• Pixel 6 Sqaure
    Google Pixel 6

    The Pixel 6 is still an excellent smartphone if you can get your hands on one. As the first device to offer Google's Tensor chip, it has paved the way for future Pixel devices and offers a solid Android experience.

    Pros
    • Tensor chip introduced tons of great features
    • Glass-backed design feels premium
    • Camera upgrades deliver exceptional mobile photography
    Cons
    • More fragile than older designs
    • Camera bump can scratch easily
  • google-pixel-5-front-and-back
    Google Pixel 5

    The Pixel 5 was the last "traditional" Pixel device to offer a Qualcomm processor. With Android 13 support, a great battery, and a solid display, the Pixel 5 continues to be a decent phone despite its age.

    Pros
    • Solid mid-range performance
    • Android 13 support
    • Unlimited Google Photos access
    Cons
    • Mid-range SoC may struggle as it ages
    • Cameras leave something to be desired

It's been two years since Google introduced the Pixel 6, bringing Tensor to the world and offering a smartphone that was truly Google through and through. Despite their age, the Google Pixel 6 and even Pixel 5 are both excellent phones and were even considered some of the best Android phones by many when they were released. But which one is better? Does the slightly older Pixel 5 stand taller with its Qualcomm processor, or was Google's first-generation Tensor chip everything that Google made out to be? Let's compare.

Price, specs, and availability

Before we dig into the nitty-gritty of these two phones, it's vital to look at what kind of prices they’re running for. Despite being a few years old, Pixel devices like the Pixel 5 and 6 are still worth a decent amount of money, especially if you’re buying them new. They are somewhat discounted from their launch prices, though, with the Pixel 5 available for as low as $130 for a used device and upwards of $450 for a new one. The Pixel 5 is often higher because many consider the 5 the last "traditional Pixel" Google made before the Tensor took over and Google started pushing out bigger devices.

On the other hand, you can find the Pixel 6 priced as low as $360 for a new device. The price difference between the Pixel 5 and 6 now is somewhat ironic, as the Pixel 6 originally launched for $599, one hundred dollars below the initial $699 asking price on the Pixel 5.

Regarding overall availability, it can be tough to find either of these devices from trusted sellers, and most of the listings on Amazon are going to be from third-party resellers.


  • Google Pixel 6Google Pixel 5
    SoCGoogle TensorQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
    Display6.0 inches, OLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
    RAM8GB8GB
    Storage128GB, 256GB128GB
    Battery4,614mAh4,080mAh
    Operating SystemAndroid 14Android 11
    Front camera8MP, f/2.08 MP, f/2.0
    Dimensions158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9mm144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm
    ColorsStormy Black, Sorta Seafoam, Kinda CoralJust Black, Sorta Sage
    PriceFrom $599$699

Design and display

When comparing the design and display of the Pixel 5 and 6, it all comes down to what you want from a device. Offering a 6-inch display, the Pixel 5 is smaller than the 6.4-inch display on the Pixel 6 and noticeably lighter. The Pixel 5 also features an aluminum back with bio-resin coating versus the fancier but more breakable glass back on the Pixel 6.

The displays here are pretty on-par with each other, offering excellent viewing angles and fingerprint resistance. However, there are a few key differences. The Pixel 6 offers a newer Samsung OLED display, offering somewhat brighter colors that just pop more than the Pixel 5's smaller OLED display. The fingerprint scanner is also situated beneath the display on the Pixel 6, while the Pixel 5 houses its fingerprint scanner on the back of the device. It's a minor difference that may ultimately hold a lot of sway over which device you choose, depending on how you prefer to use your device.

Neither device sports a headphone jack, so you'll need to use a set of the best wireless headphones if you want to listen to music without distracting others. However, both devices offer the same level of IP68-certified water resistance, and the Pixel 6 comes equipped with an anti-fingerprint coating on its glass back.

Ultimately, the Pixel 6's display is bigger and brighter, and its overall design is better than the Pixel 5, minus the fragile glass back. However, if you prefer a smaller device, the Pixel 5 still offers a great display, especially for the age of the phone.

Softwareandroid-14-dp-1-upside-down-cake-google-pixel-6-desk

Buying a new smartphone requires considering many factors, including the phone's software and how long the manufacturer will support it. Because the Pixel 5 and 6 aren't the newest phones around, it's even more critical, as each device has a lifespan that it will eventually reach when the manufacturer stops offering updates.

Both the Pixel 5 and Pixel 6 are eligible to download and install Android 13, the most recent full-fledged operating system that Google has released for the Android platform. However, Google is only guaranteed to offer security and operating system updates for the Pixel 5 until October 2023. The Pixel 6, however, will continue to receive guaranteed Android updates until October 2024, while security updates will continue until 2026. Both of these devices may get extended support times, but it isn't something to put a lot of stock in now.

Those looking for a device that will continue to receive updates for the longest amount of time will want to go with the Pixel 6, as it will continue receiving those important updates long after Google shelves the Pixel 5.

Performancepixel-5-and-pixel-6-4-1

It doesn't matter how pretty the device is or how long it will receive updates if it doesn't perform well. Luckily, the Pixel 5 and Pixel 6 both perform solidly in their daily uses. However, Google's Tensor SoC in the Pixel 6 does give it an edge.

The Tensor chip was Google's first attempt at creating an SoC in-house. It has worked out splendidly for them, powering the phone exceptionally well. While the Pixel 6 doesn't score as high as other high-end phones from the same year, Tensor allows it to take full advantage of the software that Google has created, running it smoothly and efficiently. The chip included in the Pixel 5, on the other hand, is a mid-range Qualcomm chip, which offers solid performance but fails to take advantage of the faster and smoother heterogeneous computing that Tensor makes possible.

While the Pixel 5 will do what you need it to, the Pixel 6 will do it faster and more smoothly, especially as the years wear on and the Pixel 5's already mid-range hardware falls further behind the current mid-range offerings from other smartphone manufacturers. The Pixel 6 also uses faster and more reliable UFS 3.1 storage versus the slower UFS 2.1 NAND found in the Pixel 5.

Battery lifepixel-5-and-pixel-6-3-1

Finding a phone with great battery life isn’t as difficult as it used to be. Most of the devices offered these days come with large battery sizes, as well as other features. The Pixel 5 nor 6 are lacking in this area, though the Pixel 6 does feature a larger battery with better charging capabilities.

The Pixel 5 still offers really solid battery life thanks to the large 4,080 mAh found within it. However, the Pixel 6 ups the ante a bit, offering a 4,614 mAh cell. Further, the differences between the charging capabilities here are important, as the Pixel 6 supports 30W wired and 21W wireless charging compared to the 18W wired and 12W wireless charging on the Pixel 5.

One big thing to consider is that the Pixel 6 does not ship with a charger in the box, so you’ll need to provide your own USB-C charger to keep your device charged and ready to go. Even with that disadvantage, though, the Pixel 6 offers better battery life and charging speeds that the Pixel 5 just can’t keep up with.

Camerapixel-5-and-pixel-6-1-1

One of the most disappointing features of the Pixel 5 is its camera. It just doesn't offer the same level of upgrade or industry push that other smartphones of that year do. Google made up for this with the Pixel 6, though, introducing a bigger and more powerful camera and new features that utilized Google Tensor to deliver exceptional photography from the small computer you keep in your pocket.

Where the Pixel 5 failed to improve anything, Google offered a main camera with 50 megapixels (MP) with OIS and an f/1.85 aperture, an upgraded ultra-wide camera, and some big changes to its wide-angle camera, including a wider field-of-view. Neither device offers a telephoto lens, but the Pixel 5 fails to take advantage of the features that helped the Pixel 6's camera stand out — like Google's Magic Eraser, Motion Mode, and Face Unblur — which were originally only available on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. Both devices still offer the same 8MP selfie camera, so don't expect much difference between either here.

Which is right for you?

Thanks to Pixel 6's longer guaranteed updates and better support of Android 13, it will keep kicking for at least a few more years while you wait on Google to do something else big with the Pixel line-up. With Android 14 expected to release later in 2023, it's also set up to be one of the oldest devices running Google's latest Android OS.

It doesn't matter where you compare to two devices; in every area, the Pixel 6 stands high above the Pixel 5, making it the best of these two aging Google smartphones. If you want to go with something that is going to last longer and ultimately perform better, then the Pixel 6 is the clear winner. It's also hard to justify paying more for an older device, especially when you look at how much Tensor has changed the game for the features that Google is able to push into their devices.

Pixel 6 Sqaure
Google Pixel 6
Editor's choice

Great smartphone with Tensor chip

The Pixel 6 is still an excellent smartphone if you can get your hands on one. As the first device to offer Google's Tensor chip, it has paved the way for future Pixel devices and offers a solid Android experience.

Choosing between the Pixel 5 or Pixel 6 ultimately comes down to deciding what you want from your device. If you want that "traditional" Pixel feel that many still hold onto, then the Pixel 5 is still a solid device, though you'll pay a pretty penny for it.

google-pixel-5-front-and-back
Google Pixel 5
Runner-up

Classic Pixel phone with Qualcomm processor

$150 $300 Save $150

The Pixel 5 was the last "traditional" Pixel device to offer a Qualcomm processor. With Android 13 support, a great battery, and a solid display, the Pixel 5 continues to be a decent phone despite its age.