Google Pixel 6 Review | Should you go Pro?

Reviewing Google's Pixel 6 smartphone after almost two weeks of using it as my full-time mobile. With its upgraded camera hardware and pro features, Tensor performance, bigger battery and Android 12, the Pixel 6 is among the best flagship phones of 2021. The £599 UK price makes it solid value too, and considerably cheaper than the Pro model.
All eyes are on that big camera bump, featuring a bigger 50MP sensor plus ultra-wide lens. The Google Pixel 6 can capture great looking, natural photos at any time of day, although in low light it does struggle with moving subjects. You can also record 4K video, again with commendable results.
Google's Tensor chipset helps with the image processing and can handle everyday shenanigans just fine. However, if you're after a slick gaming experience with memory-hogging Android titles, the Pixel 6 Pro is your best bet.
Battery life is fantastic and I love the new privacy features and Android 12 redesign. Overall, despite common complaints like a lack of headphone jack and expandable storage, the Pixel 6 is a cracking flagship phone and one of my favourites at this upper mid-range price point.
Pixel 6 Review Chapters:
0:00 - Pointless waffle
0:35 - Design
2:00 - Android 12 & features
5:19 - Screen & audio
6:32 - Performance & gaming
8:53 - Battery life & charging
10:15 - Camera
11:57 - Verdict

[@TjPhysicist]

thank you for being one of the FEW reviewers online to actually talk about the regular pixel6 and not just in passing. I feel like this happens all the time, and not just with phones, people only want to talk about the TOTL, even if the next best is far more likely to be what most people want.

[@TimeBucks]

Screen call feature is actually awesome

[@AugustoLugo1983]

Motorolas have that feature here in the US, got a Samsung phone now and I sure miss that feature.

[@mosalahmosalahrunningdownt5579]

ratio checkmark

[@thistoob]

So is the on-hold wait for me feature.

[@msquared8892]

this feature has been on the pixel devices since the Pixel 4a. Its great and i use it daily, no more robo calls

[@MrHrisk]

@@msquared8892 lol even my Pixel 3a has it

[@abc1DiLy]

I preordered this the other day and I'm so so glad that it's actually good! Thanks for the review! Your daughter is adorable

[@USMC19777]

what is the arrival date?

[@abc1DiLy]

@@USMC19777 I'm in Australia and it's being shipped on the 27th, but as I live in a regional area, I don't think I'll get it until Monday or Tuesday at the earliest next week due to shipping delays across the country from the lockdown that just ended. That said, I've heard some people in the US have to wait until January for theirs? No thanks. If I was them, I'd cancel the preorder and try to find it in store somewhere. Even if you miss out on the Pixel Buds A-Series (which is the bonus in Australia, Canada and the US - we don't get the fancy Bose headphones like in Europe), if you need a new phone, I wouldn't wait three months just to get some free headphones

[@USMC19777]

@@abc1DiLy wow, hope if i order mine i don't have to wait until January..TY for the quick response 👍

[@abc1DiLy]

@@USMC19777 Good luck! I think that's just through Google directly in the US with the long delays? I hope you find somewhere that's a bit faster than January!

[@burayan85]

@@USMC19777 Just ordered my white Pixel 6 Pro as well, but it's showing deliver of January 20-22 2022.... Do you think it's a gross over-estimation?

[@velrethar]

I love your energy while presenting the phone. Been really enjoying your videos lately

[@GortFromAltier4]

First, I love that you called the intro "pointless waffle" Second, I went with this one over the 6 pro. The price difference was too high for what the pro offered. Also, the 6 "feels" like a pixel to me and the pro feels like a Samsung.

[@wall-e7179]

I think the Pro is very Huawei-esque

[@GortFromAltier4]

@@wall-e7179 yeah I can see that too, but it just doesn't strike me as a pixel phone. The standard 6 feels very similar to the pixel 4

[@wall-e7179]

@@GortFromAltier4 Agreed, especially the matt frame.

[@HollowRick]

Totally agree with this ^ and thats the reason I also went with a sorta seafoam model 😉

[@nikolavonfulton5195]

After seeing some reviews on the pro I don’t think that it is worth the cost for the pro over the pixel 6

[@1965dingle]

I pre-ordered this last week, I was a little worried but seeing your review I'm sold.

