You might be wondering what the difference is if you put off purchasing a Pixel 6 series device till the Pixel 6a debut. Here is all the information you require.
The yearly mid-ranger, which will act as the entry point into the Pixel series, will be Google’s first smartphone release for 2022. It seems like a long time ago since it was introduced on stage with the Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel 7 series, Pixel Watch, and Pixel Tablet back at I/O 2022, when it was first announced by Google. For many, it is undoubtedly an intriguing introduction because, at $449, it provides an affordable entry point into the Tensor chipset’s capabilities.
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HARDWARE The Pixel 6a and Pixel 6 share an identical design language, as you might anticipate, making them appear similar up close. One of the key selling points of the whole Pixel 6 series, the distinctive camera bar sets it apart from competing products.
When holding the Pixel 6a, you can tell that Google chose to employ lighter materials, whereas the Pixel 6 feels more substantial, luxurious, and dense. The 6a’s polycarbonate backplate is significantly lighter than the Pixel 6’s Gorilla Glass 6 back glass, despite the fact that both devices’ frames are constructed from the same materials.
The screen size is slightly smaller and has thicker bezels in terms of footprint, but it also has some noticeable drawbacks. The Pixel 6a OLED display is firstly limited to 60Hz, has somewhat wider bezels on all sides, and is coated with Gorilla Glass 3.
Since the Pixel 6’s release, complaints about the in-display fingerprint scanner have proliferated. In comparison to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, the 6a sports a new scanner that seems to be more accurate or at least more reliable. Pixel 6a is a better choice if biometrics are a concern for you.
The A-series is the first to feature the flagship Tensor processor, in contrast to earlier iterations. This translates into nearly high-end performance without the corresponding price tag. With any device, gaming, video editing, and much more are simple, even with the newer smartphone’s lesser 6GB RAM allocation.
The Pixel 6 has a larger battery, more storage options, and a higher basic RAM allocation than the majority of the other hardware categories. Personal selection will determine the available colors, although with the Pixel 6a, a gray and white Chalk option is offered in place of the appealing and vibrant Coral option.
SOCIAL
You won’t be able to distinguish between Android 12 running on the 6a and the 6 at all. Only hardware-specific features, like the high refresh rate display settings, are present in this full-fat, full-featured version of the mobile OS, which runs on both handsets.
The Tensor processor makes a variety of features available for the 6a, including Magic Eraser, Motion modes, On-device Live Translation, and more. This implies that you may use all of the Tensor-powered options that have been offered on the Pixel 6 since its launch in October 2021 on the Pixel 6a.
The Pixel 6a and Pixel 6 will no longer receive software updates after five years. This will feature three complete OS upgrades, bringing the operating system all the way up to Android 15, with monthly security updates promised through July 2027 and October 2026, respectively. The Pixel series appears to be among the best on Android if you want to keep your phone for a long time.
CHARGER
The Pixel 6a manages to fit a rather large 4,410mAh battery despite its reduced size. That’s roughly 200mAh less than the Pixel 6, but with the smaller, lower refresh rate display available, it should perform well.
Both phones have a long battery life and a variety of Battery Saver Modes as well as Adaptive Battery and Charging adjustments to help your smartphone learn, develop, and increase device longevity as it learns your usage patterns.
The restricted top-up speeds of the new 30W fast charger, which was announced alongside the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, caused controversy. With the Pixel 6a, which maintains 18W charging as seen on every Pixel up to and including the Pixel 5a, there is no such dispute. From 0 to 100% takes around two hours, but that is sufficient.
CAMERAS
The Pixel 6a is expected to have less cameras than the Pixel 6 for the first time since the launch of the Pixel A-series. You get a tried-and-true setup but one that is now almost four years old because Google is separating the lineups.
On the Pixel 6a, the Sony IMX 363 and IMX 386 ultrawide are combined. In terms of camera hardware, it is on the low end by 2022 standards, but after four years of sensor picture tweaking, the quality is just slightly inferior to the best in the industry. When directly compared against the Pixel 6, the 50-megapixel main sensor only has one winner, but the Pixel 6a is still capable of producing stunning photos and reliable video that is supported by EIS and OIS.
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The fact that Google was able to incorporate several of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro’s best-selling features into the Pixel 6 is even more astounding. Real Tone, Cinematic Pan, Locked Focus, Face Unblur, and many other features are pre-installed and readily available. Despite the main sensor’s resolution dropping, the ultrawide angle is the same on both devices, so you don’t miss out significantly.
Which Pixel 6A or 6 should you choose?
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Regarding upgrading: 9to5
Google frequently makes suggestions for particular products. Due to numerous factors, such as increased device cost, insignificant performance increases, or environmental impact, we may occasionally advise against updating. Although the choice to upgrade is always yours, we want to give you all the information you need to make an informed choice.
Another great, reasonably priced choice for those seeking the purest Android experience available is Google’s newest mid-range device. However, given the slight price difference between the Pixel 6a and the original Pixel 6, it is difficult to advise someone to buy the A-series device unless they are content with certain downgrades or omissions.
For those looking for everything a Google Pixel has to offer, the Pixel 6a is even more difficult to sell than the at $449 . Furthermore, even at that price, the Pixel 6a is less likely to be recommended given that the majority of merchants are selling it for under $550 . Because of this, unless you prefer the slightly smaller handset and don’t mind some hardware being compromised, you might want to consider the more expensive gadget. The plain truth is that you get a better overall handset for an extra $100–150.
