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Google Pixel 6 vs Pixel 6 Pro: What's the difference?
A QUICK LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCES
The main differences between the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are in the display, camera, battery, and memory departments.
The Pixel 6 Pro has:
- A curved 6.7-inch QHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, compared to the Pixel 6's flat 6.4-inch Full HD+ panel with a 90Hz refresh rate.
- More RAM at 12GB. The Pixel 6 comes with 8GB of RAM.
- More storage — up to 512GB. The high-end Pixel 6 comes with 256GB of storage.
- A bigger battery (5,000mAh vs 4,600mAh) with faster wireless charging (23W vs 21W).
- An extra camera at the back — a 48MP telephoto lens.
- A higher resolution selfie camera (11.1MP vs 8MP).
Read on to learn more about the differences in detail.
The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have plenty of new specs and features on offer. They feature a completely new design compared to their predecessors, the first generation of Google’s Tensor chip, improved cameras, and plenty of other exciting bells and whistles.
There wasn’t much difference between the regular and XL versions with previous Pixel generations, except for the size. This time around, the Pro earns its moniker. Let’s take a look at all the differences between the two phones in this Pixel 6 vs Pixel 6 Pro comparison.
Pixel 6 vs Pixel 6 Pro: Specs
| Google Pixel 6 | Google Pixel 6 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
Display | Google Pixel 6 6.4-inch OLED 20:9 aspect ratio FHD+ resolution 2,400 x 1,080 411ppi 90Hz refresh rate HDR support 24-bit depth Gorilla Glass Victus front Gorilla Glass 6 back | Google Pixel 6 Pro 6.7-inch OLED 19.5:9 aspect ratio QHD+ resolution 3,120 x 1,440 512ppi 120Hz adaptive refresh rate HDR support 24-bit depth Gorilla Glass Victus front and back |
Processor | Google Pixel 6 Google Tensor Titan M2 security | Google Pixel 6 Pro Google Tensor Titan M2 security |
RAM | Google Pixel 6 8GB LPDDR5 | Google Pixel 6 Pro 12GB LPDDR5 |
Internal storage | Google Pixel 6 128GB or 256GB UFS 3.1 | Google Pixel 6 Pro 128, 256, or 512GB UFS 3.1 |
Battery and power | Google Pixel 6 4,600mAh (typical) Fast wired charging USB-PD 3.0 (PPS) 21W wireless charging (w/ Pixel Stand) 12W Qi wireless charging Battery share No charger in box | Google Pixel 6 Pro 5,000mAh (typical) Fast wired charging USB-PD 3.0 (PPS) 23W wireless charging (w/ Pixel Stand) 12W Qi wireless charging Battery share No charger in box |
Cameras | Google Pixel 6 Rear: - 50MP main 1.2 μm, ƒ/1.85, 82-degree FoV 1/1.31-inch sensor LDAF, OIS, and EIS - 12MP ultra-wide 1.25 μm, ƒ/2.2, 114-degree FoV - Laser AF Front: - 8MP single 1.12 μm, ƒ/2.0, 84-degree FoV | Google Pixel 6 Pro Rear: - 50MP main 1.2 μm, ƒ/1.85, 82-degree FoV 1/1.31-inch sensor OIS and EIS - 12MP ultra-wide 1.25 μm, ƒ/2.2, 114-degree FoV - 48MP telephoto 0.8 μm, ƒ/3.5, 23.5-degree FoV 1/2-inch sensor 4x optical zoom OIS and EIS - Laser AF Front: - 11.1MP single 1.22 μm, ƒ/2.2, 94-degree FoV |
Video | Google Pixel 6 Rear: 4K at 30/60FPS 1080p at 30/60FPS Front: 1080p at 30FPS | Google Pixel 6 Pro Rear: 4K at 30/60FPS 1080p at 30/60FPS Front: 4K at 30FPS 1080p at 30/60FPS |
Audio | Google Pixel 6 Stereo speakers Triple mics Bluetooth 5.2 No 3.5mm port | Google Pixel 6 Pro Stereo speakers Triple mics Bluetooth 5.2 No 3.5mm port |
Security | Google Pixel 6 In-display fingerprint Titan M2 chip 5 years security updates IP68-rated | Google Pixel 6 Pro In-display fingerprint Titan M2 chip 5 years security updates IP68-rated |
Buttons and ports | Google Pixel 6 USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 Power button Volume rocker Dual SIM (single nano and eSIM) No expandable storage No 3.5mm port | Google Pixel 6 Pro USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 Power button Volume rocker Dual SIM (single nano and eSIM) No expandable storage No 3.5mm port |
