An evolution that chose a different path than other smartphones.
While other companies have released smartphones with multiple lenses, this is the latest work of the Pixel series, which has gone its own way, such as the Pixel 3 with a single lens and the Pixel 4 with gesture operation. Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro. Finally, Google's original processor Tensor was installed, and even looking at the specifications, it became a series suitable for the flagship. The price is 74,800 yen for Pixel 6 and 116,600 yen for Pixel 6 Pro, and will be released from October 28th. I will review what is wonderful, including points that were a little disappointing.
The display size is 6.4 inches for Pixel 6 and 6.7 inches for 6 Pro, which is not much different from 5a (6.34 inches), but it is larger than 5. While the 5 series had a round body, the 6 series has a linear atmosphere. The back has a design that makes it look like the glass is pushed out all the way, giving it an impression of luxury.
It's heavy to carry. Pixel 6 is 207g and 6 Pro is 210g, so it's heavy. I don't think there's anything wrong with the 4614 mAh and 5003 mAh2 batteries, respectively, but the heavy ones are heavy (even the iPhone 13 Pro weighs over 200g).
One of the differences between the 6 and 6Pro is the width of the bezel. Pixel 6 Pro has a display that spreads to the last minute.
The protruding camera bar does more than you think. In particular, the 6 Pro stands out because it surrounds the camera bar with an alloy frame. In fact, the 6 Pro has a polished finish not only on the camera bar but also on the entire frame, so it's sparkling on all sides. On the other hand, the Pixel 6 is textured, so it gives a calm impression. This seems to be a favorite.
One thing that bothered me personally was that there was a part that didn't sparkle on the top of the body. It's hard to tell once you've put the case on, but you can't deny that it lacks a sense of quality...! (albeit for the 5G antenna).
With "Material You" that appeared in Android 12, the Pixel 6 series is also cute because the theme color of app icons and UI are aligned to match the wallpaper. However, at the moment, only Google's genuine apps can change the color.
Although Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps, etc. blend well with the wallpaper, the colors of other companies' apps such as Twitter and Instagram don't change, so they're really floating. We look forward to hearing from you in the future.
Although it is plain, I also like the fingerprint authentication built into the display. The reaction speed is also good, and it does not take extra stress.
Pixel 6 is a dual wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle, and 6 Pro is a triple camera of wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle and telephoto. Speaking of the charm of the Pixel series, the beauty of computational photography that makes use of machine learning is mentioned, but this time it has also undergone a wonderful evolution.
■ 20x super-resolution zoom is quite excellent
One of the great things about the Pixel 6 Pro is that it can zoom up to 20x by combining a super-resolution zoom and a telephoto camera. (Unmarked Pixel 6 is 7x because there is no telephoto lens), this is really amazing. It was the point where I felt the most difference between MUJI and Pro.
When you put them side by side, the difference when enlarged is obvious...! That said, it's been stretched for clarity, so the Pixel 6's quality is good enough for viewing on a smartphone screen.
I also compared it with the iPhone 13 Pro and the affordable Pixel 5a (5G).
Pixel 6 Pro has vivid colors and detailed descriptions! I took this photo from around Tully's Coffee at Roppongi Station, and the red color of Tokyo Tower, which can be seen in the distance, came out beautifully. Compared to Pixel 5a, you can feel the power of the flagship model.
■ Portrait photos are vivid
I also took some portrait photos.
How to say it, the color, brightness, and bokeh of the Pixel are completely different from the iPhone, so I honestly don't think it's something to compare. As you can see from the photos, the directions are completely different. I think that the aesthetic sense of photography is completely different between Apple and Google.
This is something I've felt since the Pixel 3, but the Pixel produces cool-colored, high-contrast photos, while the iPhone produces warm-colored, softer photos. I feel like the difference is becoming more pronounced as it evolves.
■Motion mode for long exposure and panning is super fun!
And the new feature "motion mode" only for the Pixel 6 series is also fun. You can take long exposure shots by just waiting 1-2 seconds after releasing the shutter.
In order to take long exposure shots with a normal camera, it is necessary to prepare a tripod and release. I can't help but realize the high level of machine learning.
■ Easy and convenient "eraser magic"
I also like the easy-to-use "eraser magic" that allows you to erase unwanted objects. Until now, I had to install a dedicated app for this kind of work, but being able to quickly erase it is very convenient. Eraser magic is a new feature of Google Photos, so it seems that it will be available on other devices in the future.
Personally, the best thing is a "recorder with a transcription function". This is really great. Of course, it's not 100% accurate, and it transcribes extra words like "um" and "um", but it's good enough to understand the outline of a conversation. Pixel understands the context, converts and corrects kanji later, and creates a transcription as accurately as possible. brave!
If there is a gap in the story, it will insert line breaks and punctuation marks, making it easier to read later. It seems that they are trying to switch speakers, but it seems that this is probably not separated by voice, but by the moment the words are cut off. In any case, the readability has exploded due to the line breaks.
What I think is even more helpful is that if you transcribe it, you can search it later. It's very useful when you have questions such as "When did you talk about XX with someone?"
It seems that a lot of information processing is done, and the terminal gets a little hot when transcribing, but you won't notice it if you're wearing a case. However, I also feel that the consumption of the battery becomes intense. All this is completed on-device, so you can use it without depending on the internet environment. Great!
Since the automatic subtitle function for video content is in beta, we are looking forward to it. The accuracy is higher than I expected, but the screen that changes rapidly is captivating, and I get tired just looking at it.
Because there is a limit to the number of characters that can be displayed in subtitles, it may be difficult to judge the context and correct it later, and sometimes I felt that the subtitles were less accurate. We are waiting for the official release.
Since its introduction, the Pixel has undergone repeated trial and error, such as terminal design, camera performance, specs, and unique functions. The specifications of this Pixel 6 series terminal can be said to be high-end, and the satisfaction level is quite high.
Especially when it comes to computational photography, it's a really great result thanks to the accumulation of many years of machine learning. I feel that Google's strengths in having a lot of data and researching every day are taking shape at a level that users can actually feel. There are differences in specs such as refresh rate and battery capacity, but I think the line between Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro is good in terms of how far you will use telephoto photos.
It's nice to be able to enjoy new functions that make use of machine learning in addition to the camera. I think the quality of voice recognition technology has improved considerably. I'm worried about the battery life, but the battery capacity itself is quite large, and machine learning can save the battery, so forgetting to charge it for a day won't budge. It is an image that the remaining battery level is about 40% at night after using it for a day.
The real pleasure of having a Pixel is not only updating existing functions, but also being able to experience these new technologies. The software side will continue to be updated, and it is one that I would like to master.
Source: Google