iPhone 12 vs Pixel 6 Pro
Two brands, one target. The iPhone 12 from Apple and the Pixel 6 Pro from Google compete head to head for flagship smartphone shoppers. Look at the scorecard and the Pixel 6 Pro stands out, ahead in 4 of 5 areas. The display numbers explain a lot of that.
At a glance
- Display Pixel 6 Pro wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Pixel 6 Pro wins
- Camera Pixel 6 Pro wins
- Battery & Charging Pixel 6 Pro wins
- Price iPhone 12 wins
- Display2.3
- Memory & Storage0.4
- Camera0.9
- Display7.7
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera2.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Pixel 6 Pro has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
The iPhone 12 lists 60 Hz; the Pixel 6 Pro comes in at 120 Hz. That’s not a rounding error. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the Pixel 6 Pro feels more fluid in everyday use.
-
The iPhone 12 has a 1.62 oz lighter build
At 5.78 oz versus 7.41 oz, this is a decisive lead for the iPhone 12, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. Weight shows up every time you hold the phone above your face in bed or type one-handed for a long stretch.
-
The Pixel 6 Pro has 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB
If base storage is one of your priorities, this settles it: the Pixel 6 Pro leads clearly with 128 GB to the iPhone 12’s 64 GB. If you shoot a lot of video or keep music and maps offline, base storage is one of the specs you’ll feel most over the years.
-
The Pixel 6 Pro has a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera
The numbers aren’t close. The Pixel 6 Pro lists 50 MP for main camera, while the iPhone 12 lists 12 MP. The Pixel 6 Pro’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer.
-
The Pixel 6 Pro has an extra rear camera
A clear win for the Pixel 6 Pro: 3 against 2. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Pixel 6 Pro gives you more lenses to choose from.
Design & Size
- iPhone 12 5.78 in × 2.81 in × 0.29 in
- Pixel 6 Pro 6.45 in × 2.99 in × 0.35 in
Side by side, the Pixel 6 Pro is the one that fills more space; the iPhone 12 keeps things tighter. On the scale, the iPhone 12 comes in 1.62 oz lighter. The Pixel 6 Pro is the chunkier of the pair by 0.06 in.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 12 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.78 in | 6.45 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 2.99 in |
| Thickness | 0.29 in (winner) | 0.35 in |
| Weight | 5.78 oz (winner) | 7.41 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
Pixel 6 Pro leads
No contest in display: the Pixel 6 Pro is the stronger of the two. The Pixel 6 Pro pulls ahead with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and games look smoother. Once you’re used to it, a lower-rate screen can feel sluggish by comparison. On display alone, the Pixel 6 Pro gets the nod.
Refresh rate
iPhone 12: 60 Hz Pixel 6 Pro: 120 Hz Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power.
Screen size
iPhone 12: 6.1 in Pixel 6 Pro: 6.7 in A bigger screen makes reading, video and maps more comfortable, while a smaller one is easier to use with one hand and slips into more pockets.
Performance
Too close to call
On performance, the iPhone 12 and the Pixel 6 Pro are effectively level. So performance is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
CPU cores
iPhone 12: 6 Pixel 6 Pro: 8 Core count on its own says little about speed; how the chip is designed and how fast each core runs matter more.
Memory & Storage
Pixel 6 Pro leads
The Pixel 6 Pro wins the memory & storage section decisively. The Pixel 6 Pro has the edge with 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB. The Pixel 6 Pro starts with more room, which means fewer “storage full” warnings and less time deleting old videos. Weighing only memory & storage, the Pixel 6 Pro comes out ahead.
Base storage
iPhone 12: 64 GB Pixel 6 Pro: 128 GB Base storage is what you get without paying extra. Photos, videos and apps add up quickly, so more space at the entry price is real value.
Max storage
iPhone 12: 256 GB Pixel 6 Pro: 512 GB Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it.
