The Pixel 6 lineup is one of the most exciting and powerful Google has had to offer in recent years. Unlike the previous generation of Pixel devices, this year’s devices are powered by an in-house developed SoC known as Tensor.
While it is still unclear which components come from Google itself, the new Titan M2 security chip and the TPU for AI operations are definitely designed by the tech giant.
This is accompanied by a fresh visual design that makes the Pixel devices more attractive. The Pixel 6 features a 6.4-inch 90Hz display whereas its bigger cousin, the Pixel 6 Pro sports a 6.7-inch 120Hz display that is sure to turn heads.
According to Google, the in-house developed Tensor SoC is 80% faster compared to the CPU on the Pixel 5 whereas the GPU will provide a whopping 370% increase in performance.
The addition of the in-house SoC also means that Google can optimize the CPU better just like Apple did on the iPhone. Also, it looks like Google is trying to distinguish the Pixel 6 Pro from the Pixel 6, with the former no longer just a larger screen variant of the Pixel 6.
Apart from the price difference, the Pixel 6 Pro sports more RAM and an additional 48MP telephoto lens. Moreover, the Pixel 6 Pro storage options go up to 512GB compared to the Pixel 6’s 256GB.
The Mountain-View-based tech giant also made it clear that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro won’t be coming to India because of ‘global demand supply issues.’
We want to remind you that neither the Pixel 4 and the Pixel 5 made it to the Indian smartphone market either. Google recently started pre-orders for the device on the Google Store, which was plagued by a number of issues ranging from shipping time delays to the Store crashing altogether.
Many also said that they were unable to make the purchase even though they had the device in their cart.
Pixel 6 series software updates
The Pixel 6 series will ship with Android 12 out of the box. With all that in mind, we will be tracking all the software updates, including security patches and bug fixes, coming to the Pixel 6 series in this section.
| Info. last updated on | Version | Region / Download | Changelog / User reports |
| Oct. 27 | SD1A.210817.036 | Global | Released |
| Nov. 02 | SD1A.210817.036 | Global | Released |
| Nov. 04 | Android 12L Developer Preview | Global | Coming soon |
| Nov. 17 | SD1A.210817.037.A1 | Verizon | Released 1, 2 |
| Nov. 17 | SD1A.210817.037 | Global | Released |
| Info. last updated on | Version | Region / Download | Changelog / User reports |
| Dec. 14 | SQ1D.211205.016.A1 | Canada | Released |
| Dec. 14 | SQ1D.211205.016.A4 | UK | Released |
| Dec. 31 | December patch | Multiple regions | Halted |
Bugs, issues, and problems
Like every Pixel series smartphone, this year’s lineup might also have some software or hardware issues. We will be keeping an eye out for bugs and issues with the Pixel 6 lineup and regularly updating this tracker so you don’t have to.
| Info. last updated on | Bug description | Status |
| Dec. 08 | Inconsistent and slow Fingerprint scanner | Update released |
| Oct. 29 | Nova Launcher keeps crashing | Workaround |
| Oct. 30 | Google Assistant voice typing option greyed out on Gboard app | Workaround |
| Oct. 30 | Pixel Buds A-Series promo code not working error | Workaround |
| December 14 | Noisy viewfinder while using cameras | Fixed |
| Info. last updated on | Bug description | Status |
| Nov. 8 | Messing with Pixel 6 animations can cause Always On Display issues | Workaround |
| Nov. 8 | Pixel 6 screen automatically turning on | Workaround |
| Dec. 3 | Pixel 6 Wi-Fi constantly turning off | Fix allegedly upcoming |
| Nov. 9 | Chrome won’t update | Workaround |
| Dec. 04 | Can’t open battery settings | Workarounds (1, 2) |
| Info. last updated on | Bug description | Status |
| November 01 | Telegram app stuck at 60Hz | Workaround |
| November 02 | Pixel 6 Pro ‘display residual light’ flickering issue | Fix coming in December update |
| November 03 | Missing ‘Quick Phrases’ option in Google Assistant | Workaround |
| November 03 | Missing ‘Vibrate mode’ icon in status bar | Unacknowledged |
| December 10 | Bluetooth audio playback occasionally pausing on YouTube, Spotify & other apps | Fixed |
| Info. last updated on | Bug description | Status |
