Google did it. The company released the “flagship” Pixel phone hardware gadget aficionados had been longing to see. Finally, the greatest camera software has amazing camera hardware, and all the other trimmings are there, too. On paper, it’s the perfect phone. And in practice? Well, the devil is in the details.
If you’re sold on Android and have enough cash to burn, let’s get this out of the way: unless you insist on a foldable screen, this is the greatest Android phone you can purchase. That’s saying a lot considering the other flagships on the market are more expensive than the Pixel 6 Pro. With a starting price of $899, this phone offers flagship hardware for $100 less or more than any other flagship phone.
The strange thing is that the main competition for the Pixel 6 Pro isn’t Samsung or even Apple. It’s Google—specifically, the Pixel 6 in its standard form. Despite the fact that the Pro model is “less expensive” than the other flagships, it feels overpriced in comparison to the $600 Pixel 6. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves—look let’s at what makes this phone unique.
Hardware and Build Quality: Basically Flagship, Definitely Unique
Pixel hardware in the past has been, to put it mildly, lacking. In comparison to all the other candy bar phones on the market, nothing about the Pixel range stuck out as particularly special. It’s evident that Google wanted to make the Pixel 6 Pro stand out. When you bring it out in a crowd, it will shout “I own a Pixel” exactly like an iPhone or Galaxy phone does. However, when I displayed my Pixel 6 Pro alongside a Galaxy Z Flip, I had more inquiries about the Flip than the Pixel.
Of course, the camera bump—dubbed “the visor” by several reviewers—is the most noticeable feature. It looks like Geordi’s visor from Star Trek or a Cylon eye scanner, so that fits.
For $899, you receive specs that are nearly identical to those of the Samsung Galaxy Ultra, which costs $300 more. If it appears like I’m always comparing prices, it’s because the Pixel 6 Pro is extremely affordable. It has flagship specs and, finally, it looks and feels like a flagship.
The Gorilla Glass front and back, as well as the aluminum sidebars, are responsible for this. Between the high-end materials and the massive display, the Pixel 6 Pro feels nothing short of luxurious. The camera visor functions as a natural resting area for your index fingers, and it’s substantial in the hand.
Or, at the very least, it would if you didn’t protect your Pixel with a case. But let me tell you straight now: this phone requires protection. You shouldn’t even take your Pixel 6 Pro out of the box without putting it in a case. I’m almost certain you’ll drop the object if you wait. Holding the Pixel 6 Pro is like gripping a wet bar of soap after smearing your hands in butter, thanks to the curved display (please, companies, stop with the curved displays) and all the glass. That’s how slick it is.
Overall, I enjoy the phone’s appearance. The visor is gaining on me, however, it is evident that it will not appeal to everyone. The Pixel line now appears to have a distinct style. However, I have one concern (apart from the fingerprint sensor, which we’ll discuss later): the positioning of the volume and power buttons. Because of the 6.7-inch display, the phone is somewhat tall. The volume up button is located where I anticipate the power button to be. When I try to lock or unlock the phone, I wind up tapping the volume button all the time, and weeks later, I still haven’t adjusted.
Cameras and Displays
The Pixel 6 Pro’s display is massive, as I’ve already mentioned. At 6.7 inches, we’re talking about a little tablet. Problems arise as a result, such as the positioning of the volume and power buttons. But it may be cumbersome to use at times—even with a case on, I’ve dropped the phone on a few occasions because I held it in an uncomfortable posture due to its size.
However, the show itself is enjoyable. The dynamic 120 Hz refresh rate performs admirably, with material scrolling buttery smooth and virtually no latency. It is bright and lively, even if it isn’t the brightest or most vibrant screen. I prefer Google’s landing spot since the colors are more natural to my eyes. The adaptive brightness option is one thing that irritates me. It adjusts too quickly, and I frequently find myself squinting because the light lowered for no apparent reason owing to shifting shadows. Every phone does it occasionally, but the Pixel 6 Pro does it frequently.
In terms of cameras, I’m both impressed and underwhelmed at the same time. Phone manufacturers want to brag about the amazing images their devices can take when they’re in the hands of a professional photographer, but that’s not what I’m interested in. Show me how the camera performs in the hands of “Bob,” the guy who has trouble focusing on a bright and sunny day.
The Pixel 6 Pro combines “flagship” optics with Google’s great camera software, resulting in stunning photos—on occasion. Other times, the images are quite acceptable. To be honest, it’s perplexing because previous Pixels virtually always produced fantastic photographs. That isn’t the situation in this case. The Pixel 6 Pro, at its peak, shoots some of the best photos of any camera phone, possibly even better than the iPhone 13. Other photographs, on the other hand, aren’t always on the same level and leave you wanting a little more. Pixel, like so many other things, is inconsistent.
