Google dominated the news this week with teaser announcements about its upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones. The center of attention was a new Google-designed chip called Tensor (previously called Whitechapel).

However, Google is trying to create a true flagship device as opposed to last year's high-mid range Pixel 5. In other words, a high-end Android phone with an all-new design, a high-quality display, a larger battery... Yes, I mean everything to make it high-end.

But all of that comes at a cost. In an interview with Germany's Der Spiegel magazine, Rick Osterloh, Google's SVP of Devices and Services, declared that the Pixel 6 Pro "will be expensive. Ouch; it will be as expensive as the iPhone 12 Pro or even as expensive as the iPhone 12 Pro Max or Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Those who are waiting for the regular Pixel 6 to be cheaper may also be disappointed, but Osterloh said that this smaller smartphone "belongs to the upper segment and can keep up with the competition." He further stated that it will be a "mainstream premium product."

The Pixel 5 was certainly a better price drop than the overpriced Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, but it is understandable why the idea of an expensive Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro might stick: display issues with the Pixel 2 XL, disappointing battery lifespan, and the Pixel 5's middling performance compared to the similarly priced and more powerful Galaxy S20 FE, in the end, the Pixel (and Nexus phones before it) will always come with caveats.

To be honest, I worry that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are "expensive"; I have high hopes for the Tensor and smartphones in general, but I can't shake my concerns about Google's smartphone track record, although I can't entirely blame all the glitches on Nexus phones, I can hold them accountable for the Pixel issues.

Having used most of the Pixels (except the 3/3XL), I'm not left with much confidence; with better phones like the iPhone 12 Pro Max and Galaxy S21 Ultra justifying their price tag, depending on your perspective, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have a steep hill to climb to prove they deserve their premium price tags.

It must be emphasized that the $1,000 figure is merely a guess, as Google has yet to reveal an official price. However, we do know that Google plans to intensify its marketing efforts for the Pixel 6 series. The company's smartphone market share is tiny (at least in the U.S.) compared to the two strongest players, Samsung and Apple, but it appears to be serious about making inroads. Whether this attempt will bear fruit remains to be seen.

I am very excited about the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, mainly because I can't wait to see what Tensor has in store. If Google succeeds in taking its own path away from Qualcomm, it will be a huge success in my book. There is even a chance that Samsung will step up its efforts on Exynos (if it hasn't already) and further break Qualcomm's stronghold on the U.S. Android chip market.

Still, Google is unlikely to make inroads into Samsung's or Apple's market share, at least not this time. However, I would be happy if Pixels could once again become the de facto recommender for the best camera phone. In any case, fall 2021 will be a very exciting time for smartphone fans.