Connectivity | Google Pixel 6 Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) Bluetooth 5.2 NFC support | Google Pixel 6 Pro Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) Bluetooth 5.2 NFC support UWB chip |
Bands | Google Pixel 6 [5G Sub 6GHz] Model GB7N6 GSM/EDGE: Quad-band (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) UMTS/HSPA+/HSDPA: Bands 1,2,4,5,6,8,19 LTE: Bands B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13 14/17/18/19/20/25/26 28/29/30/32/38/39/40/ 41/42/46/48/66/71 5G Sub-62: Bands n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14 20/25/28/30/38/40 41/48/66/71/77/78 eSIM [5G mmWave + Sub 6GHz] Model G9S9B3 GSM/EDGE: Quad-band (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) UMTS/HSPA+/HSDPA: Bands 1,2,4,5,6,8,19 LTE: Bands B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14 17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29 30/32/38/39/40/41/42 46/48/66/71 5G Sub-6: Bands n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14 20/25/28/30/38/40 41/48/66/71/77/78 5G mmWave: Bands n257/n258/n260/n261 eSIM | Google Pixel 6 Pro [5G Sub 6GHz] Model GLUOG GSM/EDGE: Quad-band (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) UMTS/HSPA+/HSDPA: Bands 1,2,4,5,6,8,19 LTE: Bands B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14 17/18/19/20/25/26 28/29/30/32/38/39 40/41/42/46/48/66/71 5G Sub-62: Bands n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14 20/25/28/30/38/40 41/48/66/71/77/78 eSIM [5G mmWave + Sub 6GHz] Model G8VOU GSM/EDGE: Quad-band (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) UMTS/HSPA+/HSDPA: Bands 1,2,4,5,6,8,19 LTE: Bands B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13 14/17/18/19/20/25 26/28/29/30/32/38/39 40/41/42/46/48/66/71 5G Sub-6: Bands n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14 20/25/28/30/38 40/41/48/66/71/77/78 5G mmWave: Bands n257/n258/n260/n261 eSIM |
Software | Google Pixel 6 Android 12 Pixel UI | Google Pixel 6 Pro Android 12 Pixel UI |
Dimensions and weight | Google Pixel 6 158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9mm 207g | Google Pixel 6 Pro 163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9mm 210g |
Colors | Google Pixel 6 Stormy Black, Kinda Coral, Sorta Seafoam | Google Pixel 6 Pro Stormy Black, Cloudy White, Sorta Sunny |
In-box contents | Google Pixel 6 1m USB-C to USB-C cable (USB 2.0) Quick Switch adapter SIM tool Paperwork No charger in box (*France has charger and headphones included per local laws) | Google Pixel 6 Pro 1m USB-C to USB-C cable (USB 2.0) Quick Switch adapter SIM tool Paperwork No charger in box (*France has charger and headphones included per local laws) |
Pixel 6 vs Pixel 6 Pro: Design and display
Both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro come with a unique new look that really stands out. The prominent camera bar is hard to miss and will give case manufacturers nightmares. There’s also an interesting mix of colorways available, with the section above the camera bump adding a nice contrast to the handsets. A standard black with silver top is the only shared colorway.
Here’s our take: Google Pixel 6 review
Both phones have a polished aluminum frame with a glass back, giving them a more premium look and feel than the matte aluminum finish of the Pixel 5. There’s a slight difference with the glass used, however. While the 6 Pro comes with the latest and toughest Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back, the smaller Pixel only uses Victus on the front, while the back is covered with the older Gorilla Glass 6. There’s also a difference in size and weight, with the Pro model obviously being larger and heavier — check the table above for more detailed info.
The two Pixel phones feature different displays. The Pixel 6 comes with a flat 6.4-inch Full HD+ panel with a 90Hz refresh rate. On the other hand, the screen of the Pixel 6 Pro comes in at 6.7 inches, has a Quad HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and is curved on the sides. It offers more on paper, but some may prefer the slightly more compact size of the Pixel 6’s display.
