Pixel 6 Pro - review and comparison with iPhone 13 Pro Max

Google w roli producenta smartfonów delikatnie mówiąc nie jest hegemonem. Ba, jeśliby istniał Gartner magic quadrant, gigant z Mountain View wylądowałby pewnie w części niche players (gracze niszowi), ocierając się o prawą stron wykresu, gdzie można znaleźć wizjonerów. Wizjonerów tylko ze względu na możliwości fotograficzne ich urządzeń. Google bez wątpienia przyczyniło się do rozwoju fotografii mobilnej wraz z wypuszczeniem na rynek pierwszego Pixela w 2016 roku. Urządzenie na owe czasu miało rewolucyjne możliwości w dziedzinie fotografii obliczeniowej. Tryb nocny, portretowy oraz agresywny HDR pokazały możliwości tego producenta oraz wskazały, jak ważne jest oprogramowanie aparatu. Od drugiego Pixela jednak Google nie zmieniło kamer pod względem hardware’u. Wciąż to ta sama 12 MP matryca, z której po prostu nie dało się wycisnąć nic więcej. Oprócz tego, urządzenia spod znaku Pixela miały wiele innych wad: słaba wydajność, nudny design, pogarszającą się żywotność baterii, żeby wspomnieć jedynie kilka. Nie sprzedawały się prawie wcale. To dość osobliwe, że urządzenia firmy, która jest motorem napędowym Androida nie potrafi na stałe zagościć w topie producentów sprzętu na tym systemie operacyjnym opartych. Telefony Google bardziej ciekawiły prawdziwych entuzjastów, ba, na początku miały służyć głównie deweloperom. Czasy linii Nexus już nie wrócą a Google po raz szósty stara się rzucić rękawicę gigantom. Samsung i Apple w tym roku stabilizują się na pozycji producentów dyktujących warunki rynkowe. Dlatego Pixela 6 Pro zdecydowałem się porównać właśnie z najnowszym dzieckiem Apple (wspominając również o S21 Ultra). Czy można mówić o Pixelu 6 Pro w kontekście flagowca? Przekonajmy się.

Execution and design

Google Pixel 6 Pro

Rating: 8

Leaks about the new Pixel began to appear probably around April. Google decided to show the devices somehow 3 months ago, so there was absolutely no surprise, as 2 weeks ago the phones were officially presented and the rest of the cards were discovered. The design of the new line is certainly interesting and distinguished. The belt with cameras in a very interesting way divides both parts of the device, the manufacturer has even tempted to use double colors. We have 3 color versions to choose from: Stormy Black, Cloudy White and Sorta Sunny. The Stormy Black variant is the most borest - black and gray, while Sorta Sunny combines pastel -yellow with peach color. I like this version the most. I think Google has done a lesson in terms of design. The device certainly stands out in the crowd, the camera strap is symmetrical and does not mean that the phone located on the back will be unstable and annoying the surface, when you have to write something on the screen. Some work, it is fine. The device is well balanced, but it looks quite empty inside. A delicate impact with a finger on the screen causes a strange sound - as if there was an empty space under it. The downside certainly belongs to the use of glass, which is not matte and just touched causes the back of the phone to dirty. At the front we have a displayed display, Gorilla Glass Victus glass - the same at the back. The aluminum frame is also not matte. There is an IP68 certificate. In Europe, the 256 GB version is only available in Stormy Black. In the USA, Stormy Black can be purchased in the 512GB, Cloudy White option in 256GB and Sorta Sunny 128GB. WTF Google?

iPhone 13 pro max

Rating: 9.5 (high weight and glossy frame)

If you saw the iPhone 11 Pro Max, you basically saw the iPhone 13 pro max. In Model 11 Pro, the back of the phone has changed slightly (matte glass appeared) and cameras (square module in the corner). The 12 PRO model changed the device frame and screen. This year, thirteen in the Pro version has a slightly higher camera module and larger lenses. The screen has a 15% smaller notch. A new color has been added - blue Sierra Blue (according to the author of the most beautiful). Four color versions (Sierra Blue, silver, gold and graphite) are available in 128GB memory options - 1tb in any color version (sic!). The device may like and It is certainly recognizable. As for the quality of workmanship, well, Apple rather sets standards here. A frame made of hardened steel, reinforced display glass (Apple claims that the hardest on the market) and the overall impression of holding a solid device in hand. The iPhone version 13 Pro Max has an IP68 certificate.

