iPhone 13 vs Pixel 6
The iPhone 13 and the Pixel 6 compete for the same spot on your shortlist, with Apple and Google each making its case. Across 5 compared areas, the Pixel 6 takes 3. The widest gap shows up under display. Add $200 of difference in launch price, and the Pixel 6 has a strong argument before a single spec is compared.
At a glance
- Display Pixel 6 wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage iPhone 13 wins
- Camera Pixel 6 wins
- Battery & Charging Pixel 6 wins
- Price Pixel 6 wins
- Display2.3
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera0.9
- Display4.5
- Memory & Storage1.3
- Camera1.5
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 has a 90 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
It’s a lopsided result (90 Hz for the Pixel 6, 60 Hz for the iPhone 13) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the Pixel 6 feels more fluid in everyday use.
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The iPhone 13 has a 1.16 oz lighter build
The spread here is large: 6.14 oz on the iPhone 13 versus 7.30 oz on the Pixel 6. Expect to notice it. The iPhone 13 is easier on your wrist during long reading or gaming sessions.
-
The Pixel 6 has a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the Pixel 6 makes its strongest case: 50 MP against 12 MP. 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 iPhone 13 has a 0.05 in slimmer body
The iPhone 13 clearly leads on thickness, and 0.30 in versus 0.35 in is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. A slimmer phone slides into pockets more easily and feels less bulky, especially once a case goes on.
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The iPhone 13 has a bigger top storage option
On max storage, the iPhone 13 posts 512 GB against 256 GB for the Pixel 6, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone.
Design & Size
- iPhone 13 5.78 in × 2.81 in × 0.30 in
- Pixel 6 6.24 in × 2.94 in × 0.35 in
If compact matters to you, the iPhone 13 is the one to look at. The Pixel 6 is physically larger all round. There’s 1.16 oz between them, and the iPhone 13 is on the lighter side. Slimness goes to the iPhone 13, 0.05 in thinner overall.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Pixel 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.78 in | 6.24 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 2.94 in |
| Thickness | 0.30 in (winner) | 0.35 in |
| Weight | 6.14 oz (winner) | 7.30 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
Pixel 6 leads
The iPhone 13 has a tough time in the display section, where the Pixel 6 pulls well ahead. The Pixel 6 delivers a 90 Hz display instead of 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. The iPhone 13 wins here with 12% sharper pixel density. For anyone who cares most about display, the Pixel 6 is the safer choice.
Refresh rate
iPhone 13: 60 Hz Pixel 6: 90 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.
Screen size
iPhone 13: 6.1 in Pixel 6: 6.4 in Screen size is personal. If you watch a lot on your phone, the extra area pays off; if you text one-handed on the go, compact is kinder.
Performance
Too close to call
The iPhone 13 and the Pixel 6 match each other closely in this area. Neither phone gives you a reason to choose it on performance.
CPU cores
iPhone 13: 6 Pixel 6: 8 Treat the core count as background information; the chipset name tells you far more about real performance.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 13 leads
The Pixel 6 comes close on memory & storage, but the iPhone 13 does just enough to lead. On its side, the iPhone 13 has a bigger top storage option. Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it. So if memory & storage tops your list, lean toward the iPhone 13.
Max storage
iPhone 13: 512 GB Pixel 6: 256 GB Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the iPhone 13’s bigger maximum.
Camera
Pixel 6 leads
The Pixel 6 is the clear pick if camera is what you care about most. The Pixel 6 adds a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera. The Pixel 6’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer. The iPhone 13 steps ahead thanks to a sharper 12 MP selfie camera. Prioritize camera, and the Pixel 6 is where you should land.
Main camera
iPhone 13: 12 MP Pixel 6: 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.
Front camera
iPhone 13: 12 MP Pixel 6: 8 MP Front cameras are often an afterthought, so a higher-resolution sensor is a small but welcome edge for the iPhone 13.
Battery & Charging
Pixel 6 leads
The battery & charging numbers lean toward the Pixel 6, not dramatically but consistently. Point to the Pixel 6 for faster 21 W wireless charging. Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience. If battery & charging is your priority, the Pixel 6 is the phone to pick.
Wireless charging
iPhone 13: 15 W Pixel 6: 21 W Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up.
Software & Updates
The software & updates data here comes as names and types, not scores. Check the table to see what each one uses.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Pixel 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.4 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | OLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi (winner) | 411 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 90 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 1,200 nits | N/A (not specified) |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Pixel 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A15 Bionic | Google Tensor |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 5 nm | 5 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Pixel 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB (winner) | 256 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Pixel 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 2 |
| Front camera | 12 MP (winner) | 8 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 4K60 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Pixel 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 4,614 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 19 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 21 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 21 W (winner) |
| Port | Lightning | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Pixel 6 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 15 | Android 12 |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 3 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Pixel 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.78 in | 6.24 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 2.94 in |
| Thickness | 0.30 in (winner) | 0.35 in |
| Weight | 6.14 oz (winner) | 7.30 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Pixel 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 | $599 (winner) |
“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
You pay $200 extra for the iPhone 13 at launch prices, a difference of 33%. Paying $200 more for the iPhone 13 doesn’t buy you the better overall package.
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 7.30 oz)
- you care about a thin profile in your pocket (0.30 in vs 0.35 in)
- you need as much on-device space as you can get (512 GB vs 256 GB top option)
- you take a lot of selfies or video calls (12 MP vs 8 MP front camera)
Choose the Pixel 6 if…
- you game or scroll a lot and like motion to look fluid (90 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you like to crop into your photos (50 MP vs 12 MP main camera)
- you want faster wireless charging (21 W vs 15 W)
- you like checking the time and alerts without waking the phone
- you’d put the $200 saving toward something else
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 13 or the Pixel 6?
The Pixel 6 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you’d trade the rest for a 1.16 oz lighter build.
Is the iPhone 13 bigger than the Pixel 6?
The Pixel 6 is the larger of the two. It measures 6.24 × 2.94 × 0.35 in, compared with 5.78 × 2.81 × 0.30 in for the iPhone 13.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 13 or the Pixel 6?
The Pixel 6 leads on camera specs thanks to a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera. Processing and personal taste also play a big part in photos.
Which has the better screen, the iPhone 13 or the Pixel 6?
The Pixel 6 has the edge here, offering a 90 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and an always-on display.
Which costs less, the iPhone 13 or the Pixel 6?
Going by launch prices, the Pixel 6 costs $200 less than the iPhone 13. Prices as of October 2021; current offers may differ.
Is the iPhone 13 lighter than the Pixel 6?
The iPhone 13 is lighter, by 1.16 oz.
Executive Summary
The iPhone 13 and the Pixel 6 are aimed at each other, and I think the gaps between them are more interesting than the headlines. What I like most about the Pixel 6 here is a 90 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. I also like that the Pixel 6 brings a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera. On the other side, the iPhone 13 brings a 1.16 oz lighter build, and I wouldn’t dismiss that.
In my head, the iPhone 13 is the memory & storage pick and the Pixel 6 is the display pick.
My pick: the Pixel 6 for most people, with the iPhone 13 as the smarter choice if your top priority is a 1.16 oz lighter build.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.