Pixel 6/Pixel 6 Pro

[5105973]

Thank you ❤️ …. I am alive but yeah all good matey. It’s def been a strange couple of years to say the least.

Yeah it’s been really uh…well yeah. We don’t talk about the rest of the world or individual stuff too much here, but I think we all feel it under the happy chatter of our conspicuous consumption of tech. But at this moment, I feel such pure unbounded joy to have you back with us!

lol, I may even have had to put the phone down (currently my purple 12 mini) to do a happy dance and then explain to my family why I am so goofily happy.

I have not forgotten your advice about cases at the beach. You’re the reason my phones are beach nudists! 😆

Welcome back!

 

[slitherjef]

Looks like I missed the 5a announcement. Will have to look into it and compare it to it's rumored larger brothers. In some aspects it's almost a waste of cash for me to get flagships

Just checked the preorder page. Price don't look too bad probably literally half the price of the 6 XL but only seen one color? Didn't go through the pre order. Probably wait till they actually hit before deciding.

 

[840quadra]

Hadn’t heard this rumor myself, but that would be awesome - especially as were now going from 12mp files sizes to 50mp files sizes with the 6.

First off, welcome back!

But yes, I only heard about it on the AAA podcast, but not sure if it was hosts wishful thinking, or a rumor published someplace else.

Only time will tell, but fingers are crossed in this household!

 

[retta283]

Hi all, your friendly phone nutcase is back

Well as you can presume, the pixel 6 or 6 Pro (haven’t decided which I’ll eventually get) is probably the phone I am most looking forward to this fall, though like most of you will end up invariably getting the iPhone 13 pro max alongside it.

Intrigued as this will be the first pixel with the new camera sensor for a number of years. I am less enthused by the ‘tensor’ naming for the exynos partnership (especially as this isn’t meant to be as fast as the exynos in the S21 range which already falls behind the SD888). We have seen google embrace and abandon new formats and extra processing features over the last number of years.

I am currently running with an iPhone 12 pro max, Pixel 5, and a S21 Ultra (yes the MRU you know and loved is still as addicted as ever.)

Holy smokes it's MacRumorsUser! I never thought I'd see you around here again, welcome back. I think you left while I was gone so it's been many years... Nice to know you're still hooked

 

[5105973]

Google has had limited distribution since dropping the Nexus line way back when. So might be chip availability. Or stupidity. Or both. It's annoying regardless.

I was just reading some articles and comments on The Verge and in one of the discussions someone posted that someone in Google responsible for product development did confirm that they had tremendous difficulty procuring enough chips to do the kind of rollout they wanted to do.

Also, in their discussions someone said this particular phone was manufactured in Vietnam and Vietnam is currently hit hard by Covid-19.

Google has pushed further along with Pixels for more years than my inner cynic ever expected they would. I really thought they were done at Pixel 4 XL and were tapering off and exiting the market after coasting on making a certain target in the midrange market. So I was quite honestly shocked to see they really went all out (by Google standards) on Pixel 6.

I’m going to (cautiously optimistically) believe they want to get momentum behind Pixel success, but the pandemic is…I don’t even know what to say. I just came back from a beach town and it was the most packed I’d ever seen it and people were carrying on almost normal. And yet meanwhile in the rest of the world, Delta took out almost all of my husband’s coworkers in India. I mean they’re gone…permanently. An entire team of developers and engineers and much of their families are just gone. The company and we as individuals sent oxygen and supplies but…

Sorry to be a downer here but some of us aren’t easily able to see what’s going on in the locations where we get our stuff from. We all know there are shortages and on some level we are aware why that is, but it’s understandably hard to comprehend unless you are somehow in a position to actually see and feel what it means for an entire sector of workers to be…no longer there. We can’t forget how connected we all really are.

 

[iterva]

I was just reading some articles and comments on The Verge and in one of the discussions someone posted that someone in Google responsible for product development did confirm that they had tremendous difficulty procuring enough chips to do the kind of rollout they wanted to do.

Also, in their discussions someone said this particular phone was manufactured in Vietnam and Vietnam is currently hit hard by Covid-19.

Google has pushed further along with Pixels for more years than my inner cynic ever expected they would. I really thought they were done at Pixel 4 XL and were tapering off and exiting the market after coasting on making a certain target in the midrange market. So I was quite honestly shocked to see they really went all out (by Google standards) on Pixel 6.

