Setting up the Google Pixel 6 Pro in Cloudy White step by step

I’m setting up the new Google Pixel 6 Pro in Cloudy White, from the very start. At the end I look at what Android 12 with Material You looks like. As always, I bought the phone and the accessories myself, and I’m not paid for my opinion.

First look at the phone

The Pixel 6 Pro has a 6.7-inch curved OLED display with 120 hertz and weighs 210 g. That is not comparable to the Pixel 5 or 4. Size and feel remind me of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. It is the first phone with a Google-made chip, and it has three cameras on the back and one on the front. There is no memory card slot.

Setting up in steps

1. Set the language: German, Germany.
2. Mobile network and Wi-Fi: I’ll insert the SIM card later and connect to Wi-Fi right away. Preparing the phone takes a few minutes.
3. Copy data: You can transfer apps and data from an old Android or iOS device, by cable or over Wi-Fi. I’m setting up a completely new device and copying nothing.
4. Google account: Sign in, agree to the terms of use and choose the Google services. These include location, Wi-Fi scanning, usage data and automatic updates. I accept everything. I have not enabled Google’s cloud backup.
5. Set a PIN: This is what unlocks the phone.
6. Set up the fingerprint: The sensor lights up nice and bright. The important thing is to change the position of your finger, lift it and place it again, and tilt your fingers to both sides. To my great regret, face unlock has been removed, which leaves PIN, pattern or fingerprint.
7. More Google services: I set up voice control with “Hey Google”, also on the lock screen, because that is handy when the phone isn’t in your hand. I also enabled music recognition. It shows the title and artist on the lock screen. I don’t need the always-on display, as I think it only eats battery. Many people think it’s cool, though, so it’s good that Google is now building it in too.
8. Touch gestures: The assistant explains, for example, how to swipe up from the bottom edge to get to the home screen or how to go back from the left or right edge. That works in both directions.

Material You: customizing the design

A long press on the home screen takes you to wallpaper and style.

• Wallpaper: your own photos or Google’s photos. I pick a flower picture in the dark theme, for the home and lock screen.
• Colors: background colors and basic colors that change the system color. I briefly switched it to green and undid it again.
• Icon design (still beta): The icons take on the system color. That only works with Google’s own apps, while others keep their design. To me that looks inconsistent, which is why I already turned it off again on the Pixel 4.
• App grid: You can change the size of the apps, up to 2 x 2. That helps people who don’t find small displays easy to use.

Camera and Magic Eraser

In the camera I allow location access so that photos are saved with place and time, which makes searching easier later. You give up a bit of privacy for that. Top Shot records a short video when you take a photo and suggests the best moments to save. That helps with group photos when someone has their eyes closed.

After a photo, the camera offered to blur the background. It had noticed that I hadn’t used portrait mode and makes up for it afterward. You can choose the strength of the blur. I think that’s a great thing.

On the original I then used the magic eraser (Magic Eraser) under Edit, Tools. Google suggests areas, but you can also draw in yourself. The calendar in the background disappeared. Depending on the background it probably works better or worse, but for a first edit it’s pretty decent.

Fingerprint sensor

People often said the sensor doesn’t work properly. I find it relatively fast. If there is a delay at all, it’s minimal. On Samsung the sensor unlocks a tick faster, but for me that’s fine.

Recommending a case

Ad: The phone is very slick and likes to slip out of your hand or off the sofa. I recommend a silicone case. I found one that doesn’t add as much bulk and gives a better grip. You’ll find the link above.

Verdict

I’m looking forward to using the Pixel 6 Pro as my daily driver, especially the camera, which I’ll put through its paces.