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Google Pixel 6a
MSRP $349.00
“Whereas it will not be the knockout worth that its predecessors have been well-known for, the Pixel 6a nonetheless delivers numerous telephone for not a lot cash.”
Execs
Compact, light-weight design
IP67 water resistance
Flagship-grade efficiency
Glorious cameras
Clear software program
Years of assured updates
Cons
Show is barely 60Hz
Tensor chip runs sizzling
Missing battery life
The Google Pixel 6a is the most cost effective and smallest of the Pixel 6 lineup. Although the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional got here out in 2021, Google releases a budget-friendly model of its Pixel lineup halfway by the product cycle. Which means the Pixel 6a got here out in 2022, and actually, it’s nonetheless an ideal telephone even right here in 2023.
With the Pixel 6a, you will have the identical Pixel design because the mainline Pixel collection, Google’s Tensor chipset, nice cameras, and every thing is available in a small and light-weight physique. With the primary Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional coming in at 6.4 and 6.7 inches, the smaller 6.1-inch measurement of the Pixel 6a is a welcome addition for individuals who don’t like bigger telephones.
So, simply how good is the Pixel 6a? Let’s discover out.
Google Pixel 6a: design
Joe Maring/Digital Developments
If you happen to’ve seen the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional, the Pixel 6a’s aesthetics might be instantly acquainted. The entrance of the telephone has a big show with a centered hole-punch cutout for the selfie digicam. The again sports activities a two-tone design separated by Google’s iconic digicam bar towards the highest.
Though it’s nothing revolutionary in comparison with its older Pixel 6 siblings, the Pixel 6a is a big visible improve over final yr’s Pixel 5a. It’s distinct, eye-catching, and put collectively fairly properly. The aluminum body is sturdy and funky to the contact, whereas the “3D thermoformed composite” (aka plastic) again is surprisingly grippy and retains fingerprints to a minimal. There’s additionally no creaking in any respect whereas attempting to bend the telephone, and the bodily buttons press down with a satisfying click on.
However these aren’t my favourite issues in regards to the Pixel 6a’s design. As a lot as I recognize the distinctive type and trusty construct high quality, what stands out probably the most is how snug the 6a is to make use of.
Following the sunshine and compact Pixel 5 from 2020, Google went huge with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional. That meant huge shows, taller dimensions, and heavier builds. It was a tremendous shift for folk preferring bigger smartphones, however as somebody who actually adored the small nature of the Pixel 5, it’s a shift I nonetheless haven’t come to phrases with. Fortunately, the Pixel 6a addresses that.
Joe Maring/Digital Developments
The Pixel 6a measures 152.5mm tall and weighs 178 grams. For context, the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional are 158.6mm and 163.9mm tall and weigh 207g and 210g, respectively. These might not sound like vital variations on paper, however in precise use, the Pixel 6a is remarkably simpler to handle. I can attain extra of the display with one finger, it’s simpler to slide into a good pocket, and it’s way more snug to make use of one-handed. It’s not fairly as compact because the Pixel 5 was, however it’s the smallest Pixel Google’s launched since then. And that makes me extremely blissful.
If I’ve one design criticism, it’s that I want Google had extra colours to select from. The Sage colour of my evaluate unit has been a pleasure to have a look at, however the Chalk and Charcoal types are fairly bland.
Google Pixel 6a: display and efficiency
Joe Maring/Digital Developments
A part of what contributes to the Pixel 6a’s petite kind issue is its display. Google outfitted the Pixel 6a with a 6.1-inch OLED panel — a lower from the 6.4 and 6.7-inch screens on the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional, respectively. That OLED display has a Full HD+ 1080 x 2400 decision, 60Hz refresh charge, and is roofed with Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
Total, it’s a superbly tremendous display for the $449 asking value. Colours are good and punchy, it will get vibrant sufficient for snug outside use, and textual content is completely crisp in all use instances. There may be some slight discoloration at sure viewing angles, however that’s par for the course with smartphones on this value bracket.