[@bill1824]

not only your reviews are great in content but they also have some funny jokes around it which i love it, great content, definitely subbed

[@nayeemism]

love your content... always makes me smile when i listen to you describing all these monotonous details with such colorful humour....

[@blaster915]

Been refreshing for this!!

[@gilesrdavies]

It has a 90 Hz refresh rate.

[@blaster915]

@@gilesrdavies 😂

[@Justgambleit]

Your phone reviews are always the best. Only come to you for all my tech needs😁

[@Sonic_mena]

Amazing 🔥👽

[@speedkillz0118]

Great Review! Always appreciate that you dont spend the entire video talking abou the camera like every other tech KZbinr!

[@BYLEE1]

Thank you for actually posting the regular one been searching

[@flintoff2006]

Brutally honest review.... Exactly what I want to hear after some time without an upgrade. You've sold me on this model alone, even though I'll probably plump for the pro. Great review 👍

[@swiftyyy870]

Ive never owned a google phone before but ive had this samsung s7 now for 6 years and i wanna try something different, this phone looks awesome so far not seen a bad review yet, everything about the design looks clean and thats for the UI to

[@alexnowis2468]

Ahhhh, I see you did your testing in York. Fantastic city to live in & visit! I have Pre Ordered the Pro, looking forward to the upgrade, testing it & having a phone that will last me for a number of years.

[@mrscience5412]

I've been using the screen call feature for months. I have to say it's actually awesome!

[@dsutedja]

even more amazing is the next iteration of it: auto screen-call. Nowadays, I rarely get robocalls on my 3xl. If I catch it at the right time, I'll see a notification saying assistant is shooshing the spammers :)

[@wall-e7179]

My black 6 arrives tmmw. Actually hyped. I'll need a skin though I reckon, at least for the bottom section.

[@fabio3525]

Thanks for the comparison! Waited for exactly this, because I couldn't decide which one is better for me. 😊 I will go with the Pixel 6 and safe the money from the pro for different useless stuff 😄

[@dueckis]

Love your background. Thanks for the review! ;)

[@mfinAdaM]

Very awesome and well spoken review! I love how you always get straight to the point for every category, which is very helpful for the ADHD crowd :)

[@MrDpLj]

Thank you for your review. Pre-ordered and hopefully delivery on Thursday

[@iainlivingstone319]

Thanks for the review Chris definitely the 6 for me, cheaper and hate curved screens!! Cheers as always mate 👍😎

[@zekefreak6082]

Great in-depth review. Thank you youtube for the algorithm. I just subscribed.

[@nagavamsikrishna7506]

Each review of yours speaks out a story. You just earned yourself another sub!

[@uzudi]

Loved the fact that you actually played genshin impact is the one I'm playing (on PS5 and sometimes on the phone). I'm looking forward to see your review of the pro version since that's the one I pre-ordered.

[@hoangd4132]

the only relevant performance test tbh. so sick of people running freaking pubg mobile that my 4 yrs old android can already reach stable 60fps.

[@dougduffy3484]

who do you main?

[@uzudi]

@@dougduffy3484 Xiao hahahaha and second Ayaka those are my best built. But I'm not using then that much right now focused on improving the other characters. W about you?

[@danieluribe9605]

Do You have it already?? What do You think about the curved screen!?

[@ayala97]

Fantastic, Ole at the wheel!

[@ESCO2]

Thank you for the review. I LOVE your accent :) I have been leaning to purchase 6 because of the flat display and smaller size. So far for the Pixel Pro 6 I have heard two reviewers say their display broke at time of filming their reviews ... enough said lol

[@elementalPaul]

Two things I liked about the review - Count Buckules and the fact that I'm not the only Deezer user in the UK! Other than that I'm glad to see the Pixel 6 seems like a decent phone, I uncharacteristically pre-ordered mine on launch day and I'm looking forward to getting my hands on it soon.

[@-.Eerie.-]

Thank you for an honest review. I'm excited to receive my kinda coral pixel 6 next week! 🤗

[@jeremycagle19]

Thank you Chris. Exciting! 🙂

[@TeamVRY]

thanks for the review Chris 💪💪

[@hanifalghifari21]

Wow you're so quick with the upload!

[@JustinMannn]

Buckles interviewing David Sedaris @ 2:11, nice choice of podcast!

