Google Pixel 6: the chip is called Tensor

Google has unveiled the Google Pixel 6 and its big sister, the Google Pixel 6 Pro. Partially. The blog post is essentially a launch of Google’s system-on-a-chip (SoC), called Tensor. In addition, there’s some basic information about the upcoming Pixel models. The design looks exciting.

But what’s missing are numbers. So far, Google hasn’t released any figures for the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, or Tensor.

Google Tensor: previously known as Whitechapel

Google is saying goodbye to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon on both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro and is instead relying on an in-house development. Unofficially, the system-on-a-chip was known as Whitechapel. Officially, its named Tensor.

Google has not yet announced any numbers for the Tensor. But the company promises that the SoC will offer the best possible Pixel experience. It’s supposed to do this by using more of the chip’s resources for artificial intelligence and machine learning. The live translation feature is mentioned, as well as the fact that «Pixel 6 will have the most layers of hardware security in any phone».

This should especially be noticeable in Google phones’ greatest strength: photography. The revamped camera in the sixth generation of Pixel phones is supposed to offer better quality and new features. Google has not yet announced what exactly these new features are. More information is to follow in autumn, which is when the new Pixel lineup is expected to launch.

Preview of new phones

Google is aware that only a few people are satisfied with news about a chip, even if it is a small revolution on the market. So, the company has offered a look into the development of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.

The design is particularly noteworthy. The Google Pixel 6 looks unlike any other smartphone on the market. Where others rely on something akin to cooktops for camera bumps, Google opts for a black strip on the back of the phone. Google calls it the «camera bar».

According to Google, this design has been adapted to the «Material You» experience. Material You is Google’s new design philosophy that puts the user and their colour preferences first – instead of the app makers’ designs. The pastel-coloured Pixel phones take this into account. Unsurprisingly, both phones will come with Android 12.

Google Pixel 6 colours

The smaller of the two phones, the Google Pixel 6, comes in three colours:

1. Blue-grey with a yellow accent above the camera bar.
2. Pink with a red accent above the camera bar.
3. Black with a grey accent above the camera bar.

Google Pixel 6 Pro colours

The larger of the two Pixel Phones also comes in three colours, but they differ from the Pixel 6:

1. Black with a grey accent above the camera bar.
2. Yellow with an orange accent above the camera bar.
3. White with a light gray accent above the camera bar.

The launch date remains unknown – be it for Switzerland, Germany, Austria or globally.