What’s significantly annoying is being caught at a 60Hz refresh charge. On the one hand, I perceive Google’s reasoning right here. The Pixel 6a already shares the identical design and chipset as the usual Pixel 6, so discovering different corners to chop — just like the quicker show — make sense. However loads of different corporations have proven that it’s doable to promote a $500 smartphone with a 90Hz or 120Hz display. The $399 Moto G 5G and the $440 OnePlus Nord 2T 5G have 90Hz screens, the $449 Galaxy A53 5G has a 120Hz display, and many others.
To be clear, the 60Hz panel on the Pixel 6a isn’t a deal-breaker. It was a jarring shift at first coming from the 120Hz panel on my iPhone 13 Professional, however after a number of hours, my eyes adjusted and received used to it. However when different equally priced telephones are clearly beating Google right here — and have been for a while — being caught at 60Hz is disappointing.
Joe Maring/Digital Developments
What’s not disappointing, although, is the Google Tensor chip powering the Pixel 6a. That is the very same silicon discovered within the flagship Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional. And it reveals! Whether or not looking a number of Chrome tabs, triaging emails, streaming 2160p YouTube movies, or performing different duties, Tensor retains up with day-to-day duties extremely nicely. And though 6GB of RAM is a fraction of the reminiscence present in costlier handsets, it’s greater than satisfactory for retaining a number of apps open within the background for dependable multitasking.
Google’s Tensor chip can be a stable performer for gaming. I performed numerous Name of Responsibility: Cell, all within the identify of labor and science. Enjoying the sport with Very Excessive graphics and body charge settings, multiplayer classes ran with out a hitch. Menus loaded shortly, contact enter was responsive, and the sport regarded nice whereas making my method by limitless Hardpoint matches. Google’s Pixel A-series telephones have at all times been good performers, however Tensor actually does take issues up a notch.
Joe Maring/Digital Developments
However efficiency isn’t the one factor going up on the Pixel 6a. Google Tensor runs sizzling contained in the telephone. And never simply after taking part in a few rounds of Name of Responsibility. Even when simply biking by the Alexa and Goal apps, the Pixel 6a turned noticeably heat to the contact — each the metallic body and plastic again. It’s an issue Tensor’s additionally proven on the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional, and sadly, it’s equally current on the Pixel 6a. It’s to not the purpose the place the telephone is painful to the touch or something, however it’s worrying that a few easy purposes trigger it to warmth up as a lot because it does.
Lastly, a fast be aware on the Pixel 6a’s in-screen fingerprint sensor. It’s good! Google used a distinct sensor within the 6a than what it selected for the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional. The Pixel 6a’s fingerprint sensor isn’t absolutely the quickest I’ve ever used, however it’s dependable, correct, and will get the job completed. In my expertise, it’s about as quick because the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional sensors, however is way more according to its success charge.
Google Pixel 6a: cameras
Joe Maring/Digital Developments
It wouldn’t be a Google Pixel evaluate with out speaking in regards to the telephone’s cameras, so let’s get proper to it. The Pixel 6 and 6 Professional marked a monumental shift in Google’s digicam technique. After counting on its tried-and-true 12.2-megapixel main digicam beginning with the Pixel 2 and going as much as the Pixel 5, the Pixel 6 collection shifted to an all-new 50MP sensor.
However that 50MP sensor is nowhere to be discovered on the Pixel 6a. As a substitute, it will get the identical 12.2MP digicam that Google’s been utilizing since 2017 — that includes an f/1.7 aperture, optical picture stabilization (OIS), and section detection autofocus. It’s additionally joined by a 12MP ultrawide digicam with a 114-degree subject of view, plus an 8MP selfie digicam.
On paper, none of that sounds significantly spectacular. However in actuality, the Pixel 6a stands out as an especially dependable digicam telephone. In indoor or outside settings with nice or respectable lighting, the Pixel 6a cranks out very pleasing images. The Pixel 6a captures nice element and punchy colours that aren’t overly vibrant and sometimes makes use of its HDR chops to expertly deal with difficult skies or harsh lighting, from a morning dawn to a night sundown. Pair that with a simple-to-use digicam app that’s very fast to snap a photograph once you need it to, and there’s little to complain about.
