One noticeable omission from Google’s Pixel 6 Series of smartphones was the Pixel 6a.
The A-Series, which made its debut in 2019 and kept many of the main features of Google’s flagships, has proven to be a fantastic low-cost alternative. They’re particularly tempting because of their mid-range price, especially in the United States.
The long-awaited Pixel 6a was finally unveiled at Google’s I/O keynote earlier this year and is now available for pre-order following a two-month wait. For a more in-depth look at the Pixel 6a, check out our hands-on with the device.
When Will the Google Pixel 6a Be Released?
At its I/O developer conference on May 11, 2022, Google unveiled the Pixel 6a, as expected. However, it would be a few more months before the phone was made available to the general public for purchase.
The phone will go on sale officially on July 28th, but pre-orders will begin on July 21st.
To provide context, here are the release dates of the preceding models:
- Google Pixel 5a – August 2021 (only in North America and Japan)
- Google Pixel 4a – August 2020
- Google Pixel 3a – May 2019
Because the Pixel 5a was only available in the United States, it was never released in the United Kingdom or Europe. That won’t be the case with the Pixel 6a, which will be available worldwide.
Later this year, the Pixel 6a should be joined by the Pixel 7 and possibly the Pixel foldable phone, all of which have been rumoured for some time.
Not sure why #googlepixel6 Home Screen is so soothing to me… but it just is!!! pic.twitter.com/H1grQdCiiO
— ThatGuyMrDye (@ThatGuyMrDye) July 20, 2022
How Much Does the Google Pixel 6a Cost?
The price of the Pixel 6a has been officially announced by Google: £399/€459/$449. For this price, you get 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and there doesn’t appear to be any other option.
Direct purchases through Google provide a complimentary pair of the equally excellent Pixel Buds A headphones in addition to the phone. Of course, you can get a Pixel via Amazon and the rest of the normal electronics outlets. The greatest bargains and options for purchasing the Pixel 6a may be found in our comprehensive guide on where to get it.
As a comparison to earlier A-Series phones, here is how it compares:
- Google Pixel 5a – $449 (around £339/€399)
- Google Pixel 4a 5G – $499/£499/€499
- Google Pixel 4a – $349/£349/€349
- Google Pixel 3a – $399/£399/€399
What Are the Google Pixel 6a Specs and Features?
When Google unveiled the Pixel 6a at I/O 2022, it detailed the phone’s essential features and specifications.
There is a major difference between the Pixel 5a and the Pixel 6 – Google’s Tensor chip with built-in 5G. In addition to the 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, the only configuration includes a Titan M2 security chip. Google claims that the Pixel 6a is up to five times quicker than last year’s phone, but it isn’t clear how this was determined.
The Pixel 6a’s new look can also be seen in the official images released by Google. In keeping with the rest of the Pixel 6 Series, it is available in Charcoal, Chalk and Sage colours. The phone sports a 6.1-inch, 1080p OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, yet it’s made of recycled aluminium.
There is a 12.2-megapixel primary lens and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens with a field of view of 114 degrees on the back of the phone. In addition, you’ll receive an 8-megapixel front-facing camera.
The Tensor chip is used in all three cameras to allow essential software-based camera functions. Face Unblur, Real Tone, and Magic Eraser (for erasing or modifying the colour of undesired things) debuted on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, respectively. Low-light photography is made easier with the inclusion of Night Sight.
Certain variants have batteries that are as small as 4,306mAh, according to Google. According to the manufacturer, it has a standby duration of 24 hours and a battery life of 72 hours when using the Extreme Battery Saver mode. “A few minutes” of charging will give you “hours of power,” according to Google. However, the 18W wired charging on the Pixel 5a is hardly an improvement.
In addition, IP67 dust and water resistance and an under-display fingerprint sensor have been disclosed. Based on an unboxing training video for store personnel mistakenly obtained by Google France, this appears to be speedier than the notoriously slow scanner seen in the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. In addition to showcasing the phone’s packaging, the video also demonstrates how quickly the fingerprint scanner works.
The Tensor chip has 5G built-in, but there is no extendable storage.
Once Android 13 arrives, the phone will be one of the first to receive it. Google has committed to software updates for at least three years and security updates for at least five years after the product launch date.
During Google’s I/O conference, the Pixel Buds Pro was also unveiled. A new Pixel Tablet, Android 13 and the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro were also hinted at.
It all came up on the latest episode of our weekly podcast, Fast Charge:
For the greatest mid-range phones, have a look at our list of top-notch devices.
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