Google’s Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro were massive launches for the company. Not only because they represented a major refresh in both hardware design and software, but also because they’ve become among the best-selling Pixel phones to date.
They originally launched in October 2021, and both are flagship phones with near-enough flagship prices. But now it’s time for the more affordable ‘a’ model. Enter: the Pixel 6a, announced at Google I/O in May 2022 and now available to order.
Release date and price
Pre-order from 21 July, available from 28 July$449 in the US£399 in the UK€459 in the EU
Pre-orders for the Pixel 6a opened on 21 July, and general availability will be from a week later on 28 July.
As for pricing, it is available at the same price as the Pixel 5a was when that launched in 2021: $449 / £399 / €459. It’s considerably cheaper than the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, and features many of the same capabilities and power.
EE will stock the device in the UK.
squirrel_widget_12854136
Design
Similar to Pixel 6152.2 x 71.8. x 8.7mm, 178gIP67 water and dust resistance
From a design perspective, it’s very clear the Pixel 6a belongs in the same family as the Pixel 6. It features that same distinctive camera band across the back,
The Pixel 6a measures 152.2 x 71.8. x 8.9mm, which is a little smaller than the Pixel 6 which measures 158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9mm. It offers Gorilla Glass 3 to the front and a “3D thermoformed composite” rear – which is plastic to you and me.
As for durability, the phone comes with IP67 rating against water and dust, which isn’t far off the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro (which are both IP68 water and dust resistant).
Pixel 6a colours
The Google Pixel 6a will come in three attractive dual-tone colours: black/grey, white/cream and green, as pictured above.
Display
6.1-inch, Full HD+60Hz – OLED – HDR supportUnder-display fingerprint sensor
The Pixel 6a features a 6.1-inch OLED panel, making it smaller than the 6.4-inch Pixel 6 and 6.7-inch Pixel 6 Pro.
It offers refresh rates of 60Hz, which is some way off some of the fastest 90Hz and 120Hz panels we’ve seen on recent phones. There are now phones with those faster refresh rates in this price bracket, so that’s a slight negative.
The Pixel 6a display has 20:9 ratio panel with HDR support, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 24-bit/16 million colour coverage too.
What’s more, you’ll get the same Pixel always-on display feature, complete with At A Glance calendar/weather info and the Now Playing functionality that tells you what song is playing in your vicinity.
Cameras
Dual rear camera:Main: 12.2MP IMX363, f/1.7, 1.4µm, OISUltrawide: 12MP IMX386, f/2.2, 1.25µmFront: 8MP IMX355, f/2.0, 1.12µm, fixed focus
The Google Pixel 6a will feature a similar camera setup as the Google Pixel 5, and consequently, the Google Pixel 5a 5G. While the Pixel 5’s camera is great, it’s a slightly different approach to previous “a” series phones. Previously, the “a” series was about offering the flagship Pixel camera experience in a mid-range device.
There’s a 12.2-megapixel main camera, coupled with a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera on the Pixel 6a, as well as an 8-megapixel front camera. Specs are one thing, however, and features are another.
Like the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, the system is capable of some pretty cool – almost magical – features. That means you get features Magic Eraser for removing unwanted objects in the background, Real Tone for ensuring all skin tones are displayed accurately and Face Unblur which essentially means no more blurry selfies.
From a video perspective you get 4K recording up to 60fps, slow motion up to 240fps and a 4K timelapse function with stabilisation.
Hardware and specs
Google Tensor chip and Titan M2 security coprocessor6GB RAM and 128GB storage4400mAh battery
Like the Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, the 6a will be powered by Google’s in-house built Tensor chip. That means, in terms of power and speed, it should deliver a very similar experience, despite being a much more affordable device.
The Tensor SoC means it gets access to a lot of Google’s smart capabilities, like live translation, automatic security checks, end-to-end encryption with RCS messages and anti-phishing abilities. It’ll run Android 12 out of the box, but will be among the first to get Android 13 when that is released later in the year.
Battery capacity is 4306mAh, with support for 30W fast charging. Google says you’ll be able to get more than 24 hours from a full battery. Other hardware specs include 6GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128GB UFS 3.1 storage and stereo speakers.
Pixel 6a software updates
The Google Pixel 6a will offer three OS updates, so that should see you through to Android 15 in 2024.
There will be 5 years of security updates, which takes you through to 2027.
Google Pixel 6a rumours: What happened?
Here is everything we heard about the Google Pixel 6a before it was officially announced.
11 May 2022: Google finally unveils the 6a
At Google I/O 2022, the company took the wrappers off the next-generation affordable Pixel phone.
19 April 2022: Pixel 6a likely won’t support Google Camera’s Motion Mode
It was reported that the Google Pixel 6a might not offer the Motion Blur feature found on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.
13 April 2022: Google Pixel 6a specs leak with new information
Leaker Yogesh Brar tweeted a spec list for the Pixel 6a, including battery and camera details.
13 April 2022: Google Pixel 6a appears at FCC: Will it debut at I/O 2022 in May?
Google’s Pixel 6a has passed through the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) database, suggesting its launch is imminent. One of the models that hit the FCC is said to be coming wiht mmWave 5G.
11 April 2022: Google Pixel 6a will be as powerful as Pixel 6
Geekbench listed the Pixel 6a alongside the Pixel 6 and it saw the Pixel 6a outperform the Pixel 6 by a fraction, supporting the idea that it will have the same hardware.
1 April 2022: Google Pixel 6a packaging leaks, suggests launch imminent
Techxine published an image of the Google Pixel 6a packaging, confirming the name of the device and its design.
25 March 2022: Google Pixel Watch to be teased at I/O but launched with Pixel 7 in October
Jon Prosser tweeted saying the Google Pixel 6a would be revealed at Google I/O, alongside a tease of the Pixel Watch.
8 March 2022: Google could miss I/O deadline for Pixel 6a
YouTuber Jon Prosser, of Front Page Tech, suspects the launch date has been pushed back due to the ongoing chip shortage. He now expects the phone to be announced in late July.
7 March 2022: Google Pixel 6a specs listed on Geekbench
Google Pixel 6a benchmark results appeared on a Geekbench listing, showing the phone punching well above its weight in performance and revealing specification info.
2 March 2022: Google Pixel 6a and Pixel Watch could be imminent after carrier listing found
The Google Pixel 6a appeared on a US carrier’s inventory and an inside source claimed the device would launch in May, come in three colour options and offer 128GB of storage.
24 January 2022: Google Pixel 6A tipped to launch in May
A reliable tipster tweeted that Google plans to launch the Pixel 6A in May which – if accurate – would mean around the time it usually has its annual I/O conference.
24 November 2021: Google Pixel 6a tipped to carry Tensor chipset
It’s been claimed the Google Pixel 6a will run on the Google Tensor chip and come with the same camera as the Pixel 5.
22 November 2021: Leaked Google Pixel 6a renders show familiar styling and no headphone jack
OnLeaks and 91 Mobiles published a series of 5K renders showing off what is claimed to be the Pixel 6a.