Google is making its revolution. At least, that’s what he likes to have us believe with his new Pixel range. Composed of the Pixel 6 Pro and the more classic Pixel 6, it marks a break in the habits of the manufacturer, which this time affirms its desire to integrate into the high-end segment.
Google has never been the clearest manufacturer of its intentions. While the Pixel 3 and Pixel 4 were sold at a high price, their technical sheet did not entirely change compared to direct competitors. Is it different for these new models? As for the Pixel 6 Pro, it’s a no-brainer. But the Pixel 6, then?
Google is still muddying the waters. Because even if this new smartphone is only sold 20$ more expensive than the Pixel 5 of last year, it represents an unsuspected and beneficial move upmarket for the manufacturer.
The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro is equipped with the Google Tensor, the American giant’s first processor. It has been optimized from its conception to work with the new Pixels and thus provide maximum performance.
This turns into operations that are up to 80% faster than with a Pixel 5. Application load times are shorter, and games are more responsive. Autonomy is also better thanks to intelligent load management, without forgetting either reinforced protection or native management of artificial intelligence for various tasks such as video, photo, or gaming.
The differences between this Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are pretty slim but relevant. By paying more, we will have the best screen and an additional camera – as well as a slightly less ugly design. Also, you will understand, the performances are quite identical between the two models.
| Google Pixel 6 Pro | Google Pixel 6 |
| Solid all-round performance | Solid all-round performance |
| Good battery life | Mediocre battery life |
| 5-year software updates | 5-year software updates |
| Unnecessary AI features | No 4K 60 fps video at ultra-wide-angle |
| No face unlock | No face unlock |
Key Specification
| Google Pixel 6 Pro | Google Pixel 6 | |
| $ | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| Released | Oct 19, 2021 | Oct 19, 2021 |
| Processor | 2.8 GHz, Octa Core Processor | 2.8 GHz, Octa Core Processor |
| Display | 6.71 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Internal | 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
Design
| Dimensions | 163 x 76 x 7 mm | 163 x 76 x 7 mm |
| Weight | 210 g | 207 g |
| Screen Size | 6.71 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 120 Hz | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 90 Hz |
| Colour | Cloudy White, Sorta Sunny, Stormy Black | Sorta Seafoam, Kinda Coral, Stormy Black |
| Display Type | Color OLED screen (16M) | Color OLED screen (16M) |
| Build Material | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame |
Google has completely revised the design of its smartphone. Good news, it is rather one of a kind. The idea was not to offer a device different from market standards but to step aside to be easily recognizable in the street.
That said, the differences are minimal between the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. In France, the Pixel 6 will be entitled to two different colors: “Ocean Gray” and “Carbon” Black when the Pixel 6 Pro will only be available in “Carbon” Black.
To distinguish them, it will be necessary to look at the size of the screen. The Pixel 6 adopts a 6.4-inch panel, and the Pixel 6 Pro has a 6.7-inch panel. Google has changed its strategy after competing with Apple and the compact screen of its iPhone 11, 12, and now 13; the Pixel 6 is more attacking devices from Samsung, Xiaomi, or Huawei.
On the back, the imposing transverse band of the new design of the Pixel 6 somewhat shows the number of photosensors of the devices. The Pro version of the Pixel 6 is entitled to three modules, while the Pixel 6 is limited to two modules. We will come back to this related to cameras to compare the differences between Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.
Display
The Pixel 6 Pro is incredible. Already, let us reiterate that only the Pixel 6 Pro benefits from a stretchable refresh rate of 10 to 120 Hz (like the iPhone 13 Pro ), but also a QHD + definition. The first feature allows the smartphone to be as fluid as it is energy efficient when display speed is unnecessary. The second gives the screen its 512 DPI resolution, which is particularly flattering to the eye. . On the other hand, be informed that you will not be able to downgrade to an FHD + definition if you wish to lighten the load on your battery. Somewhat surprising, by the way.
In terms of measurements, taken as usual with our X-Rite iDisplay Pro probe and the professional Calman Ultimate calibration software, the Pixel 6 Pro is a real treat. It offers a maximum brightness of 800 nits, and infinite contrast by the nature of its panel.
To sum up, the Pixel 6 Pro’s screen is very well-calibrated from the factory and does not require any unique adjustment to get the most out of it. Either way, Google doesn’t offer any tool to do this if needed.
With its 6.7-inch diagonal, the Pixel 6 Pro is an excellent tool for enjoying movies, series, and video games daily. At least if you can get used to the “camera bar,” which will inevitably come under your fingers when you hold the smartphone horizontally.
