Wired
Glass and metal materials are ditched in favor of a recycled aluminum frame and polycarbonate back. The matte black sides make the Pixel 6 series appear less glossy.
The Pixel 6a features a 2340 x 1080 pixel FHD+ OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, and it’s worth noting that the Pixel 6a is Google’s first affordable phone to include in-display fingerprint scanning for biometric security. The screen is Corning Gorilla Glass 3, the same glass that was on last year’s Pixel 5a.
Although the Pixel 6a was launched as a mid-range offering from the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, the device is powered by Google’s flagship Tensor processor. Like the flagship model, the Pixel 6a includes the Titan M2 security co-processor, making the device one of the most secure Android phones out there.
The Tensor is paired with 6GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage, as well as a 4306mAh battery with fast charging support. Google claims up to 72 hours of battery life on a single charge when using extreme battery-saving modes. Sadly, this is also the first time a Pixel A-series model doesn’t have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Compared to the main 50-megapixel ISOCELL GN1 sensor used by the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, the 6a’s rear camera setup is noticeably lower. The 12.2-megapixel wide-angle lens is paired with a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. I believe they are Sony IMX363 and IMX386. The punch-hole front camera is an 8-megapixel Sony IMX355.
Various image scene modes of the Tensor processor including Magic Eraser, Real Tone and Face Unblur are also available on the Pixel 6a. It supports 4K video shooting at 30 and 60fps, as well as 1080p video shooting at 30 and 60fps. Slow-motion video shooting at 1080p is available at 240fps. The selfie camera is capped at 1080p and has a maximum frame rate of 30fps.
Google has promised 3 years of Android system updates and a total of 5 years of security updates for the Pixel 6a. That means the support window for this entry-level 2022 Google-made smartphone will close sometime in 2027.
You can buy the Pixel 6a directly from the Google Store starting July 21st, or in-store starting July 28th for $449 in three colors: black, mint green, and gray/silver.