| November 05 | Android Auto doesn’t appear on App launcher | Expected behavior |
| November 06 | Accidentally calling random contacts | Fixed |
| December 10 | Unlocked Verizon Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6 units not getting OTA update | Fixed |
| November 08 | Constantly PIN required or ‘Device was locked manually’ notification | Unacknowledged |
| November 12 | Missing 2FA sign-in prompts on Pixel devices | Workarounds |
| Info. last updated on | Bug description | Status |
| December 10 | Cannot turn off Game Dashboard toggle | Fixed |
| November 09 | Some Google Pixel 6 units can be unlocked with other people’s fingerprints | Comes to light |
| November 10 | Fingerprint enrollment failure issue | Assigned for investigation |
| November 09 | No quick mute option on screen when pressing volume keys | Comes to light |
| November 11 | Missing face unlock feature | May come soon |
| Info. last updated on | Bug description | Status |
| November 13 | Stutters when switching apps or scrolling | Unacknowledged |
| November 16 | Magic Eraser missing after Photos update | Fixed |
| November 17 | Auto-brightness eratic and inconsistent | Comes to light |
| November 18 | Pixel 6 Pro not charging at 30W | Explained |
| December 21 | Mobile network keeps dropping | Potential fix identified |
| Info. last updated on | Bug description | Status |
| November 19 | Transparent or blurred notification shade caused by a bug | Unacknowledged |
| November 20 | H.264 streaming not working with Chrome | Fixed |
| December 14 | Microphone or speaker not working properly | Fixed |
| November 22 | USB OTG camera feature not working properly | Unacknowledged |
| November 30 | HSBC banking app not working | Fixed |
| Info. last updated on | Bug description | Status |
| December 10 | Quick tap not working | Improvement update |
| November 24 | Alarm not snoozing using volume buttons | Unacknowledged |
| November 26 | Binance app keeps crashing or lags on the Pixel 6 devices | Unacknowledged (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) |
| November 26 | Alleged overheating during normal use | Workarounds |
| November 27 | Hearing Aids Bluetooth connectivity issues | Fix coming allegedly |
| Info. last updated on | Bug description | Status |
| December 10 | Intermittent Bluetooth connection with cars and wireless headphones | Fixed |
| November 27 | Third party chargers and cables not working | Workaround |
| December 10 | Excessive battery drain with the mobile network on standby | Improvement update |
| December 10 | Proximity sensor not working | Improvement update |
| December 02 | DJI Drone camera feed not working | Fixed |
| Info. last updated on | Bug description | Status |
| December 15 | Sony WF-1000XM4 Bluetooth issues with Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro | Persists after Dec. update |
| December 17 | Randomly keeps disconnecting from Android Auto | Workaround |
| December 14 | Rattling noises from camera module | Explanation |
| December 18 | Unable to listen to music using external DAC | Unacknowledged | December 20 | GBoard voice messaging is duplicating text | Unacknowledged |
| Info. last updated on | Bug description | Status |
| December 20 | Screen cracking randomly | Unacknowledged |
| December 22 | Call Screen and Hold For Me disabled | Acknowledged |
| December 23 | Fingerprint scanner brightness is not adjustable | Unacknowledged |
| December 24 | Auto-rotate not working correctly | Workaround |
| December 24 | 5G, VoWi-Fi, VoLTE issues in Europe | Unacknowledged |
| Info. last updated on | Bug description | Status |
| December 25 | Constantly need to recalibrate compass (not working properly) | Unacknowledged (1, 2, 3, 4) |
| December 27 | Poor quality in front facing camera | Unacknowledged |
| December 27 | Rear camera lens cracked or broken for some | Unacknowledged |
| December 28 | December patch still not available | Sideloading guide |
| December 30 | Accessibility Service freezes the system | Workaround |
| Info. last updated on | Bug description | Status |
| December 31 | System UI not responding | Unacknowledged |
| December 31 | App update stuck at pending | Escalated |
Android 12 update trackerFeatured image source: Google
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