Pixel 6 vs Pixel 6 Pro: Hardware and cameras
The Google Tensor chip powers both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. It’s a great chip overall that can handle demanding tasks, but it’s not quite as good or fast as the best from Qualcomm.
Read more: Google Pixel 6 Pro revisited
The vanilla Pixel 6 comes with 8GB of RAM, while the Pixel 6 Pro ups that to 12GB. The Pro offers more in this area, but keep in mind that 8GB of RAM is still more than enough in 2022. But if you want to future-proof your device, having more RAM is obviously the better choice. As far as storage is concerned, both phones come in 128GB and 256GB variants, but the Pro model can also be had with 512GB of storage.
The larger size of the 6 Pro allowed Google to pack a 5,000mAh battery into the phone, while the Pixel 6 comes with a smaller 4,500mAh unit. However, we can expect battery life to be quite similar across the board, given the more demanding high resolution and refresh rate display of the Pixel 6 Pro. Both phones also come with 30W fast charging, giving you a 50% charge in around 30 minutes. It’s nowhere close to the quickest charging we’ve seen, but it’s still a necessary and timely upgrade. Of course, you’ll need to buy a compatible Power Delivery PPS charger for full speeds since neither comes with one in the box. Both phones also feature fast wireless charging.
Google finally made a serious upgrade to the camera hardware.
Everyone calling for Google to upgrade its camera hardware finally has a reason to rejoice. Both phones come with a 50MP primary shooter and a 12MP ultrawide camera. Google also added a 48MP telephoto camera to the Pixel 6 Pro with 4x optical zoom, meaning that the phone offers more versatility when it comes to photography than its smaller brother.
Even with an aging spec sheet, Google’s cameras have always been among the best smartphone cameras you can get. The hardware upgrade should only make things better, although we’ll have to wait to review them before our final verdict.
A somewhat surprising difference between the two phones is the front-facing camera. Now at a central position along the top edge, the Pixel 6 comes with an 8MP front-facing camera, while the 6 Pro has an 11.1MP selfie shooter. I’m not sure this difference was particularly necessary, but it’s something else that gives the 6 Pro a leg up in this comparison, at least on paper.
Pixel 6 vs Pixel 6 Pro: Price and colors
Pixel 6
- 128GB: $599 / £599 / €649
- 256GB: $699 / £699 / €749
Pixel 6 Pro
- 128GB: $899 / £849 / €899
- 256GB: $999 / £949 / €999
- 512GB: $1,099 / £1,049 / €1,099
The Pixel 6 is priced at a surprisingly affordable $599, making it even cheaper than the Pixel 5 at launch. The Pixel 6 Pro jumps into flagship territory not only with its specs and features but also with its starting price. Starting at $899, it’s the most expensive Pixel yet, on par with the newer Pixel 7 Pro. But this time, it doesn’t feel like it’s more expensive than it should be. The price is in line with the competition, and Google has introduced plenty of hardware and software upgrades to make the 6 Pro a worthy competitor in the flagship space.
Just keep in mind that these are launch prices. The two phones can be found for much less these days since the Pixel 7 series is already available.
As far as colorways go, Stormy Black, black and a silver top, is the only common option with the two phones. The Pixel 6 is also available in Kinda Coral and Sorta Seafoam, while the Pixel 6 Pro has Cloudy White and Sorta Sunny as the two extra colorways.
Google Pixel 6 vs Pixel 6 Pro: Which should you buy?
The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are powered by the same processor, look almost the same, and come with an IP68 rating for water resistance. You’ll get three years of software updates and five years of security updates regardless of which phone you get. But that’s where the similarities between the two end.
The 6 Pro has a display with a higher resolution and refresh rate, more RAM, a larger battery, an extra rear camera, and a better selfie shooter. The high-end version of the phone also comes with more storage at 512GB. It’s also understandably more expensive than the vanilla Pixel 6.
Google Pixel 6 vs Pixel 6 Pro: Which one would you choose?
The Pixel 6 Pro offers more, but the regular Pixel is still a great phone. You get solid performance, impressive cameras, a great software experience, and more than decent battery life for a relatively affordable price tag. The footprint of the handset is also smaller, making it just a little more compact.
If you want as many features as possible, the Pixel 6 Pro is the way to go. But if you don’t care about all the extra bells and whistles the Pro model offers and want to save some money, the Pixel 6 is the better choice.
However, keep in mind that the Pixel 7 phones have already launched before you decide to make your purchase.
