The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will be available at major US carriers starting on October 28, with pre-orders for the new smartphones opening Tuesday. The Pixel 6 will start at $599 while the Pixel 6 Pro will start at $899. Both new devices feature a similar design and will utilize Google Tensor, the company’s first Google-made system-on-a-chip (SoC). The chip is designed to make the most of Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) systems, to include better translation, customization, and security. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro both will ship with Android 12, which has the company’s new Material You customization system. This new system allows users to personalize their device more than previous versions of the Android operating system, and works hand in hand with Google Tensor to make your phone “uniquely yours.” As for the hardware, itself, Google also is updating the camera on the new Pixel phones. Both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will include a 1/1.3 inch sensor on the back. Google says the new sensor will now capture up to 150% more light, compared to the primary camera on the Pixel 5. Both phones also will include a new ultrawide lens with larger sensors. On the Pixel 6 Pro, a telephoto lens will allow up to 4x optical zoom and 20x zoom with the Pixel’s Super Res Zoom feature. Both devices also will feature Quick Tap to Snap, a new option that lets you quickly capture photos and videos for Snapchat. In addition, Google is launching a new subscription service called Pixel Pass, which will let Pixel buyers get the new phone along with access to other features for a monthly price. Subscribers then will have the option to upgrade phones after two years.
