I have been reviewing smartphones (think Palm Treo) long before Google entered the field with the first Google Pixel five years ago. And the Google Pixel 6 is the first Google flagship model I've seen that could make Samsung look over its shoulder.

Make no mistake, according to Counterpoint Research, Google's market share is tiny compared to Samsung's, with the company's U.S. year-over-year growth rate at -7%. OnePlus, on the other hand, grew 400%, while Samsung grew 17%.

But if you look at what the Google Pixel 6 promises - and I mean promises, because Google has only teased key features so far - there is reason to believe that Google could finally break out as the best Android phone in a world dominated by Galaxy are many.

It is clear that the centerpiece feature of the Pixel 6 is Google's Tensor SoC, which is not an entirely new endeavor for Google, as it redefined camera phones with its work on computational photography in the Google Pixel 4. However, Google's decision to ditch Qualcomm for its own silicon in this flagship is likely to allow it to do even more.

The most eye-catching demonstration of the Tensor chip's potential that Google showed some reporters was a photo of a moving toddler. Samsung's Galaxy phones and iPhones struggle in this situation, but the Pixel 6 is smart enough to capture additional exposures from its ultra-wide-angle camera and correct them in post-processing. The result: a sharper image with no blurred faces as a result.

The Tensor chip also allows Google's computational photo magic to be applied to videos, such as when shooting a sunset. This kind of setup is particularly difficult on even the best camera phones, so we look forward to seeing what the Pixel 6 can do here.

"The tensor chip is probably the most interesting thing about the Pixel 6," says Ramon Llamas, research director at IDC.

"And since Google had a hand in its design, Google can chart its course a little more clearly, a little more tightly, rather than relying on different generations of other SoCs in other phones."

Tensor SoCs have many uses beyond cameras. For example, dictating while editing text on the fly with a thumb, the spoken text will instantly appear on the phone. In addition, the Pixel 6 is smart enough to deliver live captions for videos taken and provide live translation. This is just a fraction of what Tensor can do, and we will know much more once the Pixel 6 is officially launched.

For Google, Tensor is an opportunity to stand out in a field of Android phones that has become a bit stale in recent years. Unlike the Pixel 5, however, this time Google is targeting a premium price.

"When you're investing in your own silicon, it makes sense to target the high-end market where you can recoup some of that R&D," says Avi Greengart, founder of Techsponential.

Less important, but also encouraging, is the fact that Google has gone back to the drawing board with the design of the Pixel 6. A more upscale glass body, a prominent camera rubber across the top, and plenty of two-tone color options. It actually looks "new."

Now that shoppers are used to seeing similar older, thinner devices from Samsung and others, the Pixel 6 looks like a breath of fresh air. But Google needs to back up this look with the performance and good battery life that users expect. The company has so far only promised "all-day" endurance.

The Google Pixel 6 has a 6.4-inch 90 Hz display and two rear cameras, while the Pixel 6 Pro has a 6.7-inch 120 Hz panel and a 4x optical zoom lens. As such, Google should be a direct competitor to Samsung's Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Meanwhile, Samsung is reportedly preparing two new flagship phones, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3, to be announced on August 11. The next generation of foldable phones is intriguing, but barring a dramatic price drop, the Pixel 6 is likely to be the dominant new Android flagship phone this fall.

Of course, Samsung still has the Galaxy S21 series and the wonderful Galaxy S21 Ultra with its powerful zoom camera. However, consumers do not seem to be responding well to these phones.

In fact, according to Korean publication Business Post, sales of the Galaxy S21 in the first six months were down 20% compared to the Galaxy S20 and 47% compared to the Galaxy S10.

Samsung is also preparing the rumored Galaxy S22, which could offer a new RGBW camera sensor and a powerful new Exynos chip with AMD graphics. But it is not expected until early 2022.

And Google seems to be trying to make the most of this narrow gateway. We're ready to invest a lot in marketing and we want to grow," said Rick Osterloh, Google's hardware chief, in an interview with The Verge. But can Google really take on a company like Samsung?

"Samsung is the 800-pound gorilla, and given the large number of users out there, it would be hard to unseat Samsung. Nevertheless, it is important to have a high-end product that can compete with Samsung and Apple," Lamas said.

Google has a very steep hill to climb to overtake Samsung in sales, but at least the Pixel 6 may begin to change the conversation around who makes the best Android phones this fall.

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