I’m going to (cautiously optimistically) believe they want to get momentum behind Pixel success, but the pandemic is…I don’t even know what to say. I just came back from a beach town and it was the most packed I’d ever seen it and people were carrying on almost normal. And yet meanwhile in the rest of the world, Delta took out almost all of my husband’s coworkers in India. I mean they’re gone…permanently. An entire team of developers and engineers and much of their families are just gone. The company and we as individuals sent oxygen and supplies but…

Sorry to be a downer here but some of us aren’t easily able to see what’s going on in the locations where we get our stuff from. We all know there are shortages and on some level we are aware why that is, but it’s understandably hard to comprehend unless you are somehow in a position to actually see and feel what it means for an entire sector of workers to be…no longer there. We can’t forget how connected we all really are.

Interesting. Thanks for that.

Yeah my annoyance stems from the fact that they have had limited availability since launch of the first Pixel (Which launched in Fall of 2016..?). So for almost 5 years. Well before Covid-19. I mean If the dep. responsible for procurement of said chips have not figured out a way by know then they maybe should consider hiring some new talent.
So my critique was and is beyond Covid-19/Pixel 5A/Pixel 6.

It has been, and continues to be, trying times. But life will go on. As you yourself also seem to have done to a certain extent based on the fact that you took time and went on said trip. Not to sound cold or that I'm not affected but it is just the reality that this too will pass.
Here's to hoping it happens sooner rather than later 🙏

 

[5105973]

Interesting. Thanks for that.

Yeah my annoyance stems from the fact that they have had limited availability since launch of the first Pixel (Which launched in Fall of 2016..?). So for almost 5 years. Well before Covid-19. I mean If the dep. responsible for procurement of said chips have not figured out a way by know then they maybe should consider hiring some new talent.
So my critique was and is beyond Covid-19/Pixel 5A/Pixel 6.

It has been, and continues to be, trying times. But life will go on. As you yourself also seem to have done to a certain extent based on the fact that you took time and went on said trip. Not to sound cold or that I'm not affected but it is just the reality that this too will pass.
Here's to hoping it happens sooner rather than later 🙏

Oh no I don’t think you sound cold or unconcerned. Sorry if I sounded preachy or something that was not my intent. It’s just that I constantly have to remind myself about what’s really behind all the shortages, even though I got to sort of see for myself what I described with what happened in India, albeit from a safe distance. My mom lived for a time as a war refugee so I got to hear what it was like growing up with shortages. Other than a gasoline shortage in the 70’s I’ve never, as an American, known what it was like to fear shortages. And then the toilet paper and paper towel shortage happened. 😱

It’s just sometimes hard to visualize how staggering the impact on personnel and labor has been. Setting aside for a moment these are fellow human beings, for a company, we’re talking about actualized losses or the need to protect against losses of entire working units of skilled, trained personnel. Even someone on mostly automated assembly line has received some training and developed some level of skill at what they do and needs to be protected and accommodated which likely means fewer people packed into a building and staggered schedules, reduced output, and so forth.

Getting back to Google’s historical low output, I think in the Nexus days the management was always a bit removed or distanced in a way. Lol Google infamously has commitment issues. They historically don’t seem to know how nor care how to go all in on a product. Their revenue from data harvesting and ads was and is their driving force. So they make so many customer unfriendly choices with their products and services.

I think Google was one way with Nexus and then they wanted to get more serious with Pixel but ran into trouble integrating the HTC people with the people they already had and at the time there was talk on how that impacted their product development and rollouts. They also seemed for most of this time to lack a clear vision at the top level.

Finally…Finally they just admitted their phones didn’t have the hardware and workmanship to truly complete with Apple and Samsung. I’m trying to decide if that is a significant acknowledgment or not. Does it mean this time they think they’re on the right track and are dedicating themselves to a serious reset of their commitment to competing with the reputable flagships?

I’m cynical because they already paid lip service to having what it takes to compete with the big boys and instead priced janky hardware in the stratosphere with iPhone and flagship Galaxy phones, trusting that their software would save the day.

I’m going to give them a chance here with the 6 Pro. IF I can actually get my hands on one. For all that I just dissed their shortcomings a bit, I’ve felt hints of magic in their Pixels and I’m hoping they’re on the right track at last.

