New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….

Original story (published on October 26, 2021) follows:

The Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro are the latest in the much-loved Google Pixel series. With the stock Android experience praised by the majority of users, Google has also chimed in on the hardware.

While this is not the first time Google has modified the insides of its smartphone, it is Google’s first attempt at designing an SoC by itself. The Mountain View-based tech giant says the Tensor SoC allows them to make improvements to the computational photography models.

Pixel-6

In some GPU benchmarks, the Google Tensor SoC beats the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, Samsung’s Exynos 2100, and the Kirin 9000. However, CPU benchmarks tell a different story with Tensor being slower than the Apple A12.

Having said that, with Google optimizing the Pixel 6 Pro, it will definitely be one of the best devices to experience stock Android 12.

This year also marks major improvements to the Pro variants with Google focusing on distinguishing the Pro from the normal version by not only increasing the screen size and battery but also on the Pixel 6 Pro’s camera.

Google-Pixel-6-Pro
Pixel 6 Pro

It is also the first time in years Google has made significant improvements to the camera sensor on the Pixel devices.

While the Pixel 6 features a dual-camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor paired with a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, the Pixel 6 Pro comes with an additional 48MP telephoto lens.

The upgraded triple camera setup also results in much detailed and crisper images compared to the previous generation of Pixel devices. However, Google decided not to make use of the 48MP Telephoto lens to take Portrait mode images.

Using the Telephoto lens to take Portrait mode shots might allow Pixel 6 Pro to reduce the blur and unnatural look users have been complaining about lately.

Pixel 6 Pro – No portrait mode when using the telephoto lens! Do we think this will be added in a Firmware update? Big downfall for serious portrait shots (where you would always use the telephoto for less facial distortion)
(Source)

I noticed something has changed over time in Google’s computational blurring going from a more natural one to an overly blurred background creating very stark unnatural lines of the object. This issue was present in iPhone’s earlier portrait mode as well and they seem to have improved it by quite a bit. It has gotten pretty bad now on my Pixel 4 and my wife’s Pixel 5.(Source)

That brings us to the question, do you think Google should add support for Portrait mode using the Telephoto lens on the Pixel 6 Pro? Let us know what you think by voting in the poll or sharing your thoughts in the comments section below.

Update 1 (November 02)

10:42 am (IST): The poll results are out and clearly, most of you (90%) believe Google should give Pixel 6 Pro owners the option to use the Telephoto Lens in Portrait mode.

Another 6% don’t really care and a paltry 3% think it is fine as it is.

Note: We have more such stories in our dedicated Google Section so be sure to follow them as well.

PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.

Anurag Chawake
1373 Posts

My fascination with technology and computers goes back to the days of Windows XP. Since then, I have been tinkering with OS, mobile phones, and other things. When I am not working on anything, you will find me enjoying video games on some Discord server.

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