Google Pixel 6a: info, specs, price, features, and more

Source: Google

Google finally unveiled its highly anticipated Pixel 6a budget smartphone at the I/O 2022 Developer Conference. The new budget device from Google packs a lot of features at an affordable price. For those looking for a new Android smartphone with a great camera, excellent software experience, and fast internals, the Google Pixel 6a is an excellent option. Read along and learn everything about the new Google Pixel 6a.

Google Pixel 6a: Display and Design

Source: Google

The Google Pixel 6a keeps the same design as the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro, making it considerably different from its predecessor. It comes with the same Pixel 6-like camera bar running horizontally across the back of the smartphone. It also keeps the two-toned rear finish. The camera bar houses the smartphone's dual-camera setup along with the flash. However, unlike the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, the Pixel 6a uses a 3D thermoformed composite back instead of glass to keep the price low.

You'll also notice that there's no fingerprint sensor on the back of the smartphone, as the latest A-series smartphone from Google supports an under-display fingerprint scanner. Moving on the front design, the Pixel 6a keeps the same flat screen as the Pixel 6, with the selfie camera sitting in the punch-hole cutout. Of course, there are some other key changes compared to the Pixel 5a. For starters, the Pixel 6a drops support for headphone hack. There's only one port available on the smartphone: the smartphone's USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 port. The Pixel 6a's 6.1-inch display is also slightly smaller than the Pixel 5a's 6.34-inch.

Source: Google

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Source: Google

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Talking about the display, the Google Pixel 6a features a flat 6.1-inch OLED panel. This display boasts FHD+ resolution (2,400 x 1,080 pixels) and 429 PPI. However, unlike its costlier siblings, the Pixel 6a's display supports only a 60Hz refresh rate. Another downgrade on the Pixel 6a is that it uses Corning's Gorilla Glass 3 protection, which is stronger than regular glass, but it may scratch and break more easily than what you get on other Android smartphones in this price range. However, these downgrades make sense, given the phone's price tag. Google says that Pixel 6a's display supports HDR playback, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and 24-bit/16 million color coverage.

Google Pixel 6a: Cameras

Source: Google

The Google Pixel 6a features a dual-camera setup on the back. There's a 12.2MP wide-angle camera (f/1.7 aperture) coupled with a 12MP ultra-wide angle lens (f/2.2 aperture). The punch-hole camera in the front houses the smartphone's 8MP selfie camera. On paper, the camera of the Pixel 6a doesn't sound very interesting. However, it's the software features and image processing that have given Google smartphones an edge over the competition.

And it's a similar case here. The Pixel 6 supports the same camera features as the Pixel 6 series, such as Face Unblur, Magic Eraser, Live HDR, Night Sight, and more. In addition to these, the camera comes with a new feature called Real Tone that allows the smartphone to process different skin tones accurately and authentically, as per Google. The Pixel 6a supports 4K video recording at up to 60fps and 240fps slow-motion video recording at up to 1080p.

Google Pixel 6a: Processor, Battery, and Software

Source: Google

Google Pixel 6a comes with the same Tensor chipset as the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. This is the first time Google is offering a flagship chipset in an A-series smartphone. This Tensor chipset is coupled with 6GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage. Thanks to the Tensor chipset, the Google Pixel 6a comes with the same set of features as the Pixel 6 flagship series, such as Google Assistant voice typing, Live HDR, on-device translations, and photo-editing features like Face Unblur and Magic Eraser.

Google keeps the same Android experience across its smartphone lineup, and it's the same with the Pixel 6a. The Google Pixel 6a comes with Android 12 pre-installed. The company will roll out Android 13 to the Pixel 6a, along with all the eligible Pixel smartphones, as and when it is available. The company hasn't announced for how long it will provide Android and security updates for the Pixel 6, but given it uses the same Tensor chipset as the flagship series, it should be supported for the next three-four years.

Source: Google

Google made some bold claims about the Pixel 6a's battery life, saying that the phone should last "a really, really long time." The company claims that the smartphone "can last up to 24 hours" when using the phone in Adaptive Battery mode and up to 72 in Extreme Mode. Specs-wise, the Pixel 6a comes with a 4,410 mAh battery that supports 18W charging. Given that the display refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, the Pixel 6a should provide a good battery experience. And, for those looking, there's no support for wireless charging, probably due to the polycarbonate back.

Google Pixel 6a: Price, Colors, and Availability

Source: Google

The Google Pixel 6a will cost $449, the same as its predecessors. However, the phone is not available for purchase right away. The Google Pixel 6a will be available for pre-order from July 21, 2022, and will go on sale starting July 28, 2022. Unlike the Pixel 6 series, though, the Pixel 6a will be available in more regions around the world in comparison to the Pixel 6. Google has launched the Pixel 6a in only one variant with 128GB internal storage and 6GB RAM. It comes in three colors: Charcoal, Chalk, and Sage.

Google Pixel 6a

Available for pre-order starting July 21, 2022

Google Pixel 6a is the latest budget smartphone from Google. Despite being affordable, the Pixel 6a comes with best-in-class features and specs, such as a Google Tensor chip, the same camera software as the Pixel 6 series, a new design, and more. Preorders for the Google Pixel 6a will start on July 21.

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Google Pixel 6a Specs