Pixel 6 Vs Pixel 4 Xl

The Pixel 6 is Google's about significant smartphone upgrade in years. But it tin can still be difficult to know whether it'due south time to trade in your old phone. In full general, you should merely consider upgrading if your device is more than two years old. At that place's plenty that's different nearly the Pixel 6, onlythe Pixel 5 is nevertheless new enough to get y'all through at least some other yr. If you have an older phone that's not eligible for Android operating arrangement updates anymore -- like the Pixel iii -- it's time to think about upgrading.

While the Pixel 6 was impressive enough to earn a CNET Editors' Choice Award, it's also worth remembering at that place are other options coming before long for Pixel fans. Google just appear the more affordablePixel 6A, which launches in July. It costs $449 and runs on the same Tensor processor equally the Pixel 6. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are also coming this autumn, bringing a newer version of Google's Tensor chip among other improvements.

You'll also want to consider what you're sacrificing when upgrading. Owners of certain older Pixel phones get unlimited photo storage via the Google Photos app at "Storage saver" quality, which preserves about item while compressing the file size. But this perk isn't available on newer phones like the Pixel 5A and Pixel 6 family. It's as well of import to consider that Google regularly launches software updates with new features that are compatible with older phones, too, so y'all don't always take to purchase a new phone to go additional functionality.

We've focused on the main Pixel series in this story instead of its less expensive Pixel A phones. Since Google usually launches its A-series phones after its flagship Pixels, these devices usually have a longer lifespan when it comes to software support, significant y'all can agree onto them for longer before upgrading.

If you're interested in branching out from the Pixel lineup, cheque out our guide to the best Android phones. And if you are upgrading to a new device, consider recycling your old phone or trading it in.

Read more: What Google's Pixel Scout Tin Learn From Its Pixel Phones

The Pixel 5.

Juan Garzon/CNET

Google Pixel half dozen vs. Pixel 5

Yr-over-year upgrades are usually small in today's smartphone landscape, merely the Pixel half dozen is the rare exception to this rule. With the Pixel 6, y'all're getting Google's own Tensor processor for the first time, an upgraded photographic camera with extra features, a more elegant design and other refinements that make it feel vastly different from the Pixel five. But since the Pixel v is less than two years onetime, y'all probably don't demand to upgrade just still.

The biggest change in the Pixel half-dozen is the improver of Google's Tensor processor. General functioning is shine, but Google's scrap actually shines when it comes to camera features and other auto learning-oriented tasks. The Pixel 6'due south camera is loaded with new tools you lot won't get on the Pixel 5, such as Magic Eraser for deleting unwanted groundwork items; Face Unblur, which keeps a subject's face up sharp even when they're moving; and Motility Mode for adding blurred groundwork or long exposure effects to an image.

Aside from the extra functionality, the Pixel 6 likewise has a 50-megapixel chief camera with a wider field of view than the Pixel five's, although the ultrawide camera has a lower resolution than last yr's phone (12 megapixels on the Pixel 6 versus sixteen megapixels on the Pixel 5).

Google likewise says the Pixel 6 should have longer battery life than the Pixel five, since it claims the new phone's battery can terminal "across 24 hours" while referring to the Pixel five every bit having "all-day" battery life. But bombardment life will ever vary depending on how y'all apply your device. Both phones were capable of making it through a full day during CNET'due south review testing, just factors like screen effulgence and which apps you're using volition always play a role.

The Pixel 6 also has a new glass design with a two-tone colour scheme that looks classier than the Pixel 5's, although that might not matter much if yous plan to employ it with a case. The more significant update is the Pixel 6's larger half-dozen.4-inch screen, which represents a sizable jump from the Pixel five's 6-inch display. Both phones can heave their refresh rates upward to 90Hz for smoother scrolling and accept similar resolutions, but the Pixel 6's screen is covered in more durable Gorilla Glass Victus.

Read more: Google'southward Promise to Simplify Tech Puts Its Gadgets Everywhere

The bottom line: Fifty-fifty though there's a lot that'due south new with the Pixel vi, you probably don't demand to upgrade just yet. The Pixel half-dozen'south extra photographic camera features and other improvements are appreciated, merely likely aren't worth a $600 upgrade for about people. Bated from its fresh look, bigger screen and new camera, a lot of the Pixel 6's changes are by and large moderate upgrades. Google volition continue providing the Pixel 5 with Android operating system and security updates through October 2023. And then if you're happy with your electric current Pixel 5, you're meliorate off holding onto information technology for another year to get the almost out of it before upgrading.

