Google's newest Pixel A-series phone brings the kind of camera excellence, powerful performance, and killer battery life we should all expect by now.
I tried taking a shot of this hanging planter on a cafe patio in my neighborhood and the thin rods affixing it to the roof became a problem that no amount of in-camera editing could fix. That applies to the Pixel 6a’s cameras, too. One of those features — one that Google helped pioneer — is Night Sight, the computational photo mode in Pixel phones that turns nighttime shots into something that’s not just visible, but attractive to look at. Tensor also has a hand in the Pixel 6a’s camera (more on that later), and I’m pleased to report software-based rendering tools like Night Sight and Portrait Mode do their thing so speedily that you’ll barely notice. It’s a small bummer, but the good news is you won’t need to charge the Pixel 6a that much anyway. For the Pixel 6 line in 2021, Google for the first time built its own custom chipset called Tensor to power the phones. However, the 12MP ultra-wide lens and 8MP selfie cam are the same as on Pixel 6. You shouldn’t be surprised, then, that the $450 Pixel 6a is probably the easiest new Android phone to recommend to anyone in the market for one right now. That figure is acceptable given that almost every iPhone ever made has gone with the same refresh rate, but we’re supposed to live in a better world now. Right away, anyone who has touched a Pixel 6 will notice the slight downsizing in the Pixel 6a. Last year’s Pixel 6 could link up with charging pads, but Google felt the need to cut that out, likely as a cost-saving measure. I’m glad to report you can mostly do that with the Pixel 6a, though any app like Twitter or Instagram with prominent UI features in the upper left corner of the screen were usually unreachable without assistance from my left hand.
Top chip, brilliant camera, great software and solid battery life in a smaller body with a cheaper price.
The Pixel 6a has a pair of 12-megapixel cameras on the back: one main and one ultrawide, but no telephoto camera for zoom. The Pixel 6a is made with recycled glass, plastic and aluminium, accounting for about 20% of the phone by weight. That makes the 6a faster than almost any other phone priced at £399 and gives it access to the same features as Google’s flagship phones. The 8MP selfie camera is similarly effective capturing a great amount of detail. The main camera produces very well-balanced photos, rich in detail and dynamic range across a range of light levels. The 6a will be one of the first devices to receive the Android 13 update, which is due for release soon. The ultrawide is similarly good if slightly softer on fine details but it is consistent on colour and tone to the main camera, which isn’t the case for most at this price. The Pixel 6a ships with Android 12, which includes a load of customisation options, smart refinements and impressive local AI features. The battery life is pretty good for a smaller phone, too, lasting about 34 hours between charges, which matches the larger Pixel 6 and puts it on a par with many top-flight rivals. The smaller 6.1in OLED display lacks the fast refresh rate of the Pixel 6, making it slightly less smooth in operation, but is otherwise crisp, colourful and bright. The Pixel 6 is repairable by Google and third-party shops. It has a flat glass front, stereo speakers, painted aluminium sides and a two-tone back with a camera bar across the top.
For less than half that price, the model comes with a clean and simple Android interface, a bright 6.1-inch OLED display, and not one but two rear cameras—a ...
(The Pixel 5a, in contrast, is eligible for just three years.) In processing power alone, the Pixel 6a is a step up, too. At times it took me five or six tries to unlock the Pixel 6 compared with the instant unlocking on the Pixel 6a (using the same thumb, of course). For some, details like that matter. During Amazon Prime Week, the price for that model fell to $450. If you can still find that sale price somewhere, get the Pixel 6, which usually costs $600. That gets you wireless charging, a slightly bigger display with a faster refresh rate, more RAM (8GB for the Pixel 6 vs. Because of the dip in size, the Pixel 6a has a smaller battery than the Pixel 5a: 4,400 mAh vs. The Pixel 6a also has Night Sight, which helps you capture photos in low light without the flash. The Pixel 6a supports fast charging up to a speed of 18 watts. The Magic Eraser feature—my feature—allows you to strip passersby, photo bombers, and random objects from your photos in a way that truly feels like wizardry. The plastic back of the Pixel 6a is easy to smudge with fingerprints, marring the model’s pristine looks, but you should tuck it in a case for protection anyway. More significant perhaps is the Pixel 6a’s lack of support for wireless charging. The Pixel 6a is easy to grip and operate one-handed, thanks in part to the slightly curved matte aluminum sides. The OLED display has the same 60Hz refresh rate of the Pixel 5a, which may disappoint some people. the Pixel 6’s tougher Gorilla Glass Victus, and a “3D thermoformed composite back” instead of Gorilla Glass 6.
The device features a 60Hz refresh rate, has a 6.1-inch display, and houses the same Tensor chip available in the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. The Pixel 6a retails for ...
Vancouver-based telecom giant Telus is also allowing its customers to pre-order the device. Shaw’s Freedom Mobile has the Pixel 6a available for pre-order as well, although the website doesn’t mention free Buds A-Series. At the time of writing, Bell, Rogers, and their flanker brands didn’t have the device available for pre-order on their respective websites. Telus flanker brand Koodo also has the Pixel 6a available for pre-order with the free Buds A-Series.
Google just released the Pixel 6a, the more price-conscious younger sibling of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, and it could be a great option for an upgrade ...
If you’re looking for a larger, faster phone that takes better photos at night, you may prefer the Pixel 6 (or even the Pixel 6 Pro). However, the 6a is a good size and is fast and takes great photos. Size: 6a (5.9 x 2.83 x 0.35 inches) The 8GB is faster, but I didn’t notice the difference. In terms of size, the 6a has a 6.1-inch display and the 6 has a 6.4-inch. That size increase speaks for itself, but the refresh rate is the main difference. So if you’re looking for the quickest and sleekest display in all the Pixel land, the 6a isn’t for you. All I know is the higher the number the more it can do at once. With “regular” phone use, the battery should last approximately 29 hours on both devices. If you’re really into photography, you may want to consider the Pixel 6, but the 6a can also snap a crisp shot. The selfie cameras are pretty much the same. We tested the Pixel 6a and have highlighted the differences and similarities of the Pixel 6a and 6. Techies, beware and proceed with that knowledge. With inflation and electronics costs on the rise, it’s really nice to have more budget-friendly phones.
The Pixel 6a is a solid device for the price, but it follows some of the trends set by previous entries in the Pixel A series a little too closely.
When considering the $449 price, it’s hard to be mad at the Pixel 6a for having to cut corners in some areas — even when wireless charging would have been amazing to have. Unfortunately, recharging the Pixel 6a is a bit of a hassle. The short answer is no, the Google Pixel 6a doesn’t have any wireless charging capabilities.
It's probably hyperbole to credit Google's Pixel A devices for single-handedly keeping the broader line alive during some admittedly lean times.
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Of course, the best part of buying through a carrier is the option to take advantage of some killer deals, and Verizon's discounts help make an affordable phone ...
If you aren't interested in trading in a device, Amazon also offers a free pair of Pixel Buds A-Series with your purchase. AT&T will have the phone in stores for customers to buy on July 28th, though only in Sage and Charcoal — sorry, potential Chalk fans. There's also a Pixel 6a listing for AT&T priced at $470 upfront, though strangely, it's on its own page. You can grab the unlocked model for $449 upfront — just keep in mind that this isn't compatible with 5G UWB on Verizon. If you activate a new line on the carrier's 5G Start, Do More, Play, or Get More Unlimited plans, your Pixel 6a is completely free through bill credits issued over 36 months. Verizon was Google's initial exclusive partner for the Pixel lineup, dating all the way back to 2016.