Skip to main content

Expansive Google Pixel 6 leak confirms facial recognition, new Pixel cases

The Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are on the cusp of being officially revealed, with the Pixel Fall Launch event set for October 19. But new renders from reliable leaker Evan Blass leave little to the imagination, reducing the odds of any major surprises. Showing off everything from Face Unlock to the new Pixel Stand and even cases, the renders show that the Pixel 6 may very well be Google’s best phone yet in terms of both software and hardware.

Google Pixel 6 renders.
Evan Blass

The new leak doesn’t as much show us new things as it does flesh out little details we already knew. Android 12 and Material You, for example, look great on the Pixel 6 based on the renders. The company is making the Pixel interface feel a little more familiar to those coming from iOS and other Android skins by switching to a four-icon layout by default and moving to a rounder interface than it used previously. The color choices Google’s chosen for the hardware also blend well with the pastel-inspired software theming, as we’ve seen from previous showings.

pic.twitter.com/wrmq5KfUPE

— E (@evleaks) October 7, 2021

One thing that is new here is what appears to be the confirmation of a facial unlock system. This is a feature that Google had adopted and then dropped from the Pixel line between the Pixel 4 and Pixel 5. While its gesture system, Soli, isn’t making a comeback, Google seems to be bringing a reworked facial recognition to the Pixel. The company’s new chip, Tensor, will likely play a role in ensuring that it stays secure. Aside from that, what appears to be a new Pixel Stand is shown off, as well as a new style of Pixel case that differs from the fabric cases Google used to offer.

The Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro are expected to make their debut on October 19 at an online Pixel Fall Launch livestream that the company announced earlier. There, we’ll finally see Google explain everything else we don’t already know. A retailer leak from Germany has already confirmed the earlier reported pricing and street date of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, as well as the tempting (but expected) pre-order discounts and deals Google will offer with this phone.

Editors' Recommendations

Michael Allison
A UK-based tech journalist for Digital Trends, helping keep track and make sense of the fast-paced world of tech with a…
I tested the Pixel 8 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro. This one has the best camera
An iPhone 15 Pro in Blue Titanium (left) and Google Pixel 8 Pro in Porcelain showing camera modules.

Every fall, there’s lots of pumpkin spice, spooks, and flagship phones from Google and Apple. This year, Google released the powerful Google Pixel 8 Pro, while Apple upped the ante with the iPhone 15 Pro.

While the Google Pixel 8 Pro is more comparable to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, we wanted to see how it would do against the smaller iPhone 15 Pro as well. After all, the regular iPhone 15 Pro is still considered a flagship, and both phones share the same $999 price tag.

Read more
There might be something wrong with the Google Pixel Watch 2
The Google Pixel Watch 2's charging puck.

Google introduced an updated charging system on the Google Pixel Watch 2 that juices up the battery inside at a quicker pace. It's also more secure than the previous charger and doesn't get quite as hot. For the most part, it's a good upgrade.

But it seems some users of the smartwatch are facing charging woes. Multiple users are reporting that the supplied charging kit won’t fill up the second-generation Pixel Watch's battery.
What's wrong with the Pixel Watch 2

Read more
This one Google Pixel 8 Pro feature is driving me crazy
A person holding the Google Pixel 8 Pro horizontally.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro is a fine phone at $999. It’s got a great display, a good design, a bunch of AI features, and thr promise of updates over a long period of time.

I’ve been using the phone since launch and am getting accustomed to the new Google Photos features like Best Take and the improved Magic Eraser. I like the fact that I can get a great group photo without worrying if someone’s eyes are closed or isn’t ready for the photo. But the experience of using these features isn't what I was expecting.
It’s all about the experience

Read more