When will see the see the Google Pixel 6? Expect the next-gen smartphone this year, and here’s what we know so far.
We didn’t see anything about the Google Pixel 6 at the Google IO 2021 keynote, but that’s not surprising given its usual launch window later in the year. Still, we’ve already learned a ton about Android 12, and that’s huge for fans looking forward to the Google Pixel 6. That’s because the phone will likely be the first device to have the Android 12 operating system baked in: brand-new Android features will come to that phone first before trickling out to non-Google handsets. Older Pixel phones will almost certainly get the update at the same time, but it’s possible – and based on the rumors, even likely – that the aging devices won’t get all the new features that the Pixel 6 will get. As for the Pixel 6 itself, we’re starting to hear lots of things about it unofficially, including spec leaks and renders. The picture so far is of a phone with a radical new design — and one that could be joined by a Pixel 6 Pro. Below we’ve put together all of the leaks and rumors we’ve heard so far around the Google Pixel 6. Then, we’ve come up with a wish list of what changes we want to see in the phone. Expect to learn more about the Google Pixel 6 as the months go on, and we’ll be keeping this article updated, so check back regularly. The only Pixel 6 release date rumor so far says to expect it in October, but that it could slip to November if there’s a chipset shortage. That makes sense, as we’d expect the phone to come out towards the end of 2021, based on Google’s flagship trends. October is most likely the best bet, even without this rumor. With regards to price, that’s a bit harder to guess, because while the Pixel 3 and Pixel 4 were more premium offerings, the Pixel 5 is a mid-ranged phone, and we don’t know if Google will stick in that price range or return to the top end. Our guess is the former, though, as the company will likely want to stick with a big change for more than one year to see if it pays off. The Pixel 5 cost $699 / £599 / AU$999 so maybe we could see a similar price again. We’ve had our first look at the possible design of the Pixel 6, courtesy of unofficial renders based on leaked images. You can see one of these below, and it’s a big change if accurate. The renders show a camera block that runs across the width of the back, jutting out, and a three-tone color scheme. The bezels are thin, the punch-hole selfie camera is central, and the source claims that in addition to the colors shown below, there will be a champagne gold model and a white one. They also say that there’s an in-screen fingerprint scanner, and that the back is made of glass. There’s also apparently a Google Pixel 6 Pro — in fact that’s what the render below shows, but other than the number of cameras (two rear ones on the Pixel 6 and three on the Pro) and possibly the color choices, the two look basically identical in this leak. Since that first glimpse at the design, another leaker has shared a second look at the Pixel 6 Pro, in unofficial renders that look near identical to the one above — though the design is perhaps slightly more angular here, and the bottom bezel looks as though it might be slightly bigger. You can see one of these more recent renders below, and the source also shared some details, claiming that the Google Pixel 6 Pro has a 6.67-inch curved AMOLED display, and dimensions of 163.9 x 75.8 x 8.9mm (with an 11.5mm camera bump). The source also claims that the Google Pixel 6 Pro has dual stereo speakers, but that’s to be expected on a premium phone. We’ve also heard from another source that Google will be following this design. A leaked case seems to show this camera bump, which may mean that the company will go ahead with this look.