 

[The Game 161]

Oh no I don’t think you sound cold or unconcerned. Sorry if I sounded preachy or something that was not my intent. It’s just that I constantly have to remind myself about what’s really behind all the shortages, even though I got to sort of see for myself what I described with what happened in India, albeit from a safe distance. My mom lived for a time as a war refugee so I got to hear what it was like growing up with shortages. Other than a gasoline shortage in the 70’s I’ve never, as an American, known what it was like to fear shortages. And then the toilet paper and paper towel shortage happened.

It’s just sometimes hard to visualize how staggering the impact on personnel and labor has been. Setting aside for a moment these are fellow human beings, for a company, we’re talking about actualized losses or the need to protect against losses of entire working units of skilled, trained personnel. Even someone on mostly automated assembly line has received some training and developed some level of skill at what they do and needs to be protected and accommodated which likely means fewer people packed into a building and staggered schedules, reduced output, and so forth.

Getting back to Google’s historical low output, I think in the Nexus days the management was always a bit removed or distanced in a way. Lol Google infamously has commitment issues. They historically don’t seem to know how nor care how to go all in on a product. Their revenue from data harvesting and ads was and is their driving force. So they make so many customer unfriendly choices with their products and services.

I think Google was one way with Nexus and then they wanted to get more serious with Pixel but ran into trouble integrating the HTC people with the people they already had and at the time there was talk on how that impacted their product development and rollouts. They also seemed for most of this time to lack a clear vision at the top level.

Finally…Finally they just admitted their phones didn’t have the hardware and workmanship to truly complete with Apple and Samsung. I’m trying to decide if that is a significant acknowledgment or not. Does it mean this time they think they’re on the right track and are dedicating themselves to a serious reset of their commitment to competing with the reputable flagships?

I’m cynical because they already paid lip service to having what it takes to compete with the big boys and instead priced janky hardware in the stratosphere with iPhone and flagship Galaxy phones, trusting that their software would save the day.

I’m going to give them a chance here with the 6 Pro. IF I can actually get my hands on one. For all that I just dissed their shortcomings a bit, I’ve felt hints of magic in their Pixels and I’m hoping they’re on the right track at last.

Given the rumoured specs it seems they are finally figuring things out

Specs wise are basically as good as the other top android flagships.

The new 50mp sensor should be interesting on google software

 

[Ethrem]

Given the rumoured specs it seems they are finally figuring things out

Specs wise are basically as good as the other top android flagships.

The new 50mp sensor should be interesting on google software

Specs are great but will the QC be up to par is the question. I mean Pixels are known to have serious hardware issues. That won’t fly with flagship pricing.

 

[840quadra]

Specs are great but will the QC be up to par is the question. I mean Pixels are known to have serious hardware issues. That won’t fly with flagship pricing.

What hardware problems do you speak of? (not being confrontational).

My understanding that most of those went away with the Pixel 2, with the 3 being really reliable. After that model (which I still own and use) I don't really know much, as there were other technical / service limitations that kept me from purchasing any newer model than my 3.

 

[Ethrem]

What hardware problems do you speak of? (not being confrontational).

My understanding that most of those went away with the Pixel 2, with the 3 being really reliable. After that model (which I still own and use) I don't really know much, as there were other technical / service limitations that kept me from purchasing any newer model than my 3.

Perfect example would be the battery issues that just forced Google to extend the warranty on 4 XLs.

One-year extended repair program for Pixel 4 XL - Pixel Phone Help

For certain power-related issues, Google offers a one-year repair program for Pixel 4 XLs purchased in the US, Singapore, Canada, Japan, and Taiwan. If you’re eligible, for up to one year

support.google.com

These things can happen with any product but every single Pixel has had serious issues reported which is quite a poor track record.

Google also needs to do something about their customer service. People have all kinds of problems with the reps. RMAs seem to be especially bad. People reporting that their phones disappeared after being received and then they disputed the charge for the advanced replacements device with their credit card company and had their Google accounts disabled, with Google refusing to reinstate them. Same thing happens when FedEx steals the package and people dispute the charges on their card. Obviously people can avoid that by not disputing charges but then you’re just out the money if you can’t get Google to understand your side of things.

 

[840quadra]

@Ethrem thanks for sharing.

I guess I stopped paying attention after the pixel 3, but don't recall many issues with that device. I have read some of the shipment disputes over the Pixel, but similar things happen on the Apple side too, some of which have caused some heated discussions regarding AppleCare logistics too.

