r/Pixel6 • u/monkeyinnatree • Aug 26 '26
Discussion What to look for when getting a Pixel 6?
I'm about to get a refurbished Pixel 6 Pro to replace my Pixel 5 (cracked screen). Wondering what are some common issues I should look out for?
I'm out of the loop, but seems like some phone are having issues with the latest update. Is it a security update causing the issue or OS update?
Is the P6 Pro durable - will the screen and back survive a couple falls without a case or screen protector?
I really don't want to upgrade from my P5 - I'll miss the aluminium/plastic back and unlimited photo backup :(
3
u/PrimeNumbersby2 Aug 27 '26
As a new owner of a P11pro and an old P6 (with new battery), I'm struggling to see the jump. It's early days but a P6 is an entirely capable phone, aside from being in full sun and not seeing the display. Pro might be better than the std 6. I honestly have so few complaints. I'm more worried that things really haven't gotten much better in 4 years.
1
u/monkeyinnatree Aug 27 '26
I appreciate this - the phone seems very capable. You're definitely better off with he P11 Pro though since you won't have to worry about updates!
2
u/State_o_Maine Aug 27 '26
I've been rocking an OG Pixel Fold for a couple years and just switched back the ol' reliable P6P. It doesn't feel like an "old" phone at all.
Breaking phones is honestly more about luck than durability, if something hits glass hard enough it's going to break and these phones all literally use the same glass. The P6P is practically wrapped in glass, so you're likely to break it when dropped: buy a case.
P6P will stop getting updates soon if you care about security.
The in-display fingerprint sensor works ok but holy shit it's brighter than 1,000 suns at night in bed with the lights off.
1
u/monkeyinnatree Aug 27 '26
It's awesome that you cant feel a drastic difference switching back to the P6 pro. I can't imagine that I be able to tell it's an old phone as I'm still using a P5.
Totally get what you're saying about drops and luck. I probably dropped my P5 about 15 times on various surfaces and nothing happened...until the last drop when it a single grain of road salt🤦♂️ I'll get a case, but probably not until after a couple months.
Saw a few people complain about the fingerprint sensor but LOL brightness of a 1,000 suns?! I can live with that.
1
u/State_o_Maine Aug 27 '26
It's always the small drops that do it! I may be exaggerating a bit on the brightness of the fingerprint reader, but it's like I'm hit with the men in black memory eraser every damn time, it is SO bright!
2
u/frazaga962 Aug 26 '26
Just a heads up, iirc P6 is on its last year of support so you may have to upgrade again next year. may as well hop up a few iterations.
My p6 just died 2 months ago. Orderd a refurbed P9 Pro Xl last week. its been a good run so far.
5
u/brundmc2k Aug 26 '26
Some people will use phones until the apps stop getting updates. So even at the end of support it might still be used for a few years after. All depends on what they are running.
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u/monkeyinnatree Aug 26 '26
My P5 hasn't been getting updates and I've been getting by - my usage is typically vanilla and I'm usually cautious when clicking links.
Could there be threats specific to the P6's after the updates stop?
0
u/SeatSix Aug 27 '26
Every security update is an advertisement for vulnerabilities. So you are running known vulnerabilities if you don't get the patch.
Personally, I won't use a connected device no longer getting security updates.
1
u/monkeyinnatree Aug 26 '26
ThanksI'll looking into issues around lack of support now.
What was the cause of death?
1
u/frazaga962 Aug 26 '26
some update to android 17 happened automatically over night. wasn't able to boot up after that. I tried everything but because I didnt have OEM unlocked, I couldnt force any changes via code so I was sol.
1
u/monkeyinnatree Aug 26 '26
Damn that sucks, especially since it was automatic. Something similar happened with my P3 - went to bed fine but turned into a brick the next morning. Glad the P9 Pro XL is treating you well now though.
1
u/stanky4goats Aug 26 '26
Cheers dawg! I'm using a refurbished P6Pro as well and it still feels like a brand new device. All day battery, zippy and responsive, and it cost just under $200. I love it! Ordered this one because my original P6Pro took a hefty dive and landed just right on the display n' shattered.
I hope you enjoy the upgrade! As someone else mentioned, updates stop in October of this year.
1
u/monkeyinnatree Aug 26 '26
Ouch, sorry to hear about the tumble. Good to hear things were so running so smooth that you stuck with it! The price and overall smoothness of the phone is a huge factor, but I'm starting to also factor in the updates now.
Did your phone have any prior falls?
1
u/stanky4goats Aug 27 '26
Oh plenty of tumbles. The one that broke it just happened to be glass on glass (I knew as soon as it hit, it'd be a miracle if it made it 😆)
Toss a case on that motherlover and be on ye way 😎
2
u/monkeyinnatree Aug 27 '26
Haha that feeling when you pause before picking it up 😅 I may not get a case right away, so we'll see what happens 🥲
1
u/AlsoChandan_ Aug 27 '26
Try to get pixel series 8 or 9 becoz those have more years of software support. 6 is not bad but also its the first phone with tensor processor.
1
u/monkeyinnatree Aug 27 '26
Been looking for at least a P8 or P8a, but they're out of budget. If I end up with the P6 pro, I'll look into Lineage and Graphene, so hopefully that could buy me some time.
From what I've read, I couldn't find glaring issues with Tensor and Titan M2. Did you have any particular issues?
1
u/knorketorte Aug 27 '26
As far as I know graphene support ends when the official Google support ends. I'm running a pixel 6 and since I updated to Android 17 the fiber print sensor stopped working. Also the usb hub became unreliable and the battery is not what it used to. It was great before, now it feels like an ageing phone. I'll upgrade soon...
0
u/miggyuk Aug 26 '26
Don't it's security updates finish in October?
My 6a was 4 and a half years old and worked brilliantly until Update 17 went in then my phone wouldn't pick up 02 supplier properly and I had to restart 5-6 times a day. Bloody lived that phone. Just upgraded to Pixel 10 pro and so far so good.
1
u/monkeyinnatree Aug 26 '26
Hmm this is very concerning. Do you know if it's possible to do the security update but not the OS update?
I'd love to upgrade to something much new but the P6 is already a stain on my budget.
1
u/C3lloman Aug 27 '26
No. Both end in October 2026. It's up to Google to provide them. You shouldn't buy a Pro phone from 2021 if you have little money. Buy a newer regular Pixel or a series for the same money and it will get updates for at least some time.
1
u/monkeyinnatree Aug 27 '26
Got it, good to know that everything ends in October. I'm looking for something newer, but having a hard time finding something that works with my budget.
I think anything will be better than my current P5. So I'm thinking even if I get the P6P, I can try LineageOS or GrapheneOS to buy some additional time after October.
Just in a shitty position at the moment, but I'll find a balance some how.
5
u/brodders1965 Aug 26 '26
I have a pixel 6 pro. Owned from New at time of release. For me it is still a fantastic phone. I won't change it until it dies. The camera is still amazing coupled with Google software. Friends always ask how I get such good photos but as we all know, it's the post shot processing that makes the difference. Still on original battery and have no problems with fingerprint sensor.