What to count on at Google’s Pixel 6 launch occasion | Engadget

Google has shared fairly just a few particulars of the Pixel 6 sequence, but it surely hasn’t revealed all the things forward of its October nineteenth occasion. Just how highly effective will these telephones be? Will they signify an excellent worth? And does Google have any surprises up its sleeve? Here’s what you may count on from the presentation, together with just a few last-minute leaks.

The specs: A return to flagship telephones

Unlike with previous telephone launches, Google has been completely happy to share fundamental particulars of the Pixel 6 household months upfront. Both the bottom Pixel 6 and the bigger, brawnier Pixel 6 Pro will mark Google’s return to high-end telephones after the Pixel 5 ‘break,’ with premium glass designs. They’ll provide upgraded cameras with improved low-light efficiency (150 p.c extra gentle than prior to now), and they need to tout “all day” battery life regardless of help for battery-hungry 5G.

The centerpiece, nonetheless, would be the Tensor chip inside each Pixel 6 fashions. Google hasn’t formally divulged full specs for Tensor as of this writing, but it surely’s the corporate’s first customized system-on-chip. The design makes use of its namesake AI processing to attain issues that have been “previously impossible” on typical SoCs, reminiscent of juggling a number of AI duties or processing reside video.

However, Google hasn’t stated a lot concerning the precise specs of the Pixel 6 line or the vary of Tensor-assisted options. Expect the corporate to share many extra gritty technical particulars for the Pixel 6 on the occasion, though we wouldn’t rely on sufficient data to make straightforward comparisons between Tensor and rival cell chips.

You may not have to attend lengthy to get the total scoop. Well-known leaker Evan Blass spotted Carphone Warehouse promo pages that seem to spoil a lot of what Google intends to announce. The customary Pixel 6 will doubtless compete in opposition to ‘entry’ flagships just like the Galaxy S21 and iPhone 13 with a 6.4-inch flat 90Hz display screen, a 50-megapixel principal digital camera and a 12MP ultra-wide shooter. The Pixel 6 Pro, in the meantime, ought to be the definitive top-of-the-range mannequin with a 6.7-inch curved 120Hz show and a 3rd 48MP telephoto lens. You can also see 30W wired charging, 23W wi-fi charging and reverse charging to prime up your earbuds or different telephones.

As for Tensor? That retail itemizing claimed as much as 80 p.c higher efficiency than the Pixel 5 (not tough given the 5’s middling Snapdragon 765G chip), however the true star could also be Tensor’s photographic prowess. Google reportedly plans a number of AI-driven digital camera methods that embrace a Magic Eraser to eliminate photobombers, Face Unblur to maintain folks in focus and a Motion Mode for motion pictures. These aren’t fully novel ideas (anti-photobombing has been current in Huawei and Samsung telephones for some time), however they’re new to Pixels and may carry out higher with Tensor concerned.

A deal with companies and help

Google may also break new floor in how it sells the Pixel 6. This is Tech Today‘s M. Brandon Lee obtained what he says is proof Google will make the Pixel 6 out there as part of a “Pixel Pass” that mixes month-to-month telephone funds with an prolonged guarantee, Google One cloud storage, Play Pass, non-compulsory Google Fi service and both YouTube Music or YouTube Premium. Effectively, Google would counter Apple One by together with nearly all the things you want in a single subscription, not simply web companies.

You may additionally get pleasure from higher software program help no matter what you pay. Those Carphone Warehouse pages echoed longstanding rumors that Google would provide “at least” 5 years of safety updates to Pixel 6 homeowners. That’s greater than the three to 4 years you typically discover within the Android world, and roughly on par with Apple. It’s not clear in case you’ll get full working system updates for these 5 years, however you may not have to fret about patchable vulnerabilities for the sensible lifetime of your Pixel.

Price and launch date

There’s little doubt the Pixel 6 will value greater than its predecessor. Where the Pixel 5 was an upper-mid-range telephone, its sequel is an upscale gadget. Google has even made clear the Pixel 6 Pro can be a “premium-priced product.” But how rather more will you must pay?

That’s a tough name. One Reddit person spotted a German itemizing that talked about a €649 (about $750) worth for the bottom Pixel 6. A source for This is Tech Today, in the meantime, quoted a worth of €899 (roughly $1,050) for the 6 Pro. We’d be cautious about these costs, as they might change and may not convert neatly even when they’re correct. Still, Google is seemingly returning to top-tier pricing.

Like it or not, Google will even borrow a cost- and waste-cutting measure from its rivals: it is leaving the charger out of the field. That’s not too dire an omission when there’s an actual probability you may have a USB-C charger hanging round, but it surely may very well be irritating in case you’re both new to USB-C units or saddled with a sluggish energy brick. Factor that into the worth earlier than you rush to take a look at.

The German itemizing and different leaks have pointed to a Pixel 6 launch someday the week of October twenty fifth. We’d count on a broad worldwide launch, for that matter. Where the Pixel 5a was restricted to the US and Japan because of provide constraints, the leaks to this point already trace that Google desires to make the Pixel 6 as ubiquitous as attainable.

Don’t count on many surprises

We would not wager on Google asserting a lot else in addition to the Pixel 6 and its accompanying software program. Google’s advertising and marketing for the occasion has revolved completely round its new telephones. It’s unlikely that you will see some other devices, and so they’ll positively be secondary in the event that they do seem.

That’s to not fully rule out new {hardware}. It has been greater than a yr since Google debuted its higher-end Pixel Buds, and different units like Nest WiFi have not been up to date shortly. There’s simply not a lot want for Google to revamp merchandise past the Pixel line — what’s there’s nonetheless related and useful.

There’s additionally the potential for new or upgraded companies. If Google actually does introduce a Pixel Pass, it’d wish to sweeten the deal by providing extra for the cash, whether or not it is a model new service or perks like extra cloud storage. We have not seen rumors to this impact to this point, however Google additionally saved limitless photograph uploads for Pixel homeowners when it capped everybody else in June. The firm is aware of that companies promote {hardware}, and that could be essential for the Pixel 6.