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The Google Pixel 6 Pro's overheating issues are now a legal matter
A class action lawsuit filed against Google alleges the company sold defect hardware on purpose
Google’s hardware products are routinely plagued by issues, so much so that some of our team members won’t unequivocally recommend Pixel phones anymore. The problems are nothing new, and the company had to deal with multiple class action lawsuits over the years, started and joined by customers disgruntled with the quality of their hardware. There is now a new class action lawsuit in town, alleging Google knowingly sold overheating Pixel 6 Pro units.
Breaking my Pixel gave me a chance to revisit 2021's wackiest phone
Ever wondered how “Ultra” phones age?
If you are an Android smartphone user in North America, your options usually come down to Samsung or Google, with potential options from Motorola or OnePlus if you’re a little adventurous. These are some of the best Android phones you can buy, but often pale in comparison to what is available in more competitive markets such as India and China. And while cutting edge 2024 flagships might be slowly rolling out, you don't have to go too far back in time to see just how different devices from Xiaomi or Huawei are compared to phones in North America.
Google Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 6: Should you upgrade?
The Pixel 7 is a more refined version of the Pixel 6, but is either worth buying in 2024? Largely, no.
The Google Pixel 6 launched in 2021 and instantly became one of the best Android phones you could get, despite a few stumbling blocks from Google's first-gen Tensor chipset. The Pixel 7 launched a year later, fixing many of those issues and providing a more polished experience. Both phones look, feel, and act very similarly, and at this point, both have been made obsolete by the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 7a.
Best wireless chargers for the Google Pixel 6 & 6 Pro in 2024
Fast charging, cable-free with these great wireless options
Wireless chargers are commonplace nowadays, and thanks to new standards like Qi2, it's better than ever. Simply pop your phone down and let it charge without worrying about cables slipping out or tripping over a plug.
Best Google Pixel 6 cases in 2024
Your all-glass phone needs a very good case, and here are your best options
The Google Pixel 6 is still going strong almost two years in, fully justifying its reputation as our 2021 Phone of the Year. And with the Android 15 update on the horizon next year, it's clear that this phone still has a lot of life left in it.
Google Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 6: Now's a good time to upgrade
One's twice as good, one's (sometimes) half the price
While the Google Pixel 6 got off to a rough start, a few months of post-launch updates turned it into a respectable flagship and worthwhile investment. By every measure, the Pixel 8 exceeds it in terms of performance, build quality, and features.
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Time to upgrade?
Is Google’s latest Pixel flagship a big improvement over the Pixel 6 Pro?
The Pixel 8 Pro is Google's newest flagship smartphone, and it packs several upgrades, including the powerful new Tensor G3 chip, a brighter display, and tons of AI enhancements.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Google Pixel 6 Pro: Which is right for you?
A big-phone brawl pits two former flagships up against one another
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra was Samsung's new flagship model in 2022. It represented the best the company had to offer and, in many ways, marked the unification of the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note lines. Given Samsung's prowess when it comes to impressive hardware, it's no surprise that the Galaxy S22 Ultra ranked highly among the best Android phones that year.
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Best Google Pixel 6 Pro cases in 2024
Protect that slippery hunk of glass from the cruel, concrete world
Despite a few years removed from its release, the Google Pixel 6 Pro is still a workhorse smartphone that many users rely on daily. The phone is still a great option as a new purchase too, and if you're contemplating adding a Pixel 6 Pro to your collection of electronics, it remains a quality smartphone that can be found at steep discounts. Perhaps most importantly, the Pixel 6 Pro still takes excellent pictures, competing surprisingly well against its successors.
Android 14 is locking some Pixel 6 users out of their phone’s storage
The issue is likely linked to having multiple user profiles
Every new major Android release is bound to have some bugs and issues. Android 14 appeared to be an exception, with initial reports from Pixel 6 and 7 owners praising the OS for improving their phone's thermals and battery life. But some Pixel 6 owners are not as lucky. While they are not facing overheating or battery drain issues, they have run into a bigger problem and are experiencing storage problems after installing the latest Android release. In some cases, users reportedly lost access to their phone's internal storage and files stored on it.
Google Pixel 7 Pro vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Should you upgrade?