[@stephenenrile2684]

Literally the first one before the others that I subscribed! It's crazy!

[@maheshhhmanoj]

Literally was waiting for 6 days for ur review

[@wooshbait36]

Who asked?

[@NoyTiAnhZolo]

@@wooshbait36 we ask, it your problem ??

[@wooshbait36]

@@NoyTiAnhZolo Nice English

[@NoyTiAnhZolo]

@@wooshbait36 what you gonna do, give me an F ?

[@gilly2bad]

I just bought one yesterday! It should arrive tomorrow.. I can't wait!

[@Alanicus1]

Great review and I love the off beat humour! I went for the Pixel 6, as I dislike curved screens, which seem much more fragile and cause odd reflections. Quite apart from that the extra features of the Pro model do not seem to warrant the huge price difference. The 6 still feels very premium (rubbish fingerprint reader aside) and gives the you the best Android experience. For £600 (including the excellent Pixel Buds) it's a real bargain.

[@briantran3791]

This is the video I was waiting for. Thanks Techspurt.

[@ericboyle8296]

Great review. On the call screening I have had that on my Pixel 2 for quite awhile now, although I am sure they have upgraded it. Sad about the size through should have offered one a bit smaller. I'll get the 6 and wait for the Fold.

[@adibafiq6945]

yes have been waiting for a long time❤😢thank you!

[@dc52ltr]

Thanks Chris, great review, ordered one for me and one for the missus for Chrimbo 👍🏻

[@G1NZOU]

I ended up getting the Sorta Sunny Pro as I intend on using this for years to come, and the telephoto lens and better screen as well as the increased RAM I thought would be handy in the future. My favourite colour is definitely the Sorta Seafoam on the regular 6 though, and with the £599 price the regular one is definitely the better deal, it's a lot of phone for the money. It's absolutely huge compared to my old Pixel 2 though, and although screens with barely any bezel at all are all the rage now I actually liked the Pixel 2's forward facing stereo speakers. When I was considering the Pixel 5 a few months ago I took my first look at the 6's camera bar and thought "nah, not for me", but it's really grown on me, I don't mind a big bar if it has the hardware and especially the software to make it worthwhile, since I use my Pixel 2 for mostly KZbin, web browsing and photos the camera is a big tickbox for my upgrade.

[@saluzzo1997]

I was waiting for you, thanks😍😍🎊🎉

[@zaskar1111]

Great review Chris! Back to Android for the 3rd time on the strength of this phone, fingers crossed!

[@RobFisherUK]

Call screening in the UK? Finally? Mind blown! That five year support is nice, too. I pre-ordered a pro (my Nokia 9 camera is hopeless I need to do something). Will see how long I can hold out before breaking it, getting bored with it, or finding the battery has packed up. Or the USB connector. Nice review, anyway. Some of your turns of phrase had me spluttering coffee everywhere!

[@Mubashir_AK]

Five year security patches, 3 year software update.

[@mutiatun9806]

You Chris is one of trusted reviewer on youtube. I buy a phone after watch one of yours. Thanks.

[@ednewmy]

Got to be the first time ever hearing Penge getting mentioned in a tech review. Big up the Penge massive!

[@connorgilbert6422]

Wow great review, thanks for taking the time to provide quality content!

[@victornebs4018]

I'm more than tempted by the pixel 6 man, especially given the fact that I like a smaller form factor so I would go for this over the pro and it's cheaper after all

[@emmaj19899]

Thank you for being one of the few youtubers out there to do a full review of the pixel 6 and not the pro version. I think I'm pretty much sold on the Pixel 6, it sounds like a really promising upgrade from my Pixel 4

[@luckysharma-gc1vs]

Hi can we talk

[@karlmoore1837]

I think I'll wait to see what Google plans for the 6a, hopefully a smaller, lighter and cheaper version (budget friendly).

[@kevinpriestly324]

Amazing review, I'm still on my pixel 3 and I'm in dire need of an upgrade and it's the pixel 6 for me ...thanks for being one of the only KZbinrs that gives a no nonsence review ...all the others are gushing over the 6 pro

[@panic--panic--]

Excited! Definitely skipping on the pro, I'm never going curved glass ever again. Shame about the loss of telephoto though.