Display

Google Pixel 6 Pro

Rating: 8

Google has joined, like Apple, to producers offering a screen refreshing at 120Hz. Pixel 6 Pro has a LTPO panel, which can enter "rings", but where there is no such need, the refresh rate can drop to 10 frames per second. The display has a native QHD+ resolution (1440 x 3120) - we cannot change it, with a density of 512PPI in size 6.7 in diagonal. The manufacturer gives a maximum brightness of 1000 rivets. The panel manufacturer is Samsung and the E5 model was used here. In my opinion, color mapping and calibration leave a lot to be desired - the display is calibrated towards cold temperatures. However, the biggest caveat for me is maximum brightness. While I would be able to accept 1000 rivets, because it is a number at the flagship level in 2021, it is practically impossible to force the high contrast mode (at least I did not succeed on a sunny day). The panel compared to the Cuppertino competitor is poor - it is simply dark. However, my test pixel did not have any defects about which different users like light bleeding or flickering reported. This is a correct panel, but it stands out from the competition, unfortunately slightly in a minus. I am not a supporter of rounded displays myself.

iPhone 13 pro max

Rating: 10

Apple also followed the "invisible hand of the market" and decided to use the LTPO panel with a maximum display frequency of 120Hz.The panel is contrasting, very well calibrated and bright.On Sunny Day I had absolutely no problems with seeing the content of the screen.It is worth mentioning that, however, Pixel compared to the iPhone has a reduced brightness mode and can lower it very significantly, so if you use the phone in the evening, this is a very useful "feature".When it comes to technical data, the iPhone 13 pro max display looks as follows: 6.7 inch diagonal, resolution 2778x1284 and a density of 458 PPI.

Efficiency and convenience of use

Grades:

Google Pixel 6 Pro 8/10

iPhone 13 pro max 10/10

I decided to combine these categories.As I am not a player, I will not be able to clearly tell you how he is doing in Pixel and iPhone games.However, I refer to tests, which there are plenty of on the web in this topic.I use smartphones to browse social media (Twitter, FB, IG), take photos, manage page on FB, use the corporate mail in Google Workspace, managing channel on YT by YT studio, developing photos in lightroom.In addition, navigation through CarPlay and Android Auto.On average, "on the phone" I spend about 6-8 hours a day.

The worlds represented by Pixel and Pro Max are different.Both representatives present very strengths of their systems.Google releases the first device with its own (redesigned Exynos system) SOC Tensor with Titan M2 - a processor responsible for safety.GPU is a 20-core Mali-G78 system.Apple has been installing its mobile devices (and not only) on board for years.In this case, we are talking about A15 Bionic, 6 core mobile monster.Both processors are made in a lithographic process of 5 Nm.For Apple, this system is provided by TSMC, for Google Samsung.Experience shows that we speak Apple and optimization and performance in one breath without thinking.What does it look like with Pixel?

Mountain View smartphone capacity is very good. I have not encountered absolutely any problems with the export of photos, I did not notice any trimming, the applications remain in the RAM and are not whipped. The equipment is very efficient and convenient to use. Gesture navigation works great and intuitively. In fact, between these phones, when it comes to convenience, you can leave an equal sign. Pixel with one hand and the way it is turned on is practically the same as what we know from iOS powered devices. In which Pixel wins by a few lengths, it is the ability to personalize the phone and a way of interaction with it. Google put emphasis on ML mechanisms and integration with AI Google. This can be seen everywhere in Pixel. The possibility of translating the text in the background in messages, integration with Google assistant, or newly introduced Material You, allows the user to assume that Pixel is his, that he adapts to his needs. Using the phone is pure pleasure. Unfortunately, you can't put him a laurel and a full note. The fingerprint reader seems to be from a different era, it is free and does not always work. In addition, the phone does not recognize the transcription of the Polish language in the recorder application. Tap to Wake does not work in 5 out of 10 cases and I had a problem with BT Sony WF -1000xm4 headphones - one very often just stopped making any sound and I had to put it in the housing and removed it again. This is the only device with which I had a problem with these headphones, and they are paired with 4 devices.

iPhone: What to write here so as not to come up with the wheel again ... On the stable version of iOS 15.1 everything works, the links are opened in native applications and integration with Google Workspace is at a decent level.The iPhone works very quickly and without jamming.Face id is mature enough to recognize my face in 10/10 cases, unless I have a mask, the phone does not hang - it's a real "love story".

