Google made waves in the mobile industry when it announced the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro in late 2021. Powered by Google‘s own silicon called Tensor, these phones marked a new chapter in Pixel hardware capability. With a redesigned aesthetic featuring glossy finishes and a striking horizontal camera bar, even the look and feel got major upgrades.
But smartphone shoppers have two new options to pick from the Pixel portfolio – the regular Pixel 6 and the premium Pixel 6 Pro variant. Which one should you buy? I cover all the key similarities and differences in this comprehensive technical comparison guide.
Introduction – What‘s new with the Pixel 6 series
The Pixel 6 duo are Google‘s flagship phones for 2022. They share some core upgrades over previous generations:
- First phones powered by Google‘s own Tensor chip designed in collaboration with Samsung. It unlocks new personalized AI/ML features.
- Significantly upgraded dual (and triple for Pro model) rear camera systems powered by improved machine learning algorithms and sensor hardware
- Sleek new design language for Pixel phones featuring a polished aluminum frame, smooth rear glass back and striking horizontal camera bar housing the rear lenses
But while they have many similarities under the hood, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro differ across display technology, memory capacity, battery size as well as pricing. Read on as I spell out all the key specs and features differentiating these phones.
Detailed Display Comparison
The display is likely the component you‘ll interact with the most on your phone. Both models have excellent OLED panels – but there are tangible differences:
| Specification | Pixel 6 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.4 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Display type | OLED, 90Hz refresh rate | LTPO OLED, 120Hz refresh rate |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 411 ppi | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 512 ppi |
| Aspect ratio | 20:9 | 19.5:9 |
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Peak brightness | 800 nits | 1500 nits |
Analyzing the above table, we see the Pixel 6 Pro‘s display has noticeable improvements that impact the viewing experience:
- Its LTPO panel is more power efficient. The variable 120Hz refresh rate makes interactions and scrolling smoother compared to the 90Hz rate on regular Pixel 6
- The 1440p resolution and pixel density numbers are higher resulting in sharper visuals ideal for watching videos or gaming
- Peak brightness up to 1500 nits delivers better sunlight visibility outdoors
For buyers prioritizing a top-notch viewing experience, the Pixel 6 Pro pulls ahead with enhancements that match premium 2022 flagships. The Pixel 6 display still produces vibrant colors and is pleasing to use – just not best-in-class.
Tensor Chip Brings AI Horsepower
The brains behind Pixel 6 series‘ intelligence lies in Google‘s Tensor chip, fabricated on a power efficient 5nm manufacturing process.
It powers experiences like real-time speech transcription, background noise cancellation on calls and faster processing in photography workflows not previously possible without connecting to the cloud.
Here‘s how core specs of the new Tensor silicon measure up:
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | 2x Cortex X1 cores @ 2.80GHz 2x Cortex A76 cores @ 2.25GHz 4x Cortex A55 cores @ 1.80GHz |
| GPU | Mali G78 MP20 |
| NPU | Tensor Processing Unit |
| Process | Samsung 5nm |
| AI TOPS | över 80 |
Reviews demonstrate Tensor enables up to 80% faster ML operations over the prior Pixel 5. Everything from object/text recognition in photos to voice dictation happens swiftly on-device.
Gaming performance is also solid although not quite on par with something like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 powering 2022 Android flagships. But the Pixel 6 series shine for photography, video editing and AI-based workflows versus competing chips.
Memory and Storage Options
The amount of RAM and onboard storage plays an important role in your phone‘s multitasking capabilities and the apps/media capacity available.
Here is how the Pixel 6 variants differ:
| Spec | Pixel 6 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR5 | 12GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 | 128GB/256GB/512GB UFS 3.1 |
With 33% more RAM, the Pixel 6 Pro can keep more apps/services resident in memory. So you can instantly switch between demanding apps or games without slowdowns from reloads.
The Pro model also has a top-end 512GB storage configuration allowing you to install exponentially more apps and locally store media content like songs/videos.
Power users who push their phones to the limit with heavy workloads will appreciate the Pro‘s added memory headroom. But the Pixel 6 still offers ample RAM and fast UFS 3.1 storage for most buyers.
Cameras – Where They Overlap and Diverge
Let‘s break down and compare the rear camera hardware between the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro models:
Rear Cameras
| Camera | Pixel 6 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Main | 50MP sensor, f/1.85, 1.2μm pixel width | Same as Pixel 6 |
| Ultrawide | 12MP sensor, 114-degree FOV, f/2.2 | Same as Pixel 6 |
| Telephoto | ❌ | 48MP sensor, 4x optical zoom, f/3.5 |
You can see both phones deliver the same excellent 50MP Samsung GN1 primary sensor enabling beautiful 12MP images via pixel-binning. They also share the 12MP ultrawide lens for capturing more scenery in one shot.
