It’s often very hard to find a premium Android device with a small screen, like the Google Pixel 6a. Most Android smartphone manufacturers use large screen sizes on their devices, making them quite difficult to use for most people. But on Google’s part, the year 2019 was when it put out its first device with a focus on compatibility.
The Google Pixel 3a was the first smartphone from the company to come under the a-series. Some of the characteristics of this subseries are affordability, compatibility, and performance. Over the years, the company has kept its dedication to their more affordable and compact smartphone series.
A few months after the Pixel 3a launch (in 2019) the company followed through with the Pixel 4 series. About a year after the Pixel 4 series launch we got the Pixel 4a (in 2020) yet another compact device. The Pixel 5 became available the same year as the Pixel 4a.
Following the Pixel a-series launch trend, the company launched the Pixel 5a a few months before the Pixel 6 series. That product launch (Pixel 6 and 6 Pro)brought changes to the Pixel a-series. In this article, we will take a deep delve into the latest Google Pixel a-series device and see what changes make it even more powerful than its predecessors.
Google Pixel 6a basic features
This relatively new compact device from the Google Pixel product line became official in the month of July 2022. After active usage of this device over the past few months, we can better put it in the spotlight. Unlike other Pixel a-series devices, this new entry comes with a new processor from Google, improving camera abilities and performance.
With the launch of the Google Pixel 6 series, the smartphone manufacturer launched the first generation Tensor processor. This processor also found its way to the more affordable Google Pixel 6a. So with this device, users will get the same performance abilities as the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro bring to bear.
Here are the basic specifications of the Pixel 6a:
- Screen size: 6.1-inch OLED HDR screen.
- Storage: 6GB RAM with 128GB of onboard storage.
- Processor: Google Tensor SoC.
- Battery: 4410mAh capacity.
- Camera specifications: 12.2MP wide camera and 12MP ultrawide camera, with an 8MP selfie camera.
Unboxing and appearance rundown
The unboxing of this device is straightforward and not as interesting as with some other flagship-level devices. With the package, you get only the device, a USB-C cord, a data transfer connector, and some user manuals. Getting this device from Google, the company also offers some accessories for purchase like a charging brick and a case.
This device will effortlessly take you the whole day on a single charge
The device is compact and great for one-hand usage thanks to its 6.1-inch screen size. For its design, the device follows through with the pattern of the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. The camera cutout on this device runs horizontally from one end of the smartphone to the other.
The Pixel 6a has a premium build, making it look more expensive than it is. The only port on this device is the USB-C connector, there is no headphone jack. On the bottom of this device, just next to the USB-C port, are the speaker and microphone cutouts.
There is an under-display fingerprint sensor that sits on the OLED screen. The power button is on the right-hand side of the device’s frame, just above the volume rocker. For the device’s build, it uses a plastic material that is glossy and does not feel cheap. All around the frame, the device uses a matte finish. I think the device would have hit the mark if the matte finish was used for the entire device and not just its frame.
Processor and Battery performance
The performance of this device is simply impressive, as it uses the same flagship processor as the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. In addition to the powerful Google Tensor processor, this device runs on Stock Android, free from any bloatware. Also, the 60Hz refresh rate screen surprisingly brings butter-smooth scrolling across the UI and applications.
In our period of using this device, which has spanned over three months, we haven’t got a cause for complaint regarding this device’s performance.
Battery life isn’t the best on the Pixel 6 series, but this device will effortlessly take you the whole day on a single charge. Again, battery performance will vary from one person to the other based on how often they use the device. But with regular usage, low gaming and streaming, the 4410mAh battery on this device will perfectly last you for the day.
At the launch of this device, tech enthusiasts slammed Google for using a 60Hz refresh rate, claiming screen performance would lag and be choppy. After extensive usage of this device, we can confidently say that claim was hasty. The screen performance of the Pixel 6a is smooth and the animations on Android 13 work perfectly without any lag.
Speaking of its operating system, this device unboxes with Android 12. But it brings an Android 13 upgrade almost immediately after the device step-up is complete (for those planning on getting the device). In addition, this device will support beta and stable Android upgrades up to Android 15 and security updates for 5 years. So you don’t need to worry about changing your device to stay up-to-date for the next 3 years.
Camera abilities
Perhaps one of the biggest features of Google Pixel devices is the camera. With the Pixel 6 series, the company gave more attention to the photography abilities of their flagship-level devices. In close comparison, the Google Pixel 6a does better than the iPhone 12 in terms of photography.
Other devices within the Pixel 6a price point often struggle under intense light or low lighting. But Google found a way to process pictures on the 6a, hence balancing the lighting in any condition. For low light photography, the device uses its “Night Sight” to pick up and focus on the light available, producing a clear image.
Photography is one of the top-selling points of this device and this has led Google to include a lot of edit features into this little package. My best of these features is “Magic Eraser” which removes any distraction from your picture. This feature uses the processor’s power and artificial intelligence to determine what is a possible distraction in a picture and do away with it.
A close competitor to the camera abilities of the Pixel 6a is the iPhone 13, although I prefer how well the Pixel handles skin colour. The selfie camera uses an 8MP sensor; and while the size of the sensor doesn’t matter, the Tensor processor helps this device excel in its selfie camera abilities.
In conclusion, this device is a solid pick for those who are looking for a device with great camera abilities. With this device, simply pull out your camera, take a quick shot, and forget about editing it because you won’t need to. The recently launched Google Pixel 7 Pro tops as the best camera in the world for now on DxOMark’s ranking. It outperforms the all-mighty and more expensive iPhone 14 Pro Max but shares the same score as the Honor Magic 4 Ultimate.
Pricing and Conclusion
Surprisingly, most people who got to see and use our unit of the Google Pixel 6a assumed it to be as expensive as the iPhone 14. But the Pixel 6a is much more affordable than the iPhone 14 and even the iPhone 13 both of which are similarly compact devices. The retail price of the Google Pixel 6a is $449 making it a king budget device.
Available colours are Charcoal (Black), Chalk (White), and Sage (Green-ish) all of which are quite stylish. Sadly, Google is yet to expand access to its product online store to Africa, so getting this device is a bit of a hassle. If you are familiar with online purchases, you can use the Google store or approach any credible smartphone retailer locally.