This week, Google unveiled its latest Pixel smartphones , which will be powered by the company’s own custom-designed chip. The two phones, Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, have a slight difference in size and features, but are built to deliver on the search giant’s strengths in artificial intelligence and image processing.
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Google’s two new phones will have enhanced video features that include long-exposure option, moving object blur, and a reverse action mode. Upgraded camera software allows better capture of skin tones, and can reduce stray light in photos, which can make dark skin appear ashy. Some of these features overlap with
Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will also come with the latest Titan M2 memory chip that are better at protecting passwords and securing transactions in apps. Between the two models, the Pixel 6 Pro has more memory at 12GB, offers an extra 4x camera zoom, and a faster refresh rate. This puts the phone in direct competition against the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Beyond the custom-designed chip, camera, assistant and AI features, what makes Google’s latest devices more attractive than Apple’s iPhone is the pricing. The Pixel 6 Pro is priced at $899, significantly lesser than
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Google’s earlier Pixel phones have been better than its competitors’ in the Android smartphone market, but what lagged its sales is the company’s limited efforts in marketing the devices. Despite owning the operating system that powers top smartphones across the global, Google has a small share in the handset market.
The U.S. smartphone market continues to be dominated by Apple at 53% in the September ending quarter 2021, followed by Samsung, Lenovo, and LG, according to Counterpoint research. Pixel has less than 5% of the market. That’s a lot of catching up to do, and lot more cash to throw into its marketing budget.
But Google is making its hardware ambitions clear with custom-built chip, personalised software and affordably priced Pixel 6 and 6 Pro smartphones.