In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the latest releases. However, it’s worth taking a closer look at the Pixel 6, launched in 2021, as it remains a compelling choice in 2023. Contrary to the constant phone upgrades often portrayed on social media, most users don’t replace their phones annually, opting for a more extended 3 to 4-year cycle. Here’s why the Pixel 6 is still a relevant and reliable option two years after its debut.
Design & Build
Google’s Pixel 6 sports a bold two-tone design that’s a refreshing departure from the simpler aesthetics of its predecessors. This modern design language is set to influence the look of Google’s devices for the foreseeable future.
While an all-black option is always a safe choice, the Pixel 6 offers captivating color options. The “Kinda Coral” shade, a delightful pinkish-orange, caught our attention. Other color choices include “Stormy Black” (essentially black) and “Sorta Seafoam” (a shade of green).
The Pixel 6 boasts a sturdy build, though it tends to be on the thick side and can be a bit slippery to hold due to its smooth and glossy glass back. A matte finish or textured grip would have been appreciated.
The Camera visor running across the back of the phone is a standout feature, housing the impressive camera system. It not only adds to the aesthetics but also provides a convenient spot for your fingers to rest while holding the phone. While the Pixel 6 might not be the most snug fit for those with smaller hands, the visor contributes to its premium feel, an aspect missing in earlier models.
One notable aspect of the Pixel 6 is the tactile feedback of its physical buttons. The power and volume buttons on the top right emit a satisfying click when pressed, offering reassuring confirmation. However, some may find them slightly too noisy, particularly in quiet settings. Button noise preferences can be subjective, but there is room for a quieter yet effective solution.
Display
The Pixel 6 boasts a 6.4-inch HDR OLED display with a dynamic refresh rate that adjusts between 60Hz and 90Hz based on content. With a screen resolution of 1080p, it delivers sharp visuals suitable for most users. Notably, the Pixel 6 employs an in-display fingerprint sensor, replacing the rear-mounted sensor of previous models. While this sensor is innovative, its reliability can be hit or miss. Registering the same fingerprint twice may enhance recognition, but it’s still a tad finicky.
The Pixel 6 offers three color modes for the display: “Natural,” “Boosted,” and “Adaptive.” “Natural” offers the most accurate colors, while “Boosted” slightly enhances color vibrancy. “Adaptive” is the most customizable, enabling you to fine-tune color temperature and intensity according to your preferences. Each mode has its merits, and personal color accuracy preference varies.
Despite its decent peak brightness of 770 nits for outdoor visibility, there are occasional issues with the auto-brightness feature. Manual adjustments are sometimes necessary. Infrequently, the screen may experience momentary freezes, necessitating a return to the home screen. While not a common occurrence, it’s worth mentioning.
Software & Performance (Tensor Chip)
The Pixel 6 marks Google’s first foray into custom-made chips, with the introduction of Tensor. Designed to handle advanced AI tasks such as language translation, speech transcription, image processing, and live captioning, Tensor sets the Pixel 6 apart. While it may not lead the benchmarks, real-world performance is impressive. Apart from rare freezing instances, the Pixel 6 effortlessly handles gaming, browsing, messaging, and photography.
What distinguishes the Pixel 6 is its ability to tackle complex tasks typically reliant on an internet connection or cloud servers. For instance, you can use the Google Translate app to translate text or speech across languages, even offline. The Recorder app transcribes audio recordings into text, facilitating easy editing. Live Caption generates subtitles for video and audio content, even if they lack captions.
The Pixel 6’s camera system utilizes Tensor to enhance photos and videos. It automatically detects faces and adjusts focus and exposure, though it may occasionally suffer from over-processing. The Magic Eraser tool removes unwanted objects or individuals from photos. Cinematic Pan mode creates realistic motion blur effects in videos. Portrait Light lets you adjust lighting and shadows in portraits.
For those who prefer not to rush into the latest models, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 series, featuring newer Tensor chips, offer enhanced features and performance. However, they come at a higher price point.
Camera
The Pixel 6 signifies a significant improvement in Google’s camera hardware and software compared to previous iterations. It boasts a 50-megapixel main sensor (binned to 12Mp) with OIS, EIS, LDAF, and an ƒ/1.85 aperture, along with a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera sporting a 114-degree field of view. The main camera delivers exceptional photos with superb detail, depth of field, and color accuracy. The ultra-wide camera, while not quite as impressive as the main one, still performs admirably and offers a wider perspective.
The Pixel 6’s camera software is a standout feature, relying on artificial intelligence and machine learning for photo optimization. The Magic Eraser tool efficiently removes unwanted elements from photos. Color correction post-processing is sometimes overly sharp but generally improves image quality. The camera app allows direct QR code scanning without the need for Google Lens.
Exploring various modes and features can enhance your photography experience. Portrait mode adds a bokeh effect by blurring the background. The 2x zoom in profile mode enables close-ups, functioning as a workaround for a dedicated macro camera. Night Sight excels in low-light photography, with Face Unblur mitigating blurry shots. Speech enhancement is an option for video recordings.
The Pixel 6 camera stands as one of the best on the market, delivering high-quality photos that rival or surpass flagship phones from other brands.
Battery & Charging
The Pixel 6 houses a generous 4614mAh battery that easily lasts a full day with moderate to heavy usage. It supports fast charging, both wired and wireless, and even offers reverse charging for other devices. While a charger is not included in the box, any USB-C charger can be used, with 30W PD chargers for wired charging and 21W Qi chargers for wireless charging yielding optimal results. Charging from 0 to 80% takes about an hour, although it slows down to preserve battery health beyond this point.
Overheating concerns have been addressed with the Android 14 update, which optimizes thermal management and performance. After updating, the Pixel 6 operates coolly, even during video recording or extensive photography sessions in direct sunlight.
Android 14
As a Google phone, the Pixel 6 has already received the Android 14 update. This update rectified several issues, including overheating, and extended battery life. It introduced customizable lockscreen options, including various clock styles, wallpapers, and widgets. Google plans to roll out additional features in future updates, with the ability to use the Pixel 6 as a PC webcam among the most anticipated.
Is the Google Pixel 6 Worth Buying?
The Pixel 6 was
