Apple iPhone 12 vs Google Pixel 6a
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 delivers superior display quality with its 1200-nit Super Retina XDR OLED screen and snappier performance courtesy of the A14 Bionic chip, making it ideal for demanding apps and gaming. Google's Pixel 6a counters with exceptional value at $449, offering a larger 4410 mAh battery for all-day endurance, competitive computational photography through the Tensor chip, and USB-C charging. Both sport identical 6.1-inch OLED panels and 60Hz refresh rates, though the iPhone excels in brightness and color accuracy. Camera performance favors the iPhone's optical stability and Dolby Vision recording, while Pixel 6a holds its ground with solid low-light processing. Battery life heavily favors Pixel 6a due to its massive capacity advantage. For users prioritizing performance, display excellence, and wireless charging, iPhone 12 justifies the premium. Budget-conscious buyers seeking longevity and practical functionality should choose Pixel 6a.
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 6a if…
- →Same Tensor chip as Pixel 6 at $449
- →Excellent computational photography
- →Five years of security updates
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 6a
Pros
- Same Tensor chip as Pixel 6 at $449
- Excellent computational photography
- Five years of security updates
- Compact and lightweight design
- Clean stock Android experience
Cons
- 60Hz display feels dated
- Slow 18W charging
- No wireless charging
- Only 128 GB storage option
- 12.2 MP camera hardware behind Pixel 6
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Google Pixel 6a |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 12 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 178 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 3 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 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 | 6 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4410 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 18W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| 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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