Apparently Google Pixel 6a specifications
Screen size: 6.2 inch OLED display
Refresh rate: 60Hz or 90Hz
CPU: Tensioner
Rear cameras: 12MP main; 12MP ultra wide angle
Front Camera: 8MP
Battery Size: 4800 mAh
Wired Charging Speed: 30W
Introducing a cheaper version of the Pixel phone at a developer conference is not out of character for Google. After all, this is where the original Pixel A-Series phone, the Pixel 3a, made its debut in 2019. There have been many signs suggesting the phone’s impending launch, not the least of which is the recent arrival of the Pixel 6a in the FCC for regulatory approval.
If the Pixel 6a arrives as expected, it will enter a crowded market of inexpensive mid-range models. Apple has already introduced the iPhone SE for $ 429 (2022), which is undercutting the price of the currently-available Pixel 5a by $ 20. There’s also the case of the Samsung Galaxy A53, which actually supplanted Google’s current flagship budget in our Galaxy A53 vs Pixel 5a showdown. So the Pixel 6a does some work if Google wants it to be a under $ 500 phone we recommend.
Fortunately, rumors about the Pixel 6a suggest that Google is not sitting on its laurels. There are talk of a lot of big changes for the upcoming phone, and if those rumors unfold, the Pixel 6a could quickly climb the list of the best cheap phones.
Here’s what you need to know about what’s potentially coming to Google Pixel 6a ahead of this phone’s launch, and how likely that change is going to happen.
1. Brand new processor
Previous phones in the Pixel A series used Qualcomm’s Snapdragon silicon, usually from the 6 or 7 series of mid-range manufacturer’s chipsets. They provided solid if not spectacular performance, but nothing that made the previous models really stand out.
That could change for the Pixel 6a, which is capable of getting the same Tensor on-chip system that Google joined the Pixel 6 phones last fall. Tensor isn’t necessarily a powerhouse, following the A15 Bionic Apple is using on the latest iPhone SE in benchmarks. But Tensor comes with a dedicated machine learning core that powers many of the unique features found in the Pixel 6.
These ML-inspired features include the Pixel 6’s ability to screen incoming calls and transcribe dictated text messages on the fly, even with the correct punctuation. If Google were to add a Tensor chipset to the Pixel 6a, these capabilities would also be available on a budget phone. And that would give Google a competitive edge over the Pixel 6a’s under $ 500. Right now, we’d be ready to bet that adding Tensor to the Pixel 6 will be the budget phone’s most notable feature.
2. New project
The processor inside the Pixel 6 wasn’t the only thing that could be changed on this phone. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro also have a distinctive look, with a horizontal camera bar that stretches across the width of the phone. While it’s not a widely-liked look, it certainly helps Pixel’s newest flagships stand out in a sea of fairly identical smartphones.
The last three iterations of the Pixel A-Series phone were also not known for their looks, but that could change if Google introduces a Pixel 6-inspired remake of the Pixel 6a.
This is more than just wishful thinking on our part. The leaked dummy units and renders suggest the Pixel 6a draws its design cues from the Pixel 6. This would certainly be in line with how Google has dealt with the looks of its previous budget phones, drawing inspiration from more expensive flagships. As with the Tensor chip rumor, we believe it will happen.
3. Bigger battery compared to Pixel 5a
It’s been a long time since a phone from Google landed on the list of the best phone batteries. The Pixel 5a surely missed out on last year with an average score in our battery test where phones surf the internet until they run out of power. The Pixel 5a ran for 9 hours and 45 minutes when we tested it. Good time is getting close to 10.5 hours and great time is getting close to 11.5 hours.
We won’t find out if the Pixel 6a can improve the Pixel 5a’s performance until we have a chance to test the phone. (And of course, Google needs to announce the phone first.) But one rumor suggests that Google is taking steps to increase battery life on its budget phone. Apparently Pixel 6a will be equipped with a 4800 mAh power supply.
This would be a modest upgrade over the 4,680mAh battery in the Pixel 5a. But assuming better silicon power management features from Tensor, even a slight increase in battery size could help the Pixel 6a survive its predecessor.
You should be able to charge your new Google phone at least faster. The same rumor promising a larger battery also points to an increase in wired charging speed, from 18W to 30W. It’s a little harder to believe, simply because Google may prefer to distinguish between its flagship and budget devices.
4. New photo features
First, the bad news about the cameras on the Pixel 6a – it doesn’t change the Pixel 5a much. Unofficial specs at the moment claim that the Pixel 6a will come with a 12MP wide-angle camera and a 12MP ultra wide-angle lens; these compare to the 12MP and 16MP sensors for the Pixel 5a. Reportedly, the number of megapixels at the ultra-wide angle may go down, but the pixel size may go up on the Pixel 6a, meaning the phone will be able to let in more light for sharper photos.
Even if it’s the only hardware change to the Pixel 6a’s cameras, everything should be fine as the Pixel 5a ranks among the best camera phones, especially for a device that costs less than $ 500. The real benefit would be the Tensor-based photo features that appear on the Pixel 6a, such as the Pixel 6’s Magic Eraser tool to remove unwanted objects or people from the background of your photos. Other Pixel 6 photography features, such as the Motion Mode blur effect, may not hit the Pixel 6, some leaks have said. We hope this particular claim to the contrary.
5. Quickly refreshing display
This potential Pixel 6a is in the air with various leaks supporting various rumors. There are rumors in one corner that the Pixel 6a’s display will have the same 60Hz refresh rate as the Pixel 5a. However, another rumor has gathered momentum as we approach the Pixel 6a launch, claiming the new phone will raise its 90Hz refresh rate, just like the Pixel 6. The Pixel 6 Pro will still be the only Google phone with an adaptive 120Hz screen.
It’s hard to say which rumor has it at the moment. Increasing the refresh rate on the 6a would give it an edge on the iPhone SE, which uses a traditional 60Hz panel while trying to keep up with the Galaxy A53 and its 120Hz screen.
On the other hand, you can see why Google might want to reserve a fast refresh rate as a feature for its flagship devices, especially if the Pixel 6 will remain $ 120 more expensive than the Pixel 6a. In other words, stay tuned to see which direction Google is going with its display.
Pixel 6a perspective
Assuming the rumors of Google I / O’s launch aren’t flawless, we won’t have to wait long to see which of these key Pixel 6a rumors become reality. We’ll also be watching closely to see if Google is holding a $ 449 lineup for its Pixel 5a with the new phone.
Price rumors suggest that the Galaxy 6a will likely cost the same as its predecessor, which would mean it would also be comparable to the price of the Galaxy A53. An iPhone SE would still be a cheaper option, but as can be seen from the features above, the Pixel 6a is more than just its likely price of under $ 500.