And I’m going to blame the display for at least some of the inconsistency. Because the Pixel 6 Pro is so tall, it’s often difficult to hold the phone and take a picture. The strange grips you’re forced to utilize will almost certainly result in shaky camera shots, which will impair the final product.
Software and Battery Life
One of the advantages of purchasing a Pixel phone is that you will have access to the latest and greatest version of Android as well as Pixel-only features. Pixel possesses a number of superpowers, the most important of which is improved call handling. You’ll get aid while navigating customer service phone prompts and an honest-to-goodness remedy for spam calls.
The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro ship with Android 12, which is a significant upgrade over Android 11. The power menu is no longer available, which I believe is a pity. But not everyone is passionately invested in smart home electronics, so the loss may not be as evident to everyone. Read also; iQoo Z5x Specifications, Colour Options Teased Ahead of October 20 Launch
In some ways, that is the tale of Android 12. Every time Google added a new welcome function, it feels like they took away another or modified the look in a negative way. The operating system on the Pixel 6 series will now modify the prevailing colors to fit your wallpaper. It’s a wonderful touch that provides a consistent look to Android 12. But do you mind if I tell you the truth? I’ll probably disable that option because dealing with Google’s home screen isn’t worth it. You can’t get rid of the Google search bar at the bottom of the screen, and you can’t get rid of the At a Glance widget, which, honestly, doesn’t deserve to be there.
The new fast settings toggles in the notification panel are ridiculously large, and while you could argue that this ensures you’ll always hit the proper button, I call it wasted space. I also wish the Google Pay toggle didn’t broadcast the last four numbers of my credit card, which is also the answer to certain services’ security questions. But, on the whole, Android 12 on the Pixel 6 Pro appears to be well-designed. That isn’t always something Android can say.
When it comes to Pixel 6 features, the magic eraser tool is indeed magical—as long as you use it appropriately. You shouldn’t expect it to perfectly eliminate a person in the foreground. The magic eraser, on the other hand, works wonders for erasing a soiled patch on a dog bed or an errant human in the background.
That, and other unique camera features, are possible thanks to the custom Tensor processor. However, the new CPU brings with it some growing pains. You may find apps that don’t operate, for instance. When Rocket League Sideswipe first came out, it crashed on Pixel phones. If you want to play Rocket League on your phone, you’ll have to find a workaround. Oh, and don’t forget about the fingerprint sensor, which works fine for me, but it appears that I am the exception rather than the rule.
In terms of battery life, most people should be fine. I spend a lot of time on my phone, playing games, reading emails, using Slack and Twitter, and more. I also use it to read news all day and occasionally watch videos on it, albeit reluctantly. As I retire to bed every night, I always find my Pixel 6 Pro at 30% battery life. That’s really decent given I get up at 7 a.m. and go to bed about 1 a.m. every day.
But it’s just me: when I looked around, I saw figures strewn about, either complaining about epically low battery life or praising a battery that never dies. Pixel’s nemesis is consistency.
Conclusion: A Fantastic Flagship Phone at an Uncomfortably High Price
So, how do I feel about the Pixel 6 Pro? Well, it’s everything we’ve come to expect from Pixel hardware, but with a premium feel to it. On the one hand, this implies that this Pixel is the most “luxury” yet. On the other side, you’ll still have to cope with the oddities that have become synonymous with the Pixel brand. Read also; The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro: Everything You Need To Know
But, for the time being, I plan to use the Pixel 6 Pro as my primary phone. That should be enough to say something. However, whether you should is a more difficult question to answer, and this is due to the cost. For $899, this is a premium phone at a fraction of the price of a flagship phone. When compared to comparable flagship brands, the Pixel 6 Pro comes out on top in terms of price.
You can’t only compare it to the high-end flagships, though. Not while the regular Pixel 6 is still available for $300 less. And for $300, what do you give up? There isn’t much. You’ll lose the telescopic lens, a larger and higher-resolution screen (is that a benefit? ), a 120Hz refresh rate, and a “better” 5G network, and that’s about it.
For $300, that’s not a lot of value, which is an issue. The Pixel 6 Series is without a doubt Google’s best flagship hardware achievement to date. If you’ve been debating whether or not to buy a Pixel phone, now is the moment to make your decision. But, unless you have a lot of cash and are dead set on getting the highest specs, I’d recommend the Pixel 6. The Pixel 6 Pro is ideal for Google fans and reviewers who want to have the finest of the best in their hands.
