Google Pixel 6a

The arrival of the Pixel 6a was predicted, therefore we were not surprised. Still, we're excited about the device because it brings some unique and premium features that only Google can do to a lower price point.

At least if you live in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, or the United States. Residents of other countries must hope for gray imports though that is not a guarantee either. After all, the Pixel 5a didn't make it out of here either.

Smaller screen, bigger camera sensor

The Google Pixel 6a will get a slightly smaller 6.1-inch screen this year. It is still an OLED panel with a 60Hz screen refresh. What is new, however, is the incorporation of the fingerprint scanner.

The most significant change, however, is the camera. The 12.2MP primary camera has remained, but the ultra-wide camera was swapped for a 12MP variant. The ultra-wide camera has a wider viewing angle of 114° and a larger sensor. Combined with the Tensor processor, it is capable of more. For example, Real Tone for capturing skin colors more accurately. And there is a new version of Magic Eraser that can change the color of unwanted objects or those that are distracting.

No Motion Mode, but Night Sight

As expected, the Motion Mode that we did see on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro is missing. Motion Mode would have allowed you to add motion effects to backgrounds for an extra dramatic effect. To make up for that lack somewhat, the 6a does have Night Sight. This is Google's custom night mode that allows you to take sharper and better-exposed photos in the dark.

The Pixel 6a will be available for preorder starting July 21 for a cost of $449. The device will be in stores on July 28. How much the device will cost in another currency remains to be seen.

According to Mukal Sharma, production of the Pixel 6a has begun in Asia. With that, the intended goal of launching the device sometime in May 2022 seems to be achieved.

Google will in all likelihood announce its latest Pixel A phone at Google I/O held in San Francisco from May 11 to 12, 2022. And although the announcement of the Pixel 6a is expected in May, it probably won't be in stores until sometime in July. And then also in a select number of countries.

Same design, slightly fewer features

If earlier rumors are true, the Google Pixel 6a will have a similar design to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. That means a horizontal camera bar on the back. For the 6a, it will be used to house 2 cameras; a 12.2MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle. The device will in all likelihood also get Google's Tensor processor but despite that is missing some camera features. For example, Motion Mode is said to be missing.

Pixel 6a competitors

In countries where Google officially sells the Pixel 6a it will be a good competitor to Apple's iPhone SE 3 and Samsung's Galaxy S21 FE. All these phones have high-end features at a more affordable price.

Image: 91mobiles

The reason is obvious. Google prefers to keep the feature exclusive to only the more expensive models. The Pixel 6a will be the cheapest in the series, and there should be some reason left to opt for the more expensive Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro. However, it is also possible that the camera sensor of the 6a simply does not support it.

Motion Mode consists of two functions; Action Pan and Long Exposure. The former adds motion blur to the background while the latter adds motion blur to moving subjects. The feature was announced along with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro but seems to be missing from the Pixel 6a, according to XDA Developers.

Pixel 6a launch

The launch of the Google Pixel 6a seems to be imminent. For Google's next press event is scheduled on May 11; Google I/O 2022. Although this event is mainly about software, it is not impossible that we will also get to see new hardware. If earlier rumors are true, this Pixel a will have a 6.2-inch screen with 12.2MP main camera and 8MP selfie cam.

It's been less than a year since Google announced the Pixel 5a so it seems a bit early to talk about the Pixel 6a. But looking at the image below, it looks like Google is preparing a quick introduction. Indeed, we see the sales box of the Google Pixel 6a.

The photo first surfaced at Techxine and the device shown matches previously published renders. On the back of this cheaper Pixel, we see a dual camera with the now signature camera bar. Presumably, Google is applying its own Tensor processor inside which will theoretically make it as powerful as the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.

Google I/O

Meanwhile, there is already a Google event scheduled; namely Google I/O for May 11 and 12, 2022. This event is mainly about software and therefore we often see new Android features being demonstrated there. Whether Google will actually bring the Pixel 6a remains to be seen.

Because according to sources close to 9to5Google, the Google Pixel 6a will simply get the same chipset as found in the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro: Google Tensor. And the camera is also an old friend of ours.

It is reportedly the same 12.2 megapixel camera as in the Pixel 5; the Sony IMX363. Google used this camera sensor ever since the Pixel 3 and it turns out to be perfectly capable of taking good pictures. Especially in combination with Google's smart HDR algorithm. And the Tensor processor can deal with that fine and effortlessly.

Tensor specific features

That Google also uses the Tensor processor in the Pixel 6a is not strange. Why wouldn't it? They have invested a lot of time, energy and money to develop their own processor and then you prefer to use it as much as possible. This automatically also means that the Pixel 6a is just as powerful as the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. Perhaps the entry-level Pixel will get less RAM memory, though.

Thanks to the application of Tensor, we expect exclusive Pixel features like Magic Eraser, Face Unblur and Motion Mode to come to the 6a as well. Previously released images already showed that the 6a largely resembles the other models in the Pixel 6 series. So on the back, we will find a camera bar here as well. With 6.2 inches, the device will only be slightly smaller.

Image: 91mobiles

Google put out a whole new design with the Pixel 6 series. This is especially visible on the back. The camera layout is quite distinctable and makes the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro very unique. The upcoming Pixel 6a fits nicely between those two in that regard. It too will get the distinctive camera bar.

We'll see two cameras just like the Pixel 6, in addition to a 50MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens. On the front of the Pixel 6a, rumors say it uses a 6.2-inch screen. That's slightly smaller than the 6.4-inch panel in the Pixel 6. Judging from the screenshot that has been used, it seems that the Google Pixel 6a features an in-screen fingerprint scanner.

No headphone port

There are also some disappointments to be dealt with. For one, the CAD drawings don't show a headphone port. The Pixel 5a did have one, and Google was extremely proud of that judging by a video they made about it at the time.

Another disappointment is that this Pixel 6a, according to a rumor from Weibo does not have the Google Tensor processor. Tensor enabled additional camera capabilities like Magic Erase. Instead, Google may have opted for the Qualcomm's Snapdragon 778G. Time will tell if that is the case.

Launch Google Pixel 6a

When we will see the Pixel 6a is unknown. The Pixel 5a wasn't even announced that long ago at the time of writing.

(via)