The Google Pixel 6 Pro (2021) captures RAW in DNG format via Pro mode and has no mechanical shutter — the image counter stored in each DNG file records total electronic captures. Drop a RAW DNG file to read it instantly.
Check Image Counter →The Google Pixel 6 Pro marked a defining moment in Pixel history: it was the first smartphone to run Google’s custom Tensor SoC, ending the line’s dependence on Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. Alongside the new chip, it introduced a completely redesigned camera bar housing a triple-camera system: a 50 MP Samsung GN1 main sensor (1/1.31″, f/1.85, OIS, PDAF), a 12 MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 114°, fixed focus), and a 48 MP 4× telephoto (f/3.5, OIS — the first Pixel telephoto with OIS).
Like all Pixel phones, the Pixel 6 Pro uses CMOS electronic readout exclusively across all three cameras. There is no mechanical focal-plane shutter. The image counter in RAW DNG files increments with every capture.
| Model | Release | SoC | Main Sensor | Telephoto | RAW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel 6 Pro | 2021 | Tensor G1 | 50 MP GN1 (f/1.85) | 48 MP 4× (f/3.5) | DNG (Pro) |
| Pixel 6 | 2021 | Tensor G1 | 50 MP GN1 (f/1.85) | None | DNG (Pro) |
| Pixel 7 Pro | 2022 | Tensor G2 | 50 MP GN1 (f/1.85) | 48 MP 5× (f/3.5) | DNG (Pro) |
| Pixel 5 | 2020 | Snapdragon 765G | 12.2 MP (f/1.7) | 16 MP 2× (f/2.2) | DNG (Pro) |
.dng.exiftool -ImageNumber yourfile.DNG to read the counter directly.Both the Pixel 6 Pro and 7 Pro feature a triple-camera system anchored by the same 50 MP Samsung GN1 main sensor. The generational differences centre on the telephoto and computational improvements:
| Feature | Pixel 6 Pro | Pixel 7 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Telephoto zoom | 4× optical (48 MP, f/3.5) | 5× optical (48 MP, f/3.5) |
| Ultrawide AF | Fixed focus | Autofocus (macro) |
| SoC | Tensor G1 | Tensor G2 |
| Under-display fingerprint | Optical (slower response) | Optical (improved speed) |
| Face Unblur | Not available | Available |
For most photographers, the Pixel 6 Pro remains an excellent used buy: the 4× telephoto is optically strong, and the 50 MP main sensor is the same generation used in the Pixel 7 Pro. Battery degradation (the Pixel 6 series had some early reports of accelerated degradation on the first Tensor chip) is the primary concern when buying used.
| What to Check | How |
|---|---|
| Battery health | Settings → Battery → Battery health. The first Tensor chip had some reports of elevated battery drain; check health carefully on older units |
| Under-display fingerprint | Test the optical under-display fingerprint sensor thoroughly; the Pixel 6 Pro’s sensor was slower than competitors and degraded further with some screen protectors |
| Display condition | Inspect the 6.7-inch curved LTPO OLED for burn-in, dead pixels, and edge separation (curved edges on used phones are prone to micro-cracks) |
| Camera lenses | Check all three lenses; test the 4× telephoto at its OIS limit; test ultrawide for focus consistency at various distances |
| Frame and back glass | Inspect Gorilla Glass Victus rear panel and polished aluminum rail for chips and dents |
| Image counter | High count (>30,000) indicates regular photography use — context only, not a wear indicator |
No. All Pixel phones use CMOS electronic readout. There is no focal-plane shutter mechanism and no mechanical wear to assess.
The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro were the first phones powered by Google Tensor G1 (officially just “Tensor”), Google’s first custom mobile SoC developed in partnership with Samsung. It replaced the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G used in the Pixel 5 and emphasised on-device AI and machine learning workloads.
No. The image counter is stored in persistent device hardware and cannot be reset by a factory reset, Android wipe, or any user action.
A typical user captures 5,000–20,000 photos per year; an active photographer may exceed 40,000. Unlike a DSLR, a high image counter carries no wear implication — battery health is the primary condition indicator.
Yes — the standard Pixel 6 also captures DNG files in Pro mode and its image counter is readable via shuttercount.app. The main difference is that the Pixel 6 omits the telephoto camera and has a fixed 90 Hz display vs the 6 Pro’s 1–120 Hz LTPO panel.