Google'due south Pixel iv.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Google Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 4 and four XL

When information technology comes to the Pixel 4 and 4 Twoscore, the question of whether you should upgrade isn't so straightforward. If your phone is notwithstanding in good condition, you can probably afford to hold onto it for a footling longer. But you might want to consider upgrading in the fall since the Pixel 4 and iv Forty are simply guaranteed to get Android operating system and security updates until October 2022.

Even if you've decided you're prepare for a new telephone, yous should still wait until later this year if possible to see what the Pixel 6A and Pixel 7 have in store. Which ane yous should wait for depends on your budget and priorities. Google's A-serial phones are cheaper but compromise on certain features. If Google keeps the same pricing as concluding year, the Pixel 7 volition beginning at $600 merely similar the Pixel half dozen.

Simply if you are set on upgrading now, there's plenty that's new with the Pixel 6. The most visibly obvious change is in the phone's blueprint. The Pixel 6 has a 2-tone glass back with a near borderless screen and a horizontal camera bar, while the Pixel 4 has a solid colored back. Since the newest Pixel phone doesn't have any bezels above or below the screen, Google was able to extend the display's size without making the phone bigger. Equally such, the Pixel 6 has a roomier 6.4-inch screen compared to the Pixel four'due south five.7-inch display and the Pixel 4 40's 6.iii-inch screen.

The Pixel 6 also supports 5G dissimilar the Pixel four and 4 XL. That might not feel like a huge deal today, but information technology's important for a phone that you lot're planning to keep for the next ii to iii years.

Google also gave the Pixel half-dozen's internals a major upgrade by using its own Tensor bit instead of a Qualcomm mobile processor. Once again, you'll notice this most in the camera, since it brings actress features similar Magic Eraser and Face Unblur. Simply because the Pixel iv is now more than than two years old, you'll probable notice a nice boost in overall speed and responsiveness, besides.

The photographic camera on the Pixel 6 also has a noticeably higher l-megapixel resolution with a wider field of view than the Pixel four and 4XL's 12.ii-megapixel main camera. The other main photographic camera difference comes down to the second lens. The Pixel 6 has an ultrawide camera while the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL each have a telephoto camera. If you accept a lot of zoomed-in photos on your Pixel four, you lot'll desire to be aware of that change.

Google also did away with its Motion Sense feature afterward the Pixel four, but that's probably not a huge loss. Motion Sense lets you perform actions like playing or pausing music, skipping songs or snoozing alarms merely by waving your hand without touching the phone. Although Motility Sense was responsive in our testing, CNET'south reviewer Lynn La also said it "felt gimmicky at starting time."

You lot'll too discover an improvement in bombardment life when switching to the Pixel half-dozen. Google's newest telephone typically lasts for a total day on a single charge, according to CNET'south review, while the Pixel 4 only lasted for about a workday when CNET tested it in 2019. Those are the biggest differences, but there are as well a few other benefits, such as more storage at the base of operations level (128GB on the Pixel 6 vs. the Pixel 4's 64GB), extra RAM for amend operation (8GB instead of 6GB) and an in-screen fingerprint sensor (the Pixel 4 only has face unlock). The Pixel vi also has Battery Share, which makes it possible to accuse other devices like earbuds wirelessly.

Read more: Best Android Phones in 2022

The lesser line: With a sharper main camera, new photography features, a bigger screen, longer battery life and Google'south Tensor processor, there'due south certainly a lot to gain by switching from the Pixel 4 to the Pixel 6. Only you also don't have to upgrade correct away if your phone is in good status.

However, the Pixel 4 and iv Twoscore are only guaranteed to receive Android version and security updates until this October. Your phone will withal piece of work after that date, simply you'll likely want to upgrade to a newer device before then.

Google'due south Pixel three (left) and Pixel 3 XL (right).

Angela Lang/CNET

Google Pixel half dozen vs. Pixel 3 and 3 XL

If yous have a Pixel 3 or earlier, it's time to upgrade since Google no longer guarantees Android version and security updates. The Pixel 3 and 3 Xl are more than three years old, meaning they're also probably starting to experience a bit dull.

Although software support is probably the most important reason to upgrade, the Pixel 6 brings many other new features and functionality. Unlike the Pixel 6, the Pixel 3 and 3 40 don't back up 5G. You might non intendance about that very much right now, just y'all probably will over the next two years or so.

The Pixel 6's screen is significantly larger than the Pixel 3's (vi.4 inches versus 5.v inches) and slightly bigger than the Pixel 3 Xl's half-dozen.3-inch display. The borders surrounding the Pixel 6's screen are also noticeably smaller than those on the Pixel iii and iii XL, giving Google's newest phone a sleeker and more than modern overall appearance.

