Google Pixel 6a release date, price, features, and news
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As of July 28, Google finally released the Pixel 6a, which joins the rest of the Pixel 6 lineup as the most affordable option out of the three.
Of course, being the less expensive model, Google had to cut some corners with the Pixel 6a. Probably the most obvious example here are the cameras, but also the display and the materials used. One thing that has trickled down from the Pixel 6, however, is Googles Tensor chipset.
Read on to find out everything there is to know about the Google Pixel 6a.
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Jump to section:
- Pixel 6a release date
- Pixel 6a price
- Pixel 6a camera
- Pixel 6a storage
- Pixel 6a design
- Pixel 6a display
- Pixel 6a battery
- Pixel 6a features and software
- Pixel 6a hardware & specs
- Should you wait for Pixel 6a?
A quick look at the official Pixel 6a specs:
- 6.1-inch 1080p 60Hz OLED display
- Google Tensor chipset (same as Pixel 6)
- 6GB RAM/128GB storage
- 4410mAh battery
- 18W charging speed
- 12.2MP main camera with Sony IMX363 1/2.55" image sensor, 1.4 μm pixel, ƒ/1.7 aperture, 77° field of view
- 12MP ultrawide camera with Sony IMX386 sensor, 1.25 μm pixels, ƒ/2.2 aperture, 114° field of view
- 8MP front camera with IMX355 sensor (same as Pixel 6)
- 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9mm dimensions
Google Pixel 6a release date
The Pixel 6a was announced on May 11, 2022, during Google's I/O event, and released on July 28.
| Device family | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 4a | August 3, 2020 | August 20, 2020 |
| Pixel 4a (5G) | September 30, 2020 | November 5, 2020 |
| Pixel 5 | September 30, 2020 | October 15, 2020 |
| Pixel 5a (5G) | August 17, 2021 | August 26, 2021 |
| Pixel 6/Pixel 6 Pro | October 19, 2021 | October 28, 2021 |
| Pixel 6a | May 11, 2022 | July 28, 2022 |
Google Pixel 6a price
Since the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro launched at a lower price compared to the Pixel 5, we expected the Pixel 6a would follow the same logic. Alas, that is not the case, and the Pixel 6a is available for $449.
Whether Google intended to sell the Pixel 6a at a lower price but was pressured to keep the usual one due to the chip shortages, we can only speculate. Whatever the case, $449 is not bad either, it is the same money that the Pixel 5a 5G was going for when it came out.
Google Pixel phones prices throughout the past few years:
| Google Pixel Model | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Google Pixel 5 | $699 |
| Google Pixel 5a 5G | $449 |
| Google Pixel 6 | $599 |
| Google Pixel 6 Pro | $899 |
| Google Pixel 6a | $449 |
Google Pixel 6a camera
We all know that the first place manufacturers go to keep a phone's price low is its camera system. Well, the Pixel 6a is no different, albeit that does not at all mean it is a bad one.
The main camera on the Pixel 6a is the same one that is found on the previous model, the Pixel 5a 5G. More precisely, that's the 12.2MP Sony IMX363 1/2.55" image sensor, with 1.4 μm pixel size, ƒ/1.7 aperture, and a 77° field of view.
The Pixel 6a also comes with a secondary, ultra-wide camera with an ƒ/2.2 and 114° field of view. Unlike the main snapper, this one is brand new. It comes with less pixels—12MP to be exact—but they are larger than before (1.25 μm), which should aid in low-light scenarios, as larger pixels can capture more light at a time. The sensor used for this ultra-wide is the Sony IMX386.
Last but not least, we have the selfie camera on the front of the Pixel 6a, which has 8MP and is powered by the IMX355 sensor, in other words, this is the same front-facing snapper that's found on the Pixel 6.
Google Pixel 6a storage & memory
Google has chosen the path of simplicity when it comes its new affordable phone. The Pixel 6a only comes in a RAM/storage combo of 6/128GB.
Google Pixel 6a design
The design of the Pixel 6a is very similar to that of its bigger brothers—Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. The prominent strip across the back splits the two-tone Charcoal, Chalk, and Sage colored body asymmetrically. Google has stuck to its guns here, as it knows it has something iconic with this look.
Sadly, unlike Pixel A series models from previous years, the Pixel 6a does not come with a 3.5mm audio jack, so you will need either a pair of Bluetooth headphones/earbuds, or you can opt for an adapter.
The strip housing the cameras is slightly smaller, and of course, there are fewer cameras inside. If you want the some good ol' numbers for the dimensions, here they are: 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9mm.
Google Pixel 6a display
The Pixel 6a comes with a 1080p 6.1-inch 60Hz OLED display. It's nothing too different in comparison to its predecessor, despite the fact that the display is ever so slightly smaller in size, which should technically increase how sharp it looks.
Don't be quick to get disappointed, though. If it is anything like the one found on the Pixel 5a 5G, it should have amazing color accuracy and be more than good enough for this price point. Maybe the only let down here is that the display is still protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, instead of something stronger.
Some earlier news about the Pixel 6a showed a faster under-display fingerprint sensor. Earlier, Rick Osterloh, an executive at Google, confirmed that the mid-range Pixel 6a comes with a different biometric sensor that the one found in its more expensive counterparts — the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.
In relation to what Osterloh said, there was a following video on Reddit that popped up, posted by Google Retail Training France. It showed an unboxing of the Pixel 6a in the Sage and Charcoal colors and a quick presentation of the phone where the fingerprint sensor is used to unlock the phone, showcasing its performance.
Google Pixel 6a battery
The Pixel 6a comes with a 4410mAh battery that is capable of a maximum of 18W charging speeds. It's worth mentioning, however, that the Pixel 6a does not come with wireless charging, unlike the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.
Pixel 6a features and software
The Pixel 6a will release with Android 12 installed. Google says that the Pixel 6a will get three major Android updates, up to and including Android 15. Additionally, there will be five years of security patches, making the 6a a long-lasting mid-ranger.
Since it comes with the same Tensor chip found in the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, the 6a will inherit most of the special their special features. That includes the Enhanced Magic Eraser tool that can remove and change the colors of objects and people in photos; Night Sight for taking photos in low light conditions; and Google's unique Real Tone feature that helps the camera capture skin tones as accurately as possible.
Unfortunately, however, Motion Mode is not available on the Pixel 6a, unlike Google's more expensive Pixel models. It is also lacking the audio zoom feature.
Google Pixel 6a hardware & specs
The Pixel 6a might be the more stripped down model out of Google's Pixel 6 lineup, but it still inherits the same powerful Tensor chip found in its more expensive counterparts. Alongside that, it comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
Having the Tensor chip inside, means that the Pixel 6a is also benefiting from the Titan M2 security coprocessor, which protects your Pixel from attacks.
Some other Pixel 6a specs include:
- dual speakers
- under-display fingerprint sensor
- Wi-Fi 6 and 6E
- Bluetooth 5.2 with dual antennas for enhanced quality and connection
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