Pixel 6 Pro Review

Editor's Note: Since its debut in 2021, the Google Pixel 6 Pro has been surpassed by the Google Pixel 8 Pro. You can still purchase the Google Pixel 6 Pro from Amazon, Best Buy, or carriers like Visible. 

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Fusing flagship hardware with a modest price tag, the Google Pixel 6 Pro is a compelling handset. Like Pixels past, the 6 Pro delivers a snappy stock Android experience. Its attractive price-to-performance ratio makes the Pixel 6 Pro one of the best Android phones on the planet.

Our favorite Pixel 6 features include its powerful Tensor processor, exceptional camera array, and great build. Learn what else we love and where there's room for improvement in our hands-on Google Pixel 6 Pro review.

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Why We Recommend
The Pixel 6 Pro

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The Pixel 6 Pro is Google's top Pixel device to date. It boasts a premium experience without breaking the bank. Here's what we love about the Pixel 6 Pro along with a few minor quibbles.

What we like: Google Tensor processor

At its core, the Google Pixel 6 Pro features a Tensor chip. As Google Silicon's first custom Android cell phone SoC (system on chip), it is purpose-built for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). On-device AI and ML capabilities include more accurate voice-to-text, Live Transcribe, Live Translate, and automatic image optimization.

Everyday use is extremely snappy. Multi-tasking with several apps open at once doesn't slow down the Pixel. In my testing, demanding mobile games like Genshin Impact ran smoothly, clocking in around 30-45 frames per second (FPS). That's weaker than the Snapdragon 888 but better than the Snapdragon 778G. However, Grand Theft Auto III for Android was buttery smooth. Cloud game streaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now, Google Stadia, Xbox Game Pass, and Amazon Luna run perfectly. In fact, the Pixel 6 Pro supports 120 frame per second gameplay with the RTX 3080 GeForce Now tier.

I was pleasantly surprised with retro gaming emulation. Hard to emulate titles like God of War: Chains of Olympus ran extremely well using the PlayStation Plus (PSP) Android emulator PPSSPP. The Pixel 6 Pro even tackled some PlayStation 2 emulation with the AetherSX2 emulator offering playable frame rates for games, including Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. All told, the Google Pixel 6 Pro is one of the best value gaming phones available.

Overall, the Google Tensor chip holds its own against the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Although the Snapdragon 8 Gen1 has an edge, the Pixel 6 Pro's Tensor SoC delivers impressive performance, considering it's Google's first foray into custom silicon for a Pixel.

What we like: Exceptional camera quality

Traditionally, Google Pixel phones featured advanced cameras, and the 6 Pro doesn't deviate from this trend. The Pixel 6 Pro’s camera array centers on a 50MP primary sensor that allows about 150% more light in. There's also a 12Mp ultra-wide lens with a 144-degree field of view (FoV) and 48MP telephoto lens with a 4x optical zoom.

The underlying Tensor chip works with software to deliver stunning picture quality. For instance, the Pixel 6 Pro boasts a 20x digital zoom, relying on its artificial intelligence-powered Super Res Zoom functionality to touch up images. The 6 Pro camera's standout feature, by far, is its Magic Eraser. With Magic Eraser, you can remove unwanted objects from the background of your pictures. And the Action Pan feature locks your camera focus for simulated blur around an item.

In my experience, the Pixel 6 Pro's camera produced photos that look sharp and natural with good color pop—without oversaturating the resulting image. It captured even small details well, excelling at macro and long-distance photography. The zoom capability keeps far away items crisp and focused. And for excellent nighttime photo sessions, Night Sight generates shockingly bright pics on darker backgrounds.

What we like: Gorgeous display

Remember when mobile phones with large screens earned the name "phablets," a portmanteau of phone and tablet? Now nearly every handset packs a massive display, and the Pixel 6 Pro follows suit.

Its 6.7-inch screen touts a dynamic refresh rate that reaches as high as 120Hz and as low as 10Hz. A variable refresh rate ensures silky smooth tapping and scrolling, whether embroiled in an intense CoD Mobile matchup or reading an article by your favorite WhistleOut writer (me, right? Right??). 

Whether you're watching videos, immersed in your favorite mobile games, or doomscrolling on social media, the Pixel 6 Pro's screen makes the content look great. Scenes from The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina looked lovely with punchy colors and good contrast. And while playing Halo on Xbox Game Pass, the large screen, solid brightness, and variable refresh rate presented a wonderful experience.

What we don't like: Average battery life

We squeezed just shy of 8 hours of running time from the Pixel 6 Pro's 5000mAh battery in our testing. With the screen locked at 60Hz, we eked out a few more minutes versus using its adaptive refresh rate feature. That's not terrible, but for a 5000mAh battery, its runtime falls short of what we expect. Compared to the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which gets upwards of 12 hours, the 6 Pro's mediocre battery life isn't ideal.

Moreover, the Pixel 6 Pro is limited to a maximum power draw of 23 Watts via wired chargers or wirelessly using the Pixel Stand. That's a slight bump over the Pixel 5's 18W and more than a Qi wireless charger's 12W speed. However, many flagship phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S22+, offer 45W fast charging.

Nevertheless, even with a full day away from my charger, light to moderate use never left me below about 40% to 30% battery capacity. But compared to other high-end handsets like the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, the 6 Pro's battery stumbles.