Performance and battery life will also get a large boost thank you to Google'southward Tensor chip and the Pixel 6'due south larger battery chapters. Even though the Pixel 3'due south bombardment fared pretty well during our initial exam in 2018, your phone'due south battery life is probably starting to shorten now that the device is a couple of years old. Aside from the speed boost you'll probable get from Google's new Tensor processor, the Pixel 6's 90Hz refresh charge per unit should also make scrolling experience smoother.

But one of the biggest areas you'll notice an improvement is in the camera. Not only does the Pixel 6 have a sharper 50-megapixel principal camera compared to the Pixel three'due south 12.2-megapixel camera, but it too has an additional 12-megapixel ultra wide photographic camera for taking broader shots. The Pixel 6's improved photographic camera sensor and Google Tensor processor also mean at that place are a ton of extra photography features on the Pixel 6 that you won't get on the Pixel 3. These include Magic Eraser for deleting unwanted background objects, Face Unblur for capturing sharp images fifty-fifty when the subject is moving and portrait light effects among other tools.

Those are the main benefits you'll become from upgrading to the Pixel half dozen, but there are several other differences, too. The Pixel half dozen has an in-screen fingerprint reader instead of the Pixel 3'due south rear-mounted sensor and double the memory for ameliorate performance. It likewise has contrary wireless charging, which enables the back of the device to serve every bit a wireless charger for compatible accessories.

Read more: Google Pixel Watch: All the Details Nosotros Exercise (and Don't) Know

The bottom line: Since Google is no longer guaranteeing Android version and security updates for the Pixel 3 and 3 Twoscore, you'll desire to upgrade soon. Bated from the peace of mind that comes with knowing you lot'll continue to get new features and security fixes, you'll become a slew of other improvements ranging from longer bombardment life to a more than sophisticated camera and larger screen.

Google Pixel half-dozen vs. Pixel 3, 4 and v

	Google Pixel half-dozen	Google Pixel 5	Google Pixel four	Google Pixel three
Display size, resolution	6.four-inch OLED; ii,400x1,080 pixels; lx or 90Hz	6-inch FHD+ OLED; two,340x1,080 pixels; 60 or 90Hz	5.7-inch OLED; ii,280x1,080 pixels	5.five-inch OLED; 2,160x1,080 pixels
Pixel density	411ppi	432ppi	444ppi	443ppi
Dimensions (Inches)	vi.ii x 2.nine x 0.iv in	v.vii x 2.8 10 0.three in	2.vii ten 5.7 x 0.3 in	v.7x2.7x0.3 in
Dimensions (Millimeters)	158.half-dozen 10 74.8 x viii.9 mm	144.7 x 70.4 x 8.0 mm	68.8 x 147.1 10 eight.2 mm	145.6x68.2x7.9 mm
Weight (Ounces, Grams)	seven.three oz; 207g	five.33 oz; 151g	5.7 oz; 162g	5.2oz; 148g
Mobile software (at launch)	Android 12	Android 11	Android ten	Android ix
Photographic camera	50-megapixel (broad), 12-megapixel ultrawide	12.ii-megapixel (standard), sixteen-megapixel (ultrawide)	12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (telephoto)	12.2-megapixel
Forepart-facing photographic camera	8-megapixel	viii-megapixel	8-megapixel	viii-megapixel
Video capture	4K 60fps (rear), 1080p 30fps (front)	4K 60fps (rear), 1080p 30fps (forepart)	4K 30fps (rear); 1080p 30fps (front)	4K 30fps (rear), 1080p 30fps (front)
Processor	Google Tensor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G	Qualcomm Snapdragon 855	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
RAM/Storage	8GB/128GB or 256GB	8GB/128GB	6GB/64GB or 128GB	4GB/64GB or 128GB
Expandable storage	No	No	No	No
Battery/Charger	four,614 mAh	4,080 mAh	two,800 mAh	2,915 mAh
Fingerprint sensor	Nether brandish	Rear	No	Rear
Connector	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
Headphone jack	No	No	No	No
Special features	5G sub 6 (some carrier models also have 5G mmWave) support, Wi-Fi 6E, 30W fast charging, Magic Eraser, Movement mode, Real Tone, Face Unblur, Cinematic Pan, five years OS and security updates, IP68 rating for dust and h2o resistance, Gorrila Glass Victus (front), Gorilla Glass six (dorsum)	5G enabled; water resistant (IP68); 90Hz refresh rate display; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); contrary wireless charging; fast charging	Soli motion sensing and touchless gestures; 90Hz display; water resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging	IP68 rating, wireless charging back up, Pixel Buds USB-C headphones in the box

Source: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/should-you-upgrade-to-pixel-6-we-compare-to-3-older-pixel-phones/

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