Google Pixel 6 Pro Review: Is It Worth It?

A Critical Turning Point for Google’s Mobile Ambitions

Opportunities for significant impact in the consumer electronics market are limited, even for the largest corporations. Consider Microsoft’s extensive efforts in the mobile phone sector. Despite a $7.2 billion acquisition of Nokia, the company failed to establish a competitive position alongside Apple and Samsung.

Google’s Pixel Line: A Showcase for Innovation

While Google’s initial forays into mobile hardware experienced some setbacks, the Pixel series has generally been more successful. However, the Pixel line has yet to achieve the breakthrough success necessary to justify the substantial investment in the category.

The devices have often served as a platform to demonstrate Google’s advancements in mobile software and machine learning, sometimes feeling like a secondary effort.

The Challenge of Standing Out in a Crowded Market

It’s been unusual to observe the company struggling to gain traction, although entering the smartphone market, a highly competitive landscape, was always going to be difficult. Achieving significant market share is particularly challenging when flagship smartphones generally offer good performance, and continued dominance relies heavily on existing momentum.

Furthermore, Google has consistently emphasized that the most important innovations are occurring on the software side.

Hardware Still Matters

This perspective suggests that companies like Apple and Samsung are misallocating resources by focusing on hardware specifications. While there is merit to this idea, it’s currently impossible to be entirely hardware agnostic. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are becoming increasingly important, but components like camera lenses, displays, and processors remain crucial – at least for the present time.

A Major Shift in Strategy

Last May, reports indicated that key members of the Pixel team had departed the company, signaling a significant strategic reassessment. This rethink had been underway for some time. CEO Sundar Pichai announced in August that the company had been developing its own silicon for four years. Transitioning away from chipmakers like Qualcomm represents a substantial risk, requiring a flagship phone to support it.

The Pixel 6: A New Direction

The Pixel 5, released last year, represented the last iteration of the previous approach. Major changes don’t happen quickly, especially in the electronics industry. Unfortunately, news of Google’s restructuring preceded the phone’s release, and even the company acknowledged that improvements were on the horizon. The Pixel 6 isn’t necessarily a make-or-break device, but it must demonstrate positive progress after generations of underwhelming sales.

By these standards, the phone is a resounding success.

Hardware and Software in Harmony

The Pixel 6 challenges Google’s previous stance on hardware, demonstrating that exceptional software requires robust hardware. It isn’t a cutting-edge, overclocked device, but it exemplifies what Google’s impressive software can achieve with the right hardware foundation.

Design and Build Quality

From the moment you hold the Pixel 6 Pro, a noticeable difference is apparent. The handset feels more akin to a Samsung product than previous Pixel models. It possesses a size and weight reminiscent of the Galaxy line, enhanced by the curved glass edges.

The use of curved glass proved surprisingly divisive within the online community. Here, its primary purpose is aesthetic, rather than attempting to incorporate edge functionality. A common concern is the potential for accidental touchscreen activation when holding the phone by the sides. I haven’t experienced this issue, and generally, I’m not particularly sensitive to curved screens.

Display Specifications

The 6 Pro features a 6.7-inch QHD+ (3120 x 1440) OLED display with a pixel density of 512 ppi. It’s large, bright, and boasts a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz. The standard 6 has a 6.4-inch display at 411 ppi and 90 Hz. Both options are excellent, but the Pro model offers a noticeable upgrade. The front-facing camera is a pinhole design, subtly integrated into the default wallpaper.

Security and Aesthetics

An in-screen fingerprint reader provides quick and secure unlocking. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, with Gorilla Glass 6 on the rear panel. The upper third of the back is dominated by a prominent camera bar. I appreciate this design choice, as it offers a refreshing alternative to the ubiquitous square camera modules found on competing devices.

This design element causes the phone to sit at a slight angle when placed on its back. Using a case largely mitigates this effect. Another consideration is the need for mindful hand placement when shooting in landscape mode. I didn’t encounter any issues, and any potential problems are easily corrected.

Subtle Design Touches

There’s a subtle color difference in the glass above and below the camera bar, a playful detail reminiscent of the power button accents on older Pixel units. Google is clearly striving to differentiate its design language from the competition. Fortunately, this touch is understated and tasteful, creating a balanced aesthetic.

The Power of Computational Photography

The camera system is a prime example of how effective software and hardware collaboration can be. I tested the Pixel 6 Pro alongside the Surface Duo, and the difference in image quality, particularly in mixed or low-light conditions, was significant, despite the Microsoft device having a capable camera system.

Years of dedicated camera system development have yielded impressive results. I was very pleased with the photos I captured. The 4x optical zoom on the Pro is a valuable addition, although the 20x digital zoom introduces noticeable noise, even with Google’s computational photography techniques.

Innovative Camera Features

The Pixel 6 introduces several new camera features. Magic Eraser functions similarly to Photoshop’s Content Aware Fill, allowing you to remove unwanted objects from images by simply rubbing your finger over them. While not flawless, it produces impressive results, especially considering it’s a new feature. Inconsistencies are sometimes visible upon close inspection, and complex backgrounds pose a greater challenge.

Expanding Creative Possibilities

Action Pan creates a blurred background effect, similar to Portrait mode, but applied to moving subjects. It works well with larger, geometrically simple objects like cars. However, subjects like cyclists can present challenges around the edges. Long Exposure achieves the opposite effect, blurring moving objects while keeping the background sharp.

Face Unblur utilizes dual cameras and face detection to create sharper images of moving subjects. The Real Tone feature, designed to accurately capture a wider range of skin tones, is a welcome addition. Both features rely on facial detection, which can occasionally be imperfect.

Text-Focused Tools

The Pixel 6 also introduces a suite of text-related tools. Live Translate performed well in my testing, offering a convenient way to translate messages in real-time. Assistant voice typing is accurate, although it occasionally encountered issues with emoji insertion. Recorder, a pre-existing feature, now supports German and Japanese languages.

The Tensor Chip: A Commitment to the Future

The Tensor chip is arguably the most significant innovation. Google has joined other companies in developing its own silicon, rather than relying solely on Qualcomm. This chip, four years in the making, signals Google’s long-term commitment to the Pixel line.

Google states that the Tensor SoC powers many of the new features central to the Pixel 6 experience.

Performance Benchmarks

In Geekbench tests, the system scored 1031 on single-core and 2876 on multi-core. This represents a substantial improvement over the Pixel 5’s average scores of 574 and 1522, but the Pixel 5 used a mid-range Snapdragon 765G processor. Compared to the Snapdragon 888-powered Samsung Galaxy S21 (1093 and 3715), Google’s chip still has room for improvement. The iPhone 13 Pro achieved even higher scores of 1728 and 4604.

Improved Battery Life

Battery life was a concern with previous models, but Google has addressed this with larger batteries. The 6 and 6 Pro feature 4,614 and 5,003mAh batteries, respectively, a significant upgrade from the Pixel 5’s 4,080mAh battery. Google claims up to 24 hours of battery life, and I consistently achieved around 26 hours with moderate use.

A Resounding Success

After years of inconsistent Pixel hardware and sales, Google needed a device to revitalize its mobile division. Four years of processor development, six generations of software refinement, and innovative hardware converge in the Pixel 6. Google’s assertion that the Pixel line is more than just a showcase for Android software finally feels accurate.