Apple iPhone 12 vs Google Pixel 6
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 delivers a premium compact experience with the powerful A14 Bionic chip, stunning 1200-nit Super Retina XDR display, and excellent build quality at $799. Google's Pixel 6 counters with a larger 6.4-inch AMOLED screen, 90Hz refresh rate, significantly larger 4614mAh battery, faster 30W charging, and superior 50MP main camera with computational photography advantages. Performance-wise, the A14 edges ahead in raw speed, but Tensor's AI capabilities excel in real-world photography and processing. Battery life decisively favors Pixel 6 thanks to its substantially larger capacity and more efficient hardware. Camera systems differ philosophically: iPhone 12 prioritizes video and computational processing through software, while Pixel 6 leverages higher megapixels and machine learning. iPhone 12 suits those preferring compact design and iOS ecosystem, while Pixel 6 appeals to users wanting all-day battery life, a larger screen, and advanced computational photography. Choose Pixel 6 for better value and battery performance, or iPhone 12 for tighter design and ecosystem integration.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 12 if…
- →First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- →Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- →Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
Buy the Google Pixel 6 if…
- →First Tensor chip with incredible AI photography
- →Magic Eraser and Real Tone features
- →Excellent value at $599 for flagship specs
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12
Pros
- First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
- A14 Bionic delivers excellent performance and efficiency
- Dolby Vision HDR video recording is a first for any smartphone
Cons
- 60Hz display when competitors offered 90Hz or 120Hz
- Small 2815 mAh battery offers mediocre battery life
- 64 GB base storage is inadequate in 2020
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- No telephoto lens — only dual camera
Google Pixel 6
Pros
- First Tensor chip with incredible AI photography
- Magic Eraser and Real Tone features
- Excellent value at $599 for flagship specs
- Five years of security updates
- Clean Android 12 Material You experience
Cons
- Tensor chip runs warm under sustained load
- In-display fingerprint scanner was slow
- No telephoto camera
- 8 MP selfie camera is below average
- Thick camera bar protrudes significantly
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Google Pixel 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 12 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 207 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 6 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.85, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4614 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 21W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 90Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 800 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz + 2x2.25 GHz + 4x1.80 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G78 MP20 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Google Tensor |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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