[@Pislik870]

Curved display is fairly sophisticated

[@dwaynerichardson5358]

Yeah the curve stopped me getting the pro too. I also said never again

[@panic--panic--]

@@Pislik870 I've never had a curved display that didn't cause problems at some point. Not interested. Also just not a fan of how it looks unless you're looking at it directly in perfect lighting conditions. Side glare and color distortion annoy me. I wish companies would just stop.

[@mollymurtagh970]

@@panic--panic-- my Huawei p30 Pro has a curved screen and incidentally is the only screen i've ever managed to smash. Pre-ordering the Pixel 6 i think!

[@ericboyle8296]

Yeah the tele is the only reason I'd go with the pro. Nervous about the curved screen. I think I'll save the $300 and slap on a Moment lens if needed.

[@TrueCrimeQueen]

Love when you upload!!! Be safe everyone ❤️💛

[@bosrab]

I am tempted. Great review 👍 thanks

[@Lynn-zw7dr]

My 6 Pro arrives tomorrow I can’t wait. I don’t think it’ll be beaten tbh. Excited! Cheers from Devon UK 🇬🇧 👌🏻👍🏻🇬🇧🙂 x

[@necron07]

Where do you find all those great wallpapers! I'm always drooling over how much the colors pop.

[@MRJLS15]

Thanks for always keeping things honest and such for us much love

[@Prof237]

The review I was waiting for

[@leonfisher]

Great review. Mine is scheduled to arrive on November 02.

[@Gabe_M]

Call screen is an amazing feature that has been here since the Pixel 3. I use it all the time.

[@sorrowwinds]

Thank you for posting a regular. All I'm seeing is the pro.

[@gilesrdavies]

Exactly, Chris is the phone reviewer of the people, not the rich! Not everyone wants to spend £900 on a pro.

[@Paul.Warren]

Pre ordered 19th Oct arriving 26th Oct can't wait. Thanks for reviewing.

[@adhiles]

I like this review. Thanks for making this video, it helps a lot.

[@HowToDoItTech]

I too am a big fan of Adam Buxton at 02:09. Nice video!

[@oladunnibasorun3815]

Lovely review, actually getting my Pixel 6 in 2 days time .....would love to know how I can get ur wallpapers for the phone big anime fan. Quality content as always

[@fellowninja]

Good review. Glad to see reviewers using Genshin for a benchmark. It's incredibly demanding, especially on my Fold 3. The Pixel 6 should have a better time, since it has a smaller, lower res screen and a better GPU.

[@breichjr]

Waiting on my 6 to arrive tomorrow but also waiting on my case to arrive as well. I'm surprised folks order phones based on the color. I wouldn't expect any phone to live if it were dropped from 4 feet onto concrete or asphalt. And I'm never going to be the guy who tests that theory out. There are cases on Amazon already for less than $20. Thanks for the great review and decidedly sarcastic sense of humor. Loved it.

[@glerivett]

Great review and from that I will be getting the regular pixel 6 ,so thank you 🤟

[@leemarson7350]

Thank you for the review! Tbh I have never tried a Google phone but I am definitely more tempted this year.

[@AceMathias]

Cheers for the comprehensive review, just pre-ordered the regular pixel. Awesome to see my home city in your photos,do you live in York or were you visiting?

[@tonygonzales726]

You've got a great channel! Honest and very informative. You have loyal fans in the u.s.!

[@sheenaevans6747]

I've just ordered mine, yes I'm always late to the party, and having watched this review I'm very excited to receive it. I am getting a big upgrade from the pixel 3a with this phone so it's reassuring to know I have made the right decision. I have watched so many of your videos and love your no nonsense reviews. I was tempted to switch to Samsung this time round (I have watched all your Samsung reviews) but the pixel 3a has been a superb phone, had it for 3 and a half years and it's still going strong, so decided to stay with google for that very reason. Happy New phone day to me!

[@DavidMichaelBurnett]

Excellent video as usual. Good to see a fellow Geordie doing well in tech videos too! Quick question Chris: How does this compares with the S21 (Exynos) and the Mi 11? I'm torn between these. I have the S10 and looking to upgrade. Any advice? Cheers!

