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The most exciting Pixel 6 features may never make it to older Pixel phones

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By Anam Hamid

Published: Oct 25, 2021, 6:14 PM

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The most exciting Pixel 6 features may never make it to older Pixel phones

The best Pixel 6 features may not come to older Pixel devices and the custom-built Tensor chip is the reason behind that.

It has been the norm for Google to bring some of the features introduced with a new phone to older devices through software updates. It looks like only a few of Pixel 6 features, if any, will make it to previous phones.

Speaking to Android Authority, Google said that it plans to bring as many Pixel 6 goodies as technologically possible to older Pixel phones. The company spokesperson made it clear that some technologies are dependent on the Tensor chip, which only powers the latest crop of phones.

As with all Pixel features, we aim to bring as many features as possible to older Pixels where technically possible — though it might take some time to develop and offer a different experience. Some technologies will require additional technical investments, such as Live Translate, as our on-device language models are engineered to run on Pixel 6’s proprietary Tensor chip on TPU (which older Pixel models don’t have). We currently do not have a firm date for rollout to older Pixels at this point in time, but stay tuned for future announcements.

Looking at the tone of the statement, it doesn't look like features like Live Translate and Motion Mode will be rolled out to older Pixel smartphones. The phones have also received new camera hardware, so it's possible that some of the camera features are also exclusive to them.

The silver lining is that the Pixel 6 duo is quite affordable for a flagship series, starting at only $599. The bad news is that the best potential 2021 phones are not widely available.

Google's Pixel 6 Pro is currently seeing a significant discount at Amazon. The phone is available in its 128GB and 256GB of storage versions. Note that not all color options are in stock.

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Mint Mobile now sells the Google Pixel 10 with a massive $450 discount. The promo is available on select color variants with 128GB of storage. You also get a 12-month unlimited data plan for $180 instead of $360.

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$524

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$475 off (48%)

Grab the pro-grade, compact Pixel 10 Pro at Mint Mobile with a 12-month unlimited plan, and you can save a huge $475. The data plan comes with a discount, too: 50% off, to be exact.

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$499

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The high-end Gemini AI-enhanced Pixel 10 Pro XL is now available with a mind-blowing discount. You can now save $700 on the phone, plus 50% off unlimited 12-month plans.

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The foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold is another standout holiday offer. Right now, you can get the device for $400 off at Mint Mobile. On top of that, you save $180 on 12-month unlimited data plans.

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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.

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