We spent the last week with the Google Pixel 6 Pro to see if it has what it takes to become one of the best smartphones money can buy.
While Apple users are locked into a more traditional iPhone upgrade cycle, for Android users, it’s an absolute battlefield out there. From Samsung to Microsoft, choosing which model to invest in can be a stressful process.
Now Google has re-entered the market with its Pixel 6 line-up and it might just be one of the best smartphones in 2021. Here’s why:
The price is a winner
While iPhone users often lament the exorbitant cost of each yearly model, with the Pixel 6 Google is offering a positively bonkers price-point.
The 128 GB version of the standard Pixel 6 for example, will only set you back $999. Compare that to $1349 for the iPhone 13. Meanwhile the Pixel 6 Pro starts at $1299 for the 128 GB model while the iPhone 13 Pro will set you back $1699 for the same storage option.
How Google can afford such a competitive price is anybody’s guess but it’s an incredibly compelling offering.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YiEmekf_34&ab_channel=MadebyGoogle
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The screen is spectacular
While the standard Pixel 6 touts a sizable 6.4-inch display, we’ve mainly being testing out the Pixel 6 Pro and the device’s 6.7 inch display is an absolute sight to behold – especially if you boot up the likes of Fortnite or Call of Duty Mobile. The slightly rounded edges help keep bezels to a minimum, as does the hole punch camera at the top of the screen. That means you won’t have access to any kind of face unlock but there is a fingerprint scanner underneath the screen which mostly works a treat (there is the occasional hiccup), especially when many of us are still frequently wearing masks. Much like the iPhone 13 Pro, the Pixel 6 Pro also features an adaptive refresh rate that can scale up to 120 Hz. It makes scrolling a smooth affair and cements the 6 Pro as one of the prettiest screens we’ve ever seen.
The Pixel 6 line-up is all about style
While the Pixels of the past have followed a more traditional design, the Google Pixel 6 wants to make a statement and it does so with a bevy of two-tone colour options. There’s plenty to choose from but we’re quite the fan of the ‘Kinda Coral’ for the base Pixel 6 and ‘Sorta Sunny’ for the Pixel 6 Pro. The splashes of colour are a stark contrast from most Android competitors on the market, and the introduction of the hefty camera bar at the back of the phone creates even more personality. We wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a design choice that the Pixel becomes known for in the future.
Speaking of cameras though…
The Pixel 6 Pro’s photo suite is astounding
Google Pixel phones have always taken some of the best photos of any smartphone and the 6 Pro is no exception to that. With a 50 MP wide camera and 48 MP telephoto camera, you’ll get some truly epic shots. The phone lacks the macro lens of the iPhone 13 Pro, but where this device really comes into its own is Google’s post-processing software. During our testing incredibly dark scenes became infintely more visible and in full light most photos just popped. Even more impressive though are features like Magic Eraser, which has the smarts to remove photo bombers or uninvited guests from your photos.
We’ll admit it didn’t always work perfectly, but when it did it was a real lifesaver and saves you investing in a pricey Photoshop membership.
There’s plenty more to love about the Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, but bottom line: if you’re in the market for an Android phone, this might be your best shot for 2021. It might even convince some Apple faithful to stray from the ecosystem.
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