The Pixel 6 is equipped with a 6.4-inch AMOLED panel that displays Full HD + definition at a maximum frequency of 90 Hz (fixed). For comparison, this is QHD + at 120Hz (variable) for the Pixel 6 Pro.
But when it comes to the intrinsic quality of the two tiles, they play on equal terms. The Pixel 6 benefits from a maximum brightness of 800 nits, which is sufficient for comfortable outdoor use and an infinite contrast ratio.
Three color display modes are available through the settings: Adaptive, Enhanced, and Natural. Using our X-Rite iDisplay Pro probe and Calman Ultimate professional calibration software, we have studied these different profiles, and our preference is between the first and the second.
It must be said that the application on which Calman Ultimate is based is dated and poorly manages the screens that automatically switch between the sRGB and DCI-P3 gamuts. Also, the measurements noted “only” 83% coverage for the latter, but there is no doubt that 100% is reached when we see the depth of the colors.
Moreover, the screen temperature is ideal (around 6430K), and the color reproduction is extremely close to the expected delta E <3 standard.
In short, there is no question to ask yourself when unpacking: everything is perfect. All you have to do is launch your favorite video application and enjoy, at least if you can get past these borders, and you are not too inconvenienced by the discomfort caused by the bar. of cameras.
Performance
| CPU | Octa core (2.8 GHz, Dual core, Cortex X1 + 2.25 GHz, Dual core, Cortex A76 + 1.8 GHz, Quad core, Cortex A55) | Octa core (2.8 GHz, Dual core, Cortex X1 + 2.25 GHz, Dual core, Cortex A76 + 1.8 GHz, Quad core, Cortex A55) |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP20 | Mali-G78 MP20 |
| RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128 GB, 256GB |
| Expansion | No | No |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12 |
Of course, the Pixel 6s were expected around the corner for their photography capabilities. But what’s new from Google is also worth a look for something even more unique: Tensor.
Google Tensor is the first SoC produced in-house by the company. Developed for years by the web giant, the chipset is described – hang on tight – as the biggest hardware innovation the company has ever created—just that.
So what are we talking about exactly? It is an SoC all that is most “expected” in 2021. Engraved in 5 nm, it integrates an 8-core CPU with unorthodox cutting. There are 2 high-performance cores (2.8 GHz), 2 medium-load cores (2.2 GHz), and 4 efficient cores (1.8 GHz). But the interest of Google Tensor is elsewhere.
Where competitors who rely on Qualcomm and MediaTek SoCs are primarily dependent on these founders to optimize the performance of their smartphones, Google has designed its chip to have full control over performance allocation. Exactly like Apple with its A15 Bionic, or M1, M1 Pro, and M1 Max chips.
So what does that change for the end-user? Let’s be frank, not much. If Google is proud of it, it is above all because Tensor allows it to perform calculations that previously required a permanent connection to its servers directly on the phone. Put it another way, and put it in simple terms: the Pixel 6 is a more innovative smartphone thanks to Google Tensor. The entire architecture of the chip is designed to support algorithms and machine learning and therefore offer you better results faster, with fewer constraints than in the past.
This preamble was evacuated. Let’s talk about performance. If you’ve been following the leaks over the past few months, you’ve probably already seen a few Geekbench captures.
The Google Tensor is not the most efficient SoC on the market. It sits somewhere between a Samsung Exynos and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 but is well away from an Apple A15 Bionic. Note battery tests focus above all on the processor and GPU’s raw performance and do not assess, or minimal, the “AI” capabilities of a smartphone.
Moreover, there is no need to shy away from these figures, which are perfectly in line with what we have seen on Android this year. Suppose it weren’t for the storage chip. Indeed Androbench believes that the UFS 3.1 chip of the Pixel 6 Pro does not exceed 246 Mb / s in writing, which would be almost worrying if it were not consistent with the results obtained on the same test via the previous Pixels. For some unknown reason, Google refuses to work on this aspect, resulting in the faster installation of applications on the smartphone.
The Pixel 6 Pro is a real high-end smartphone. Thanks to its 120 Hz screen, it responds to the finger and the eye, and launching/switching between several applications is never a problem. The smartphone is also competent in a game: Genshin Impact can be approached in “high” quality while staying above 45 images per second. However, intensive gaming sessions on the Pixel 6 Pro will not be recommended due to high throttling and poor heat dissipation. According to 3D Mark, the Pixel 6 Pro is relatively unstable in its graphics performance when the heat rises. And it goes up very, very fast.
