Google Pixel 6 Pro long-term review: why it didn't stay my daily driver

I’ve had the Google Pixel 6 Pro in use as my daily driver for three weeks now and I’m extremely torn. There are many positive aspects, and there are issues that led me to stop using it as my main device. This is my very personal opinion. As always, I bought the device myself.

Design and feel

In terms of design and feel, the Pixel 6 Pro is probably the best smartphone Google has ever released. It sits super well and balanced in the hand, with no edges, gaps or overly thick bezels. The buttons have good pressure points, and nothing wobbles.

At 163.9 mm long and 75.9 mm wide, it isn’t a small device, but you get used to it quickly. If you’re coming from a big smartphone like the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra or S21 Ultra, you’ll have no trouble with it. Because it is very smooth, I definitely recommend a case. On the lighter colors you hardly see any fingerprints. The camera module runs across the entire width, so the Pixel doesn’t wobble on the table.

Display and security

The display is top and extremely smooth with an adaptive 120 hertz. The only flaw: outdoors in the sun it quickly reaches its limit, and brightness has to be set to 100%.

The fingerprint sensor works reliably for me, but I’ve also heard very different reports. I find it unwise that face recognition was dropped. I appreciate it where you don’t have to wear a mask.

The display is made of tough Gorilla Glass. Even so, in the first few days, still without a screen protector, I already had some serious scratches in it. I don’t know where they come from, because the device was neither thrown in a bag nor dropped. That really disappointed me.

Android 12, battery and calls

Android 12 with Material You is very playful, and not everyone likes that. Luckily, most of it can be customized. Some things are still missing and will hopefully be delivered with updates.

For the first time since I’ve been using Android, I had problems with gesture control. When swiping left through photos, the back gesture is often detected, and I go back a page or close the app. That’s super annoying.

Battery life was often criticized. I get through the day very well with it and usually only plug it in the next morning. I find the charging time reasonable and quite fast.

The voice quality on calls is super clear, and reception is very good, too. Handy: when a company with a web presence calls, its name is displayed right away. That’s one advantage of the Google data kraken. The stereo speakers sound nice, loud and full.

Camera

The camera is really great, and in my view there is nothing to complain about. It plays in the same league as the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the Galaxy S21 Ultra, which is exceptional given the price. I’ve already published a separate camera comparison.

Little things

• Always-on display: It’s there, but I leave it off. Instead, I turned on that the display lights up as soon as I approach the phone. I find that clever.
• Speakers: At first only one of the two worked; after several restarts it worked.
• Bluetooth: My Galaxy Watch paired without any problem, but the Galaxy Buds 2 and my AirPods Pro initially didn’t. The sound was tinny, and the volume couldn’t be controlled. Google support responded very quickly. In the end, I solved it with a full reset of the device, after which it worked with the Galaxy Buds 2, too.

Verdict: why it didn’t stay my daily driver

The Pixel 6 Pro is a really very good, strong and stylish device that you can’t go wrong with. Still, I decided against continuing to use it as my main device. From the start, I had the feeling of holding a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, probably because of the similar size and the curved display. I catch myself wanting to open Samsung’s side panel. The Pixel doesn’t feel like something new and didn’t grab me emotionally.

I miss the innovation factor that, for example, a Galaxy Z Flip 3 or the S21 Ultra with S Pen has. It is an outstanding device with unbeatable value for money. If you own an older smartphone from two years ago, you’ll have a great time with the Pixel 6 Pro. If you have a current flagship from another manufacturer, you probably won’t discover much that is new.