All I know is my current Pixel is nearing 3 years old, no other Android phone really interests me and I am oddly quite anti Samsung. Not just with phones, but have had poor record with their consumer electronics and appliances so far to the point where I put them on a 3 to 5 year pause before I give them a chance again. .

 

[Ethrem]

@Ethrem thanks for sharing.

I guess I stopped paying attention after the pixel 3, but don't recall many issues with that device. I have read some of the shipment disputes over the Pixel, but similar things happen on the Apple side too, some of which have caused some heated discussions regarding AppleCare logistics too.

All I know is my current Pixel is nearing 3 years old, no other Android phone really interests me and I am oddly quite anti Samsung. Not just with phones, but have had poor record with their consumer electronics and appliances so far to the point where I put them on a 3 to 5 year pause before I give them a chance again. .

Yeah I won’t ever have a Samsung device again but I’m really wanting to go back to Android for at least this year so I’m choosing between a 5a and 6 Pro. Basically waiting to see what the custom SoC means for third party ROMs and, of course, the price tag.

 

[5105973]

Perfect example would be the battery issues that just forced Google to extend the warranty on 4 XLs.

One-year extended repair program for Pixel 4 XL - Pixel Phone Help

For certain power-related issues, Google offers a one-year repair program for Pixel 4 XLs purchased in the US, Singapore, Canada, Japan, and Taiwan. If you’re eligible, for up to one year

support.google.com

These things can happen with any product but every single Pixel has had serious issues reported which is quite a poor track record.

Google also needs to do something about their customer service. People have all kinds of problems with the reps. RMAs seem to be especially bad. People reporting that their phones disappeared after being received and then they disputed the charge for the advanced replacements device with their credit card company and had their Google accounts disabled, with Google refusing to reinstate them. Same thing happens when FedEx steals the package and people dispute the charges on their card. Obviously people can avoid that by not disputing charges but then you’re just out the money if you can’t get Google to understand your side of things.

Wow things must have degraded since I needed customer service. I'd returned a defective Pixel 2 and it went missing and they never received it. Near as we can figure, it was stolen/went missing after my husband put it in outgoing shipping in his office building. I can't remember any details, I think I had some sort of receipt for the return shipping that they used to determine I was legitimate, and the customer service person I dealt with stayed with me in email from start to finish and ensured I received my refund even though Google never got that Pixel.

I sent my Samsung S8+ to them to get a discount on the Pixel 3XL I bought my husband for Christmas and had no problems, though I do recall there were a couple of delivery attempts that failed for some reason. But finally someone on that end received it and I got credited for the trade. I really count on these trade ins to bring the costs of these phones into my comfort zone. I hope the majority of customers aren't having problems with their trade ins or returns.

 

[The Game 161]

Yeah I won’t ever have a Samsung device again but I’m really wanting to go back to Android for at least this year so I’m choosing between a 5a and 6 Pro. Basically waiting to see what the custom SoC means for third party ROMs and, of course, the price tag.

I’m guessing 6 pro will be 1k at a guess

 

[Ethrem]

I’m guessing 6 pro will be 1k at a guess

I’m expecting at least that much. I don’t know how well it will sell if it’s priced much higher but $999-$1299 is the range I’m thinking based on storage. With 12 Pro Max starting at $1099 and Samsung being all over the board, there is potentially some more wiggle room for Google if they market it right like they’re saying they will.

 

[The Game 161]

I’m expecting at least that much. I don’t know how well it will sell if it’s priced much higher but $999-$1299 is the range I’m thinking based on storage. With 12 Pro Max starting at $1099 and Samsung being all over the board, there is potentially some more wiggle room for Google if they market it right like they’re saying they will.

Yeah google say they will Market it like crazy. Rumours it will come in 128/256/512 suggests it could be up to 1300 I imagine.

I just hope google offers a free gift or something to get people to pre-order.

 

[Awesomesince86]

Yeah google say they will Market it like crazy. Rumours it will come in 128/256/512 suggests it could be up to 1300 I imagine.

I just hope google offers a free gift or something to get people to pre-order.

Hopefully Google steps it up when it comes to preorders, but Im not holding my breath. Preorder deals have been non-existent and their trade in values are insulting.

