Google might have given the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro a soft reveal with news of a new chipset and camera, but we think it needs to be explained
Google decided that we didn’t know enough about the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, and so we saw a soft reveal of the upcoming flagship duo ahead of a “full” launch later this year. It has us thinking about all the connotations and combinations that these devices are bringing and what portions of the Pixel 6 need to be explained. 2021 could be the breakout year for Made by Google smartphones. Fans are expecting big things, we’re expecting big things. After five years of nearly moments, could it be the sixth attempt that captures the imagination more than any other? Some of this information has been rumored already, but it’s important to note that much of it has now been officially confirmed by Google. This, therefore, gives a much clearer picture of the late-2021 Pixel lineup, and so it’s time to dial up the hype ahead of the official launch presentation… Subscribe to 9to5Google on YouTube for more videos After Google teased new Pixel devices, we actually expected to learn more about the Pixel 5a 5G and maybe get a brief glimpse at the upcoming Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. What actually happened was effectively a soft launch, while many of the new upgrades and improvements coming with the Pixel 6 series were explained in a dedicated blog post. We already knew that we’d see at least two devices: the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. It was nice to get confirmation of a name for the larger of the new duo, but we’re sure that some people would really have preferred “XL” to “Pro” at least for parity with previous iterations. Let’s explain the core hardware chassis differences because much of the internals are practically identical. The smaller Pixel 6 measures 6.4 inches, comes with an FHD+ 90Hz display complete with an under-display fingerprint scanner replacing the Pixel Imprint capacitive reader that was reintroduced on the Pixel 5. It’ll come in three colors, reddish, greenish, and gray/black. One throwback Pixel 4 design choice is that os matte black side rails, but Google is dropping the colorful power button — which is a little sad. Google is supercharging the Pixel 6 Pro with a 6.67-inch QHD+ curved 120Hz display with an under-display fingerprint scanner. The colors are more muted and available in gray/black, champagne gold, and white/light gray. Unlike the Pixel 6, the Pro models all come with color-specific trims and frames for a more “premium” aesthetic. No actual battery sizes were confirmed, nor did we get any official information on the charging speeds and methods. That said, Rick Osterloh did state that the battery life target is “all day.” A major sore point of the Pixel 5 is being addressed and “fixed” with the re-introduction of a proper earpiece speaker. This is undoubtedly going to be music to the ears of Pixel 5 owners that might be looking to upgrade to this new series. This should help improve the audio experience on both the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro over the Pixel 5. The hardware looks to be fairly standard for a flagship for late 2021. With Google’s co-developed Tensor chipset we are looking at an out-and-out top tier device that looks as though it will compete directly with the best in the business come launch.
