I Was Wrong About the Pixel 6!

I made a video a couple of weeks ago about what I was excited for for the Pixel 6. My initial thought was that Google was leaning into what made the iPhone so successful and developing a flagship device to lead the way for a proper android ecosystem.
But I was wrong, after watching Google’s Fall Pixel Event it’s now clear that while Google wants to gain more market share in the smartphone arena. That is not what drives them to create Pixel devices nor do they want to be like the iPhone or really any other smartphone company.
As I watched the event there was an overarching theme to it that may have gone unnoticed at first glance: Google wants your smartphone to not just be powerful, but more...helpful.
This is a very different approach to what most companies are doing with their devices. Year after year we see companies releasing their latest device that is more powerful or has better specs and a better camera than last year's model, but how does that actually benefit the end user?
I did a video earlier on why I chose to pass on the iPhone 13 this year, while it is a very well designed and very powerful device; essentially I didn’t see anything new that made my life easier or new features that got me excited outside of the camera. Apple just continued to double down on what they do well: create a more powerful device without showing why it’s better than other devices.
This is the very reason why I have typically gravitated to Android devices. Over the years we’ve seen companies like Samsung, OnePlus, and Huawei innovate with each new device they released. And with the exception of foldables these companies have become stagnant.
Enter the Google Pixel 6 rocking a design that's very polarizing but then again like nothing else on the market. Google was very intentional about it’s design choice to purposely stick out. And when you add Android 12 to the mix...mission accomplished!
I for one love the new design choice! Google did a good job this year of marketing and building anticipation for this device.
It’s said that it takes being exposed to something at least seven times before we begin to form an opinion on something. This may be why Google chose to show off the device months in advance knowing that some would love it and some would flat out hate it. Let me know in the comments, do you love or hate the design of the Pixel 6 and 6 pro?
Back on topic: Google introduced new features that are either exclusive to the Pixel 6 or Pixel phones that according to their CEO Sundar Pachai “would not have been possible on other devices”...
Enter Google Tensor, the real star of these phones. Tensor is Google’s first custom built chip for their Pixel phones and hopefully other devices. This chip was designed specifically to address features Google wanted to introduce to their phones but weren’t capable in the past due to the limitations of using other chip suppliers such as Qualcomm.
Example being improvements in computational photography AND video, yes video. Tensor will supposedly allow for smart HDR while recording up to 4k 60fps. If you’re unfamiliar with what HDR is, it's the ability to maintain image quality despite variable exposures in a scene. Essentially allow your camera to see images the way our eyes see on a sunny day.
Other features include Magic Eraser allowing you to remove objects and or people from photos, including older photos not taken on a Pixel 6. Face Unblur and Computational Long Exposure photos were shown as well which are things that no other company is doing with their cameras.
Google also showed off Live Translation and Speech to Text that from their demos look promising but that remains to be seen. Either way you can see how these features are in general...helpful. I love the idea of being able to communicate with individuals internationally and having Google translate conversations on the fly.
Speech to text is supposed to be able to dictate messages properly and understand context and vocal inflection so that you can speak more naturally and no longer have to say punctuations.
You get the point...These features are designed to solve problems for people, from the average joe to the creator. And that’s what truly makes these phones different!
So I look forward to reviewing these devices when they arrive. I still have so many thoughts on what Google is doing with these phones now and where they may be headed in the future.
Let me know in the comments. Do you agree with my thoughts? Are you excited for Pixel 6? Did they hit the mark this year?

[evinoc]

I’m happy google did the embargo because this video probably wouldn’t have came on my radar. Good job dude

[GerenM]

I like the looks of the design, though I haven't had one in my hand yet. I have a Pixel 4XL now, and had a Pixel 2 before that, and I learned that I prefer the smaller form-factor. Sadly, that won't be available to me in the Pixel 6 -- Google's seems to have gone to a "the bigger the better" attitude about the phone. And, I'm disappointed that the "smaller" Pixel 6 won't have the full lens/camera compliment, as I'd like to have the telephoto camera, but not so much that I'm willing to buy what amounts to a small tablet to use as my phone. Maybe they could have done a Pixel 6 with the dual camera, a Pixel 6 Pro (same size as the regular 6, but with the tri-camera setup), and a larger Pixel 6 XL with the tri-camera setup. In any event, I'll probably opt for the Pixel 6, but I'm going to hold off at least a couple of months before I buy, to let the frenzy die down a bit.