 

[Supersonicc]

Yeah google say they will Market it like crazy. Rumours it will come in 128/256/512 suggests it could be up to 1300 I imagine.

I just hope google offers a free gift or something to get people to pre-order.

To quote Ruth Porat, CFO Google & Alphabet, during the Alphabet Q2 2021 Earnings call she said:
"In addition, we expect sales and marketing expenses to be more heavily weighted to the back half of the year, in part to support product launches in the holiday season".

That is a strong warning to investors that Google is ramping up marketing expenditure this year compared to previous years.

Yeah, the Pixel 5 UK/EU pre-orders included receiving a set of Bose QC 35 II headphones which was superb.

So if Google can pull that kind of promo trick off again, make a big impact with the 6/6 Pro's new Tensor chip improving camera & video, plus enhancing buyer hype with great marketing, they could actually be onto a winner this year.

 

[The Game 161]

To quote Ruth Porat, CFO Google & Alphabet, during the Alphabet Q2 2021 Earnings call she said:
"In addition, we expect sales and marketing expenses to be more heavily weighted to the back half of the year, in part to support product launches in the holiday season".

That is a strong warning to investors that Google is ramping up marketing expenditure this year compared to previous years.

Yeah, the Pixel 5 UK/EU pre-orders included receiving a set of Bose QC 35 II headphones which was superb.

So if Google can pull that kind of promo trick off again, make a big impact with the 6/6 Pro's new Tensor chip improving camera & video, plus enhancing buyer hype with great marketing, they could actually be onto a winner this year.

I may decide to get the 6 pro via EE on upgrade programme so I hope we get something

Would be nice if they add in the pixel A buds or something.

 

[Supersonicc]

I may decide to get the 6 pro via EE on upgrade programme so I hope we get something

Would be nice if they add in the pixel A buds or something.

Yeah would be good if we get something.

I'm hoping the 6 Pro video quality is going to massively improve this year. I went back to iPhone last year and vowed to stick again this year. This week I've seen a few YouTubers like the Verge saying what they've seen from the new 6 Pro video is exciting. If they nail this along with the camera I'd consider switching back.

My sticking point will be the Apple watch, Google/Android still need to produce a viable alternative.

 

[Tig Bitties]

I did pre order the Pixel 5a for myself, will get rid of my iPhone 12 Pro Max then. Last Pixel I used and still have as a secondary home device is the Pixel 4 XL, which I loved, except for the absolute crap battery life, that thing blew for battery stamina, other than that running Android 12 beta 4 on it and it's smooth as hot butter.

If the Pixel 5a has similar smooth performance, I'm fine with that, but I really need great battery life for my job out in the field a lot and on the go, don't have time to charge often. And I thought last years Pixel 5 was a bit too small, and I find my 12 Pro Max a bit too large, so an in-between phone size is exactly what I want, and good battery life. 6" display too small, and 6.7"+ size too large.

Like I said if the 5a has similar smooth performance as my 4XL, then I'm all good.

 

[The Game 161]

I did pre order the Pixel 5a for myself, will get rid of my iPhone 12 Pro Max then. Last Pixel I used and still have as a secondary home device is the Pixel 4 XL, which I loved, except for the absolute crap battery life, that thing blew for battery stamina, other than that running Android 12 beta 4 on it and it's smooth as hot butter.

If the Pixel 5a has similar smooth performance, I'm fine with that, but I really need great battery life for my job out in the field a lot and on the go, don't have time to charge often. And I thought last years Pixel 5 was a bit too small, and I find my 12 Pro Max a bit too large, so an in-between phone size is exactly what I want, and good battery life. 6" display too small, and 6.7"+ size too large.

Like I said if the 5a has similar smooth performance as my 4XL, then I'm all good.

Reviews say 5a is a battery champ from what I’ve seen

 

[The Game 161]

Yeah would be good if we get something.

I'm hoping the 6 Pro video quality is going to massively improve this year. I went back to iPhone last year and vowed to stick again this year. This week I've seen a few YouTubers like the Verge saying what they've seen from the new 6 Pro video is exciting. If they nail this along with the camera I'd consider switching back.

My sticking point will be the Apple watch, Google/Android still need to produce a viable alternative.

Yeah I could never leave iPhone due to Apple Watch but pixel could be my go to android device this year

 

[RedRage]

I may check this one out as a 2nd phone. When is this supposed to get released?