Google Unveils Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro With Proprietary Tensor Chipset

Google has officially unveiled the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro with a unique design and its first mobile processor, a "proprietary tensor chipset".

Google pulled the covers from its latest Pixel on Monday, revealing pixel 6 and Pixel 6 pro via a press release and a series of Tweets with some good measure of explicit leaks. Both smartphones represent a drastic upgrade for the Pixel line with a fresh look.

Google channeled the focus on the new system on a chip (SoC) that will be inside the new Pixels rather than releasing all the details on its new Android phones. The chip is called the Tensor SoC, named after the Tensor Processing Units (TPU) Google uses in its data centers.

More information revealed that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will forgo using a Qualcomm processor, opting for a chip that Google designed in-house instead. Just as Apple has ditched Intel in favour of its own silicon for the MacBook and Mac lines.

Google Tensor is the custom processor from the search giant, and it will make its debut in the Pixel 6. Image Credit: Google

Instead of the camera square array found on most recent smartphones including the Pixel 5, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro boast of a new design with a camera bump that goes across the back of the phone in a single line. The reason for the change is due to larger sensors and lenses. By switching to the new design, Google has enough room in the so-called "camera bar."

Google said that customers can distinguish the Pro from the regular Pixel 6 by the larger space between the top of the phone and the camera bump, although the differences don't end there and that it would unveil more information, including full specifications, pricing, and release date later this year.

Google says it has finally swapped out the aging camera sensor inside the Google Pixel 5 (the same one found inside the Pixel 2) for one designed to work specifically with Tensor, so we have high hopes for the Pixel 6/6 Pro's rear snapper. The Tensor chipset will apparently also benefit Google Assistant, translation, captioning, and dictation – that is, anything that requires voice recognition.

A leak suggested that the main snapper on the Pixel 6 is paired with an ultrawide lens. The new camera housing hides two lenses on the Pixel 6, and three lenses on the Pixel 6 Pro. Google hasn't clarified the roles each lens plays just yet.

The selfie camera revealed an inch towards the middle of the top edge of the display when the phone(s) is flipped over.

The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will of course run Android 12, with Google's Material You research – announced at Google I/O 2021 – working to make the user interface as fluid and enjoyable as possible. Google also revealed that the new handsets will be very well secure, with "the most layers of security hardware in any phone" courtesy of Tensor's Titan M2 security chip.