In a move that seemed to betray the leakers, Google announced the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.

Google did not go into much detail about the new Pixel phones, which will be available this fall. However, it did mention that the next generation Pixel will feature a new Google Tensor system-on-chip (SoC) aimed at bringing more AI and machine learning capabilities to the next generation Pixel.

Before we delve into that story, the most striking thing about the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro is their design. We've seen this previewed in renderings that are supposedly based on inside information. And it turns out that those renders are pretty legit, with both Pixel models featuring a large black rectangular camera bar at the top of the back.

The leaked colors are also pretty on target, with Google showing a two-tone orange, white, gray, yellow, and green design. The majority of the glass back appears to have a matte finish, while the space above the camera rubber appears to have a brighter, glossier tone. This is reminiscent of the two-tone design that the Pixel has used for years, but the Google Pixel 5 reverts to a two-tone color scheme.

In terms of key specs, the Pixel 6 has a 6.4" FHD+ screen with a 90 Hz refresh rate and a punch-hole selfie camera at the top center edge of the display; the Pixel 6 Pro has the same design but a larger curved 6.7" QHD+ display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz.

On the back, the Pixel 6 has a wide- and ultra-wide-angle camera, but Google has not mentioned detailed specs for these snappers. And the Pixel 6 Pro has a third camera in the form of a folding lens with 4x optical zoom.

The above is consistent with leaks we have heard this year, but the Tensor SoC is more of a surprise. We knew that Google was working on its own custom chipset, officially called "Whitechapel," but the fact that it is built entirely around a mobile version of the machine learning hardware Google uses in its data centers is very interesting.

The Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) of the chip is the core of the chip. We have seen this before when Apple added a Neural Engine Processing Unit to its recent A-series chips, but with Tensor, AI technology will become a major part of the cell phone processing pipeline, adding AI to almost every cell phone

This is how it is used.

An obvious area where this will be used is in photography and video, where machine learning will handle AI enhancements faster and better than before. Google has stated that we can expect to see this feature in tricky photography situations, such as shooting rapidly moving subjects.

In addition, Google has stated that computational photography will also come into play for videos, such as when shooting sunsets; Pixel phones have always provided very impressive photos, and the Pixel's AI capabilities are a key factor in the Pixel's success. So we will have to wait and see if this additional AI power will really make a noticeable difference in a variety of shots and situations.

Beyond that, the Tensor chip will boost things like voice recognition and perhaps allow new Pixel phones to offer a more personalized experience to users. This, as well as core specs and pricing, is expected to be revealed more when the full Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are revealed this fall.

When it comes to pricing, both Pixel models appear to be shaping up to be proper flagship devices again, just as the Pixel 4 XL was, or at least tried to be. It is therefore no surprise that the Pixel 6 Pro costs more than $1,000, especially given that it uses custom silicon. Google itself has stated that the Pixel 6 will be a "premium-priced product."

The exact release date for the Google Pixel 6 is only vague, "later this fall." Therefore, it is expected that more details will be announced around October.