Pixel 6: do Google Photos get backed up free (high-quality)?

[korab84]

I haven't pre-ordered the Pixel 6 yet but I'd like to know, if possible, whether the photos from Google Photos can get backed up for free using the high-quality setting.
I received the attached photo from Google regarding the current backup standards on 11/2020 and it says that backups from Pixel phones, using high-quality, are exempt from the changes they have in place; I currently have a Pixel 3a phone

I

 

[mzanette]

I haven't pre-ordered the Pixel 6 yet but I'd like to know, if possible, whether the photos from Google Photos can get backed up for free using the high-quality setting.
I received the attached photo from Google regarding the current backup standards on 11/2020 and it says that backups from Pixel phones, using high-quality, are exempt from the changes they have in place; I currently have a Pixel 3a phone

I View attachment 338024

I thought it was only the original Pixel and Pixel XL that had free lifetime photo backups.

 

[Torisen1]

I believe the OG Pixel is original quality as opposed to high quality which I think is lower resolution.

 

[NMCynthia]

The P2 also has unlimited free high quality backup.

 

[korab84]

The P3 has free original quality backup until Feb 2022.

But what about the Pixel 6: free high-quality when done from the phone or not?

 

[korab84]

The P2 also has unlimited free high quality backup.

My Pixel 3a has the same offer + the email I received as a Pixel user (attached)

 

[dmxjago]

All pixel phones up until the pixel 5 have free unlimited high quality but unlimited at original quality i think was only pixel 1&2 I don't remember if the 3 was locked in for full original quality. As for the pixel 6 I'm yet to see if it will provide us unlimited high compressed quality I hope it does. I'll find out next week when I look at the Google photos settings. But it anyone knows let us know.

 

[straygator]

I believe these links to an answer page on the Google Photos Help website and to a MobileSyrup article may help to answer any questions about photo storage backup limitations and dates for all previously marketed Pixel phones

https://support.google.com/photos/answer/6220791?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Android#zippy=,pixel

https://mobilesyrup.com/2021/05/26/google-pixel-phones-free-backups-photos-june-1/

 

[dmxjago]

I believe these links to an answer page on the Google Photos Help website and to a MobileSyrup article may help to answer any questions about photo storage backup limitations and dates for all previously marketed Pixel phones

https://support.google.com/photos/answer/6220791?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Android#zippy=,pixel

https://mobilesyrup.com/2021/05/26/google-pixel-phones-free-backups-photos-june-1/

Based on the first link it mentions p5 and older so this tells me p6 doesn't get this perk and it's unfortunate because this would of been a good perk to get more customers on pixel.

 

[straygator]

Based on the first link it mentions p5 and older so this tells me p6 doesn't get this perk and it's unfortunate because this would of been a good perk to get more customers on pixel.

The MobileSyrup article linked above appears to confirm that the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will not offer free unlimited high quality (now called "Storage saver") backup on Google Photos:

Future Pixels

Although the rumoured Pixel 6 and 6 Pro look like excellent phones, they sadly won’t offer unlimited High quality backups. Google confirmed to The Verge in November 2020 that the current Pixels will be the last to have free, unlimited High quality backups.

I doubt that Google will experience significantly fewer sales of the P6 and P6Pro due to the lapse of this past incentive. For one thing, I expect this device is going to be in demand based on its comparative value, because it provides high quality and excellent features for the price. In addition, cloud storage has become relatively easy to secure and inexpensive from a variety of sources. Personally, I grew so weary of trying to keep up with the evolving rules governing free photo storage for the Pixel phones I've owned (a 2XL and now a 5) that I finally decided to purchase the Google One option -- the cost is well worth it to me for the peace of mind.

 

[korab84]

Anyone that received their Pixel 6, did you try the auto-backup with Photos app? Does it take space agains your Google Drive/One or it's free with the Storage Saver?

 

[dmxjago]

Anyone that received their Pixel 6, did you try the auto-backup with Photos app? Does it take space agains your Google Drive/One or it's free with the Storage Saver?

Yeah there is no unlimited free back up anymore I checked. There is only one option now at full quality. Sucks.

 

[dmxjago]

Omg nm I see the option now. When I was setting it up I didn't see it but it seems it's still available for me.

 

[straygator]

Omg nm I see the option now. When I was setting it up I didn't see it but it seems it's still available for me.

Just to be clear, as I understand it, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro still give you the option of backing up your photos in either "Original Quality" or "Storage Saver" (formerly denominated by Google as "High Quality"); but the unlimited storage benefit that applied to earlier Pixel phones has not been extended to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. It just means that by selecting "Storage Saver" rather than "Original Quality," the photos you upload will be reduced in size, and thus you'll be able to upload more of those photos before reaching your free storage limit. Someone please correct me if I'm mistaken.

 

[B. Diddy]

Just to be clear, as I understand it, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro still give you the option of backing up your photos in either "Original Quality" or "Storage Saver" (formerly denominated by Google as "High Quality"); but the unlimited storage benefit that applied to earlier Pixel phones has not been extended to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. It just means that by selecting "Storage Saver" rather than "Original Quality," the photos you upload will be reduced in size, and thus you'll be able to upload more of those photos before reaching your free storage limit. Someone please correct me if I'm mistaken.

You are correct.

 

[dmxjago]

Just to be clear, as I understand it, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro still give you the option of backing up your photos in either "Original Quality" or "Storage Saver" (formerly denominated by Google as "High Quality"); but the unlimited storage benefit that applied to earlier Pixel phones has not been extended to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. It just means that by selecting "Storage Saver" rather than "Original Quality," the photos you upload will be reduced in size, and thus you'll be able to upload more of those photos before reaching your free storage limit. Someone please correct me if I'm mistaken.

Aww dang NM then I thought you wouldn't be presented with the option at all nm. So much for getting excited.

 

[beantownsouth]

My Pixel 5 has un-limited backup of photos at reduced quality. I don't see how they are going to give a Pixel 6 any kind of real quality backup due to the size of the photos. A 50mp picture is gunna be huge even at storage saver size. I hope I'm wrong but I don't think so.

 

[youngjediboy]

The sensor is 50mp but the saved photos won't be that size... From what I read they are binned down to roughly 12mp still.