Pixel Fall Launch 2021 – Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro and Android 12

Google delivered its new announcements via a virtual streaming event at the Pixel fall launch event held on 19th October 2021. Traditionally, Google releases its new hardware in the autumn alongside the new OS, with other manufacturers updating in the upcoming months.

Back in August, Google unveiled the new device designs and Samsung-made Google Tensor chipset – a custom silicon platform that results in significant improvements for on-device AI. At last night’s event, we saw the full reveal of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, though specs and images had been leaked for many weeks prior.

The Pixel 6 features a 6.4-inch display, faster charging and new camera features like Magic Eraser, which allows you to remove unwanted objects and people from images. As a new strategy this year – there is a ‘Pro’ model featuring a 6.71-inch display, three rear cameras plus a bigger battery than the regular Pixel. Both devices are available from October 28. The devices will receive three years of OS upgrades and a further two years of security updates for a total of five years of software support.

The Android 12 stable build launched on the same day, with improvements in selected areas, some exclusive to Pixel 6 due to the AI capabilities of the new device’s Tensor chip. It offers improvements over existing areas such as in translation speed or dictation accuracy with Google Assistant. Android 12 is also rolling out to previous devices up to and including the Pixel 3 series from 2018. Other manufacturers make their own decisions on whether to support Android 12 or not.

New hardware provides the opportunity for innovation if there are new features that can be taken advantage of and Passenger are already considering possibilities that could be unlocked by the new reveals.

“Our apps are being tested, ready for Android 12 and we’ve been considering what the new OS and device feature reveals could mean for our products,” said Passenger Head of Product, Greg Hepworth. “We’re very excited to get our hands on the new Pixel 6 and Pixel Pro, and to see how our apps and websites will run on them”

While it may have been disappointing to see no mention of the potential Pixel Fold, Pixel Watch or Pixelbook 2, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, enlivened by the features enabled by the new chipset, is certainly enough to keep us all going until next year.