Google Pixel 6 Pro – 5G Android Phone – Unlocked Smartphone with Advanced Pixel Camera and Telephoto Lens – 256GB – Stormy Black

Amazing device. Google Pixel 6 Pro is an amazing device. I opted for the unlocked version to use with Spectrum Mobile, and 256GB since I sometimes had more than 128GB on my last phone (photos, videos, downloaded maps for Google Maps and outdoors apps,etc.).First, let’s address 5G service: It is hit-or-miss. It ain’t the phone’s fault, it’s just the nature of 5G. It has very short range from towers (that’s why 5G towers are popping up in subdivisions, city streets, etc.) and can’t penetrate buildings like earlier services. So, don’t blame the phone if 5G don’t work where you are. 4G and LTE are your reliable friends. Also, even if you do have 5G showing on the phone, don’t expect blazing speeds. I’ve tested speeds with 5G on and off while sitting in restaurants, doctors offices, city traffic (as a passenger) and at home. Sometimes 5G is 200mbps or better, and sometimes it is slower than 4G/LTE. It depends on distance from the tower, signal strength and traffic on the tower. Don’t write negative reviews for any phone based on unrealistic 5G wishes.Now, about the Pixel 6 Pro:Here’s what I like:1. The very large screen lets me read without always using reading glasses.2. Battery life seems to be very good for the amount and types of usage. I try to stay between 20-80% charge for longevity sake.3. The cameras (3 of them) are very good. I opted for the 3-camera 6 Pro for the cameras, allowing me to capture travel scenes without the added weight and hassle of the Nikon plus it’s lenses, charger, etc. We just returned from Aruba, and I didn’t miss the Nikon at all. I use the wide angle (0.7x) and telephoto (4x) a lot, and it’s pretty good when you use digital zoom at 20x. I use the photosphere feature often when traveling, and it’s a great way to share the experiences. And, the night and astrophotography capabilities are way better than expected. Get a mini tripod and try those sometimes (astrophotography shots can take 4 minutes). As a guy that used manual film cameras before digital was possible, I would like more control of the camera functions, but there are apps for that. After your images upload to Google Photos, try the Magic Eraser editing tool you’ve heard about to get rid of unwanted people or cars from a scene. It ain’t totally automatic, but it sure beats the old ways of doing it. I don’t shoot many videos, but I might now that I have better capabilities. If concerned about scratching the cameras, apply a tempered glass protector for the camera. It’s cheap and easy. And they have a cutout for the flash and microphone.4. Phone calls are reliable and clear. No problems with dropped calls.5. Google’s Spam Filters prevent most calls from getting through. If an unwanted call (or one you can’t answer immediately) rings, flip the phone face-down to shush it. Better yet, turn the ringer off before church service starts.6. The fingerprint reader works fine for me. Take time to train it for more than one finger, and increase sensitivity before applying a screen protector.7. There are many useful settings, so take your time and explore them.8. International use was easy. All I had to do was call Spectrum Mobile to enable international use, then take off. They charge per minute for calls, per text message, and per MB for data (please turn off mobile data roaming). It was super easy and reliable in Aruba, although we did get a welcome to Jamaica message.Now, what I don’t like: Nothing. I did my research and knew what to expect. Who would order a phone costing over $1000 (taxes, accessories, etc.) without knowing what they’re getting? I could gripe that it’s too tall for most shirt pockets, but I specifically wanted a big screen, so it ain’t Google’s fault. I could gripe about the swiping gestures, but I like them after learning how they work. There are many other smartphones out there, so do your own homework and buy one you like.Would I buy this phone again? Yes. Absolutely. But I was hoping the 7 Pro could be available before I killed my Pixel 3. Oh well, that’s neither phone’s fault.

Great camera, good specs for a midrange price, but AWFUL fingerprint unlock, affects security. 6/17/2022 Edit: Downgraded to 2* after another month or so of use, especially while traveling, again because of the absolute awful fingerprint reader. When your fingers are dry (or wet), they just don’t read properly, and it’s very annoying to try to unlock the phone. Far, FAR worse than a typical, behind the phone, dedicated fingerprint sensor. Just a stupid technology, and I won’t ever buy another phone with it.Replacing a much older LG G8 (flagship, back when LG made phones), at about 1/2 the price of the newest and greatest Samsung Galaxy. I’ve been using it for about 2 months now so some medium-term thoughts, starting with the awful, which brought this down to a 3* review. It might be lower, except you don’t have to use fingerprint unlock so there is mitigation, at least.Awful, just awful:-Fingerprint reader to unlock being in the screen, not back of the phone. I would merely put this as bad considering its performance, inconsistent behavior, BUT, I have had my phone unlock when I wasn’t even trying. I’ve read others able to unlock with non-registered fingers, and I think in my case, it was because of residual fingerprint oils remaining on the sensor area that caused the phone to unlock itself. Incredibly disturbing, and this has happened 3-4 times in the past 2 months, so it’s not a 1-in-a-million occurrence. I’m now rubbing off any residue constantly in the fingerprint area.The good (and this is good enough, I would normally rate this phone 4-5*):-Great screen, and huge-Camera is fantastic, edits are good enough I don’t often go to Snapseed any more-Runs Android 13 more or less out of the box-Better update support from Google-Smooth data and identity transfer from my old phoneMediocre:-Performance is here, not good, considering this is a flagship. Google’s Tensor chip is just “okay” compared to the latest Qualcomm-Subjective, but I’m not a fan of the hole punch front cameraBad:-Battery life. Not great to start with, phone grows warm when charging, I shudder to think what this will be in a year, and of course, I can’t replace the battery on my own-Camera bump has caused the phone to slide off a table at least once, even with a case onVerdict: If you don’t care about fingerprint unlocking, or just don’t care about your phone’s security in general, this phone is a slam dunk. If you do care, maybe think again. The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro was recently announced and it doesn’t look like they’re fixing this any time soon.

Dopo poco più di 3 mesi Dall’acquisto, mi accorgo (perché attivo la connessione 5G con il mio gestore) che lo smartphone presenta un difetto allucinante, non si connette alla connessione 5G.Contatto all’istante il venditore (dove vi consiglio vivamente di tenervi alla larga) mi dice che dopo aver speso 900€ devo contattare Google, cosa moralmente scorretta, che però avevo già fattoPoi mi dice di inviargli il telefonino, altra cosa fuori ogni logica visto che io (e non ero tenuto a dirglielo) ci lavoro.È un esperienza triste che non auguro a nessuno. Azioni scorrette.Ora mi rivolgerò ad Amazon e vedremo come continuerà sta cosa…

Easy to Use! No Dropped Calls. I have been dealing with dropped calls for years and really thought it was the cell phone provider and area in which I lived. No!!! IT WAS THE PHONE!!! I returned on my last phone which was the Samsung s21 and decided to get the Google Pixel this time. OMG!!! NO DROPPED CALLS!!!!! The phone quality is great! The picture quality is beautiful!! I’m still getting used to all of the new ways of going about doing things on this phone, but I don’t think I’ll be using anything other than Google Pixel for decades to come. I used to be a Samsung girl, but I had to put that down. If you’re wondering, what would be the best phone to get for your parents who are probably a lot like me and not into all the different gadgets, even though this one comes with a lot, and I’m still getting used to them, get them a Google Pixel. It is easy to operate, and they won’t be asking you 50 million questions on how to do this and that. This is definitely the phone for everyone and all age ranges.

Very good cel phone. Phone arrived in time and as expected