[@craigpodsprojames2500]

If you're getting an S21 go for the Snapdragon variant. The Exynos has worse performance, hotter under load, and less power efficient. That said the S21 is a good phone when buying in a market with the Snapdragon variant

[@charliemccollum]

Loving the innuendo 😊

[@ahmedelzayat119]

Thanks a lot for this review, could you please tell me what do you think of the haptic feedback on the pixel 6? How does its vibration motor compare to premium ones?

[@RoccoBacsi]

You born to do this m8. Bless you.

[@bytesizeclu]

What a device, they have somehow managed to keep this well under a grand with those pretty incredible specs and as usual google have crushed the completion with the camera game but BOY HE THICC

[@dalehoward2367]

Dale Sharey Howard Dale Howard ll

[@dabluntz19]

you should like a shill

[@mosalahmosalahrunningdownt5579]

"incredible specs" like...

[@GeoffSilberman]

I am still on the Pixel 2 XL and love it, but I'm thinking about taking the dive to 6 for Android 12 and the new camera hardware.

[@wss5450]

What app are you using for your chainsaw man wallpapers? Nice video too

[@sulmanshah]

Thanks for the informative review friend. I'm glad I ordered it, I was feeling like an idiot upgrading from pixel 5 to pixel 6 but I feel better now.

[@jackb3985]

Lovely to see some pics of York

[@iad77]

UK buyer, got the white model, hoping it arrives this week 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@CarnageToob]

Looks like you had a fun trip to York!

[@gauravgovindam6073]

Loved the review and Chainsaw Man wallpaper

[@sajidkhanmahmood]

great review covered everything i wanted to know.

[@kishanmistry7916]

Loved the Zhou Fan wallpaper..!!

[@stevehitman]

Honest and a good review. You're the best 👌😎

[@joewinslade3394]

Not decided until now Pixel 6 looking likely! Off to watch that camera review

[@HamptonJonny]

Really useful review thanks. One thing that seems to vary a lot between reviewers is their view of battery life. Tech spurt said it was amazing, and yet MKBHD says its "average at best". When I search for written reviews it's the same story- some say it has great battery life and others put battery life as one of its negative aspects! Don't know who is right, or under what conditions the phone may have worse battery life!

[@ghst822]

i think 5G is the problem

[@Alan..W]

Getting my Pixel 6 delivered tomorrow, can't wait.

[@mattsanchez4893]

Great review as usual Chris, great phone, but will be sticking with my 4a 5G m. Need to keep that cash in my pocket

[@AlanMETALMAN]

I am tempted but will have to watch your other video as unsure if I should splash out for the 6 Pro. I like the bigger sized phone, as the 5 is too small for me and as I am used to having something big and heavy in my trousers all the time, the size and weight of the phone will not be an issue for me, cheers Alan

[@welshlad6427]

The one I’ve been waiting for 📱❤️ Like yourself Spurt Man I wish it was slightly smaller. Maybe a 5.8 to 6 inch model. Other changes I would’ve made would be a Matte back to match the sides and coloured buttons like previous Google phones.

[@bodiminds6571]

Most flagships are massive and I think Google tried to mimic that. Also everybody buys a case anyway. So Google made a frosted case for the pixel 6 series

[@welshlad6427]

@@bodiminds6571 I get the flagship comment but they have the pro version as that at 6.7 inch. I really do think the regular version should have been slightly smaller. I have ordered a frosted case from Google also.

[@hhhmmmmmmmm]

Hopefully do a 6A soon n will have that. Like the 4A, hopefully.

[@kodaloid]

Still in love with the 5, severely underrated

[@Mubashir_AK]

Call it weird, but I think the selfie hole looks better in the corner. The central position makes it awkward when you go full screen.

[@rcbmulder]

agree 100% - ive got pixel 5 and daughter in law has 13promax - she agrees the photos are nearly always better from the pixel 5 but just 'doesn't like android'.. so sticking with the iphone

[@egedepeter6038]

I love your wallpaper 🔥❤️

[@TTWGD3]

Great review as always and hoping your boys at Sunderland can keep up their good form and hopefully be playing in the Championship next season. Well done mate 👍

[@loquacious1956]

I bought the Pixel 6 in the Kinda Coral colour and love it!!! Now to get my head around android 12.

[@nawafalahmadi9164]

Excellent review as usual

[@bodcare1332]

Great channel. Love your style. How do you find the size compared to the 5. Not keen on big phones, so curious. Cheets6