Google has confirmed a release window for its new flagship smartphone range, officially unveiled as the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.

By Holly Pyne

Published: Monday, 02 August 2021 at 12:00 am

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Google’s next flagship smartphone series, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, is officially being unveiled in the coming months – and anticipation is now rising as the company confirmed its launching with a new chipset, dubbed Tensor. 

We don’t expect to be able to get our hands on the Google Pixel 6 until September at the earliest, but the tech giant released its first peek at the duo of new handsets on August 2, and said they would each will feature the new custom-built chip. 

Without elaborating on specifics, it stated in a press release: “Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro debut this fall, and that’s when we’ll share all the details we normally release at launch like new features, technical specs and pricing and availability.”

According to Google, the new Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro phones will have upgraded camera systems, including new sensors and lenses that led to a major overhaul in the device’s design – now coming with a larger rear camera module strip. 

The new Pixel 6 Pro has three cameras, including a telephoto lens with a 4x optical zoom, while the Pixel 6 has the same cameras as the Pro but without the telephoto. Google said each will come in “three colour combos,” showing off a two-tone design.

Google said the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have “new materials and finishes.” The Pro will have a light polished aluminium frame, and the 6 a matte aluminium finish. 

Citing the Tensor chipset, the company said it will enable a “completely revamped camera system” and enhance artificial intelligence-led speech recognition. 

“Whether you’re trying to capture that family photo when your kids won’t stand still or communicate… in another language, Pixel will be there,” Google said. “We look forward to sharing more about Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro later this year.”

Here’s a sneak peek at the newest Google Phones powered by Google Tensor – the brand new chip designed by Google, custom-made for Pixel.

Meet:
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Both are coming later this year.

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— Made By Google (@madebygoogle) August 2, 2021

Here is everything we know so far about the Google Pixel 6 release date, price and specs. We’ll keep this page updated with the latest news and leaked details about the new Pixel phones, alongside the upcoming affordable Pixel 5a model. 

Thinking of upgrading your phone? We’d keep an eye out for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 2 and the OnePlus 9.  Not sure about what device to buy? Don’t miss our guides to the best Android phone and best budget phone of 2021 so far. 

For more Google devices, read our Google Nest Audio review and Google Nest Hub Max review. Our experts have had hands-on time with many Google products, so be sure to read our Pixel 5 review, Pixel 4a 5G review and Pixel Buds review.

Google Pixel 6 release date 

Google has confirmed the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will debut later this year, but has only specified “this fall” as the window.  There’s been no official date confirmed for the Pixel 6 series. Leaks previously suggested it would  happen in the next few months.

Google has a habit of releasing a new Pixel phone in the early Autumn, and there’s nothing to suggest they’ll change this. Going with this pattern, we can possibly expect the Google Pixel 6 to be released in late September or October 2021.

Despite some online speculation, there was no mention of the next flagship at the Google I/O 2021 developer conference. Instead, the US technology giant detailed several features as part of its next major mobile software update, Android 12.

Google has also confirmed that a Google Pixel 5a – a more affordable variant – will be released “later this year in the US and Japan,” without any specific dates. There are confirmed to be two variants of the Pixel 6 – a base and a “Pro” version. 

Here’s the first-peek at the three new colour schemes revealed by Google:

How much will the Google Pixel 6 cost?

Again, it’s still a little too early to tell. Google has not officially confirmed a release event, but we can get a rough idea based on the pricing of the prior handsets. The RRP of the Google Pixel 5 was £599, so we imagine its successor will also be around the same price. Unlike the Pixel 4, the 2020 line-up did not have an “XL” model. 

Google Pixel 6 specs: what will the phone look like?

Based on the leaks and online speculation, it certainly seemed like the Pixel 6 series will be getting a major refresh when it comes to design. That was confirmed by Google itself on August 2, when it revealed a first official peek at the new smartphone series. 

Renders released by tech tipster Jon Prosser showed a raised camera bump strip on the back of the device, which appeared in a striking two-tone colour choice of orange and white. The designs were ultimately the same as Google eventually unveiled. 

The bezels look small, and the screen glass curved nicely around the edges of the phone. Unlike the 5-series, which has a fingerprint scanner on the back of the device, the new Pixel 6 will reportedly have an in-screen fingerprint scanner. 

According to Prosser’s report – which should still be taken with a degree of scepticism as it’s not verified at this stage – the Pixel 6 will have a 6.4 inch AMOLED display, a 4,614mAh battery, a dual-camera setup and either 128GB or 256GB storage. 

The Pixel 6 Pro version will reportedly have a 6.71-inch OLED display, 5,000mAh battery, a triple camera setup, a better selfie camera, and 128GB, 256GB or 512GB storage options. Both will use Google’s custom chipset, now named as Tensor. 

In another big plus for potential owners, leaks suggest Google is committing to five years of software updates for the new Pixels – so they will be futureproofed. Both new devices are likely to support 5G connectivity, the tipsters have said. 

Be sure to check back in with this page to keep updated with the latest developments about the new Pixel 6 series. 

For the latest news, reviews and deals, check out the RadioTimes.com Technology section. Want a Google device in the current line-up and not sure which one to buy? Don’t miss our Google Pixel 5 vs 4a 5G vs 4a comparison.  If you’ve got your handset, check out our best SIM-only deals and Voxi endless streaming pages.

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