Google Pixel 6 Pro
Announced October 28, 2021
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
Google Pixel 6 Pro is a flagship-class Android smartphone that delivers excellent photographic results and fluid performance through its custom Tensor chip. That said, the device is hampered by an inconsistent in-display fingerprint sensor and a large, slippery design that some users may find unwieldy.
Weighted from 67 reviewer scores
Pros
- Versatile camera system with excellent image processing and detail
- Smooth 120Hz OLED display with vibrant colors
- Competitive pricing compared to other flagship rivals
- Responsive performance powered by the custom Tensor chipset
- Feature-rich software experience with long-term update support
Cons
- Unreliable and slow in-display fingerprint sensor
- Large, slippery design prone to fingerprints and dust
- Inconsistent battery life and slow charging speeds
- Thermal management issues during sustained peak performance
- Lack of advanced manual camera controls and face unlock
- Launch price $899 (USD)
- Main camera 50MP f/1.9 + 12MP Ultrawide + 48MP 4x Telephoto
- Video 4K 30p
- Display 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED 120Hz
- Chipset Google Tensor 12GB
What the Reviewers Say
All 67 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
Is this product missing a reputable review? Share a link to a review article or YouTube video for consideration.
- PetaPixel 8.5/10
Better hardware, even if the main image sensor isn’t new to the industry, means the software has more to work with to produce those excellent shots. That shows with the Pixel 6 Pro, which puts Google right back in the conversation as one of the best.
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The Pixel 6 Pro is the most pleasing Android device to capture images on and in the rare scenarios where it doesn’t surpass the competition, it at least holds its own.
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I would say that the camera systems on these devices, to me, they're a little underwhelming and maybe my expectations were too high. [...] Overall, easy recommendation; I like them a lot.
- WIRED 9/10
Absolutely, there’s now no resounding reason to not buy a Pixel phone.
- WIRED 9/10
The Pixel 6 is undeniably the best top-end Android phone for most people.
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With the Pixel 6 Pro, Google has finally delivered a flagship-class phone that can compete with the very best in the business in all aspects, not just the camera.
- Android Authority 9/10
With its unique design and high-quality build, impressive display and good battery life, and its consistently good cameras and feature-rich software, the Google Pixel 6 Pro stands toe-to-toe with the very best from Apple and Samsung.
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No phone is perfect and the Google Pixel 6 Pro certainly is not. That said, there really are not many flagship smartphones out there at that same 899 dollar price that can offer such a comprehensive package.
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The Pixel 6 Pro is one of 2021 best Android and camera phones. The upgraded rear camera has some of the best processing in the business and can deliver excellent photos in conditions that render many competing phone’s sensors unusable.
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From the design to the shiny new interface, other than an initial hot flush when setting up the phone, it kept its cool, lasted all day, performed well, and looked excellent in the process.
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Google's Pixel 6 Pro is a class-leading flagship phone thanks to killer battery life, fast performance, excellent cameras, and unbeatable Android software.
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The Google Pixel 6 Pro is an exciting challenger to some of the very best smartphones on the market, and it’s the first genuinely top-tier handset from the company. If you want to experience Android software in its purest form, this is the handset to buy right now.
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Whichever version you're considering, the Pixel 6 series is a superb return to form. Google is clearly aware that its strengths lay in smart software and excellent photography, and those are the areas where the Pixel 6s deliver most.
- Digital Trends 8/10
The only thing stopping the Google Pixel 6 Pro from being an absolute, hands-down must-buy is the in-display fingerprint sensor.
- CNET 9/10
The Pixel 6 Pro is still one of the best phones you can buy in 2022.
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The result is a phone that's just about perfect in every way and, instead of being held back by compromise or poor decisions on Google's part, its biggest weaknesses are down to preference.
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The Pixel 6 Pro is the real deal, and I think it’s one of the better premium Android phones you can buy right now — though I'd be a liar If I said it was the best, and there are some problems to consider.
- PhoneArena 9/10
[T]he Google Pixel 6 Pro is the best premium Android smartphone money can buy in late 2021, and certainly the best Google phone in years.
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When it comes to building the perfect smartphone, Google has nearly done it with the Pixel 6 Pro.
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The Google Pixel 6 Pro should be topping your Android smartphone list today if you are in the flagship market.
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The Google Pixel 6 Pro is leagues ahead of its predecessors in hardware, software, and design with a brand-new set of camera sensors, a new and unique design, and plenty of new software features that leverage Google's custom-made Tensor chip.
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If you like Android phones, this is one of the very best, so yeah, go for it.
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The Pixel 6 Pro may be one of the best smartphones of the year, but whether Google can win over buyers remains unclear.
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The Google Pixel 6 Pro is the latest and greatest flagship smartphone from Google, and it has a lot to love. It's not perfect, but it's the best Google phone yet for sure.
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You see, this phone is half baked in so many areas. The bugs that I encountered using this thing every day made me go completely insane and it still got issues after the recent updates.
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Let me know down in the comments below once again what your battery life's been like, but if you're looking for an awesome device no matter when you're watching this video, the Google Pixel 6 Pro should definitely be on the top of your list.
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An outstanding camera system and plenty of power blend to make this flagship an enticing option. It's a confident step forward for Google, offering a phone that's more ambitious and more competitive against its rivals.
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To sum everything up, the Google Pixel 6 Pro is an impressive smartphone that can definitely compete with the flagships, and one of the best things about it is that the brain of the operation is Android 12.
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The Pixel 6 Pro is quite an upgrade.
