5 things I love about the Google Pixel 6, and 5 things I don’t

All of us noticed this coming.

There were rumors about and renders of the Google Pixel 6 for over part a 12 months now, and it seems that a lot of the ones leaks have been spot-on, a minimum of relating to the instrument’s design. Heck, even Google’s customized SOC — certainly one of the worst saved secrets and techniques in tech — is in spite of everything coming to fruition.

Again in February, certainly one of my colleagues wrote about what he sought after to peer in an upcoming Pixel 6, and in response to what we have now realized to this point, it seems like he will be beautiful glad. There is a lot to love about the upcoming Pixel 6 and 6 Professional, from a greater display screen to advanced cameras to an arguably extra attention-grabbing design.

It kind of feels obtrusive to me that each variations of the Pixel 6 are going to rank prime on simply about any roundup of the easiest Android telephones. So, till we obtain additional info on the gadgets, here is my preliminary scorecard or tick list of the best 5 things I love and the best 5 things I don’t love about the Google Pixel 6 collection.

Things I’m loving about the Pixel 6 collection

Horizontal digicam housing

I do love the daring design of the Pixel 6 lineup, however I suppose that simply announcing I’m excited about the method it appears to be like, usually, is like a cop-out. So I’ll take it a step additional and point out what in particular I like about its appears to be like. For starters, I’m simply going to place it in the market: I love the rear digicam design.

For symmetry causes by myself, I’ve at all times most popular focused or horizontal digicam housings like the ones we noticed on reasonably fresh gadgets comparable to the Samsung Galaxy S10 collection or the LG V60 (RIP LG telephones 💀). To me, the taste may be extra cohesive and intentional than the verticle bulges we have now noticed sprouting up on simply about each and every different smartphone in fresh reminiscence.

Digital camera prowess

The way in which the cameras (sure, plural!) glance isn’t the handiest particular factor about the Pixel 6 collection; their efficiency appears to be like a lot advanced. For the first time in years, the Pixel line is getting new digicam sensors, together with a large 50MP wide-angle number one sensor for each telephones and a 48MP telephoto lens in the 6 Professional. If Google can proceed making use of its instrument abilities to this upgraded {hardware}, the photographs and video that pop out of those telephones must be improbable. I. CANNOT. WAIT.

Customized SOC

After all, that digicam {hardware} does not essentially imply nice footage with out an excellent processing setup, which we now know is coming with Google’s new customized Tensor SOC. Tensor will assist with symbol sign processing however must additionally make the new Pixels sooner and extra protected than ever. It must additionally permit Google to proceed pushing platform and safety updates past its present three-year promise.

Now not matte at it

The “common” Pixel 6 telephones (i.e., the non-Professional variations) will characteristic aspect rails and trim with a matte end, and as anyone most probably to buy the inexpensive type, I respect this contact. To my eyes, matte finishes have a extra undying glance, and most significantly, they don’t display scuffs, scratches, or smudges as simply.

All the beautiful colours

Extra choices = extra possible choices, and extra possible choices are higher for the client. I utterly admire, even dare I say respect, what Google is doing right here with the six other colour choices for the Pixel 6 line (it is no accident that it selected that choice of colours). It is most likely true that the general public will slap a case on their Pixel 6 or 6 Professional, however it is nonetheless a laugh to get the new sizzling colour(s). Props to the Pixel design crew for providing extra possible choices.

Now not feeling those “options”

I’ll move in this palette

Now, up to I praised the colour choices above, I wish to be transparent that I dislike the exact colour possible choices Google has made right here, and it sounds as if that I’m now not by myself on this opinion both. The matte black Pixel 6 is the top choice for the entry-level telephone, and the silver 6 Professional is slick, however I’m now not in point of fact feeling the different colours. I bet I may reside with the inexperienced 6, however the gold and orange glance garish to me. However to every their very own, proper?

Now not taking a shine to those Execs

Conceptually, I can perceive why Google made the trim on the 6 Professional’s shiny — in spite of everything, glossy things are in most cases thought to be extra stunning. And but, I cannot assist feeling like Professional customers are getting the shaft right here relating to how those things glance and really feel. In case you are courageous sufficient to rock your telephone and not using a case, the shiny aspect rails may also be extra slippery, and they maximum without a doubt display each and every little imperfection picked up out of your palms and wallet. So why would you wish to have to pay extra for that?

Thicc bump

I’m all about that bass as the subsequent man, however even I need to admit that for as attention-grabbing as the rear digicam housing appears to be like, it certain does stick out. A LOT. Given its positioning close to the best of the telephone, that should not provide an excessive amount of of an issue with the instrument rocking when laying your telephone down, display screen dealing with up. But apart from the telephone’s colours, that is the maximum polarizing facet of the telephone’s design that I’ve learn or heard about to this point. After all, maximum of the ones complaining will most likely simply slap a case on their Pixel 6, which can negate this bump, however it is price bringing up.

Giant bois

Each time a brand new flagship comes out, people like Ara Wagoner and myself lament the dwindling choices for petite telephone fanatics. Despite the fact that the present crop of Google telephones — the Pixel 4a and Pixel 5 specifically — are at the best of our listing for the easiest small Android telephones, the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional without a doubt would possibly not seem on that listing when they’re launched. The Pixel 6 will characteristic a 6.4-inch show, whilst the 6 Professional will probably be 6.71 inches. That is par for the route at the moment, however it is unhappy information for small telephone aficionados.

Fold up

Most mavens did not in point of fact be expecting Google to announce its long-rumored Pixel Fold telephone with the 6 collection, however I cannot assist however be somewhat dissatisfied that the wait will inevitably pass on. My colleague Alex Dobie mentioned as lately as June that the Pixel Fold most likely would not release with the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional. Nonetheless, I used to be retaining out hope that it could a minimum of be introduced at the identical time, although it used to be carried out as a discrete tease as Samsung did in its preliminary on-stage announcement of the authentic Galaxy Z Fold.

One thing does not upload up

Admit it; you anticipated this newsletter to be titled “6 things I love and don’t love about the Pixel 6,” proper?

Smartly, here is another factor about the Pixel 6 line that might pass into both the love or hate bucket for me: its pricing. In step with fresh studies, Google’s {hardware} leader Rick Osterloh has showed that the new telephones will probably be “top class priced.” Neither he nor Google has clarified precisely what used to be supposed via that remark, however it is most likely secure to deduce that each telephones will hover round the now all-too-common $1,000 top class value level.

A lot of my colleagues and different tech pundits reward Google for this determination, commenting that it displays the corporate’s renewed dedication to the “prime finish.” I don’t essentially disagree with this standpoint, and I’m glad to peer Google doing and announcing all the proper things to compete with its new flagships.

As anyone who has gotten somewhat happy with the easiest affordable Android telephones like the Pixel 4a, that is a tricky tablet to swallow. Going from spending $349 ultimate 12 months on my 4a to $1,000-ish this 12 months on a 6 is a large bounce. Even though I come to a decision to head with the impending 5a, I’ll nonetheless be spending upwards of $100 extra. On the other hand, that is more uncomplicated to care for, particularly bearing in mind some reported enhancements over the 4a.

To be utterly honest, there’s nonetheless so much that we don’t know about those telephones but, together with the pricing, efficiency, and availability. Nonetheless, on the complete, I like what I see right here, and it is what my colleague Alex Dobie calls the first true top class Pixels. However what about you? Which options of those telephones do you prefer or dislike? Tell us in the feedback!