We talked about it above: the Pixel 6 are the first smartphones to take advantage of Google Tensor, the first chip designed in-house. The objectives of this paradigm shift are multiple. First, Google can now do without Qualcomm, Mediatek, or Samsung to provide it with chips. Then, more importantly, he has all the freedom to allocate the performances as he sees fit. Like Apple with its A15 Bionic chips, Google now has complete control over its chipsets.
In this case, what interests Google is less raw performance than the execution speed of tasks related to artificial intelligence. You will see, the Pixel 6 is not the best performing smartphone on the market. On the other hand, unfortunately, it is difficult for us, users, to have no equal when supplementing Google’s algorithms.
Indeed, thanks to Tensor, the Pixel 6 can perform the majority of AI tasks in-house. Previously, Pixels had to connect to a remote server systematically, especially for Google Assistant or photo processing. Today all this becomes internal grub to speed things up.
For the end-user, the differences are ultimately minor. The smartphone is fast; it reacts quickly to the slightest interaction. No, for now, we have to trust Google, very enthusiastic at the idea of now having the elbow room to iterate as it sees fit on a new basis.
So to talk about figures, the various benchmarks carried out show us a chip to be wedged somewhere between an Exynos 2100 and a Snapdragon 888 therefore. Of course, Apple’s A15 Bionic remains the best performing SoC on the market today. But the Google Tensor shows no signs of weakness daily. You can do anything with a Pixel 6.
Our standard Genshin Impact meter launches bluntly into a high level of detail and can hold over 40 frames per second over extended sessions.
Despite everything, we see the same limits as on the Pixel 6 Pro. Namely, a storage chip that is a little slow in writing (we do not exceed 250 Mb / s – we had recorded 1290 Mb / s on the Galaxy S21), and speedy heating that comes to restrain performance after 20 minutes of play.
Camera
| Rear | 50 MP + 12 MP + 48 MP | 50 MP + 12 MP |
| Front | 11.1 MP | 8 MP |
| Video recording | 4K, 1080p | 4K, 1080p |
Pixel 6 Pro and 6 camera- Google has made a name for itself in the smartphone market thanks to the image processing of its cameras. Google has shaken the competition but has never sought to offer the largest sensors on the market and compete with the number of megapixels. The software always knows how to make its 12 MP sensor photos as beautiful as those of a 64 or even 128 MP of the competition.
On the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, the slight technical delay is caught up. Good news: the Pixel 6 is not behind the Pixel 6 Pro. Their commonalities are the size of sensors and the lenses’ aperture, which achieves up to 150% more brightness on both devices than previous generations.
As for the differences, the Pixel 6 Pro adopts the third sensor and the primary lens, and the ultra-wide-angle. This is the telephoto lens and its 4x optical zoom. Without losing quality, it will therefore be possible to capture shots with a longer focal length than on the classic Pixel 6. For details or even more creative Instagram photos, it is an essential sensor. Moreover, the hybrid zoom (optical zoom + digital zoom) can reach 20x, and the pictures are still entirely usable, especially in broad daylight.
The Pixel 6 camera:
- Main sensor 50 MP aperture ƒ / 1.85
- 12 MP ƒ / 2.2 114 ° ultra wide-angle sensor
- LDAF laser autofocus
The Pixel 6 Pro camera:
- Main sensor 50 MP aperture ƒ / 1.85
- 12 MP ƒ / 2.2 114 ° ultra wide-angle sensor
- 48 MP ƒ / 3.5 telephoto sensor with optical stabilization
- LDAF laser autofocus
On the software part, Google has reworked its tools to offer even more realistic color rendering. The Pixel 6’s camera focused on processing the image based on individual skin tones. Tools to limit blur are also available. Also, a “Motion” mode arrives to take pictures with motion blurs (to account for the movement of a car, for example).
In video mode, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are both perfect. Both devices are capable of filming in 4K and HDR +. For the selfie camera, a mode to capture only the sound of your voice (by isolating the sounds of your environment) is available.
Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro capacities in video:
- 4K video recording at 30 and 60 frames per second
- 1080p video recording at 30 and 60 frames per second
- Slow motion mode up to 240 frames per second
Multimedia
| Headphone jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones | 3 Microphones | 3 Microphones |
| FM Radio | No | No |
If it is far from being among the worst students in this area, we are happy that Google has improved the audio part of its Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.
It is equipped with two speakers and produces a rather flattering sound, which knows how to rise in the towers while avoiding saturation. As for the audio reproduction, we are delighted to note that the bass is not forgotten, even if it does not have the precision of those that can come out of a high-end iPhone or Xiaomi.
The headphones provided in the box are also mainly oriented towards the bass. It’s pretty surprising at first, but you get used to it – if you have nothing else on hand. As these are “button” headphones, the insulation is inevitably not very good. On the other hand, the outfit is impeccable, thanks to the small silicone fins that prevent the headphones from sliding out of the ear canal.
