Google’s Pixel 6 inroads

Pixel 6. © Google.

Here’s looking at you, Samsung… With its competitively priced, high-performance Pixel phone, Google is clearly muscling in on the market, as evidenced by the order of seven million Pixel 6 smartphones, doubling its annual production, according to Nikkei. The Pixel 6, priced at CAD 800, features a 6.4-inch 90Hz display, while the larger Pixel 6 Pro, priced at CAD 1,180, has a 6.7-inch 120Hz screen. Both come with 128GB of storage and the new Android 12, of course. In addition to its larger screen, the Pro stands out with more RAM (12GB compared to 8GB), ultra wide-band tracking technology (used in Apple AirTags), and more powerful cameras. The storage on both devices can be expanded to 256GB, and that of the Pro version to 512GB, but it looks like this option is not available in Canada.

The Pixel is also noteworthy for its new chip designed by Google, an ARM SoC (System-on-a-Chip) called Tensor. Google says this SoC is competitive with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888, the chip that powers nearly every other high-end Android phone currently available. Both devices are available for pre-order today and will ship starting October 28. Google says all major carriers, as well as retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, Costco and others, will sell the phones.

⇨ YouTube, “Google Pixel 6 event in 12 minutes”

⇨ Ars Technica, Ron Amadeo, “The ‘Google Silicon’ team gives us a tour of the Pixel 6’s Tensor SoC.”

⇨ Ars Technica, Ron Amadeo, “The Pixel 6 is official—and it’s $300 cheaper than a comparable Samsung phone.”

2021-10-19