I’ve additionally been proud of the 12MP ultrawide digicam. The 114-degree subject of view permits you to seize way more in a single photograph whereas standing in the identical place. Particulars in these images aren’t fairly as sturdy, however the ultrawide digicam does a superb job retaining an identical colour profile and doesn’t distort the perimeters an excessive amount of.
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A photograph from the Pixel 6a’s main digicam
2.
Pixel 6a vast angle
The place the Pixel 6a does battle is with lowlight environments. Like different Pixels, the 6a features a devoted Night time Sight mode that can assist you seize extraordinarily dim topics. The leftmost photograph under was taken with out Night time Sight, whereas the one on the fitting did use it. Night time Sight is efficient at brightening your image and primarily allows you to see at midnight, however images taken on this mode are additionally accompanied by very delicate particulars.
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A Pixel 6a photograph taken with out Night time Sight.
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A Pixel 6a photograph taken with Night time Sight.
And identical to the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional, the Pixel 6a will get all of Google’s different digicam tips — together with Portrait mode, Photograph Sphere, and Actual Tone. Magic Eraser can be current, as is a brand new Camouflage software that permits you to mute distracting colours that take away from the topic of your footage.
Google Pixel 6a: battery life and charging
Joe Maring/Digital Developments
If there’s one space the place the Pixel 6a will be described as “mediocre,” it’s the telephone’s battery state of affairs. Protecting the Pixel 6a alive is a 4410mAh battery — a lower from the 4614mAh battery within the common Pixel 6 and 5003mAh cell within the Pixel 6 Professional. As anticipated, the Pixel with the tinniest battery additionally has the shortest endurance of the trio.
Merely put, this might be a one-day smartphone for most individuals. On a typical Saturday consisting of an hour of Twitter use, 20 minutes on Reddit, 25 minutes of watching YouTube, and retaining the Dinnerly app open for half-hour whereas making dinner (amongst different issues), the Pixel 6a ended the day with 11% battery remaining after 4 hours and 13 minutes of screen-on time. One other day noticed me streaming Twitch for two-and-a-half hours, taking part in Name of Responsibility: Cell for almost an hour, and frequent use of Twitter, Microsoft Groups, and Reddit. On that day, the Pixel 6a had 15% battery remaining after 4 hours and 45 minutes of display time.
When it comes time to cost up, the Pixel 6a maxes out at simply 18 watts by way of wired charging speeds. Google advertises this as “quick wired charging,” however it’s something however. Charging the Pixel 6a from 9% to 100%, the telephone took 1 hour and 43 minutes. And that point has confirmed constantly gradual during the last two weeks. Even an improve to 25W or 33W like we see on finances handsets from Samsung and OnePlus would have been nice
And, sadly, that 18W wired charging is the one possibility you will have on the Pixel 6a. Similar to the Pixel 3a, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 5a earlier than it, the Pixel 6a doesn’t help wi-fi charging.
Google Pixel 6a: software program
Joe Maring/Digital Developments
However whereas the battery and charging state of affairs will not be supreme, Google as soon as once more fires on all cylinders with its software program. The Pixel 6a shipped with Android 12 and can obtain three years of main OS upgrades, plus 5 years of safety updates. Samsung’s now main the cost with 4 years of Android updates for its telephones, however Google’s software program help continues to be excellent.
The Pixel 6a delivered an ideal software program expertise when it launched, and it’s solely gotten higher because it was up to date to Android 13. That is seen in the beginning with Google’s Materials You interface. With the entire redesigned widgets, delicate animations, and huge Fast Settings toggles, Materials You seems and feels excellent on the 6a. This additionally contains Android 12’s systemwide theme engine. After making use of a brand new wallpaper, Android 12 analyzes it and picks out colour palettes based mostly on that wallpaper. As soon as a kind of colour palettes is utilized, it’s seen within the Settings app, Fast Settings panel, the lock display, Google apps, and even some app icons.
