(Credit: Juan Garzon / CNN)
The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are Google's big bet to compete more directly with Apple by deeply controlling not only the software but also the hardware.
For this, Google not only was in charge of using its operating system (Android) with some customization to bring exclusive functions for their cell phones, but also to better control the user experience, designed the cell phone and for the first time developed a processor for cell phones that called it Tensor.
A few years ago we learned about the importance of Tensor and some news about the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, but now the company revealed what sizes were needed, their characteristics, prices and availability.
Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro price
When Google revealed that its next cell phones would be destined for the high-end premium market, many of us assumed that cell phones would cost from US $ 999, but this is not to the surprise of many.
Actually, the Pixel 6 is priced at $ 599 to make it $ 100 cheaper than the iPhone 13 Mini (the cheapest iPhone 13) and $ 200 less than the Galaxy S21 (the cheapest S21 today. ).
For its part, the Pixel 6 Pro has a suggested price of US $ 899, making it US $ 200 cheaper than the iPhone 13 Pro Max and US $ 300 for the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are already in pre-sale through the Google store and the most important operators in the United States.
Even carriers like AT&T are offering a $ 200 discount on the Pixel 6 if they finance the device and purchase or join an unlimited carrier plan.
Pixel 6 vs.
Pixel 6 Pro: the differences
Screen size: 6.7 (Pro) vs.
6.4 inch
Screen resolution: QHD + (Pro) vs.
Full HD +
Refresh rate: 120Hz (Pro) vs.
90Hz
Screen type: Curve (Pro) vs.
flat with slightly larger bezels
Metal frame: Glossy (Pro) vs.
mate
Telephoto: Pro only
Front camera: 11.1 MP (Pro) vs.
8 MP
Front video recording: 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps vs.
1080p at 30fps
RAM: 12GB (Pro) vs.
8GB
Maximum storage: 512GB (Pro) vs.
256GB (base storage of the two is 128GB)
Battery: 5,0003mAh vs.
4,614mAh
Ultra-Wideband: Pro only
Rear glass: Gorillas Glass Victus (Pro) vs.
Gorilla Glass 6
Weight: 210 grams (Pro) vs.
207 grams
Size: 163.9x75.9x8.9mm (Pro) vs.
158.6x74.8x8.9mm
Price: $ 899 (Pro) vs.
US $ 599
Design: like no other
The two Google phones have a different design that consists of a horizontal camera module that crosses from one side of the back to the other.
On the table, the cell phone is relatively stable thanks to the fact that the camera module occupies the entire width of the device.
This also allows Google to offer different combinations of colors divided by that camera module.
I like that color combination because it gives it a different look and in a certain cheerful way.
The back has glass that although at first glance it should bring fingerprints, in use it seems to me that my units have not gotten so dirty, I do not know if due to the white color of the Pixel 6 Pro that I have and the coral of the Pixel 6.
The two cell phones have a fingerprint reader on the screen, they do not have a regular headphone jack and they can work with dual SIM, but one is physical and the other is an eSIM.
Software news: beyond Android 12
Call
Assistance
:
Not only can Google Assistant be on call waiting with customer service, but it shows you the estimated wait time for a representative to answer you.
In addition, it transcribes what they say on the call and allows you to select from there options that are offered to you on the call (initially only in the United States).
Dictation:
Using Gboard you can not only perform dictations, but with your voice you can place emojis, send or delete words and even spell names.
Real-time translation:
With a Google Translate integration, you can now speak in your native language so that the system translates in real time to send messages in those other languages.
Anti-malware and phishing system:
The Pixel scans incoming messages on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Instagram to alert and protect you.
Enhanced Security Hub:
See and understand which apps have access to what and when they access it.
In addition, the hub guides you to keep your cell phone safe.
Magic Erase (magic eraser):
Allows you to erase people or objects from the photos you take in Google Photos (including photos you have taken with other cell phones).
Better cameras
The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro share the 50 megapixel main camera that captures 150% more light than the previous generation.
In addition, the two cell phones have a 12 megapixel wide-angle camera.
The Pixel 6 Pro has a 48 megapixel telephoto that allows for 4X optical zoom.
Despite these, the two cell phones have the same general news that not only promise better photos and videos.
Other new features:
Motion Mode:
This new in-camera mode includes two options (Action Pan and Long Exposure).
These functions allow you to capture a moving subject in detail, while the background is blurred.
The other option uses a long exposure to capture movement (for example waterfalls or car lights) to give it a more attractive effect.
Less blurry
faces
:
When the Pixel detects faces that move slightly, the system tries to improve the quality so that it is less blurry than before.
Skin tones:
The Pixel promises to better detect people's skin colors.
Improved dynamic range in the video:
Thanks to Tenser, the Pixel would analyze the scene more naturally and precisely so that the colors and lighting come out properly.
Selfie
video
:
Recording video with the front camera the Pixel has the ability to cancel ambient noise to focus the microphones on what the person who is recording is saying.
Pixel 6 Pro front camera:
Allows you to take regular or wide-angle photos and allows you to record video up to 4K at 30fps.
What is Pixel Pass?
Pixel Pass is a new subscription that Google offers in the United States to be able to update (change) your Pixel cell phone every two years and includes YouTube Premium (videos and music without publication), 200GB of cloud storage (Google Photos and Drive) and Google Play Pass (download paid apps and games).
Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro: additional features
Processor: Eight-core Tensor (2.8Ghz max speed)
IP68: Yes
Wireless charging: Yes and reversible
Fast charge: 30W
Unlimited free photo storage: No
5G: Yes (Sub-6 and mmWave)
Updates: 5 years of security updates
First impressions
The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are complete cell phones that are attractively priced and promise to offer excellent cameras for taking photos or recording videos.
In the time that I tested it, a week before its announcement, I found the performance to be good and the new features can be very useful for many users, although they do not work perfectly every time.
The main key will be in the quality of the cameras to see how they compare against the iPhone 13 and the next Galaxy.
If they can compete adequately, without a doubt they would be the best alternative to those cell phones, although their sale would still remain limited in some of the countries where they generally sell their cell phones.
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