The Google Pixel 6 Pro is the Android phone I’ve been waiting for

The Google Pixel 6 Pro is the Android telephone I've been waiting for

a gif of a Google Pixel 6 Pro amid falling leaves

Google Pixel six Pro is one of the fall's biggest phones (Image credit: Hereafter)

It's been a long fourth dimension coming and a moment I've been waiting for, merely Google has finally made the Pixel phone I've ever wanted. While the Google Pixel 6 Pro has a expert few teething problems, information technology still feels like a true flagship telephone to take on the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.

My fondness for Pixel phones is nothing new; last year I noted the Google Pixel 5 was my favorite telephone of 2020, and I've used every generation of Pixel since the very first XL phone. Then it's no surprise that I was waiting on tender hooks for the Pixel 6 Pro, peculiarly as Google had started teasing it months in advance.

I'thou a big fan of the idealized version of Android approach Google took with the Pixels, along with the tech they introduced; the original Pixel set a bar for computational photography and virtual assistants, the Pixel ii had squeezable sides, the Pixel three offered twin front-facing cameras, and the Pixel 4 had the Soli radar chip.

Absolutely, the Pixel v didn't offer anything special other than a capable affordable Google phone with great cameras.

Despite all of this, there wasn't a Pixel that I've decided to stick with for whatever length of time. And that's because they've always had missing features or flaws that have seen me swap over to another phone.

A photo of the Google Pixel 6 Pro — (Image credit: Future)

The original Pixel'southward blueprint and features quickly dated. The Pixel 2 XL had a lackluster display with the smaller handset sporting hefty bezels. The Pixel 3'due south single rear camera and lack of nether-brandish fingerprint sensor started to feel basic in the confront of Samsung Galaxy phones.

And the Pixel 4 felt more than like a tech experiment for radar fries than a truthful flagship phone, despite its first-class cameras. Finally, the Pixel 5 was great, just it didn't compete with proper flagship specs.

Simply with a big 120Hz display, a trio of cameras, plenty of performance and a hitting design, the Pixel 6 Pro is an honest-to-goodness Android flagship for power users.

Pixel 6 Pro: I speedy screen

While I'd recommend the standard Google Pixel 6 for most people, the Pixel 6 Pro feels made for me.

After some eight months of using the excellent Oppo Find X3 Pro, I've become i of those people who notices the difference between a 90Hz and 120Hz refresh rate display. Information technology'southward far from huge, but it'south at that place.

So the decision by Google to go total 120Hz on the Pixel 6 Pro was music to my ears. And in use the large 6.71-inch display is a joy to behold, mixing balanced colors with a smooth refresh charge per unit.

Room to zoom on the Pixel 6 Pro

Some other reason the Pro model floats my boat is the addition of a telephoto photographic camera. Dropped by the Pixel 5 afterwards its debut on the Pixel iv Xl, it's skilful to see a zoom lens make a return.

I go why phone makers prioritize an ultra-broad angle over a telephoto photographic camera, only I detect it's a lot easier to get further abroad from a subject than closer. It'due south a boon that the telephoto camera on the Pixel six Pro is also a 4x optical zoom and delivers some solid shut-upwardly photos.

Google Pixel 6 Pro: Raising the bar

Some may hate it, just I adore the Pixel 6 Pro's design. That large camera bar stands out from the crowd of pill-shaped or squared camera modules.

And the deep black contrasts nicely against the white of my unit, looking a lilliputian like a phone a Star Wars Stormtrooper might utilize. To my eyes at that place's a retro sci-fi look to the Pixel 6 Pro that'south both familiar and fresh at the same time.

I also really like the gentle curved edges of the display, which combined with the telephone's sharper rectangular shape reminds me of the Milky way Note 20 Ultra and Galaxy Notation 10 Plus, both high points of smartphone design for me.

The glassy dorsum might feel slippery, but the camera bar offers a lip which I can rest a finger against, providing an extra bit of grip. And the telephone'southward overall size and shape makes it groovy for getting stuff washed on the get, non to the lowest degree considering having a make clean, unfussy version of Android 12 really is a joy to use.

Clever chip

Meanwhile, on the inside, the custom Tensor chip might not continue pace with Apple tree's A15 Bionic or beat the Snapdragon 888, but it feels smarter. Information technology'due south catchy to tell how many of the smart features on the Pixel vi are dependent on the custom silicon.

Just knowing how Google is active on adding features to its Pixels after launch, I feel information technology has a lot more than to go out of Tensor. Fifty-fifty if it nether-delivers hither, the Tensor chip just makes the Pixel half dozen and 6 Pro feel like more interesting Android phones than others available.

And that's what I desire from a Pixel — a phone that does the flagship basics very well but also scratches a techie itch. I call back Google has nailed that with the Pixel 6 Pro.

Pixel perfect

Is it perfect? Absolutely not; a lack of proper fast charging and face unlock hold it back. There's a lot of competition on our best Android phones list, many of which offer the aforementioned features every bit the Pixel 6 Pro.

But it'south the combination of all the things I wanted in a telephone with that clean Pixel cease and layer of smarts that makes the Pixel half dozen Pro the Android telephone I've been waiting for. And I suspect information technology won't be far from my side over the next 12 months. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra could prove me incorrect, only it'due south definitely got a fight on its hands.

Roland Moore-Colyer is U.K. Editor at Tom'south Guide with a focus on news, features and opinion manufactures. He often writes about gaming, phones, laptops and other $.25 of hardware; he's besides got an interest in cars. When not at his desk Roland can be found wandering around London, often with a look of curiosity on his face up.