Google debuts Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro
Google revealed the details of the previously announced Google Pixel 6 series smartphones. The redesigned Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices are powered by the company’s own processor, Google Tensor, and ship with Android 12. The Pixel 6 is a $599 all-around smartphone, while the Pixel Pro 6 has advanced capabilities and more finishing choices for $899.
Pixel has a new Camera Bar, “giving the phone a clean, symmetrical design that puts the camera front-and-center,” the company says. Both Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have a new 1/1.3 inch sensor on the back. This primary sensor now captures up to 150% more light (compared to Pixel 5’s primary camera). Both phones also have completely new ultrawide lenses with larger sensors.
Pixel 6 Pro also has an additional telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom and up to 20x zoom with an improved version of Pixel’s Super Res Zoom. There’s also a 4K ultrawide front camera, which can be used especially for Snapchat’s ultrawide selfie feature, enabled by an upcoming “Quick Tap to Snap feature.”
Magic Eraser makes distractions in photos disappear. With a few taps in Google Photos, remove strangers and unwanted objects. Motion Mode features options like Action Pan and Long Exposure.
In conjunction with the product announcement, Snap Inc. announced a new feature on the Pixel 6 called “Quick Tap to Snap,” launching later this year. This partnership with Google marks the first time Snap has created a camera-mode version of Snapchat accessible directly from a phone lockscreen. Designed to launch into “Camera Only” mode on the lockscreen, Snapchatters can create Snaps without having to unlock their device. Once a Snap is ready to share, Snapchatters can authenticate on their device to unlock the full app experience. They can also make use of the ultrawide camera in Snapchat’s new ultrawide selfie feature on Pixel 6 Pro.
In addition to “Quick Tap to Snap,” Snap and Google will launch exclusive augmented reality Lenses, and some of Google’s key Pixel features, like live translation, will be directly available in Snapchat’s chat feature on Pixel 6.