Moreover, the Pixel 6 Pro offers quite a few audio settings. No Dolby Atmos, no equalizer on the menu for audiophiles. Too bad, even if third-party applications will undoubtedly allow them to cook their meals in their corner. Finally, the Pixel 6 Pro supports Bluetooth 5.2 and lists the most famous codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC.
Software
Android 12, Google offers an intuitive operating system that facilitates interactions between users and phones. The Preview function displays, for example, upcoming events, reminders, or even a boarding pass when necessary. So you get all the information you need when you need it. In a similar vein, the phone can translate live videos, messages, and even signs automatically without any application or internet connection.
Google has also extensively reworked its interface to bring more consistency. The colors adapt to the screen background, thus offering a homogeneous rendering. Every detail has been tweaked, whether it’s icons or animations, for a truly fantastic result, and obviously, personalization is still central with the arrival of new widgets.
Security level, the Google Tensor processor, works in close collaboration with the Titan M2 chip, which protects the data present on the phone. By the way, Google includes at least five years of security updates to prevent threats over time.
Battery Life
| Capacity | 5003 mAh | 4614 mAh |
| Type | Li-Po | Li-Po |
| Fast Charging | 30W | 30W |
| User-Replaceable | No | No |
During its conference, Google told us that the Pixel 6 Pro offers a day of battery life.
The Pixel 6 Pro PC Mark’s battery test to check. This protocol simulates the use of the smartphone with various tasks until the battery reaches 20%. Connected to Wi-Fi and with the screen brightness blocked at 50%, it took 10:33 for the smartphone to drop to 20%. We still lack enough comparative data to precisely locate the Pixel 6 Pro in a table but know that the classic Pixel 6 took 13h53 minutes before crossing this threshold on this same test.
Finally, to talk about recharging, the Pixel 6 does not particularly shine. Remember that no charger is provided, and that the charge is limited to 30 W. In any case, it will take precisely 1h45 to go from 0 to 100% battery. We start at 50% after 30 minutes of charging, which is identical to an iPhone 13.
On paper, the Pixel 6 Pro should be much more enduring than the Pixel 6. And for a good reason, it benefits from a larger battery (5,000 mAh against 4,500 mAh) and a screen whose frequency adapts from 10 to 120 Hz depending on the content displayed. A feature that allowed the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max to exceed all our expectations of autonomy last month.
PC Mark’s ‘Battery test. As a reminder, this protocol will simulate the use of the smartphone until the battery reaches 20%. In Wi-Fi, and blocking the screen brightness at 50%, it took 13:53 for the Pixel 6 to cross this threshold – against 10:33 for the Pixel 6 Pro.
The Pixel 6 is more enduring than its big brother despite a technical sheet suggesting the opposite.
On the recharging side, however, it’s more or less the same thing. You can still recover 50% in 30 minutes if you use a 30 W charger – the maximum power allowed by the Pixel 6. Remember that the smartphone is also compatible with wireless charging at 21 W.
Connectivity
| SIM | Dual Sim, GSM+GSM | Dual Sim, GSM+GSM |
| Bluetooth | v5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | v5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Wifi | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | Dual-band A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | Dual-band A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Sensors | In Display | In Display |
You have no doubt noticed that the price of smartphones has skyrocketed in recent years; some models exceed 1000 USD, not to mention foldable devices reaching dizzying heights. In comparison, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are almost inexpensive, with a price tag of $ 750 and $ 1050, respectively. Remember that you still have to pay more than 1000 $ for the iPhone 13 and that its big brother, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, is at 1450 USD.
At this price, the Pixel 6, therefore, faces the recent Xiaomi 11T Pro, the Samsung S20 FE (or the S21 FE when it decides to go out), the OPPO Find X3 Neo, Motorola Edge 20 Pro.
Conclusion!
Google returns in 2021 to the charge of competitors Samsung, Apple, and Xiaomi. The good news is that its smartphones don’t vary much in price. Still, between the Pixel 5 and Pixel 6, a brand new homemade processor has arrived. It supports Google’s eternal desire to improve the photos on its devices and add new tools for live translation, ultra-smooth screen display, and many other features for its customers.
The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro cast a reasonably wide net on the market and compete with high-end smartphones while being several hundred euros cheaper. For the most part, the Pixel 6 will be more than enough. Although the Pro version adds a telephoto lens, it uses the same photosensors as the Pixel 6. The screen is more significant, smoother, and better defined on the Pixel 6 Pro, but the processor is the same on both, as is the video capabilities fast charging.
