Google Pixel 6 Sorta Seafoam 128GB

The Pixel 6 scores 91st percentile for connectivity and 81st for battery life, making it a surprisingly capable budget pick in 2025. But the camera lands at just 39th percentile, which is rough for a Pixel. At USD 250 it's a bargain; at USD 485 it's a pass.

The Tensor chip runs at 2.80GHz across 8 cores with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage. In our benchmarks, that lands at 64th percentile overall. Not bad, not great. Apps open fine, multitasking is smooth enough, but you'll feel the age when pushing heavier games or editing photos. The 90Hz refresh rate helps keep things feeling snappy, though it's not the 120Hz you'll find on the OnePlus 13R or Nothing Phone (4a) Pro.

Battery is where this phone still shines. The 4614mAh cell scores 81st percentile, which translates to a full day of use without breaking a sweat. 30W wired charging gets you back up quickly, and 21W wireless is a nice bonus at this price point. The display sits at 57th percentile, which is about average. It's a 6.4-inch AMOLED at 1080 x 2400, perfectly fine but nothing that'll make you gasp.

Against the Pixel 9 Pro XL, this thing gets smoked in camera and performance. The 9 Pro XL is simply a different class of phone. But it also costs several times more. The OnePlus 13R and Nothing Phone (4a) Pro both offer newer processors and faster displays, though the Pixel 6's 91st percentile connectivity actually beats what you'd expect from some newer mid-rangers. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is in another universe entirely for performance and camera, but again, you're paying flagship money. The Motorola Razr ultra 2025 is a foldable, so it's really a different product. For the price, the Pixel 6 competes most directly with the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, and honestly, the Nothing wins on display and features. The Pixel 6's edge is battery life and that IP68 rating.

Here's where things get interesting. US listings range from USD 250 to USD 485, a USD 235 spread that means you really need to shop around. At the low end, you're getting a former flagship with IP68, wireless charging, and solid battery life for less than most budget phones. At USD 485, you're dangerously close to newer mid-rangers that beat it in nearly every category. The CAD 640 listing in Canada is harder to judge without local context, but the US spread alone tells you patience pays off. If you can snag one near USD 250, the value proposition is hard to argue with.

The Google Pixel 6 hits a 64th percentile performance score in our database, which sounds modest until you remember this thing launched as a flagship. The Tensor chip still handles daily tasks fine, but the 90Hz AMOLED display and 4614mAh battery are what keep it relevant in 2025. Battery life scores 81st percentile, which is genuinely impressive for a phone this age.

Connectivity is the real surprise here. At 91st percentile, the Pixel 6 outranks plenty of newer mid-rangers for 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and dual SIM support. But the camera sits at 39th percentile, and that's a problem for a Pixel. Google's whole identity was computational photography, and this 50MP main sensor just doesn't hold up against the Pixel 9 Pro XL or iPhone 16 Pro Max anymore.

Skip this if you care about photography. The 39th percentile camera score is a real letdown for a Pixel, and the 8MP front camera won't do your selfies any favors. Also skip it if you're paying anywhere near USD 485, because at that price the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro or OnePlus 13R offer better displays, faster performance, and more modern features. The 44th percentile feature score means you're missing out on some newer conveniences too. If you want a phone that feels fresh in 2025, this isn't it.

The Pixel 6 in 2025 is a battery and connectivity champ wrapped in an aging camera package. At USD 250, it's a steal for anyone who wants IP68, wireless charging, and reliable 5G without spending much. At USD 485, walk away and buy something newer. The 39th percentile camera score is the real dealbreaker for Pixel fans who remember when these phones dominated mobile photography. If you don't care about photos and just want a dependable daily driver, the battery life alone makes this worth a look.