Battery

Grades:

Google Pixel 6 Pro 5/10

iPhone 13 pro max 10/10

These are two worlds again.While the iPhone simply destroys the competition this year, Pixel simply suffers from unknown reasons.The size of the battery speaks here to the iPhone and it might seem, judging by the specification that this will not stand the fight with Pixel: 4352 to 5000 mAh.My experience with these two smartphones says something completely different.The iPhone can provide me with about 8-10h SOT, watch without use calmly 3-4 days.Pixel?Well.I have never obtained 5h sot.With a 7% battery, I connected a charging phone when SOT was at 4: 40h.I hope that the software update will solve this problem.The charging time in Pixel is better, because it charges with a 30W charger, and the iPhone unfortunately only 25W.But when I used the iPhone, I forgot about the charger completely, in the case of a phone from Google I was always trying to have it with me.

The camera

Grades:

Google Pixel 6 Pro 9/10

iPhone 13 pro max 9/10

For now, it seems that the iPhone crushes Pixel in every respect.Well, you can think so.So it's time for the most important in the category, i.e. the camera.Pixel is known for this because he has set trends in this field for years.

I am a photographer, I use the Sony system, but last week I used these 2 smartphones to compare them for you.

Pixel has 3 cameras: a wide -angle ultra lens (112ST, 12MP, f/2.2), standard (26mm, 50mp, f/1.9) and 4 times telephoto lens (48MP, 104mm, f/3.5).

Using this system is pure pleasure.Sometimes we get results that are simply perfect, inaccessible when using anything other out of the box (portrait mode, astro).It happens, however, that Pixel algorithms exaggerate with processing and embellishing the photo.As a photographer, I want to have the freedom to process and evaluate the degree of interference.Pixel can win with the iPhone a number of additional functions such as Motion mode.This camera has been a long way since the first generation Pixel presentation.We have a RAW, motion mode, 4 types of stabilization, the ability to adjust the color temperature on the screen, etc. A multitude of functions and at the same time simplicity means that in my opinion it is a top system when it comes to mobile photography.Google is a little too trying to get details out of the shadows, which often loses the photo depth and the night turns during the day.

The iPhone shows again that it will not give the field easily. From generation to generation, Cupertino devices were increasingly focused on this aspect. This year, creative modes have been added, which can emphasize the contrast, along with the previous generation Apple Proraw mode has been introduced, saving photos with a 12 bit color profile in DNG format. The system in the iPhone is as follows: ultra -ultrazerocal lens (12st, 12MP, f/1.8), wide -angle (12MP, 26mm, f/1.5) and 3 times telephoto lens (77mm, 12MP, f/2.8). The lenses are brighter than Pixel, but with less native resolution. The system is simpler, not so abundant to the multitude of personalization in the camera application. More settings can be found in the settings of the device itself. If I had to choose which system I would take one photo, I would choose Pixel without thinking. However, if it was about 100 photos plus video? I choose an iPhone. MKBHD is right -I am able to have a system that will take pictures that I will rate 9/10 every time than a camera that will take a 10/10 photo from time to time, and then serve me 7-8/10 that are badly processed . Video? Here, Pixel did a little lesson, stabilization works very well, especially in Cinematic PAN mode. I record movies very rarely, so I prefer not to speak about them.

Sample photos of Google Pixel 6 Pro:

Przykładowe zdjęcia iPhone 13 pro max:

Summary

Pixel is a great phone.It has an excellent camera, a very good display and a sensational optimized system.SOC designed by Google guarantees the integration and development of Google technology.Transcription and translation services are offline from the phone.This is the most "Googley" phone that I had the opportunity to use, and I am a Pixel user from the first generation.Given its price for the 128GB variant, the offer seems very attractive.Are there better devices on the market?Without a doubt - there is the mentioned iPhone 13 pro max, which simply won in virtually every aspect.There is also Samsung S21 Ultra, which has the same advantage over Pixel as an iPhone (much better display, much better battery, more predictable camera, faster charging, better bio metric and refined overlay).Its price, however, is also 300 euros higher.

Pixel, however, is the most interesting phone I had the opportunity to use this year.It has several infant age diseases, several of them can be solved with software updates.They are guaranteed directly from the manufacturer for the next 3 years (5 years to update security).The most exciting, however, seems to be the fact that Google intends to develop this platform and next year Tensor2 can be a real killer of flagships.At the moment he stands out, but it raises a lot of hope.If someone is able to get some shortcomings, they will definitely have a lot of joy from using this phone.This purchase is very profitable, and you can still be tempted by a cheaper version without Pro.

Other information about the Google Pixel 6 Pro smartphone: