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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera performance is a priority, the Google Pixel 6 Pro offers superior camera features with more options for versatile photography, but the Pixel 6a still delivers good overall camera quality. For battery life, the Pixel 6a provides slightly longer usage time. The screen on the Pixel 6 Pro is larger and has a higher refresh rate, which makes for smoother visuals, while the Pixel 6a has a more modest screen. Both phones share the same processor, so you'll get comparable performance in that regard. The Pixel 6 Pro is the pricier option due to these enhanced features, so if you're looking to save money and can manage with a decent camera and slightly smaller display, the Pixel 6a is the more budget-friendly choice. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 6 Pro
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Best in class display quality
Advantages of the Google Pixel 6a
- Good battery life
Key differences
Photo Quality
8.0
7.4
The Google Pixel 6 Pro takes very good photos, while the Google Pixel 6a takes good photos.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro provides an excellent selfie experience due to its high-resolution front camera and strong performance in various lighting conditions, while the Google Pixel 6a also delivers good selfies with solid overall performance, though it doesn't match the versatility or the nuanced software enhancements found in its Pro counterpart. Both phones benefit from Google's software expertise, offering a satisfying photo-taking experience, but the Pixel 6 Pro boasts better dynamic range and low light performance, making it the superior choice for camera enthusiasts.
Battery
6.7 Hours
7.6 Hours
The Google Pixel 6 Pro has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6 Pro has a screen size of 6.71 inches and the Google Pixel 6a is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$309
$400
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Google Pixel 6 Pro has a price of $309 and the Google Pixel 6a costs $400.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Google Pixel 6 Pro to have very good overall camera quality, while the Google Pixel 6a has good overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro has outstanding photo software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, along with a good camera versatility and an excellent selfie camera. The Google Pixel 6a, while slightly less versatile in its camera options, also delivers an excellent photo software experience and selfie camera with good dynamic range and low light capabilities, making it a strong contender for those seeking quality photos without breaking the bank.
Video Quality
7.3
7.2
The Google Pixel 6 Pro and Google Pixel 6a both have good videos.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro delivers excellent video resolution and framerate, along with exceptional video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, complemented by good mic quality. The Google Pixel 6a, while a notch below in these aspects, still offers very good video capabilities and mic quality, making it a strong contender, especially for its price range.
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How the Google Pixel 6 Pro and the Google Pixel 6a compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6 Pro | Google Pixel 6a |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$309 | $400 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | |||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 28, 2022 | July 21, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.71" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3120 x 1440 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 512 | 429 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | Tensor | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 12 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.1/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.4/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 7.6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5003 mAh | 4410 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 23 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (5 watts) | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.45" x 2.99" | 5.99" x 2.83" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.41 oz | 6.28 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | |
Color | |||
Color | Stormy Black, Cloudy White, Sorta Sunny | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 6 Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
James Peckham | August 2022
"The Google Pixel 6 Pro has one of the best screens you’ll find on a smartphone, and you’ll get a bright and bold picture no matter what you’re doing. That’s a big deal for many, and for some it may be reason enough to buy this phone. Its main sensor is fantastic, the telephoto is strong and there are new exciting software features too."
Google Pixel 6a
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Ron Amadeo | July 2022
"it's very hard to find fault with the Pixel 6a. It has a processor that, in the US at least, blows away other Android phones in this price range. The design is great, the camera is fine, and the price is right. What's not to like?"
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6 Pro or the Google Pixel 6a
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
152,400
Recommendations made
86,360
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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