Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Google Pixel 6 Pro
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
Both flagship phones deliver premium experiences with distinct strengths. iPhone 12 Pro excels with its refined 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, exceptional A14 Bionic performance, and cohesive iOS ecosystem, though its 60Hz refresh rate and 2815mAh battery feel dated. Pixel 6 Pro counters with a larger 6.7-inch LTPO OLED screen featuring 10-120Hz adaptive refresh, significantly superior camera hardware (50MP main with OIS, 48MP 4x telephoto), and a robust 5003mAh battery. Google's Tensor processor matches Apple's power while excelling at computational photography. Pixel 6 Pro also offers faster 33W charging and USB-C convenience. At $100 less, Pixel 6 Pro provides better value and more practical daily advantages, particularly for photography enthusiasts and heavy users. iPhone 12 Pro remains excellent for Apple loyalists but feels incrementally outpaced here.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Google Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 12 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 189 g | 210 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/1.85, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 11.1 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 2.5x | 48 MP, f/3.5, 4x optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2, 114-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 5003 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 33W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 23W (Pixel Stand 2nd gen) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | LTPO OLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 10-120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 800 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G78 MP20 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Google Tensor |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12 Pro
Pros
- First iPhone with LiDAR scanner for AR and Night mode portraits
- Introduced MagSafe magnetic accessory ecosystem
- First 5nm chip (A14 Bionic) on any smartphone
- ProRAW format for professional photo editing
- Flat-edge design revival praised for aesthetics
Cons
- No 120Hz ProMotion display at Pro pricing
- Small 2815 mAh battery requires charging daily
- Charger removed from box controversially
- 2.5x telephoto falls short of Android competition
Google Pixel 6 Pro
Pros
- First-generation Tensor chip brings impressive AI photography
- LTPO display with variable refresh rate
- 4x telephoto for versatile zoom range
- Large battery with wireless charging
- Distinctive two-tone design
Cons
- First-gen Tensor has thermal management issues
- Software bugs at launch damaged reputation
- Heavy and slippery curved glass back
- Aging chip limits longevity
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