that the Pixel 6 Pro didn't score particularly high at 2895, suggesting that the Tensor chipset might not affect the performance level of the Snapdragon 888-powered phone.
Whether it matters is another question: Like the Samsung phones mentioned above, the Pixel 6 spins through browsing, media viewing, and other tasks flawlessly. Those scores are also significantly higher than those of the Google Pixel 5, which, with its Snapdragon 765G chipset, garnered a Geekbench 5 score of 1600.
The Pixel 6 runs Android 12 out of the box, complete with Material U and several other upgrades. Most are refinements to the Android UI, such as the new security settings page that collects all security risks into an easy-to-understand color-coded checklist. However, several other improvements are small and hard to notice, such as faster orientation detection when switching between portrait and landscape when the phone is rotated in camera mode. In other words, while they may not be seismic, they greatly improve the quality of life.
Google Pixel 6 Battery
We can at least be relieved that Google won't repeat the mistake of placing its new phones with insufficient battery life. The Google Pixel 6 has a 4,612mAh capacity, up from last year's Pixel 5's 4,080mAh, and far more than the Pixel 4's 2,800mAh.
While the Pixel 6 Pro's battery offers even more capacity on its 5,000mAh battery, the Pixel 6 comfortably makes it through a full day of use. Google claims that the phone will last up to 24 hours, which can be extended to 48 hours with the help of Extreme Battery Saver mode, though we would expect less than that with our testing.
The Pixel 6 supports fast-charging up to 30W - and while the USB-C to USB-C cable is included in the box, there's no plug adapter. Google appears to have joined other phone makers in the war on e-waste, so you'll need a source yourself.
We managed to recharge the Pixel 6 to a respectable 47% in 30 minutes—the phone's maximum charging is 30W via the company's 30W USB-C charger, which is an optional extra you'll have to pay for. In testing, we achieved a charge of a little over 80% in an hour.
It's nowhere near the fastest charging we've seen: At the top of our list is the Xiaomi 11T Pro, which can do a full charge in just 17 minutes via its 120W charger. Even other Android flagships with less absurd fast-charging - the Asus ROG 5 supports 60W charging, and the OnePlus 9 could hit 65W - would leave the Pixel 6 in the dust.
The Pixel 6 also supports wireless charging (up to 21W), so you can pop the device on the charging mat without fumbling a cable. This is on par with other phones' typical 10W and 15W maximum wireless charging rates.
Google Pixel 6 QNA
Do you want a powerful phone at a value price?
Ans: The Google Pixel 6 isn't the fastest phone on the market, but neither is it the most expensive, which spans a happy medium.
Do you want great photos at any light level?
Ans: Pixel 6 takes great pictures with true colors in daylight or at night.
Do you want the latest Android on the fastest phone?
Ans: Until a Pixel 7 arrives, the Pixel 6 is the fastest phone to get the latest version of Android.