Is the Google Pixel 6 Pro Better After Software Updates?

TL;DR

The Google Pixel 6 Pro improved after several software updates, but persistent auto-brightness, fingerprint-reader, and connectivity problems still kept it from earning a renewed recommendation. By the March security update, constant frame drops were described as 95% fixed and the camera app had returned to normal launch speed, yet the phone still felt inadequate at $900. Read on for the specific fixes, remaining faults, and comparison with the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Transcript

all right so i usually keep you all updated on this but a lot of people ask and maybe you don't know so i have access to a lot of different phones and the question is usually is what phone do you use on the daily so the phone that i keep coming back to after i review a phone for the past year and a half on android has been samsung's galaxy s21 ultr... Read More

Key Insights

• 😒 The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has been the speaker's preferred phone for daily use due to its design, display, and camera quality.
• 👤 The Google Pixel 6 Pro experienced a decline in user experience over time, with bugs and performance issues impacting various functions.
• 🎥 Software updates have addressed some problems but have not fully resolved the issues with display, camera, connectivity, and animations.
• 🤕 The Pixel 6 Pro's user experience trajectory is atypical, aging rapidly and requiring early software updates to maintain satisfactory performance.
• 📣 The speaker remains hopeful for future Pixel phones with improved hardware and software to deliver a better Google phone experience.
• 🤩 The Pixel 6a, rumored to release in the summer, may offer a more affordable option with potential improvements in key areas.
• 🤕 The aging pattern of Pixel phones is an important consideration when evaluating and reviewing these devices.

Questions & Answers

Q: Is the Google Pixel 6 Pro better after its software updates?

Yes, it was better after a couple of successful software updates, but not enough to change the speaker’s opinion. By the March security update, constant frame drops were described as 95% fixed and the camera app had returned to its normal launch speed, while other problems remained.

Q: Why did the speaker give the Google Pixel 6 Pro another chance?

By April, a couple of successful software updates had arrived after the speaker publicly criticized the phone’s decline. Six months after launch, he put his SIM card back into the Pixel 6 Pro to test whether those updates had fixed the experience.

Q: What problems remained on the Google Pixel 6 Pro after the updates?

Auto-brightness was still poor, and the fingerprint reader remained slow compared with those on other phones. The phone also had noticeably worse cellular connectivity, took longer to regain signal, and experienced issues with Wi-Fi calling.

Q: What display problems did the Google Pixel 6 Pro have?

Although the display supports 120 hertz, it repeatedly slowed to well below 90 and often below 60. This produced large frame drops and stuttery animations when opening and closing apps, though the March security update was said to fix 95% of the constant drops.

Q: Did the Google Pixel 6 Pro camera improve after the updates?

Yes. The camera had previously been slowing down, but after the March security update, its app returned to normal launch speed.

Q: Why could the speaker no longer recommend the Pixel 6 Pro at $900?

By January, the phone had become increasingly buggy since its October launch, and a botched January software update made the situation worse. Because it still cost $900 directly from Google, the deteriorating user experience made it impossible for the speaker to recommend.

Q: How did the Pixel 6 Pro’s connectivity affect everyday use?

Its modem and cellular connectivity were noticeably worse than those of other phones, which also affected battery life. In a regular dead zone on the speaker’s commute, it took longer than any other phone to regain enough signal for the maps app to work, and Wi-Fi calling was also unreliable.

Q: Why did the speaker keep returning to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra?

For about a year and a half, the Galaxy S21 Ultra remained his daily Android phone even after newer devices, including the S22 Ultra, appeared. He considered its design, display, and cameras rock solid, while its feature-rich software performed reliably.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has been the go-to phone for the speaker after a year and a half of testing various phones due to its solid design, display, and cameras.

• The Google Pixel 6 Pro, despite initial positive reviews, started experiencing numerous bugs and issues that affected the user experience after a few weeks and months.

• While software updates have improved some performance problems, the overall user experience, including display, camera, connectivity, and animations, remains subpar for a $900 phone.