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Launched in October 2021, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are high-end Android smartphones powered by Google’s first Tensor chipset.
Boasting various advanced mobile photography skills, these phones can efficiently handle live voice recognition, speech translation, and complex photo processing without connecting to Google’s cloud brain. But what’s the difference between the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro? Surprisingly, the differences are not as stark as you might think.
Compared to the Pixel 6, the Pixel 6 Pro has a larger screen, a more elegant design, higher resolution, and a smoother refresh rate. Moreover, the aluminum sides of the regular 6 are chunky and matte black, while the 6 Pro’s sides are thinner and polished to a shine. While the Pixel 6 is available in black, red, or green colors, the Pixel 6 Pro is only available in black, white, and gold variations.
If you need help comparing Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, we have broken down the features, prices, and specs below to show you where the two phones differ, and how they are similar.
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Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 6 Pro: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pixel 6 | Pixel 6 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.4 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Dimensions | 6.2 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches | 6.5 x 3 x 0.4 inches |
| Weight | 207g | 210g |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz |
| Internal Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Processor | Google Tensor with Titan M2 | Google Tensor with Titan M2 |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB |
| Price | $599 | $899 |
| Connectivity | USB-C | USB-C |
| Display: Size (Resolution) | 6.4-inch (1080 x 2400 pixels, 411 ppi) | 6.7-inch (1440 x 3120, 512 ppi) |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP wide-angle (ƒ/1.85), 12MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2) | 50MP wide-angle (ƒ/1.85), 12MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2), 48MP telephoto (ƒ/3.5) |
| Front Camera | 8MP (ƒ/2.0), 84-degree field of view | 11.1MP (ƒ/2.2), 94-degree field of view |
| Battery | 4614 mAh | 5003 mAh |
| Authentication | Fingerprint unlock with an under-display fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint unlock with an under-display fingerprint sensor |
| Video | Rear: 4K and 1080p (both up to 60 FPS), Front: 1080p at 30 FPS | Rear: 4K and 1080p (both up to 60 FPS), Front: 4K at 30 FPS, 1080p at up to 60 FPS |
| Zoom | 7x Super Res digital | 4x optical and 20x Super Res digital |
What is the Pixel 6?
Pixel 6 isn’t one of the most powerful phones, but its new Tensor chipset elevates it to one of the best phones for photographers. While it lacks a telephoto lens, and its battery life isn’t that good, it’s a big phone with a 6.4-inch display, a radical new design, and a price that anyone can afford.
The Pixel 6 also delivers the best experience with excellent cameras, super fast speeds, and a beautiful interface that you tweak to change the colors of the operating system. Apart from the size, the Pixel 6 shares many similarities with the Pixel 6 Pro.
Both phones have Google’s brand-new Tensor system on a chip (SoC), big batteries, 5G connectivity, in-screen fingerprint sensors, and newer, larger camera sensors. Although it doesn’t have a charging brick in the box, Google offers a USB-C cable.
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What is the Pixel 6 Pro?
Compared to the Pixel 6, the Pixel 6 Pro has a unique design, good battery life, and good feature-rich software that makes it stand out. It also comes with machine learning powers and its processor known as a Google Tensor, an advanced on-device artificial intelligence.
You’ll find the Pixel 6 Pro appealing if you are into big phones. One thing you’ll appreciate is this phone’s large screen that you can use to read emails or scroll through social media. Since Google has kept most features at the absolute minimum, the user-facing camera is but a small punch hole centered at the top.
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Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 6 Pro: 7 Must-Know Facts
- Both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro were released in October 2021.
- The Pixel 6 Pro comes with a curved 6.7-inch QHD+ display, compared to the Pixel 6’s flat 6.4-inch Full HD+ panel.
- Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have made Google one of the largest smartphone manufacturers in the UK and North America.
- Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro pre-orders started on the same day it was announced while shipping commenced on October 25.
- The Pixel 6 Pro was originally planned to be released with a face unlock, this feature was canceled prior to the launch.
- Google has significantly increased interest in the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro by signing partnership agreements with over 45 wireless carriers as well as with retailers across nine countries.
Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Key Differences
While the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro are pretty similar, they certainly do have features that set them apart.
Display and Design
Both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro come with a unique new look that stands out. One thing you can’t miss is their prominent camera bar. These phones are also fitted with a polished aluminum frame and a glass back to give them a premium look compared to the rest of the Pixel series.
Regarding the glass use, there is a slight difference with the 6 Pro having the toughest Gorilla Glass Victus compared to the Pixel 6, which only uses Victus on the front. Besides, there is a difference in size and weight, with the Pixel 6 Pro model being larger and heavier.
Battery
While the Pixel 6 is powered by a 4614 mAh battery, the Pixel 6 Pro features a larger 5003 mAh battery that allows it to last longer than the Pixel 6. Although both phones can last a full day or a long time when on standby, the batteries will be depleted faster if you video record or play video games.
As for charging, the Pixel 6 charges much faster than the Pixel 6 Pro. Otherwise, both phones come with “extreme battery saver” modes, extending their battery life by up to 48 hours.
Colors
As for colors, the Pixel 6 comes in colors such as Stormy Black, Sorta Seafoam, and Kinda Coral, compared to the Pixel 6 Pro, which comes in Stormy Black, Sorta Sunny, and Cloudy White.
Both phones have also replaced the finger scanner with an optical in-display alternative.
Camera and Lenses
Compared to the Pixel 6, which only has two lenses, the Pixel 6 Pro comes with three camera lenses.
While both share the ‘standard’ 50 megapixels Octa PD Quad wide camera, the Pixel 6 Pro also includes a 48-megapixel telephoto lens with an f/3.5 lens. Its selfie camera is also different, featuring an 11.1MP f/2.2 ultra-wide device compared to the Pixel 6, which has an 8MP f/2.0 wide-angle camera.
Otherwise, the video offerings are quite straightforward, with the model perhaps primarily designed for photographers rather than serious videographers.
Screen
If you prefer a smaller screen, then the Pixel 6 could be the better option for you. Although it’s still bigger than some other models on the market, it’s smaller compared to the Pixel 6 Pro.
Memory and Storage
While the Pixel 6 comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, with no option to expand the memory, the Pixel 6 Pro offers 12GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of storage.
Price
Compared to phones like the iPhone 13, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are actually affordable.
While the Pixel 6 starts at $599, the Pixel 6 Pro’s price is $899, with the option to pay more for storage. You can also make pre-orders if you’ve already decided to buy the phone.
Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Pros and Cons
Like any device, the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro come with their advantages and disadvantages.
Pixel 6
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Offers faster-charging speeds | It’s quite big compared to other pixel models |
| Comes with a “magic eraser” camera feature | The camera block feels vulnerable to damage |
| Bold new design with a large 6.4-inch display | The fingerprint sensor isn’t great |
| Five years of software and security updates |
Pixel 6 Pro
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Beautiful hardware design and a durable Gorilla Glass Victus | Battery life misses expectations |
| Good display and great sunlight legibility | No charger is included in the box. It only comes with a USB-C cable. |
| Beautiful UI and extended firmware update support | |
| Google Tensor chip offers great all-around performance |
Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Which One Should You Choose?
While the Pixel 6 Pro offers more features, but the regular Pixel 6 is still a great phone. You get solid performance, impressive cameras, a great software experience, and decent battery life for a relatively affordable price tag.
If you’re looking for the best that Google has to offer in 2022, the Pixel 6 Pro is the way to go. But, if you don’t care about all the extra bells and whistles the Pro offers and you want to save some money, the Pixel 6 is a fantastic choice.
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