Pixel 6 Pro: UK release date of new Google phones, camera details, expected price - and size comparison

Google has unveiled its new flagship Pixel line of smartphones – the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, promising that the new devices will be “fast, smart and secure”.

The tech giant claims the devices are its “most personal and most helpful” phones ever, as it looks to challenge Apple and Samsung.

But the Pixel 6 smartphones have split industry experts over whether the new devices can challenge the mobile heavyweights.

The phones have been completely redesigned and include a Google-designed chip – the Google Tensor – for the first time, as well as new camera systems and bigger batteries, and are faster and smarter than previous Google handsets.

Here is everything you need to know about the new handsets.

What can the Pixel 6 do?

The Pixel 6 comes with a 6.4-inch full HD+ display which has been made with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus and is two times more scratch-resistant than previous Pixels.

The dual rear camera system includes a new 50-megapixel sensor – which is capable of up to 7x zoom and can capture up to 150% more light, Google says – and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens.

Also worth a mention is the new Magic Eraser in Google Photos tool, which allows users to remove photobombers or other distractions from the background of images.

Google’s first processor, the Google Tensor, which has been custom designed for the Pixel means users will see up to 80% faster performance compared to the Pixel 5, Google says, with apps launching faster and gaming more responsive as a result.

Battery life has also been a key area of focus on the new device, with Google saying the Adaptive Battery in the Pixel 6 can in some cases last beyond 24 hours, even on 5G.

This is because the phone is able to understand the apps used most often and direct power to them and away from apps that don’t need it.

There’s also super-fast charging capabilities, with up to 50% charge gained in just minutes.

What about the Pixel 6 Pro?

Designed to be the powerhouse flagship of the new phone range, the Pixel 6 Pro is built around a large 6.7-inch QHD+ display which, like the Pixel 6, is also made with Gorilla Glass Victus.

Like all good flagship smartphones today, the 6 Pro supports a 120Hz screen refresh rate which means smoother scrolling and gaming.

On the back, there’s a new triple camera system, made up of a 50-megapixel sensor also on the Pixel 6, a 48-megapixel telephoto camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens.

Google describes it as a pro-level camera, and it also features the new Real Tone mode, which has been trained to better represent different skin tones more accurately in Portrait images.

Just like its smaller sibling, the 6 Pro has a massive battery, meaning it can last more than 24 hours in some circumstances, and the Google Tensor processor means apps like Live Translate are more quickly able to translate messages and videos.

Both devices house Google’s new Titan M2 security chip, which the company says builds security into the hardware of the phone to help better protect it from hackers and phishing attacks which attempt to breach the device.

How much will they cost?

The £599 Pixel 6 and £849 Pixel 6 Pro are comparatively cheaper than their rivals, and Google is hoping the impressive specs, including big batteries and high-end cameras, will appeal to smartphone users.

When will they be released?

Both devices can be pre-ordered from Tuesday 26 October, and will go on sale on 28 October.

Will they be popular?

Ru Bhikha, mobiles expert at Uswitch.com, said the updates in this year’s line-up were impressive enough to turn the heads of consumers.

“In a world where every smartphone looks the same, the Pixel 6 dares to try a different design and houses its camera setup in what looks like wraparound shades,” he said.

“The Pixel range’s camera always punched above its weight, but it’s had another upgrade here as the arms race gripping smartphone photography continues. Google even made the bold claim that this is the most advanced smartphone camera in the world.

“Both the standard and Pro versions of the Pixel 6 feature a 50MP main sensor – a big step up from the iPhone 13 Pro’s 12MP offering, and most likely improving the camera’s low-light performance.”

Bhikha added that the pricing – £599 for the Pixel 6 and £849 for the 6 Pro – was competitive against its rival, notably the iPhone.

“Google’s deep pockets mean that it can offer high spec devices for reasonable prices, all of which means its phones should be well-suited to compete for pride of place in consumers’ pockets.”

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