But the Pixel 6 Pro goes a step further with a high resolution 48MP telephoto lens. This delivers up to 4x lossless optical zoom or up to 20x "Super Res Zoom" via AI enhancement. No such optical zoom capability exists on the Pixel 6 which is limited to a 7x digital zoom.
So for capturing distant objects like wildlife/landmarks or portraits where you wish to get closer – the Pro model‘s telephoto gives it a leg up.
Front-Facing Camera
Here is how the selfie cameras compare:
| Spec | Pixel 6 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 8MP sensor | 11.1MP sensor |
| Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.2 |
| FOV | 84 degrees | 94 degrees |
| 4K video | ❌ | 30fps |
The Pixel 6 Pro once again tops out with a higher resolution front camera. An 11MP versus 8MP sensor means sharper, more detailed selfies.
Its wider 94-degree field of view fits more people or background in your selfies compared to the 84-degrees on regular Pixel 6. Plus, its aperture is slightly faster at f/2.2 enabling better low light capture.
Battery and Charging Comparison
Good battery life is crucial for any smartphone. Here is how the Pixel 6 devices compare based on hardware specs and real-world testing:
| Metric | Pixel 6 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4614 mAh | 5003 mAh |
| Lab endurance (hours) | 8 hours 27 minutes (AnandTech) | 10 hours 49 minutes (Tom‘s Guide) |
| Charging speed | 30W wired | 30W wired |
| 50% charge time | 30 minutes | 31 minutes |
On paper, the Pixel 6 Pro has nearly 10% higher battery capacity over regular Pixel 6. Benchmarks reflect this with the Pro squeezing ~2 additional hours of runtime over the Pixel 6. Both deliver full day battery life from a single charge cycle.
Charging speed is uniformly fast up to 30W with the included power brick. Replenishing up to 50% charge takes 30 minutes on Pixel 6 and 31 minutes on the Pro model. Not a huge discrepancy.
In summary – buyers who want maximum endurance between charges for travel or workdays spent away from a charger should consider the Pixel 6 Pro. But the Pixel 6 already delivers excellent runtime that satisfactorily lasts a full day for most people.
Pricing and Storage Options
With premium build quality and the latest Tensor chip, Pixel 6 series carry a flagship-tier pricing. But generous preorder discounts and trade-in offers help offset costs.
Here‘s a breakdown of prices across storage tiers between models:
| 128GB | 256GB | 512GB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel 6 | $599 | $699 | ❌ |
| Pixel 6 Pro | $899 | $999 | $1,099 |
Is the Pixel 6 Pro worth $300 more than the base Pixel 6? If you want top-notch displays, telephoto camera lens, increased memory, maximum battery life – then absolutely. Power users find the Pro well worth the extra investment.
Conversely, the Pixel 6 already has so much going for it between Tensor, new camera hardware and up to 256GB storage at $300 cheaper. It makes for a value purchase if budget is tight yet you want pro-grade photography abilities and software.
Both models represent progress over Pixel 5 with Tensor acceleration, upgraded camera hardware, better build quality and 5G connectivity. So buyers can‘t go wrong with either option – your personal needs around display quality, battery life, zoom photography and multitasking requirements dictate whether Pixel 6 Pro merits its higher cost for you.
Verdict – Which Pixel 6 Variant is Better for You?
I‘ll summarize my performance, hardware and cost analysis between Google‘s Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro with recommendations on which device better suits common user profiles.
The Pixel 6 Pro is ideal for:
- Photography enthusiasts who demand optical zoom capabilities from their camera phone
- Multitaskers and power users who run many apps simultaneously and require the memory headroom
- Frequent travelers who want maximum battery endurance between charges
- Media viewers who want the best-in-class displays for videos, gaming and more
The Pixel 6 strikes the right balance for:
- Social media users and casual photographers focused on capturing everyday moments
- General consumers who don‘t push their phone‘s limits for work or creative projects
- Budget-conscious buyers who still want excellent cameras, software and design
- Android enthusiasts who want Google‘s latest innovations without paying premium dollars
Hopefully this detailed spec comparison between the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro models assists you in choosing the right flagship Pixel for your unique needs and priorities! Let me know if you have any other questions.
