The Google Pixel 6a is the company’s upcoming mid-range handset. The device actually started leaking out back in November, suggesting it may arrive sooner than expected. Judging by what we’ve seen thus far, that won’t be the case, as Google seems to be aiming for a mid-year launch. We’ll talk more about that down below, along with a number of other details when it comes to this smartphone.
The Pixel 6a is expected to offer a really compelling price tag, for all those of you who think the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are too expensive. The phone will actually have a lot to offer, based on rumors and leaks. We are actually wondering what will its final price be, considering all that. In any case, let’s get this preview going. We’ll first talk about the phone’s design, and then switch over to specs, and other details.
This article will be regularly updated with new information on the Google Pixel 6a (this is a preview article) — both official teasers and credible leaks, rumors, and insider claims — as it becomes available in the run-up to the release of the upcoming Android smartphone. The last update was made on May 6.
The ‘Pixel a’ series is getting a design refresh
The very first proper Pixel 6a leak appeared in November last year. It actually showed us what to expect from the phone’s design, as its CAD-based renders appeared. The Pixel 6a will finally usher in a design change for Google’s budget smartphone lineup. It will look basically like the Google Pixel 6, which sets it apart from the Pixel 4a, 4a 5G, and 5a. You can check out the aforementioned renders below.
These renders are probably quite accurate, as Google kind of confirmed that design, by accident. It confirmed it in a coloring book, of all places). The Google Pixel 6a will be made out of metal and glass, most likely, though Google may opt for plastic instead of glass. It will have that huge camera strip on the back, much like its siblings, and a flat display. Its bezels will be quite thin, while the bottom bezel will be thicker than the rest. A display camera hole will also be included in the package, and it will be centered.
The phone’s physical keys will be placed on the right side, while this phone will include an in-display fingerprint scanner. It will likely have the same optical fingerprint scanner as its siblings. Google’s logo will be placed on the back, but it will blend in nicely with the phone’s backplate. This design looks very similar to the Pixel 6, though the Pixel 6a will allegedly be a bit smaller, more on that in the chapter. Do note that this design appeared in form of an aluminum dummy as well.
The phone’s design was kind of confirmed by another leak. The phone’s retail box seemingly surfaced, confirming what the CAD-based renders shared. You can check out the image that surfaced below.
A truly powerful SoC, and a rather large battery
The Google Pixel 6a will include quite a powerful processor, as the phone’s Geekbench listing revealed, in addition to rumors. Google plans to utilize the Google Tensor SoC, the same processor that fuels the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, which is something a Geekbench listing confirmed. This is Google’s very own processor, and it’s considered to be one of the high-end smartphone SoCs at the moment. At this point, you may wonder how will the Pixel 6a differentiate from the Pixel 6. Well, one of the main differences will be its display, and its camera setup. The device may arrive in both 6GB and 8GB RAM variants.
The Pixel 6a will include a 6.2-inch flat OLED display, with either a 60Hz or a 90Hz refresh rate. The Pixel 6, as a reminder, has a 90Hz panel, while the Pixel 6 Pro includes a 120Hz display. This display will also be smaller than the one on the Pixel 6, as the Pixel 6 includes a 6.4-inch display. The Pixel 6a will be smaller because of it. The phone is rumored to measure 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.7mm (10.4mm with the rear camera bump). That will make it quite compact, actually.
It seems like the Pixel 6a won’t include a 3.5mm headphone jack either. That means it will become the first ‘Pixel a’ series smartphone not to include an audio jack. A 4,800mAh battery was mentioned in one of the leaks, and it seems like the phone will offer the same charging speed as its siblings. Well, at least as far as wired charging goes, as wireless charging may not be included at all. That means that it will most likely support 21W charging, but slow down after it reaches 50-percent.
5G will be supported on the Pixel 6a, of course. In fact, it seems like Google is planning to release an mmWave version of the device, at least according to an FCC listing.
Familiar, dated, and good camera setup
The Pixel 6a will include a truly powerful SoC, but its camera setup may be a bit dated. The Pixel 6a won’t include a 50-megapixel ISOCELL GN1 camera from the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. It will include a very well-known camera setup, a 12.2-megapixel one, Sony’s IMX363 sensor. That goes for its main camera, of course. That is the same camera Google has been using for years at this point, since the Pixel 2.
The phone will include two cameras on the back, though. So, in addition to the 12.2-megapixel main camera, it will also ship with a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, based on rumors. Sony’s IMX386 sensor will be included. On the front, you can expect a single 8-megapixel camera (Sony’s IMX355 sensor) to be included. Rumors say that Sony’s IMX355 sensor will be in charge of taking pictures on the front.
Do note that the Google Camera’s Motion Mode likely won’t be on offer here. That’s what a report mentioned, an the reason for that is an older camera setup. As you may know, that feature is available on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, but they have a different camera setup, and a newer main camera sensor.
Google I/O launch expected
The Google Pixel 6a is tipped to launch in May. That information was provided by Max Jambor, a well-known tipster. This launch timeframe fits, to say the least. The Pixel 5a was late last year, which is why it launched in August, but it was expected to arrive in May. This information was backed by Jon Prosser, another tipster. He added that the Pixel 6a will be announced at Google I/O, which is taking place on May 11 and 12. So, the phone announcement will likely come during the keynote on May 11. This will almost certainly be the case, even though Google hasn’t officially confirmed it, of course. The Pixel Watch may also arrived during the keynote.
What about the price? Well, it could ship with the same price as the Pixel 5a. The Pixel 5a, at launch, cost $449. That would be a really appealing price tag for the Pixel 6a, especially with the improvements that are coming. The question remains whether Google will be able to hit it. The price could, alternatively, be $499. We’re only guessing here, of course, no info surfaced just yet.
2022-05-06 15:07:56