Past the stark visuals of Materials You, the Pixel 6a’s software program shines brightest with Google’s suite of useful instruments. Now Enjoying robotically detects songs taking part in close by and reveals them in your lock display — even with out an web connection. Direct my Name permits the Google Assistant to transcribe automated menus throughout telephone calls, whereas Maintain for Me retains your spot in line whereas ready to speak to a customer support consultant. And Google Assistant-powered voice typing is sensible sufficient to insert emoji, robotically add punctuation, and pay attention for pauses in your talking.
Whereas it might lack among the deep customization and tweaking in comparison with Samsung’s One UI and OnePlus’s OxygenOS, Google’s tackle Android has lengthy been my private choice. The interface is clear, Materials You scratches my customization itch, and little options like Now Enjoying and Maintain for Me are legitimately tough to dwell with out on different smartphones.
What in regards to the Pixel 7a?
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Developments
After Google I/O 2023, Google launched the brand new Pixel 7a. Nonetheless, it has stored the Pixel 6a within the lineup, so you’ll be able to nonetheless buy the Pixel 6a if you want — and for a lower cost.
The Pixel 6a and Pixel 7a look comparable, however have some small variations. On the Pixel 7a, you should have a 6.1-inch OLED show, identical to the Pixel 6a, however the refresh charge can go as much as 90Hz. The cameras have been upgraded as nicely, that includes a 64MP foremost shooter, a 13MP ultrawide, and a 13MP selfie digicam. Nonetheless, regardless of the bigger megapixel depend, the Pixel 7a sensors aren’t as giant as the usual Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional, in order that signifies that it gained’t be nearly as good in lowlight conditions. However don’t be fooled by the megapixel depend both — because of the computational images processes with the Tensor chipset, images you’re taking with the Pixel 6a will just about come out simply nearly as good as they do on the Pixel 7a, regardless of having a decrease megapixel depend. We did a whole Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 6a digicam comparability, and the variations in image high quality are very negligible.
And although the Pixel 7a has wi-fi charging, the utmost velocity is barely 7.5W, which is de facto nothing in comparison with different telephones on the market, and there isn’t even reverse wi-fi charging. The Pixel 6a additionally has a bigger capability battery at 4,410mAh in comparison with the Pixel 7a’s 4,385mAh.
So, whereas the Pixel 7a has some specs which will seem higher, we’re nonetheless going to suggest the Pixel 6a over it as a result of bizarre pricing for the Pixel 7a. If you’d like a extra premium Pixel, the Pixel 7 gives significant upgrades for simply $100 greater than the Pixel 7a. And if it’s an affordable Pixel you’re after, you would possibly as nicely spend $150 much less and simply get the Pixel 6a.
Google Pixel 6a: value and availability
The Google Pixel 6a is obtainable for $349 with 128GB of storage. Within the U.S., you should purchase the Pixel 6a direct from the Google Retailer, Amazon, and Finest Purchase.
Google additionally launched the Pixel 6a in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Eire, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, and the U.Okay. In comparison with the Pixel 5a’s meager launch in solely the U.S. and Japan, the 6a’s availability is a substantial enchancment.
Google Pixel 6a: verdict
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Developments
Although the earlier Pixel 5a felt like a really iterative improve for the Pixel A-Collection lineup, the Pixel 6a has pushed the machine ahead. The compact, light-weight design may be very sensible and feels nice for individuals who like smaller telephones, and the Tensor G1 chip supplies nice efficiency and energy effectivity. The Tensor chip can be nice for the entire AI and computational images processes that end in incredible images, regardless of how a lot (or little) effort you set into capturing them.
Even if the show nonetheless has a 60Hz refresh charge, there’s no wi-fi charging, and the cameras are simply 12.2MP, the Pixel 6a stays an ideal purchase in 2023. If you happen to evaluate it to a Pixel 7a, which is $499 as an alternative of $349, the 90Hz show positively isn’t price justifying that further dough, and the wi-fi charging is gradual. And even with a decrease megapixel depend, the AI processes imply you continue to get nice images from the Pixel 6a that can match the Pixel 7a.
Now that the Pixel 6a is simply $349, it’s an excellent higher purchase if you need an excellent inexpensive Pixel telephone.
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