Google presented the Pixel 6a as a new mid-range smartphone at the I/O developer conference for 459 euros. The Pixel 6a uses the Google-developed Tensor processor used in the Pixel 6 (Pro), from which the Pixel 6a inherits the design including the camera bars, but not the camera itself.
While the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro (test) were still starting at 649 euros and 899 euros respectively at the market launch last year, the Pixel 6a will start in the USA from July 28 (pre-orders from July 21) for USD 449 before taxes and in Germany with 459 euros significantly cheaper in the market. There is no date for Germany yet, the Google Store only says “soon available” and “from summer”. In Germany, the smartphone is the successor to the Pixel 4a (5G), because Google never brought the Pixel 5a to Europe. There is no longer a special 5G model, 5G is now standard.
Google uses uniform design
The Pixel 6a also uses the unique design introduced with the Google flagships, with the prominent camera bar on the back dividing the two-tone design. Google will offer the Pixel 6a in the colors “Chalk”, “Charcoal” and “Sage”.
OLED display with 6.1 inches and 60 Hz
The chassis accommodates a 6.1-inch OLED display with 2,400 × 1,080 pixels, which Google leaves at 60 Hz in this class, while the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro can switch to up to 90 Hz and up to 120 Hz, respectively. This time the panel is flat and protected by Gorilla Glass 3. Google offers HDR support and has equipped the smartphone with an always-on screen.
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Pixel 6a (Image: Google)
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Pixel 6a Not the camera of the Pixel 6 (Pro)
The rear camera bar is similar to that of the flagships, but houses a different primary wide-angle camera that hasn't switched to the new 50MP sensor. Instead, Google relies on technology known from the Pixel 5 and the devices before it. The sensor again has 12.2 megapixels, offers an f/1.7 aperture, an OIS and can record videos in up to 4K60. A second sensor with 12 megapixels is responsible for taking pictures in the ultra wide-angle format on the Pixel 6a.
Tensor processor from Google
The Tensor processor developed by Google and manufactured by Samsung ensures that the photos and videos should still look better than the Pixel 5. For the Tensor, Google relies on a CPU with two ARM Cortex-X1 with up to 2.8 GHz, two Cortex-A76 with up to 2.25 GHz and four Cortex-A55 with up to 1.8 GHz. In the GPU area, Google also uses ARM and uses the Mali-G78 in a configuration with 20 execution units. The package is combined with 6 GB LPDDR5 RAM and 128 GB UFS 3.1. The Tensor chip is also equipped with a mobile Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) for AI-supported tasks, which are used to handle machine learning workloads such as for the translator, photos, search or the assistant.
Bigger battery than Pixel 4a
A battery with 4,306 mAh is responsible for the energy supply. This is less than the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 5a, which is not available in Germany (see table), but significantly more than the Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a 5G with 3,140 mAh and 3,885 mAh, respectively. Google promises average runtimes of 24 hours and up to 72 hours with the Extreme Battery Saver. It can be charged with a USB-C cable with up to 18 watts.
At least 5 years of security updates
As with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, Android 12 is delivered in an adapted stock version that has been expanded to include special Google features. The smartphone should be supplied with new Android main versions for at least three years and security updates for at least five years.
Update 05/11/2022 21:09
The article was published with updated to the price of 459 euros for Germany.
Google Pixel 6a Google Pixel 3Google Pixel 3 XLGoogle Pixel 3aGoogle Pixel 3a XLGoogle Pixel 4Google Pixel 4 XLGoogle Pixel 4aGoogle Pixel 4a 5GGoogle Pixel 5Google Pixel 5aGoogle Pixel 6 ✔Google Pixel 6 Pro ✔Google Pixel 6a ✔ Google Pixel 6 Google Pixel 3Google Pixel 3 XLGoogle Pixel 3aGoogle Pixel 3a XLGoogle Pixel 4Google Pixel 4 XLGoogle Pixel 4aGoogle Pixel 4a 5GGoogle Pixel 5Google Pixel 5aGoogle Pixel 6 ✔Google Pixel 6 Pro ✔Google Pixel 6a ✔ Google Pixel 6 Pro Google Pixel 3Google Pixel 3 XLGoogle Pixel 3aGoogle Pixel 3a XLGoogle Pixel 4Google Pixel 4 XLGoogle Pixel 4aGoogle Pixel 4a 5GGoogle Pixel 5Google Pixel 5aGoogle Pixel 6 ✔Google Pixel 6 Pro ✔Google Pixel 6a ✔ Software:
(when released) Android 12.0 Display: 6.10 inch, 1080 × 2400
431 ppi, 60 Hz
OLED, HDR, Gorilla Glass 3 6.40″, 1,080 × 2,400
411 ppi, 90 Hz
OLED, HDR, Gorilla Glass Victus 6.70″, 1,440 × 3,120
513 ppi, 120 Hz
OLED, HDR, Gorilla Glass Victus Operation: touch, fingerprint sensor or SoC: Google Tensor
2 × Cortex-X1, 2.80 GHz
2 × Cortex-A76, 2.25 GHz
4 × Cortex-A55, 1.80 GHz
5 nm, 64-bit GPU: Mali-G78 MP20 RAM: 6,144 MB
LPDDR5 8,192 MB
LPDDR5 12,288 MB
LPDDR5 Storage: 128 GB 128/256 GB 128/256/512 GB 1. Camera: 12.2 MP, 2160p
Dual LED, f/1.7, AF, OIS 50.0 MP, 2160p
Dual LED, f/1.9, AF, OIS 2nd Camera: 12.0 MP, f/2.2 3rd Camera: No 48.0 MP, f /3.5, AF, OIS 4th Camera: No 5th Camera: No 1st Front Camera: 8.0 MP, 1080p
Display Flash, f/2.0 11.1 MP, 2160p
Display -Flash, f/2.2 2. Front camera: No GSM: GPRS + EDGE UMTS: HSPA+
↓42.2 ↑5.76 Mbit/s LTE: Advanced Pro 5G: NSA/SA WLAN: 802.11 a/b /g/n/ac/ax
Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth: 5.2 Location: A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS Other standards: USB 3.1 Type C, NFC USB 3.1 Type C, UWB, NFC SIM Card: Nano-SIM, Dual-SIM Battery: 4,306 mAh, 18.0 W
permanently installed 4,614 mAh, 30.0 W
permanently installed, wireless charging 5,003 mAh, 30.0 W
permanently installed , wireless charging Size (W×H×D): 71.8 × 152.2 × 8.90 mm 74.8 × 158.6 × 8.90 mm 75.9 × 163.9 × 8.90 mm Protection class: IP67 IP68 Weight: 178 g 207 g 210 g Price: €459 from €539/€749 from €757/from €930/€1,099