The Google Pixel 6a is the budget variant of the pixel a series phone. With a 6.1-inch OLED screen at Full HD+ resolution, the Pixel 6a uses the same Tensor chip that powers the rest of the series and is accompanied by 6GB of RAM and 128GB of memory. Non-expandable internal storage. The Pixel 6a has a dual camera with 12 MP lenses, an 8 MP selfie camera, and a fast-charging 4410 mAh battery, completing its features with stereo speakers, under-screen fingerprint reader, resistance to dust and water, and Android 12.
GOOGLE PIXEL 6A SHORT SPECIFICATION
Screen – 6.1-inch AMOLED, Ratio 20:9, FullHD+ at 2,400 x 1,080, 60Hz, Refresh HDR10+, Gorilla Glass Class 3
Processor – Google Tensor, Titan M2 Security Coprocessor
Memory & Storage – 6 GB RAM LPDDR5/ 128 GB UFS 3.1
Rear Cameras – 12.2-megapixel main with Dual Pixel technology, f/1.7 aperture, 77º viewing angle, OIS,, 12-megapixel Ultra Wide EIS, f/2.2 aperture, 114º viewing angle
Front Camera – 8 megapixels, f/2.0 aperture, 84º viewing angle, fixed focus
Drums – 4,410 mAh, 18 W fast charge (charger not included)
System – Android 12
Connectivity – Dual SIM (eSIM), WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, NFC, USB tipo C
Dimension & Weight – 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 millimeters, 178 grams
Others – In-display fingerprint reader, IP67 dust and water resistance, rating Dual stereo speakers
Price in India – 43,999 Rupees, available on Flipkart.
What we like:
- Powerful Tensor chip
- Easy to use in one hand
- Excellent image processing
- Great software
- Long-term update commitment
What we don’t like:
- Worse than average battery life
- Slow charging
- Only 60Hz display
- Tensor runs hot
Google Pixel 6a Design: Solid and Quite Compact Among Pixel Phones
The Google Pixel 6a stands out for its solid construction and the premium feel it offers in hand. In addition, it offers resistance to dust and water IP67.
With the Pixel 6a, we can say that we are facing a cut-down version of the Pixel 6. Although both have practically the same design, we only find small changes in the construction of its rear module for cameras.
Unsurprisingly, the Pixel 6a is smaller than the Pixel 6 but not as compact as the Pixel 4a or Pixel 5a. In addition, this new model has a 6.1-inch OLED screen compared to the 6.4-inch Pixel 6.
This translates into dimensions of 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.7 millimeters and 178 grams. The screen resolution is also Full HD+, but here we find a refresh rate of up to 60 Hz. Google still reserves 90 Hz for the high end.
The new mobile maintains the solid aluminum body and the lines that make the Pixel 6 family unique. With an appearance full of charisma, the Pixel 6a offers very rounded metal edges that greatly facilitate grip. Its rear face is made of plastic, slips in hand, and retains grease, all with an exquisite color contrast between the variations of green.
It is not a small mobile, and it deceives in hand: it seems smaller than it really is (it is not too light either). As with the higher models, Google has not reduced the frames around the screen much, which means that the mobile does not take advantage of the panel size. Although yes: its dimensions are somewhat smaller than usual in most android phones. And the excellent body construction gives the feeling of extreme solidity; also, the premium touch of the Pixel 6a suits it very well.
Google Pixel 6a Screen: Vibrant, Colorful and Quality
The Pixel 6a does not differ much from its older versions screen as it offers an AMOLED panel that reduces the dimensions to 6.1 inches. In addition, it maintains Full HD+ resolution, the hole for the front camera, offers HDR10 +, is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, and the refresh rate stays at 60 Hz.
The smaller diagonal of the phone does not make the visual experience fall: the Google Pixel 6a looks like a charm. Natural and customizable color reproduction in three settings, correctly adjusted in saturation, very sharp, with a high level of detail, excellent contrast, and a touch response similar to the Pixel 6.
The screen flows seamlessly and offers a maximum brightness suitable for most situations. However, the minimum brightness is annoying in full darkness, although it can always be reduced by going to the accessibility settings. Regarding auto-switching in lighting levels, we haven’t encountered any issues: the brightness adjusts itself well for different environments and situations.
The Google Pixel 6a offers an optical fingerprint scanner under the screen. Accessible with a thumb swipe, this scanner is shown to be effective on almost all occasions. It saves a new fingerprint after a process of less than a minute, and it does not usually need a second reading if the finger is well placed on the reading icon. The time that elapses between putting the fingerprint and unlocking the screen is usually approximately one second. It is not one of the fastest, although Google assures that it is for security.
Google Pixel 6a Sound: Excellent Quality in Wireless & Without Headphone Jack
Pixel 6a is the successor to Pixel 5a, a phone that maintained a headphone jack as a reminder of mid range phones. But with the Pixel 6a, Google changed its strategy regarding audio to remove the headphone jack.
Google loses points without a 3.5 mm jack, especially since USB C does not offer analog audio output (a USB C to 3.5mm jack connector or adapter with built-in DAC is required). It also does not include video output: you cannot connect an external monitor or a TV using an HDMI / USB C cable.
We’ve used the Google Pixel 6a with a headset and have had no connection or audio stability issues. The music sounds excellent, and the fidelity is correct, balanced in the treble, has good bass reinforcement, and is full of nuances.
