Google’s Pixel smartphones have always leant on AI tricks to overcome hardware weaknesses, utilising complex algorithms and cloud processing rather than raw power.

But this year, with the Pixel 6, the company’s built a device with brains and brawn. With all new camera hardware, a custom processor for more capable on-device (rather than cloud-based) AI capabilities and a fun, confident aesthetic in both build and software, these machines measure up to Apple’s 2021 iPhones in almost every way while coming in significantly cheaper.

The standard Pixel 6 is bigger, prettier, more powerful and has far superior cameras compared to last year’s Pixel 5, but sticks to the same price of $999. It also has a bigger, smoother display than the equivalent iPhone 13, takes nicer pictures in many scenarios and comes in at $350 less.

I really like the Pixel 6’s unusual glossy two-tone body, broken up by a chunky horizontal camera bar. It has a completely flat 6.1-inch display and a satiny frame that looks great with Google’s new botanical wallpaper themes.

Meanwhile the $1299 Pixel 6 Pro (which is $400 or $550 less than the iPhone depending on whether you compare it to the 13 Pro or 13 Pro Max), is essentially the same physical size as the regular Pixel 6, but with smaller bezels and a curved design that allows for a bigger 6.7-inch display. It looks a bit ritzier, but maybe not quite as fun, with a thin polished metal frame.

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Both phones are powered by Google’s own Tensor processor, have beautiful AMOLED screens with fast refresh rates (90Hz on Pixel 6 and up to 120Hz on the Pro), IP68 waterproofing, 30W fast charging and 128GB of storage. They have enough grunt to handle any game or app I threw at them, excellent (but not industry-leading) battery life, and they also both support 5G, with the Pro being the first Australian phone to support the mmWave variety (not that it’ll be much good to you right now).

Photography has always been a strength of Google’s phones, but refreshed hardware means they’re once again at the very top at the pile with Pixel 6. There’s a new 50MP main shooter with a large sensor, plus a 12MP ultrawide, with the Pro adding a periscope telephoto at 4x optical zoom. Shots are always sharp and well exposed, low light photos and selective blur for portraits are both the best you can get anywhere, and video — which was previously a weak spot — is slick, stable and perfectly clear at Full HD or 4K.

New on the Pixel 6 are motion photo modes “action pan” and “long exposure”, which will blur parts of the picture while keeping others perfectly in focus, which can have a very dramatic effect.