A massive leak of Google Pixel6 reveals cameras, wireless charging stands, facial recognition, and more

A massive leak of Google Pixel6 reveals cameras, wireless charging stands, facial recognition, and more

Between the officially announced details of the Google Pixel 6 and the many rumors, it feels like there are no mysteries left to solve about Google's next flagship phone. However, that is far from the truth, as a massive new leak has revealed a whole new set of details.

The leak comes from Evan Blass, who shared a large number of images of the Pixel 6 via a Twitter thread. These images not only show off the phone from multiple angles, but also shed new light on some of the most interesting features that will be included in the new Google phone, which will be unveiled on October 19.

There are lots of little details to check out as part of the Blass leak, but we've boiled it down to the five main ones we find most interesting. Read on for all the important info.

Google has already revealed some of the specs for the Pixel 6 series, but some key features like the camera have yet to be announced. However, if these images shared by Blass are indeed authentic Google marketing materials, we may have our answer.

The three sensors, already noted for being the most ever on the back of a Pixel phone, consist of a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 48MP telephoto camera. The magnification of the last lens is unknown, but it is rumored to be capable of a 4x zoom.

Previous Pixel phones have already made it into our best camera phone guide thanks to fewer and smaller sensors than rival phones and Google's industry-leading photo post-processing software. We have high hopes that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will do the same.

We're hearing a lot from Google about how the Pixel 6 will be smarter and more useful than any other phone, thanks to a combination of the new Tensor chip and well implemented Android 12 features. And the appearance of the new widget QR Code Ticket seems to demonstrate that.

Accessing tickets and payment cards on Android phones is not that difficult, thanks to various button and icon shortcuts to Google Pay that vary depending on the phone you are using. But Google wants to provide what it needs more directly via this "Live Space" widget, as XDA Developers' Mishaal Rahman commented on the Blass leak based on his own Android 12 knowledge.

It's hard to get too excited about the promise of smarter phones without a real example, but we have an idea of what Google has in mind. It will be interesting to see if there are more useful features in this style.

Google's Pixel Stand wireless charger has been around since the Pixel 3 and is starting to look dated. So it is exciting that rumors about a new Pixel Stand seem to be confirmed by these leaks.

The new stand appears to be much more substantial than the original model, which makes sense given that the rumor also claims that it will offer a higher charging speed (potentially 23W) than before.

Another detail that caught our eye is the performance mode and quiet mode icons at the bottom of the screen that appear as part of the ambient charging display. These icons make sense considering the rumored addition of a cooling fan to the stand, and suggest that a slower charging speed will be offered if you want to leave the fan off, while at full speed you will need to turn the fan on to cool the stand and phone .

Google has sadly already confirmed that it will not include a charging brick with the Pixel 6 device, following the example of Apple and Samsung. However, a new charger design with the G logo stamped on it has appeared in leaked images. This could be another accessory that Pixel 6 owners will get at launch, or it could be part of the Pixel Stand package to provide proper power.

Google's apparent removal of the rear fingerprint sensor from the Pixel 6 led many to believe that it would be replaced by an under-display scanner to unlock the phone. What we may see, however, is the return of face recognition security to Pixel phones; the security menu seen in this shot from Evan Blass lists both fingerprint and face recognition unlock options.

Currently, the only Pixel that can manage secure face unlocking is the 2019 Pixel 4 series, which had a decent implementation of face unlocking but fell short of Apple's Face ID; the Pixel 6 appears to have an even trickier task ahead than the Pixel 4. That's because the leaked image shows no sign of a secondary sensor to make sure the camera is looking at your face and not your photo.

As a result, we may end up with only a secondary fingerprint sensor unlock method, similar to what many Android phones already offer.

Last but not least, Google's matching case for the Pixel 6 series is now available. As can be seen in the images below, at first glance one might think it is a naked phone since the cases are the same color.

According to previously unofficially leaked Pixel 6 Pro cases, the Pixel 6 Pro is not particularly bulky. Of course, if you want something more rugged to protect your Pixel 6, there are bound to be plenty of third-party cases available soon after launch.

We won't have to wait too long to find out all about the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, as the next Google Pixel event is set to take place on October 19. We're going to cover it in full, so be sure to check back for all the news as it breaks.

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