Hands-on with the first Pixel 6 Pro case
While we continue waiting around for Samsung to show off its upcoming foldable phones, there’s another device that’s even further away that we’re excited for. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have been leaked a few times now, with some renders showing that Google could be moving away from its conservative approach. After seeing a flop in the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, Google played it safe with options like the Pixel 4a, 4a 5G, and Pixel 5. But if these new renders are to be believed, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro could be the most interesting devices of the year.
A couple of days ago, Jon Prosser of Front Page Tech, shared that one case maker had already launched a case on Amazon using those same renders. But what’s interesting is that the case was actually made available for purchase for a phone that hasn’t even been announced or teased by Google yet. Prosser pointed out that the case maker was using the same renders that were revealed a few weeks ago, not doing a great job at trying to hide the watermarks on the images.
As someone who is getting more excited for what the Pixel 6 Pro could bring to the market this year, naturally, I went straight to Amazon and ordered the case. Taking it out of the packaging, and immediately I was elated because of the size. I had some concerns that the Pixel 6 Pro would end up being a bit larger than it needed to be, but it appears that the phone will be around the same size as the OnePlus 9 Pro.
Putting the Pixel 6 Pro case side-by-side with the OnePlus 9 Pro gives you a feel for what you could expect from the 6 Pro. Of course, this is just a case, so we don’t know what kind of materials will be used with Google’s next flagship. But what was even more interesting than the size, was the unique camera module.
It’s clear that the case maker is working with the same (or similar) CAD renders to what Prosser based his leaked renders on. With the camera module, we have a total of five different cutouts.
Google has been using the same camera hardware for the past few years, only making some adjustments to the software. Software processing is still top-notch with the Pixel 5, albeit a bit slower with the removal of the Pixel Visual Core processor. However, we’re expecting to see an all-new camera array with the Nexus 6P-like camera visor.
Rumors point to a 50MP primary sensor, along with an 8MP periscope telephoto lens and a 5x optical zoom. We also are expecting to see the LED flash placed on the right. Again, this case is just based on the CAD renders, so it would match up perfectly with the theoretical design shared by Prosser.
As is the case with these super-early cases and renders, this does not guarantee that the case I spent my money on, will actually work with the Pixel 6 Pro. But until the phone is actually announced, the case will continue staring at me as my excitement grows for the next flagship Pixel phone.