The Pixel 6: Everything You Need to Know & Which One to Buy

With the Pixel 6 releasing on October 28^th of this year, it’s time to review the facts and decide if you want to purchase this high-end Google phone. It may have not generated the same buzz as the recent iPhone launch, but Android enthusiasts have been waiting for it ever since it was announced several months back.

Since the phone has been benchmarked and distributed for reviews, we finally know everything about it and that’s what we’re going to take a look at today.

Variation

There are two models of the Pixel 6 – vanilla and Pixel 6 Pro. Similar to the iPhone 13, both of the models are generally similar to each other, with some varying details that justify the price difference. Although the previous Pixel models have not been considered as good as they could have been, the Pixel 6 is meant to be the model that changes minds.

The key specs for both are as follows.

The Pixel 6 (Vanilla)

Screen Type: AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+

Factory OS: Android 12

Chipset: Google Tensor

CPU: Octa-core

GPU: Mali-G78 MP20

8GB RAM

128GB and 256GB models

6.4-inche screen, 1080 x 2400 pixels

Dual Back Camera: 50MP & 12MP

Selfie Camera: 8MP

Battery: Fast Charging 30W, 50% in 30 minutes – 4,614 mAh

The Pixel 6 Pro

Screen Type: LPTO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+

Factory OS: Android 12

Chipset: Google Tensor

CPU: Octa-core

GPU: Mali-G78 MP20

12GB RAM

128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models

6.71-inch screen, 1440 x 3120 pixels

Triple Back Camera: 50MP, 48MP, & 12MP

Selfie Camera: 11.1MP

Battery: Fast Charging 30W, 50% in 30 minutes – 5,003 mAh

A powerhouse

The CPU and GPU of the both models are top-of-the-line. Priced at $599 and $899, the primary differences between the two phones are relatively minor and mainly related to the camera quality and extra features that may or may not matter to you.

So, they both have excellent CPU and GPU, ensuring the highest quality performance for any application released on the Android platform. Everything looks great and runs great, providing you nothing short of a premium experience.

The display too is amazing and manages to show every single color in its complete beauty. On top of that, the AMOLED panel and its over 90Hz of refresh rate certainly help the case. If you play video games or spend a lot of time editing videos on your phone – you’ll find this phone great for everyday use.

Capture like you mean it

Although the Pixel 6 is great at most things that make a smartphone good, it’s not giving you something that others don’t also offer for the same price – or perhaps even less. But, when it comes down to the camera, Google has outdone itself and its competition.

The 50-megapixel camera and the others (either one or two, depending on the model) that accompany it deliver exceptionally stunning results with both photographs and video recording. The 50MP camera is wide, with OIS, Laser AF, and omnidirectional PDAF. Meanwhile, the 12MP camera is ultrawide, bringing everything together.

Whereas, if you put up the extra money for a Pixel 6 Pro, you get the 48MP camera with PDAF, OIS, and 4X optical zoom. Additional features for all the main cameras include Dual-LED flash, pixel shift, auto HDR, and panorama. Video is recorded at 4K 30/60 fps and at 1080p at 30/60/120/240 fps – which includes gyro-EIS and OIS, too.

The front 11MP camera is ultrawide and includes Auto-HDR and panorama, recording videos at 4K 30 fps and at 1080p 30/60 fps.

These are merely the hardware-related features of the cameras, since the software-related features have many tricks up their sleeves, too, such as Magic Eraser, Motion Mode, Night Sight, and more. When compared to the iPhone 13, the Pixel 6 camera seems equally good and, at times, even better. For example, with images taken in the main camera’s Night Mode in the same lighting, the Pixel 6 Pro’s photos had better detail and shadows than the iPhone 13.

One gimmick too many

The phone’s primary features are all top quality, including its high-quality images and video, powerful processor, great GPU, water resistance, and attractive display. Its additional features, however, are more of novelties than anything you’d need. For example, the Assistant voice typing is great, but sometimes makes mistakes like searching the name of an app instead of opening it from your phone.

The fingerprint sensors can use some work, too. They’re not bad, but aren’t too much different from cheaper phones – which isn’t how a phone this expensive should be. But these are fortunately just gimmicks, and you will most likely not feel like they hinder your experience unless you attempt to truly rely on them.

The verdict

The Pixel 6 is not going to be remembered as a revolutionary smartphone, but it has everything that a phone of this price should and features one of the best cameras that you’ll find on a phone in 2021.

Whether you should buy the Pixel 6 or the Pixel 6 Pro is a matter of preference and budget. Both phones are great, but the latter has obvious advantages that make it better. The displays are not too different, but the camera on the Pixel 6 Pro packs a bigger punch. So, if you can afford the Pixel 6 Pro, you might as well just cave and empty your wallet.