[cynthia-oprx]

Pixel 4 owner here: I can confirm that speech-to-text already works shockingly well on mine so I'm sure it'll be great on the 6 (especially considering how bad youtube auto captions can be).

[PaulColella]

Thoughts are on point. I'm not looking for the most powerful phone but one that works well, adds value to what I do on a daily basis, and will grow with me over time. Pixel/Google is the clear choice. Glad to see people are finally getting it. Hope the younger generation will learn that having the same colored text bubble is not the best reason to make a phone choice. :)

[randy]

Yes different and I like the design. And yes Pixel phones "feel alive" as I say. I am currently using the Pixel 4XL and I left iPhones years ago and so glad I did. I pre ordered my Pixel 6 Pro which is coming Thursday for me, so excited!!! Its easy to become a spec junkie and who doesn't enjoy the best in hardware?! But for a phone that isnt enough for me. So the Pixel/Google experience best suites me. The Google eco system has been amazing for me for years. So I dont think they needed to convince me of that but for some that are attached to the same ol same ol apple product, that might have needed to be the case. From my smart home devices & security, Pixel Phone, Pixel Buds, Fossil Gen 5 watch, Stadia, Google TV, etc ... I even have a Google Xgimi Halo 😇 smart projector that has blown my mind for the past 2 years. I literally can go from phone, to tv, to projector playing\streaming AAA games instantly resuming exactly where I left off from anywhere in my home or on the go using my home devices or Pixel Phone 🤯🤯🤯 ... Seamlessly. And really thats not just for gaming but for any multimedia. Again using the same eco system for years. So I encourage you or anyone to do what works for you... But I myself can vouch from my Google experience for years! Cheers! New subscriber

[darksidejedi]

I pre-ordered my Pixel 6, I'm super excited for the phone. Can't wait to see what they have coming in future updates for it.

[dlaluan]

I agree with your thoughts 100%. I was thinking the exact same thing hence the reason why I always tend to gravitate towards Pixel (Google) phones vs any other devices. Like you said, they're just "helpful". Great video and can't wait to watch your full review! You found yourself a new subscriber.

[Melzasx]

Another sub here! Thanks for stating out that innovation is not just add more power, but also (and mainly) add more and new functionalities.

[sherrysinharoy]

Thank u.... Your video is one of the best and I must say even better than a lot of Tech reviewers. I have been watching more than a 100 videos on YouTube about pixel n you are right. PIXEL devices are more than just a phone n I'm really glad that its able to combine the hardware and it's awesome software.

[daltonwildes]

Love this take on the pixel. Ready to get mine tomorrow. Great video man. I love everything about that thing but the fingerprint scanner. Kind of bad compared to my s21 ultra.

[mpatton]

"Be together not the same" any company that believes that is going to get my attention. I loved my entrance into Pixel with the 3A XL, excited for my Pix 6 Pro to arrive.

[NOLATechy]

Ordered my Pixel 6 Pro 256GB Stormy Black during the launch. Was a MAJOR HEADACHE, but managed to get my pre-order in. I should get mine delivered 27-28 October. Can't wait!!

[curtiswrigley]

Pretty well reasoned out. Speech to text alone is vastly underrated. The thing works so smooth, fast and accurate: OFFLINE!

[phillipalter]

Wow, quality video bruv. Subbed. I'm getting my Pixel 6 through my Pixel 3 XL trade in on TMobile. Really excited to get it in the mail soon.

[velrethar]

I love this design, just wish the rear fingerprint scanner was still there! How is that? I am using a Pixel 5. Ended up cancelling my preorder because I felt like it wasn't necessary for me just yet

[eazi]

I agree! You can argue that the tensor is more powerful then the 888 because the tensor uses 2 X1 cores and the 888 use one. The other X1 core handles separate task.

[Tazrian]

Pixel is the smartest smartphone that actually has a lot of useful new features.

[drewsharps]

Subscribed, looking forward to watching more from you. Great job by the way!

[Ed.die]

Just got a notice my 6 Pro just shipped today. Can't wait to use on FI.

[danhamilton]

Got mine on order. Can't wait, I am a long time pixel owner and if my 2 lasted 4 years I'm happy to jump on