Camera
Pixel 6 Pro leads
The Pixel 6 Pro dominates the camera section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The Pixel 6 Pro adds a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera. Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos. The camera verdict goes to the Pixel 6 Pro.
Main camera
iPhone 12: 12 MP Pixel 6 Pro: 50 MP More megapixels on the main camera allow bigger crops and more detail in good light, but sensor size and processing matter just as much.
Rear cameras
iPhone 12: 2 Pixel 6 Pro: 3 An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
Battery & Charging
Pixel 6 Pro leads
In the battery & charging category, the Pixel 6 Pro is a step ahead rather than a leap ahead. The Pixel 6 Pro answers with faster 23 W wireless charging. Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience. Prioritize battery & charging, and the Pixel 6 Pro is where you should land.
Wireless charging
iPhone 12: 15 W Pixel 6 Pro: 23 W If you rely on a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the Pixel 6 Pro refills quicker there.
Software & Updates
On software & updates, the useful details are the names in the table: what each one uses, not a figure we can rank.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 12 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.7 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | LTPO OLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 512 ppi (winner) |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 1,200 nits | N/A (not specified) |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 12 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A14 Bionic | Google Tensor |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 5 nm | 5 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 12 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 64 GB | 128 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 256 GB | 512 GB (winner) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 12 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 48 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 4× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 11 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 | 4K60 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 12 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 5,003 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 17 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 23 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 23 W (winner) |
| Port | Lightning | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 12 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 14 | Android 12 |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 3 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 12 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.78 in | 6.45 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 2.99 in |
| Thickness | 0.29 in (winner) | 0.35 in |
| Weight | 5.78 oz (winner) | 7.41 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 12 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 (winner) | $899 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Only $100 separated these two at launch, in favor of the iPhone 12. The Pixel 6 Pro costs $100 more, and for that you get a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB.
Launch prices in the US as of October 2021; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 12 if…
- you notice every gram in your pocket (5.78 oz vs 7.41 oz)
- you want the slimmer phone (0.29 in vs 0.35 in)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($100 less)
Choose the Pixel 6 Pro if…
- you want smoother scrolling (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you want more storage without paying for an upgrade (128 GB vs 64 GB)
- you like to crop into your photos (50 MP vs 12 MP main camera)
- you like switching between focal lengths (3 vs 2 cameras)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 12 or the Pixel 6 Pro?
We’d point most buyers to the Pixel 6 Pro. The main exception is if you value a 1.62 oz lighter build above everything else.
Which is larger, the iPhone 12 or the Pixel 6 Pro?
The Pixel 6 Pro is the larger of the two. It measures 6.45 × 2.99 × 0.35 in, compared with 5.78 × 2.81 × 0.29 in for the iPhone 12.
Does the iPhone 12 have a stronger camera setup than the Pixel 6 Pro?
The Pixel 6 Pro leads on camera specs thanks to a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera and an extra rear camera. Processing and personal taste also play a big part in photos.
Which has the better screen, the iPhone 12 or the Pixel 6 Pro?
The Pixel 6 Pro has the stronger display on paper, with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 11% sharper pixel density.
Which costs less, the iPhone 12 or the Pixel 6 Pro?
The Pixel 6 Pro launched at $100 more than the iPhone 12, based on prices as of October 2021.
Is the iPhone 12 lighter than the Pixel 6 Pro?
On the scale, the iPhone 12 comes out ahead at 1.62 oz lighter than the Pixel 6 Pro.
Executive Summary
Let me cut through the brand noise around the iPhone 12 and the Pixel 6 Pro. The Pixel 6 Pro wins me over with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. Nor should you ignore that the Pixel 6 Pro has 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB. That said, the iPhone 12 answers with a 1.62 oz lighter build, which some people will value more.
Who should get which? The iPhone 12 for portability, the Pixel 6 Pro for display.
My pick: the Pixel 6 Pro is the one I’d buy, unless you’d trade the rest for a 1.62 oz lighter build.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.