Google Pixel 6 event: where to watch the live stream and what to expect
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The new 2021 Pixel 6 phones are, however, already unveiled or, should we say, teased by Google itself, and they are just the next U-turn in its meandering Google phone strategy.
First we had the Google Nexus phones that saw a production partnership with Samsung, LG, HTC, and others, which served as an Android showcase, and were sold at cost. Then Google shifted its strategy, and started the homebrew Pixel line.
Google gobbled up HTC's phone production department and started charging quite a hefty sum for the Pixels that were anything but sold at cost given their specs. This strategy was again U-turned last year when it released affordable Pixels with budget to midrange prices.
With the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, Google is again changing tack completely by... mimicking Apple with its own homebrew Tensor chipset, its own Android mobile OS, and more than one model to choose from at what may turn out to be an upper midrange to flagship Pixel 6/Pro price point.
When is the Google Pixel 6 October event?
- October 19 at 10AM Pacific/1PM Eastern time
Just as rumored before, Google will be holding its 2021 Pixel 6 launch event on Tuesday, October 19, at 10AM Pacific Time. That means that viewers on the East Coast will have to watch it on their lunch break while those poor souls in Europe will have to get the Pixels with their dinner.
We sincerely hope that, after months of teasing the unique Tensor chipset and camera set, as well as the Android 12 update, Google will announce an immediate Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro release for sale on the Google Store.
All Pixel 6 event announcements to expect
- Google Pixel 6
- Google Pixel 6 Pro
- Android 12 release to manufacturers
- Google Pixel Fold
- Nest speakers
- Google Pixel Watch
Needless to say, the stars of the Google Pixel October 2021 event will be the new iPhone and Galaxy killers, the Pixel 6 and its larger, more spec'd-out Pixel 6 Pro sibling.
Given that Google just released the next Android 12 Snow Cone update on the open source channel, however, we'd wager to guess that it will also use the 2021 Pixels as retail Android 12 showcase for the first time on a phone.
Pixel 6 Pro specs list to expect
- 6.71" 120Hz 1440p curved display
- Google Tensor processor with 2x 2.8GHz X1, 2x 2.25GHz A78, and 4x 1.8GHz A55 cores
- ARM Mali-G78 GPU
- 50MP Samsung GN1 sensor main camera
- 48MP sensor with 4x periscope zoom lens
- 12MP Sony IMX386 sensor ultrawide camera
- 12MP selfie camera
- 5000mAh battery, 33W charging speed
- Up to 12GB RAM/512GB storage model
- 163.9 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) dimensions
- 6.17 oz (175 grams) weight
- $899 price
Pixel 6 specs list to expect
- 6.4" 90Hz 1080p flat display
- Google Tensor processor with 2x 2.8GHz X1, 2x 2.25GHz A78, and 4x 1.8GHz A55 cores
- Mali-G78 GPU
- 50MP Samsung GN1 sensor main camera
- 12MP Sony IMX386 sensor ultrawide camera
- 8MP selfie camera
- 4614mAh battery
- Up to 8GB RAM/256GB storage model
- $599 price
Pixel 6 Pro camera quality to expect
As far as what will the new camera set bring to the Pixel 6 Pro, as the more interesting of the two models, look no further than the zoom, main and ultrawide picture and video samples below.
They are from a pre-production unit with non-final software, though, so don't judge too hard just yet. It's the first time Google is actually putting up-to-date camera hardware in a Pixel phone, periscope zoom included, so expect nothing less than greatness from the final retail units.
Main new Android 12 features
- Material You design: smoother animations, theming, and new notification shade
- Security and privacy: Privacy Dashboard for app permissions, Locked Folder
- Navigation and control: facial gestures, TV remote
- Fun: Android Auto games and media, new Gboard emojis
- Assistant: recurring reminders voice request
Pixel Fold and the Pixel Watch
Besides the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro that are certain to appear at Google's October 19 event along with the final Android 12 version for its phones, some speculate that there will be more from Google's products division present during the keynote.
Leakster AI tips that there will be a Google Pixel Fold mention, as well as a Pixel Watch appearance alongside with new Nest speakers. The other possible appearance is of a Google Pixel Tab to complete the ecosystem, but the heir of the long-forgotten Pixel Slate is less certain to be there.
While we've heard nothing about a Google tablet being in the works for a release this year, the bendy Pixel Fold launch cameo at the event is tipped by another source, as is Google's new Watch, though we can't say anything about the Nest speakers.
Google's first foldable phone is expected to sport a 7.6" main display of Samsung's making, a Tensor chipset, and some of the Pixel 6 cameras, catapulting it at to best foldable phones pile based on specs alone.
The Pixel Watch, on the other hand, would have a regular crown and a touch display to navigate the Wear OS UI that has now received a thorough overhaul. A homebrew Google chipset is rumored for that one, but whether it will directly be taking on the Galaxy Watch 4 with an abundance of health and fitness sensors, remains to be seen.
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