Pixel 6 is the flawed identify for Google’s new telephones

Google has lastly taken the wraps off the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. After months of leaks and official bulletins, the telephones really look fairly spectacular. This could be one of many few occasions in current reminiscence a tech product has lived as much as the hype.

Having used each of the telephones now (albeit very briefly), I can say this: these are the Pixels I’ve been ready for. I’ve written before about how Google has constantly shot itself within the foot ever for the reason that first Pixel in 2016, however that ends now. The brand new Pixels — and particularly the Pixel 6 Professional — are lastly on the level the place I could be prepared to purchase one for myself. I’ve by no means thought this a few Pixel cellphone. Ever.

I haven’t ever wished a Pixel cellphone as a result of there was nothing about them that bought me excited. The specs and design have been normally dated and the options I wished have been both half-baked or fully lacking. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional, although, are so wildly completely different. Google is lastly giving me (and most consumers I do know) what we would like. It’s a paradigm shift for the whole model.

I perceive why the Pixel 6 collection is known as this fashion. That is the sixth main cellphone collection within the Pixel household, so it’s a Pixel 6. I get it. Nevertheless, the identify suggests the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional are a part of an evolution. It brings to thoughts that that is the sixth episode within the Pixel TV present, and all different episodes have been main as much as this one.

Historical past: Every Google Pixel phone released so far

However I’m sorry, it simply doesn’t really feel that approach. This doesn’t really feel like Chapter 6 of a TV collection, this appears like an entire different TV collection. Think about you simply binged 5 episodes of a low-budget TV collection from ten years in the past and impulsively Chapter 6 begins and it has the finances and polish of The Mandalorian. That might be fairly jarring, wouldn’t it?

That’s what I really feel is occurring right here. This isn’t only a new chapter for the Pixel collection — this can be a new starting.

You’ll be able to have a look at any variety of elements of the Pixel 6 collection to see this transformation. The designs are wholly completely different, clearly. The cameras lastly get a modernization, something Google’s avoided for the previous three generations of Pixels. The show of the Pixel 6 Professional is essentially the most superior ever on a Pixel cellphone, and each telephones (lastly!) have huge batteries. Just about each spec and every bit of {hardware} is both extra superior, redesigned, or each.

As I mentioned, this can be a paradigm shift, and the identify of the telephones ought to have matched that shift.

I don’t know what Google ought to have used as an alternative. Perhaps take away the numbers and go along with letters? Google Pixel Z? Or perhaps Google may have dropped “Pixel” altogether and began one thing new. I’m positive the advertising staff may have give you some cool concepts.

In fact, I perceive why this wouldn’t be an excellent factor. Google has spent the previous 5 years constructing model consciousness for the phrase “Pixel” and it’s not about to desert all that work. Nonetheless, from a logical perspective, I actually don’t assume this cellphone has the correct identify.

This can be a new starting for Google

I’ve used each single Pixel cellphone. Whereas testing out the Google Pixel 6, I held the cellphone in a single hand and the Google Pixel 5 within the different. Actually, if I didn’t know any higher and somebody instructed me the telephones got here from fully completely different producers, I might imagine it. They’re extra completely different than they’re comparable.

Will probably be as much as every particular person studying this to find out in the event that they like this or not. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional designs are divisive, little question about it. What can’t be argued, although, is that the Pixel 6 collection represents a brand new starting for Google’s smartphone ambitions. The corporate is swinging for the fences right here, and that’s very thrilling. I’m positive it’s additionally extraordinarily nerve-racking for Google, nevertheless it’s thrilling for us tech followers within the stands.

I actually want the identify of this cellphone matched these ambitions. It feels bizarre for a cellphone that doesn’t play it protected bodily in practically any regard to have a reputation that, frankly, performs it protected. Clearly, the telephones will proceed to be the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional it doesn’t matter what I say, however don’t let the identify belie what’s really occurring right here. This cellphone isn’t just an iteration — it’s a declaration that Google is right here and able to shake stuff up.