Where that extra $300 goes

Comparison shopping between phone brands is a lot simpler than comparing two different models from the same company, and that’s especially true with the latest Pixel 6 series. We’ve reviewed both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, and they aren’t just bigger and smaller versions of each other — there are a few noteworthy differences between the two. To help you make your own purchasing decision (if you haven’t already), we’ve both a detailed spec-by-spec comparison and our own assessment from having personally used both devices back-to-back.

First, let’s look at both sets of specs in isolation:

Pixel 6 Pro

Pixel 6

Google Pixel 6 vs Pixel 6 Pro: Main hardware similarities and differences

There are several key specifications the two phones share, like their Tensor chipset, 5G connectivity, base storage capacities, in-display fingerprint sensors, and two of the three cameras (the wide-angle primary and ultra-wide). Wi-Fi 6E support, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, eSIM, Dual-SIM, fast wired charging, and reverse wireless charging are all the same. But the two phones differ in most other ways as much as their different names and $300 price difference would suggest.

To start, they’re different sizes. The Pixel 6 is “smaller” than the Pixel 6 Pro, but not by a very substantial margin. The difference is really just a few mm in height and width, though the in-hand feel is a little more substantial than the small numbers would imply — just a couple mm in width can make a very noticeable dent at these kinds of sizes. Either way, they are both big phones, and heavy too: The two are only 3g different from one another.

The Pixel 6 also has a lower resolution and less smooth display than the Pixel 6 Pro, with a 90Hz 1080p+ panel compared to the Pro’s 120Hz 1440P+. In terms of practical effect, that means the 6 Pro will likely look slightly sharper and feel slightly smoother with things like animations or while scrolling. The 6 Pro’s display is also LTPO, which offers some additional power savings when it comes to adaptive refresh rate scaling that could make a dent in battery life.

The screen on the Pixel 6 Pro is also curved on the edges, which is a feature a lot of folks actively dislike. If that’s you, then you might be pleased to hear that the non-Pro Pixel 6 has a flat display right out to the edges of the visible screen. Both displays are that snazzy new Victus material, but only the Pixel 6 Pro has a Victus back; the Pixel 6 makes do with older Gorilla Glass.

Both phones charge at “up to” 30W via a wired connection (though more recent testing indicates a 22-23W maximum), but wirelessly they differ slightly, with the Pro version able to pull a slightly faster 23W vs. the Pixel 6’s 21W. Connectivity options between the two are mostly identical, though note there are mmWave and non-mmWave versions that affect 5G performance in certain circumstances. But the larger Pixel 6 Pro supports an additional ultra-wideband feature for… things. Right now, basically nothing uses it, but in the future, ultra-wideband communications will be handy for applications like object trackers and potentially car keys. If you’re the future-proofing sort, it’s a feature to consider, but not a benefit right now.

Cameras also vary between the two models. While both share the same primary shooter and ultra-wide angle camera, only the larger Pixel 6 Pro has a folded periscope-style telephoto camera for better “zoom” performance. The 6 Pro also has a better, higher-resolution, wider-angle selfie camera so you can squeeze more people into shots.

Lastly, the Pixel 6 also has a little less RAM (8GB vs. 12) and a smaller maximum storage option (256GB vs. 512) compared to the Pixel 6 Pro, plus a slightly smaller battery.

For easy comparison, here’s a slightly abridged table highlighting relevant differences in bold:

Okay, but what are they actually like?

Having used both phones back to back (and now that embargos have passed), I can tell you that they feel pretty much the same in hand. The Pixel 6 Pro is a little bit wider and just noticeably taller, but with its curved edges, it fits in the palm about as well as the flat-screened Pixel 6. The difference between 90Hz and 120Hz isn’t that noticeable either. Apart from the slightly sharper screen on the 6 Pro and those curved edges, you probably wouldn’t notice a difference looking at the two — and, frankly, you’ll only notice that much if you see the two side-by-side. That’s an impression I get across the board: These phones might differ in a handful of key ways when it comes to specs, but in real-world use, they’re very close to the same.

Anecdotally, battery life feels about the same (perhaps favoring the Pixel 6 Pro just slightly), but both phones feel just as fast. The only practical feature difference that most people will observe between the two is the folded telephoto camera the 6 Pro has and which the 6 lacks. It might not have the same crazy-high “zoom” numbers that the Galaxy S21 can, but the ~56mm focal length equivalent that it hits before digital zoom kicks in is very handy, and its results are quite good. However, is a single camera worth paying $300 more? Ultimately, it’s up to you, but I think the Pixel 6 is a much better value.

If you’re shopping between models, this doesn’t matter, but the fingerprint sensors on both phones can offer inconsistent performance and randomly take multiple seconds to process, and that’s worth pointing out. You also get more “fun” colors with the smaller Pixel 6, if you care about that sort of thing. All the Pixel 6 Pro colors are kind of boring — admittedly, that’s not an issue if you plan to hide it inside a case, as most folk do. In my last lingering nitpicks, I also prefer the textured aluminum finish on the frame of the Pixel 6 over the polished aluminum on the 6 Pro, though both phones are very slippery.

I can’t make your purchasing decision for you, but I hope I’ve given you a little extra insight into the practical and technical differences between these two phones. They have a lot in common, and if you want my advice, the slightly smaller and cheaper Pixel 6 is a better value over the 6 Pro and the better phone for most people to buy. If money is no object, though, or you really want that (very good) telephoto camera, the Pixel 6 Pro may not be a value king, but it’s still an excellent phone.

If you’ve made a choice, we’ve put together a list of retailers where you can order the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro:

Pixel 6

Pixel 6 Pro

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