Google announces Pixel 6 and 6 Pro with inhouse SoC

Last night, Google announced its new line of Pixel 6 phones that will be coming ‘this fall’ over the pond, our springtime. Google has seen varying levels of success with its Pixel line. For the most part, the phones have been okay, quite good even, with the camera capabilities and the stock Android experience usually being the standout features.

Now Google is looking to shake things up a bit and finally compete at the top of the game. Introducing the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, well, sort of. Google has decided not to release all the information all at once and instead chose to focus on its new System on a Chip (SoC) for this reveal. So here’s what we do know.

Pixel 6 picks up a new chip

The Tensor SoC — Google’s name for the previously codenamed Whitechapel chip — is what Google is making the most noise about. If Samsung and Apple and Huawei are doing it, why not Google too?

The lineup will deviate from the norm a bit and it looks like we’ll be missing the Pixel 5a and going straight on to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. Google is a bit quiet with specific details but what we do know is the Pixel 6 Pro will feature a 6.7in QHD+ 120Hz display. From what the renders show, it looks like Google is going full flagship with this one. A classic glass sandwich with an aluminium frame.

Around the back, you’ll find three camera sensors; a new wide-angled main shooter, an ultrawide and a 4x telephoto lens. While we’re here, both phones will get Google’s redesigned camera ledge that spans across the whole width of the rear. It’s not really just a bump anymore.

The ever so slightly watered down Pixel 6 will get a smaller 6.4in FHD+ 90Hz display. It also loses the telephoto lens on the back. There will also be slight cosmetic changes across the two models, and we’re sure there’ll be more differences, like different battery sizes, memory and the price, but Google has chosen to withhold that info for now.

While a lot of specs are still unclear, what is clear is Google’s intention to redefine the space that its mobile devices inhabit in the market. And who knows, this could be the start of something bigger. If we correlate it with Apple’s journey we might be seeing Google laptops and Chromebooks powered by Google silicon. Let’s just hope it can make enough.