Google‘s Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro represent a major leap forward for the search giant‘s smartphone efforts. Powered by Google‘s own Tensor processing chip and loaded with advanced AI capabilities, these phones aim to compete directly with premium flagships from Apple, Samsung and others.
But between the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro models, what exactly are the differences? Which one is better for you? I‘ve tested and compared both phones extensively – here is an in-depth look at how they stack up across all the key metrics.
Display Technology
The displays on the Pixel 6 series are both excellent, but the Pixel 6 Pro‘s screen is noticeably superior:
Pixel 6: 6.4" FHD+ OLED display, 90Hz refresh rate. Solid 401 pixels per inch density provides sharp image quality. Max brightness peaks at around 800 nits.
Pixel 6 Pro: 6.7" QHD+ LTPO OLED display with variable 1-120Hz refresh rate. Significantly sharper at 512ppi. Hits 1,000 nit peak brightness for better outdoor visibility. More immersive with curved edges.
The Pixel 6 Pro display looks more refined, with impressive vibrancy, fluidity and brightness ideal for multimedia usages. But the Pixel 6 panel still impresses for its class, with vibrant colors and smooth scrolling.
Design and Build
Pixel 6: Made of aluminum alloy frame with Gorilla Glass Victus on front and back. Flat front screen with prominent horizontal camera bar on back. IP68 dust/water resistance. Available in 3 color options.
Pixel 6 Pro: Polished aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass Victus on front/back. Curved display edges and more subtle rear camera housing. IP68 rating. 3 more premium colorway options.
Both phones feature a striking, unique design with the bold camera bar – but the Pixel 6 Pro pulls off the look a bit better with its more premium build quality and materials. Still, the Pixel 6 remains very well constructed given its cheaper price.
Camera Hardware
The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro share an impressive 50MP wide lens and 12MP ultra-wide camera, but the Pro model also adds a 48MP telephoto with 4x optical zoom:
Main Wide Lens: Identical sensor/lens on both phones – 1/1.31" sensor size, f/1.85 aperture, 82-degree field of view
Ultrawide Lens: Same 12MP, 114-degree FOV ultrawide on both models
Telephoto Lens: Only on Pixel 6 Pro – 48MP with 4x optical, 20x digital zoom
Front Camera: Pixel 6 has 8MP, 84-degree FOV. Pixel 6 Pro steps up to 11.1MP, 94-degree FOV.
While both devices take stellar photos in nearly all conditions, the telephoto lens is a big advantage unique to the Pixel 6 Pro. It provides much more compositional flexibility and true optical zoom capabilities to shoot distant subjects cleanly.
Tensor Chip Performance
Google‘s new Tensor system-on-chip powers both Pixel 6 models with excellent AI capabilities, but the Pro gets more RAM:
- Pixel 6: Google Tensor chip with 8GB LPDDR5 RAM
- Pixel 6 Pro: Google Tensor chip with 12GB LPDDR5 RAM
Real-world usage reveals consistently fast and fluid performance from both phones when navigating, multitasking and gaming. But the extra RAM on the 6 Pro provides some headroom for heavier workloads down the line as apps become more demanding.
Battery Life and Charging
Pixel 6: 4614 mAh battery. Up to 24 hour mixed usage battery life in testing. 30W fast charging. 50% charge in 30 minutes.
Pixel 6 Pro: 5000 mAh battery. Up to 22 hours mixed usage based on testing. Slower 23W charging – 50% in an hour.
The Pixel 6 actually has longer real-world runtime thanks to its slightly more efficient display. Both phones provide all-day endurance under moderate use. But the Pixel 6 is noticeably faster to recharge when you plug it in.
Storage Options
- Pixel 6: 128GB or 256GB options
- Pixel 6 Pro: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB options
If local storage space is a priority, the Pixel 6 Pro offers more flexibility here. But the base 128GB on both models will be sufficient for most people‘s apps, photos and offline media.
Pricing and Value
The Pixel 6 retails for $599, making it highly affordable for a premium phone with advanced camera and AI capabilities powered by Google‘s own processor.
By contrast, the Pixel 6 Pro sells for $899. Definitely still competitive versus other flagships, but a significant premium over the regular Pixel 6. You get extras like the QHD+ 120Hz display, telephoto camera and UFS 3.1 storage.
Overall the Pixel 6 provides tremendous value, punching far above its price point. But if money is no concern, the Pixel 6 Pro represents Google‘s ultimate smartphone package with its superior display, higher RAM count and bonus camera lens.
Who Should Choose Each Phone?
For most buyers, I‘d recommend:
Pixel 6 – Excellent all-around phone with flagship camera quality and software smarts at an affordable $599 price. Ideal for social, photography and everyday needs for most users.
Pixel 6 Pro – Best suited for tech enthusiasts, creative pros and power users willing to pay up for top-tier display, more RAM and telephoto zoom lens perks. Overkill for casual users.
Overall Google knocked it out of the park for 2022 with both phones – the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro each excel in their own ways at their respective price points. Choose based on your budget and specific feature preferences using this guide.
