The Pixel 6 is a formidable Android phone at a very compelling price point. Could this be the turning point for mass take-up of Google’s stock Android devices? Let’s hope so, because it would be a massive shame if this didn’t prove a big seller. It’s great to use and offers plenty of bang for buck. You might not get a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz with the standard model, but the screen is terrific, too.

Well-priced; Years of updates; Striking design;

No telephoto; No variable refresh rate;

The Google Pixel 6 is an exciting phone that could compete with pricier flagship phones, but we still don't know enough about its Google-designed Tensor chipset to make the call now. As it is, the Pixel 6 is a bold new direction in design, cameras, and software with Android 12 out of the box, and we're eager to test it fully and deliver our final verdict soon.

Tensor chipset has lots of promise; High-megapixel main camera; Bold new design with large 6.4-inch display;

Big size and weight makes it a bit cumbersome; No telephoto camera; Camera block feels vulnerable to damage

The Google Pixel 6 is the new "value" king in the world of smartphones.

New camera sensors are impressive, Battery life is still very good, Larger size, Flat display, Incredibly priced

No charger in the box, 5G is weird, but not as bad as with the Pro, Display is only 90Hz

The Google Pixel 6 isn’t the most powerful phone on the market, but its new Tensor chipset elevates its photo-taking capabilities beyond that of rival handsets. While it lacks a telephoto lens, and its battery life isn’t anything to brag about, it’s a big phone with a 6.4-inch display, a radical new design, and a price that can undercut rival Android phones – although carrier-specific versions might be pricier.

Fantastic photos; Good price; Intriguing design;

No zoom lens; Middling battery

So many great software features; Nice array of colours; Strong camera hardware for the price;

Some jank in the software; The display lacks the 120Hz refresh rate of many similarly priced rivals; A couple of odd design choices;

Google's Pixel 6 is a sophisticated midrange phone that replaces the good, but uninspired Pixel 5. It takes a spot between the company's high-end flagship, the Pixel 6 Pro ($899), and the more affordable Pixel 5a With 5G ($449), and offers quite an impressive feature-to-value ratio for $599. With its combination of strong camera performance, long battery life, and unbeatable Android software, the Pixel 6 easily bests the competition and replaces the Pixel 5a as our Editors' Choice winner for midrange phones. The Future (Or Google’s Idea of It)  The Pixel 6's combination of curved edges and severe right angles makes the phone seem like it would be right at home in Tomorrowland. It maintains many of the influences that underscore Google’s design language, but an element of mid-century futurism is also thrown into the mix. We like the look, but it probably won’t appeal to everyone. At 6.2 by 2.9 by 0.3 inches (HWD) and 7.3 ounces, the Pixel 6 is more manageable than the bigger Pr...

With fast performance, all-day battery life, and an innovative camera, Google's affordable Pixel 6 is the midrange phone to beat.

Excellent battery life; Bright, crisp display; Fast performance; Durable build

Fast wireless charging not supported at launch; Wait Time and Direct My Call features are hit or miss

The Google Pixel 6 gets a lot right and on the whole, you get excellent hardware and software for a reasonable price. However, the question is largely whether the design is a step in the wrong direction or not.

Good value; Great cameras; Excellent software; 90Hz OLED screen;

Divisive design; Big and heavy; Slow charging;