Google Pixel 6a is officially the latest and greatest affordable smartphone from the company. Here’s what you need to know about the specs of the Pixel 6a.
google pixel 6a specs
Google’s “A-Series” is the company’s mid-range smartphone lineup. The previous models are distinguished by their lower-end specifications, plastic build and lack of wireless charging.
While Google hasn’t released some official specs ahead of the Pixel 6a launch as we saw with last year’s Pixel 6 series, we do have some solid evidence of what to expect. Here’s everything we know about the Pixel 6a’s specs.
Chip: Google Tensor
Under the hood, the biggest change from the Pixel 6a versus years ago is the chipset. Unlike the Pixel 3a and 4a, which used mid-range Snapdragon chips, the Pixel 6a is set to run on top of the Google Tensor chipset. Notably, the same chipset that powers Google’s flagship Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.
We first reported news that the Pixel 6a would run Tensor late last year, and the phone’s announcement pretty much confirmed that. The Pixel 6a, like other Google phones, runs on the same Tensor chip, and this results in a 5x increase in performance compared to the Pixel 5a, at least with some functions.
Google Tensor is a flagship-level processor manufactured by Samsung based on Google’s design borrowed from Exynos. The chip is largely similar in performance to the Snapdragon 888, scoring only slightly lower than that chip in overall tests. Throttling performance is one of the biggest issues, especially preventing the GPU from doing what would otherwise be “beast” performance. However, in day-to-day use, we largely found that the Tensor felt indistinguishable from Qualcomm chips. As noted in our reviews of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, the chip is particularly great at processing voice and camera information, and leaves the user experience overall very fluid.
RAM and Storage: 6GB
Along with Tensor, the Pixel 6a offers 6GB of RAM to help with multitasking and 128GB of storage. That storage fast is also using the UFS 3.1 standard, to ensure that the phone will remain super quick.
6GB of RAM, the same allocation that the Pixel 4a and 5a offered, is half as much as the Pixel 6 Pro and several other Android flagships. But still, it’s more than enough to deliver a solid experience for multitasking and the like.
As with every other Pixel, there’s no microSD card slot for expanding storage, and there’s also no headphone jack on that note.
Full Google Pixel 6a Specs
- piece: google tensor
- screen: 6.1-inch OLED, 1080p
- to hit: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- battery: 4,306 mAh
- wireless charging?: No
- Camera: 12.2MP primary, 12MP ultrawide, 8MP front-facing
- Dimensions: 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.7 mm
- headphone jack?: No
- Networking: 5G, LTE, mmWave (on Verizon)
Camera: 12MP
The camera is a core part of every Pixel smartphone, and the Pixel 6a will certainly be no exception. The Pixel 6 series received the first major upgrade in the series with a 50MP primary sensor.
UnfortunatelyWell, that upgrade isn’t coming in the Pixel 6a specs sheet. The camera setup on the Pixel 6a is largely identical to the previous Pixels, which is almost certainly a cost-saving measure. The lineup includes the following:
- 12.2-megapixel IMX363 primary
- 12-megapixel IMX386 Ultrawide
- 8-megapixel IMX355 front-facing
The good news is that thanks to Google’s software prowess, this setup is still one of the best on the market. The Pixel 5 still performed very well with this setup, only to really fail to zoom due to the lack of a telephoto lens.
Screen and size: 6.1-inch
Pixel 6a has a 6.1-inch display. The panel has the blacks of OLED and should be fairly sharp at 1080p, but it sticks with the old 60Hz refresh rate that won’t let it feel as fluid as Google’s flagships. Still, it seems like a worthy downgrade for the $150 savings.
The Pixel 6a is currently Google’s smallest phone, measuring 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.7mm. It is smaller than the Pixel 6, 6 Pro and Pixel 5a. Here’s how they compare:
- Pixel 6a: 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.7 mm
- Pixel 6: 158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm
- Pixel 5a: 154.9 x 73.7 x 7.6 mm
Everything else: no headphone jack
Meeting the specifications of the Pixel 6a, there is no headphone jack. This is a first for Google’s A-Series. The phone also includes an in-display fingerprint sensor, 5 years of security updates, Wi-Fi 6, Sub6 5G on the unlocked model, and mmWave on Verizon, and Gorilla Glass 3 on the display.
The colors of the Pixel 6a include Sage, Chalk and Charcoal.
What will the Pixel 6a cost and when can I buy it?
Pixel 6a will be launched in the US for $449. It will cost $499 on Verizon Wireless.
As for availability, Google won’t open pre-orders for the Pixel 6a until July 21, 2022, and the device won’t be formally available a week later until July 28.
More on Google Pixel:
FTC: We use income generating auto affiliate links. More.
Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:
