iPhone 13 vs Pixel 6 Pro
Apple versus Google: the iPhone 13 and the Pixel 6 Pro go after the same flagship smartphone buyer. Across 5 compared areas, the Pixel 6 Pro takes 3. The widest gap shows up under display.
At a glance
- Display Pixel 6 Pro wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Pixel 6 Pro wins
- Battery & Charging Pixel 6 Pro wins
- Price iPhone 13 wins
- Display2.3
- Memory & Storage1.8
- 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
If refresh rate is one of your priorities, this settles it: the Pixel 6 Pro leads clearly with 120 Hz to the iPhone 13’s 60 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.
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The iPhone 13 has a 1.27 oz lighter build
The numbers aren’t close. The iPhone 13 lists 6.14 oz for weight, while the Pixel 6 Pro lists 7.41 oz. The iPhone 13 is easier on your wrist during long reading or gaming sessions.
-
The Pixel 6 Pro has a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera
A clear win for the Pixel 6 Pro: 50 MP against 12 MP. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos.
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The Pixel 6 Pro has an extra rear camera
Here the Pixel 6 Pro pulls well ahead of the iPhone 13, with 3 compared to 2. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
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The iPhone 13 has a 0.05 in slimmer body
The iPhone 13 doesn’t just edge this one; 0.30 in against 0.35 in is a lead you’ll feel. It’s a difference you mostly notice in the hand and in tight pockets.
Design & Size
- iPhone 13 5.78 in × 2.81 in × 0.30 in
- Pixel 6 Pro 6.45 in × 2.99 in × 0.35 in
In overall size, the Pixel 6 Pro is ahead, which is good news only if a bigger phone is what you want. Weight goes to the iPhone 13, which sheds 1.27 oz compared with the Pixel 6 Pro. In profile, the iPhone 13 is the slimmer of the two by 0.05 in.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.78 in | 6.45 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 2.99 in |
| Thickness | 0.30 in (winner) | 0.35 in |
| Weight | 6.14 oz (winner) | 7.41 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
Pixel 6 Pro leads
In this area the Pixel 6 Pro has a lead the iPhone 13 can’t close. The Pixel 6 Pro delivers 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. Weighing only display, the Pixel 6 Pro comes out ahead.
Refresh rate
iPhone 13: 60 Hz Pixel 6 Pro: 120 Hz 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.
Screen size
iPhone 13: 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
Side by side, the performance figures for the iPhone 13 and the Pixel 6 Pro barely differ. Both cover performance well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
CPU cores
iPhone 13: 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
Too close to call
The iPhone 13 and the Pixel 6 Pro match each other closely in this area. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Camera
Pixel 6 Pro leads
On camera, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the Pixel 6 Pro. The Pixel 6 Pro has the edge with a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera. More megapixels on the main camera allow bigger crops and more detail in good light, but sensor size and processing matter just as much. For anyone who cares most about camera, the Pixel 6 Pro is the safer choice.
Main camera
iPhone 13: 12 MP Pixel 6 Pro: 50 MP The Pixel 6 Pro’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer.
Rear cameras
iPhone 13: 2 Pixel 6 Pro: 3 More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the Pixel 6 Pro’s extra lens adds.
Battery & Charging
Pixel 6 Pro leads
On balance, the Pixel 6 Pro leads the battery & charging section, just not by much. The Pixel 6 Pro comes with faster 23 W wireless charging. Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up. For battery & charging, the Pixel 6 Pro is the one to beat.
Wireless charging
iPhone 13: 15 W Pixel 6 Pro: 23 W Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience.
Software & Updates
We don’t score this area directly, because the software & updates specs are labels rather than measurements. The table shows what each lists.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 13 | 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 13 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A15 Bionic | Google Tensor |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 5 nm | 5 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 13 | 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 Dolby Vision | 4K60 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 5,003 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 19 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 13 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 15 | Android 12 |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 3 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.78 in | 6.45 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 2.99 in |
| Thickness | 0.30 in (winner) | 0.35 in |
| Weight | 6.14 oz (winner) | 7.41 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 13 | 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
A price gap of $100 at launch won’t make or break this decision. If $100 isn’t a stretch, the Pixel 6 Pro gives you a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera.
Launch prices (US) as of October 2021. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 13 if…
- you notice every gram in your pocket (6.14 oz vs 7.41 oz)
- you care about a thin profile in your pocket (0.30 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 the higher-resolution main camera (50 MP vs 12 MP)
- you like switching between focal lengths (3 vs 2 cameras)
- you use a wireless charging pad every day (23 W vs 15 W)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 13 or the Pixel 6 Pro?
For most people, the Pixel 6 Pro is the stronger choice, unless you’d trade the rest for a 1.27 oz lighter build.
Is the iPhone 13 bigger than the Pixel 6 Pro?
Going by the official dimensions, the Pixel 6 Pro is the larger one: 6.45 × 2.99 × 0.35 in against the iPhone 13’s 5.78 × 2.81 × 0.30 in.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 13 or the Pixel 6 Pro?
On paper, the Pixel 6 Pro has the stronger camera setup, with a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera and an extra rear camera.
Which has the better screen, the iPhone 13 or the Pixel 6 Pro?
Going by the numbers, the Pixel 6 Pro’s screen comes out ahead: a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 11% sharper pixel density.
Which costs less, the iPhone 13 or the Pixel 6 Pro?
The iPhone 13 is the cheaper option, launching at $100 less than the Pixel 6 Pro (launch prices as of October 2021).
Is the iPhone 13 lighter than the Pixel 6 Pro?
Going by the official figures, the iPhone 13 weighs 1.27 oz less than the Pixel 6 Pro.
Executive Summary
I’ll be upfront: I have no stake in whether you buy Apple or Google. I only care that you end up with the right one of the iPhone 13 and the Pixel 6 Pro. Honestly, a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz on the Pixel 6 Pro does a lot of the persuading for me. I also like that the Pixel 6 Pro brings a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera. The iPhone 13 isn’t without merit: a 1.27 oz lighter build is a real advantage.
I’d match them like this: portability to the iPhone 13, display to the Pixel 6 Pro.
My pick: if it were my money, the Pixel 6 Pro, unless what you want most is a 1.27 oz lighter build.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.