The Pixel 7 Pro might not be a dramatic overhaul the way the 6 Pro was, but small refinements elevate the experience
Even with the Google Pixel 8 announcement around the corner, the Google Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 6 Pro still provide significant value for people who want a powerful smartphone without shelling out over $1,000.
Google Pixel 6a vs. Pixel 6: What are the differences?
Google's midrange marvel gives the Pixel 6 some stiff competition
Although Google has released the newer and upgraded Pixel 7-series models, the company’s Pixel 6a and Pixel 6 remain good options for anyone looking for a capable Android phone on the cheap.
Some Google Pixel owners are facing random app crashes
Another day, another bug affecting Pixel users
Google's Pixel lineup ranks high among our favorite Android devices on the market. And while we love the Pixel phones for their clean Android experience, the reality is they are relatively buggy compared to the best Samsung phones. Over the last year alone, there have been multiple reports of Pixel 6 and 7 users facing random battery drain and overheating problems that Google eventually addresses. Now, another such issue seems to be happening right now, with many Pixel owners complaining of random app crashes.
Some Google Pixel phones have excessive battery drain after June Feature Drop
A few people also face connectivity issues following the update
Google rolls out a new Feature Drop for its Pixel phones every quarter. With the June 2023 Feature Drop, the company added several new features like cinematic wallpapers, improvements to its Recorder app, and emoji wallpapers. Sadly, as has been the case with many Pixel updates in recent times, the latest build seems to introduce unwanted battery drain and overheating issues.
It's been two years since Google introduced the Pixel 6, bringing Tensor to the world and offering a smartphone that was truly Google through and through. Despite their age, the Google Pixel 6 and even Pixel 5 are both excellent phones and were even considered some of the best Android phones by many when they were released. But which one is better? Does the slightly older Pixel 5 stand taller with its Qualcomm processor, or was Google's first-generation Tensor chip everything that Google made out to be? Let's compare.
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Google Pixel 6 Pro camera guide: What you need to know about telephoto quirks, sensor size, and ‘macro' mode
Everything you need to know about the Pixel 6 Pro's cameras, including telephoto quirks, sensor size, and 'macro' mode, and more
Although we're all about the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro these days, both phones build on the legacy laid out by their predecessors. Just like on Google's 2022 flagships, the periscope telephoto lens was one of the main differentiators between the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro, forcing photo bugs to spend an additional $300 for the additional sensor.
Some Pixel phones are running too hot, but a fix is rolling out
A buggy app update was the root cause
Heat and electronics rarely ever pair well together, and that goes for the best Android smartphones as well. Intensive use, wireless charging, and atmospheric conditions are the usual reasons overheating smartphones, but now and then, software takes the blame. Recently, that was the case with the Google app running in the background and generating excessive heat on many phones, but mostly the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, and 7. Instead of letting the issue fester, Google has now rolled out an update which should fix the issue for all affected users.
Is the Google Pixel 6's new Night Sight as good as the Pixel 7's?
Google’s improved Night Sight algorithm is nothing to sneeze at
One of the biggest highlights of Google’s March Pixel Feature Drop wasn’t the debut of a brand-new feature, but rather, extending the availability of a Pixel 7-exclusive feature to the Pixel 6 series: Google’s best phones from 2021 received the Pixel 7's new Night Sight algorithm and controls. The company started rolling out this camera update in March already, but it took quite some time until it reached all Pixel 6 units out there.
The March Pixel Feature Drop has finally started rolling out to Pixel 6 phones
New features and security patches arrive 2 weeks later than we expected
If you're rocking a Pixel 6, 6 Pro, or 6a, you're probably sick of mashing that "Check for updates" button after Google twice delayed the release of the March Pixel Feature Drop for its late 2021 and mid 2022 phones. The big quarterly releases usually start rolling out on the first Monday of March, June, September, and December, but this one seems to have been a bit of a bugaboo for Google.
Insecure Exynos modems put dozens of Samsung devices, and other Android phones, at risk
For the time being, avoid making Wi-Fi and VoLTE calls
Many of the best Android phones released in the past year have used Samsung's Exynos modems to connect to the internet. However, if your handset uses any of these chips launched in the last three years, it could leave you vulnerable to hackers due to a critical flaw in those modems, as Google's Project Zero team revealed 18 unpatched vulnerabilities in Samsung's Exynos modems.