What we don't like: Software bugs

Google Pixel devices are renowned for offering a stock Android experience, which I found incredibly responsive. The 6 Pro ships with Android 12 and the fresh Material You theme out of the box. Google includes five years of security updates, allowing users to benefit from long-term support. Previous Pixels enjoyed only three years of updates.

Unfortunately, many users experienced various bugs—such as Wi-Fi woes, slow in-display fingerprint sensor readings, and sticky refresh rates—on the Pixel 6 Pro. I've yet to encounter many issues during my testing (and I'm almost afraid to write this lest I jinx myself). 

The biggest downside for me is a compatibility problem with digital to analog converters (DACs). As a big music junkie, I enjoy high-fidelity music over my Helm Bolt DAC that I stream from Plex and Tidal. Paired with my Audeze Mobius headphones, this combination fosters a heavenly listening experience. The good news is that Google identified fixes for most issues (including DAC support), although some bugs will take a while to iron out. And audio sounds lovely through my Google Pixel Buds A-Series.

Standout Pixel 6 Pro Features

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Like Pixels Past, the 6 Pro provides an exceptional camera, good price tag, and stellar performance. Here are some highlights of Google Pixel 6 Pro features.

On-device AI

Google took its proprietary Tensor technology and created a custom processor for the Pixel 6 lineup that delivers nifty on-device AI functionality. Here are some benefits Google silicon enables:

• Magic Eraser: Using the Pixel 6 Pro's Magic Eraser tool, you can easily remove unwanted items from the background of your pictures.
• Better results from Live Transcribe and Live Translate: Capture audio to text and translate photos or videos with improved accuracy.
• Motion Mode: The Tensor chip creates crisp photos and videos by reducing background blur in fast-paced scenes.
• Real Tone: The Pixel 6 includes Real Tone to deliver more accurate skin color reproduction for diverse skin tones.
• Face Unblur: Google silicon ushers in Face Unblur that's capable of identifying and fixing blurry faces in photographs. 
• HDRnet: Allows the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro to record 4K video at 60 FPS with extremely accurate color reproduction and tone mapping.

As you can see, the Pixel 6 Pro leverages its powerful Tensor processor to deliver a slew of AI-enhancements for everyday tasks such as photography, videography, and voice transcription.

Fantastic camera bar

The Pixel 6 Pro's photo and video recording capabilities let you capture content for your YouTube channel or Instagram feed. Bolstered by a slew of AI-powered tools and buoyed upon its Tensor chip, the Pixel 6 Pro produces crisp, vibrant videos and pictures.

Affordable pricing

Price is possibly the Pixel 6 Pro's greatest feature. Starting typically at $899 for the 128GB model, the 6 Pro undercuts most flagship phones from the likes of Apple and Samsung. The 256GB variant usually goes for $999, while the 512GB model often sets you back $1,099. Although it's not cheap, the Pixel 6 Pro is a great piece of kit and costs less than most rivals.

Pixel 6 Pro vs. Competitors

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After reviewing where the Pixel 6 Pro shines, let's see how it compares to the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and iPhone 13 Pro Max. 

Google Pixel 6 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

The Galaxy S22 Ultra is currently Samsung's best phone and the Pixel 6 Pro's primary competitor. Both phones come similarly specced, but the S22 Ultra sports a brighter display, more powerful processor, and better battery life. On paper, its cameras are superior, although the Pixel 6 Pro shoots sharper vids and pics.

Because of its extremely reasonable price, the Pixel 6 Pro is a much better value, while the S22 Ultra is an ever-so-slightly more capable handset. Overall, the S22 Ultra outperforms the 6 Pro, but the price difference makes this a draw.

Google Pixel 6 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S22+ vs. iPhone 13 Pro 

The Google Pixel 6 Pro costs about $100 less than the Samsung Galaxy S22+. When comparing the two handsets, the Pixel 6 Pro gets you stock Android and a superior camera whereas the S22+ is more powerful.  

Although it's tough to compare Android and iOS devices, the Pixel 6 Pro stacks up favorably against the iPhone 13 Pro. Apple's 13 Pro gives you better performance with its A15 Bionic processor and longer battery life, whereas camera quality is neck-and-neck. We recommend sticking with the Pixel 6 Pro if you want a good value Android, but snag the iPhone 13 Pro for more horsepower.

Recap:
Is the Pixel 6 Pro for You?

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The Google Pixel 6 Pro fuses flagship caliber specs with an affordable price tag. Its brawn on a budget is a potent combination, arguably making the Pixel 6 Pro the best Android phone for the money.

Here's what you get by going with the Pixel 6 Pro:

• Exceptional camera, especially with low-light photography.
• Powerful Google Tensor chip which is solid for gaming and everyday use. 
• AI features like Magic Eraser, Real Tone, Face Unblur, Motion Mode, and great on-device AI performance with Live Transcribe plus Live Translate. 
• Android 12 onboard with five years of updates. 
• Big, bright, and beautiful screen. 

Ultimately, Android and iOS phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, S22 Ultra, and Apple iPhone 13 Pro outperform the Google Pixel 6 Pro in some areas—notably battery life and processing power. However, the differences are subtle.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How much does the Google Pixel 6 Pro cost?

How can I get the Google Pixel 6 Pro for free?

Is the Pixel 6 Pro waterproof?

Is it worth getting the Google Pixel 6 Pro?

Which is better, the Samsung Galaxy S21 or Google Pixel 6 Pro?

Is the Google Pixel 6 Pro still worth it?