Google officially announces the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro (again) - everything is brand-new

Hardware - the mysterious Tensor chip

One of the most exciting features of the new Pixel 6 lineup, without a shadow of a doubt, is the custom-made Tensor chip. It’s a bold move from Google, saying goodbye to the comfort and predictability of the Snapdragon silicon and taking a leap of faith into the unknown territory of custom chip architecture.

Google promises 80% better performance compared to the previous generation Pixel 5 and this applies to both devices for the CPU and up to 370% better GPU performance. The Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro both use the same custom-built Tensor chip with an additional custom image processor and Titan M2 security chip.

said Rick Osterloh during the event. 

Google Pixel 6 specs at a glance:

• Display: 6.4-inch, 1080p, OLED, 90Hz refresh rate
• Chip: Tensor chip 2x 2.8 GHz X1, 2x2.25 GHz A78, and 4x1.8 GHz A55 cores
• ARM Mali-G78 GPU
• Memory: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB / 256GB
• Battery: 4,614mAh
• Rear cameras: 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide

Google Pixel 6 Pro specs at a glance:

• Display: 6.7-inch, 1440p, LTPO OLED, 120Hz-10Hz variable refresh rate
• Chip: Tensor chip 2x 2.8 GHz X1, 2x2.25 GHz A78, and 4x1.8 GHz A55 cores
• ARM Mali-G78 GPU
• Memory: 12GB
• Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
• Battery: 5,003mAh
• Rear cameras: 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 48MP periscope telephoto with 4x optical zoom

Camera

The camera system is one of the most important features of every modern smartphone, and Google knows this. The company has upgraded the cameras in the new Pixel 6 phones, opting for a large 50MP 1/1.3 inch sensor for the main camera on both devices, capable of capturing more detail, colors, and up to 150% more light, compared to the previous generation for even better Night Sight photos.

The ultra-wide camera has been upgraded as well, to offer an even wider angle and catch more of the outside world in the frame. The Pixel 6 Pro comes with an extra camera and it’s a 48MP periscope system capable of 4x optical zoom and up to 20x zoom in Google Super Res mode. The new Tensor chip also allows for 4K HDR@60fps videos.

There are also some neat features to expand your photography horizons. Smart tools such as the new Magic Eraser, Face Ublurr, the Portrait Mode and Motion Mode are baked into the camera app of the new Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro to help you take that perfect shot.

The Magic Eraser feature is pretty interesting - it’s a retoucher that removes unwanted objects from your photos - such as strangers unintentionally (or intentionally) photobombing you or vehicles or buildings that aren’t supposed to be in the frame.

Face Ublur uses clever algorithms to sharpen faces if you fail to focus on time, and Motion Mode stacks some frames to add additional depth to the photos you take and animate them.

Software and features

Google is launching the new Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro with Android 12 on board, and the company bets on a fresh new look to go with all the hardware upgrades. The Material You design philosophy is deeply rooted in the new devices.

This is reflected in the way wallpapers can change the overall look of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro interface. If you need to personalize your Pixel all you have to do is pick a wallpaper of your choice and the system will adjust all the interface elements accordingly.

There’s more to the new software than just eye candy. The whole system learns from the user and adapts to be as effective and efficient as possible. At a Glance for example shows apps and information in context with where you are and what you do - showing your boarding pass on the home screen when you arrive at the airport, etc.

A real-time translation feature has been baked into both devices and it can translate chats, podcast captions, and images into up to 55 languages. And most importantly, the feature is part of the internal processing algorithms and will work even without an internet connection. There's also a new Voice Type feature that allows you to dictate text messages with great accuracy.

Security

Privacy and security have been hot topics in the mobile tech industry in the past months. With the new Pixels, Google is trying to address both issues. There’s a brand-new Tensor security core, and Titan M2 security chip baked into the Tensor SoC that takes care of sensitive information like passwords and 2FA keys.

Another helpful feature is the Security Hub - it allows users to glance over all the security settings and even gives recommendations on which ones to turn on and how to improve your security.

Transparency is another key area baked into the new devices. With the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro people will be able to control which apps use the mics and cameras of their phones and turn them off if necessary.

The security update cycle has also been updated. Every Pixel 6 user will get five years of security updates.

After tons of speculation about the price of the new Pixels, we have the official numbers and they're pretty exciting. The new Pixel 6 start at just $599, while the bigger Pro model starts at $899. The phones will be available on store shelves with all major U.S. carriers starting on October 28