The pair of dual stereo speakers included in the Pixel 6a raises the audio average of the device. It sounds compelling; it hardly squeaks at maximum volume, offers outstanding quality, and reaches 88 dB. Watching movies and series on the phone is a joy, both with external speakers and headphones.
Google Pixel 6a Power: The Google Tensor Grabs Quality Performance
The processor included in the Pixel 6a is exactly the same one that Google offers with the higher models, the Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro: the Google Tensor.
It is an SoC manufactured and co-designed by Samsung that maintains solvent performance without reaching the levels of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 range (or the best MediaTek). Still, we haven’t run into any issues launching games or apps.
It is fast at all times, jumps between apps smoothly and instantly, allows maximum adjustment in 3D graphics for titles like Genshin Impact, and moves them without difficulty: nothing to object to on a day-to-day basis. Of course, when it is overused, the temperature rises, but this never results in any annoying sensation in the hands, even when you play for long periods.
How’s the Battery Life in Google Pixel 6a?
4,410 mAh of battery in a phone that is sufficient in the diagonal of the screen. The decision to do without the charger looks pretty unfair. Like its older siblings, the Google Pixel 6a comes with a USB C cable as its only means of charging (apart from a USB A to USB C adapter). It has fast charging at 18 W and is compatible with Power Delivery 3.0.
Google Pixel 6a Software: The Cleanest & Most Up-to-date Android Experience
It is a Pixel, and it goes without saying what this implies for those who appreciate the ‘cleanest and purest’ version of Android phone: the Pixel 6th part updated to Android 12, has the most recent security patch and keeps the promise of receiving the new software updates as Google releases them. In addition, the company guarantees three years of key Android updates and five years of security updates.
Cleanliness is one of the keys to the software: Google does not abuse pre-installed apps, nor does it include an excessive number of extras in the form of settings or configurations (this can be a disadvantage). Simple interface with the included widget ‘At a glance,’ and come up with the customization of accent colours, recognition of the music playing in the background, automatic subtitles that show the transcription to the text of everything sounds on the phone or Instant Transcription to convert ambient audio into words.
The Pixel 6a comes with Google Photos Magic Eraser, a tool that helps you remove unwanted objects and camouflage them with a point and click. In this way, they integrate better with the background.
Google Pixel 6a Photography: One of the Best Cameras in Its Range
The mobile offers a double combination of rear cameras embedded in a strip-shaped module. The primary camera is similar to the one mounted on the Google Pixel 5: a 12.2-megapixel sensor with f/1.7 aperture, OIS mechanical stabilization, EIS digital stabilization for video recording, PDAF Dual Pixel focus and size for each pixel of 1.4μm.
For its part, the wide-angle camera mounts a 12-megapixel sensor with f/2.2 aperture, 114º viewing angle, the size of each pixel is 1.25 µm, it reaches 60 fps in 1080p video recording and 4K at 30 fps (the front one records in FHD). These features and limitations are familiar with the Pixel phones.
Shooting and saving don’t take much time; everything happens quite quickly. The application follows the movement of objects once you click on them, and it is tough to get a blur. Focus tracking works on all three cameras, apart from the automatic detection of faces to get a face unblur pic, an addition that works great in portraits.
Pixel 6a’s wide-angle decreases sharpness and performance while maintaining the primary camera’s colour temperature and white balance. However, the processing does not correct all the lens’s optical distortion but maintains a sufficient level of detail.
Portrait mode is as good as Google is used to on all cameras bearing their stamp. Natural cropping of the subject from the background, smooth bokeh, remarkable sharpness and skin tone maintenance – the Pixel 6a doesn’t back down in quality despite the price reduction. But, of course, it is only compatible with the main rear camera and the front sensor: the wide angle is left out (as in the higher models).
The front camera behaves very well, especially in portrait mode: taking selfies is a delight. It offers sufficient detail in most situations, correct white balance and colour temperature, and the option to select wide-angle capture (1x) or with a slight digital zoom (1.2x).
In video recording, the Google Pixel 6a does not spare resources either: the quality remains at the level of photography; with the extra mechanical and digital stabilization of the primary rear camera: it allows you to record handheld video with an impressive reduction in shake.
The Google Pixel 6a offers four stabilization modes, just like the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro: standard, fixed, active (for when the movement is high) and sweep effect (perfect for creating horizontally shifted shots). The stabilizer works in 1080p and 4K at up to 60fps, with results not usually seen in mobile of its category. In addition, Google reinforces the playful video options with the animated sequence and slow motion (up to 1/8x).
Google Pixel 6a Launch Date In India
In India, the Google Pixel 6a has already gone on sale with its launch.
Pixel 6a Versions and Price in India
Google only offers a single version as we have seen when reviewing its technical specifications. Of course, they will do it in three colors : chalk, sage green and charcoal. Google Pixel 6a has gone on sale at a price of rupees 43,999 in India. You can purchase one from either the Flipkart or Google store.
Conclusion
The Google Pixel 6a is without a doubt a fully recommended mobile for those looking for a mid-range terminal around Rs. 40,000. It offers a very clean Android experience, it’s fast, fluid and has power to spare. Also, like a good Pixel, the camera is simply sensational .
Of course, it also has certain shortcomings. For example, it lacks a 3.5mm jack and comes without a charger.
In short, a mobile that borders on the outstanding and whose perhaps greatest competition is Google Pixel 6 itself.