- SlashGear 9/10
The Google Pixel 6 Pro, in contrast, is a masterpiece that stands on its own merits, coming correct with a hardware and software experience that delivers the best Google has to offer in a smartphone.
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Ambitious, uncompromising and with incredible photographic ability, the Pixel 6 Pro is the best Google phone yet, and a true flagship device. It has one or two weak spots, but Android 12’s slick user experience mostly makes up for them.
- How-To Geek 8/10
Without a doubt, the Pixel 6 Series is Google's finest achievement in flagship hardware yet. If you've ever been on the fence about a Pixel phone, now is the time to get off the fence and buy one already.
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The Pixel 6 Pro is the most advanced phone in the series but its strengths aren’t all directly comparable with the competition. Nonetheless, it’s a superb flagship that won’t disappoint.
- EFTM 94%
Google has finally got all of their ducks in order with the Pixel 6 Pro and has produced premium hardware with premium software and a camera that is going to be one of the best on the market. For my mind, the best Android phone and the best of Google.
- CGMagazine 9.5/10
The Google Pixel 6 Pro is the perfect blend of software and hardware that makes the Pixel range of phones a must have for anyone looking for a camera centric upgrade.
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[I]t is one of the most impressive overall smartphones on the market today that competes in the flagship class, and if I was to switch over to Android, I think this would be the phone that I would personally choose.
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It's hard to find fault with Google's new Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, especially when you consider their cheaper-than-the-iPhone-13 pricing.
- IGN 10/10
The Google Pixel 6 Pro comes with everything you could want in a high-end smartphone from a big 120Hz screen, stellar performance, long battery life, great cameras, and it’s reasonably priced at $899.
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I do still like it after half a year, but I got to say I'm definitely more enamored with its smaller siblings still, especially the fact that I've seen a lot those bugs on that one randomly again.
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Now with that being said, do I like this phone?
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The Google Pixel 6 Pro fuses flagship caliber specs with an affordable price tag. Its brawn on a budget is a potent combination, arguably making the Pixel 6 Pro the best Android phone for the money.
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With its excellent performance, superior camera system, high-refresh-rate display, and low pricing compared to other flagships, the Pixel 6 Pro is a compelling pick.
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My thoughts on the Google Pixel 6 Pro are still forming, but this early use has been refreshing. It's something a little different.
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The only issue we have is that unsightly black camera bar, but it’s beautiful on the inside. From its innovative Android 12 OS, to those phenomenal camera tools, the Pixel 6 Pro has the good stuff where it matters.
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The Google Pixel 6 Pro I will say is the best Android phone that I've currently used, and I do love that Pixel is now building all of their in-house silicon, which just means their devices will perform better.
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Regardless, Google's computational photography algorithms are on-point yet again with this new family of Pixels and when it comes to color, contrast and sharpness, we were thoroughly impressed.
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Based on my experience, I recommend the Pixel 6 Pro because of its better screen quality.
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As you can see, the Google Pixel 6 Pro has its fair share of ups and downs.
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The Pixel 6 Pro spec sheet was encouraging after the announcement. Past models have typically compromised in some form or another, but Google clearly has a lot of faith in the 6 Pro as a real flagship device.
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If you want the best that Android has to offer, then you probably want the Pixel 6 Pro phone.
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[A] fantastic device and it really nails all the fundamentals and adds a lot of fun features on there.
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Between value and the sheer joy the Pixel 6 Pro brought me, it’s an easy-to-recommend phone to anyone. It’s just so solid, takes the best photos I’ve ever seen in a smartphone and is great value.
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The Google Pixel 6 Pro is a good phone. It's not my personal favorite Android device, but for Pixel lovers, I think you'll really like it.
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[I]t's a great experience and it's very fluid, and things that maybe have that you read about previously seemingly are fixed.
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The Pro version might not be that groundbreaking device that Google was hyping it up to be, but it's still one of the best premium Android phones that you can buy right now.
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It's the more powerful, it's the more beastly Pixel that you've been waiting for.
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Its standout design, top-tier performance, and years’ worth of guaranteed timely updates — all at a lower price point — make it a phone worth upgrading to.
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Okay, putting everything together, is the Google Pixel 6 Pro the phone you should buy for 2022 and on if you're a big screen user that likes pixel software, want the latest updates and You're in love with the camera quality and style of it, then yes, this phone is your best bet.
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With the Google Pixel 6 Pro, I would say Google has delivered.
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[T]he Pixel 6 Pro has matured into an impressive device that has stood the test of time remarkably well, and this is particularly noteworthy considering its rocky launch period and initial reception.
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The design is interesting, but the specs and features and performance are all flagship caliber with the dozens of Google specific extras and add-ons thrown in too, and best of all, the price is just right.
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The Pixel 6 Pro has returned in 2021 with a bold new look – but there’s more to the handset than a visual overhaul. It’s a great Android phone that showcases Google’s ambitions to offer a true flagship while still not charging quite as much as Apple or Samsung’s high-end models.
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[...] I'm pretty impressed with the camera performance, especially that 4x telephoto, and the software features like action pan and long exposure are really fun and easy to use.
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The Pixel 6 Pro is just a joy to use. The combination of its display, performance, cameras, battery, and software features all come together in a way Google's been trying to achieve for years.
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[...] I will tell you I think the Google Pixel 6 Pro it still is a phone that you can buy cuz it is still supported with software, but I will be honest, I think there might be some other devices that might be better than this particular device.
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It's among one of the best phones that you can buy right now, and if your budget is a deciding factor of what the best phone it is you can buy, this is the phone, period.
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This phone has been great as my daily driver for this past month and it's really been a pleasure to use.
