The Pixel 6a is the Diet Coke of smartphones in that it has a lot of the same flavor, but some of the sweeter components have been eliminated to help it achieve the right pricing.
The Pixel 6a likely appears to be a more alluring bundle for many of you than even the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. Here are the top five reasons why we believe you should choose it as your next gadget.
Video 5 reasons the Pixel 6a could be your perfect smartphone Clean Android as Google intended Perfect size Googles best in-display scanner (despite some issues) Tensor processing power Price Bonus: IP rating Its not all roses 5 REASONS WHY THE PIXEL 6A MIGHT BE YOUR IDEAL SMARTPHONE Subscribe to 9to5Google on YouTube for more videos
CLEAN ANDROID AS INTENDED BY GOOGLE
Few inexpensive devices come with the pure, bloat-free version of Android that Google intended. With the exception of the Pixel 5a, the Pixel 6a is most likely the only option in North America. This is the complete Android 12 build with all the bells and whistles, including a few limited-time exclusives like Camouflage for Google Photos.
Even the most recent Android 13 Beta releases can be installed, something that only a select few devices can do. You will receive timely updates for the following five years and there is no bloat. Google has committed to three major OS upgrades, up to and including Android 15, throughout that time frame, in addition to two further years of security patches. Any OEM, with the exception of Samsung, falls short in terms of value offer. The Pixel 6a is a fantastic choice for people seeking the greatest mobile software experience because one UI is not for everyone and significant updates are frequently slower to spread.
The ideal size
The Pixel 6a’s reduced size will be a great relief for many fans and potential consumers since the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro have essentially grown into supersized smartphones. However, let’s keep in mind that the Pixel 6a is not exactly small.
Even though it is smaller than the Pixel 4a and Pixel 5, the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro both have screens larger than 6.1 inches. Since the display bezels are thin on all sides, you’ll notice a clearer size difference with a smaller camera bar and better reachability overall when you put a case on. The Pixel 6a might provide you a more comfortable footprint when smartphones tend to get bigger every year.
In spite of several problems, Google’s in-display scanner is the best
.
Concerning reports about in-display fingerprint scanners have surfaced, claiming that some reviewers have equipment that can be unlocked with any unregistered digit. We haven’t been able to duplicate this in our own testing using a variety of devices. Although it doesn’t seem to be a common problem, it is something to be aware of.
With that potential deal-breaker out of the way, the Pixel 6a sports Google’s 6-series smartphone lineup’s most dependable in-display scanner. The upgraded scanner also unlocks a little bit quicker than the Pixel 6 or 6 Pro. These two devices’ in-display scanning technology has been known to cause some users serious problems, but none exist with this device.
POWER FOR TENSOR PROCESSING
The flagship Tensor chip has been plopped inside the Pixel 6a, which places it just below many of the top Android phones of the previous 18 months after years of pushing low- to mid-range processors for the Pixel A-series. Nothing is off limits, including video and photo editing and gaming. Although Google’s first processor isn’t at the top of the performance lists, it’s not far behind.
With the fastest transcription and translation in the industry, on-board language processing is immediate. A lot of post-processing camera effects also call for Tensor’s stronger AI capabilities. The reintroduction of Pixel Neural Core allows for even faster processing of all of your photographs, enabling the use of Motion Mode, Magic Eraser, Face Unblur, and many more features.
Price
Although Video 5 reasons the Pixel 6a could be your perfect smartphone 0 is by no means inexpensive, the package offered here is excellent value. In light of this, it is highly unlikely that any American sub-$500 smartphone will continue to receive day-one updates as long as the Pixel 6a.
The Pixel 6a is a truly affordable phone without many of the trade-offs we associate with cheap Android phones once trade-in rates are taken into account, along with the possibility of negotiating with carriers. In addition, the Pixel 6a is offered in more regions at regional costs than the Pixel 5a. Even while the competition is greater in certain markets, the 6a is still a compelling purchase thanks to freebies like the Pixel Buds A-series.
ADD-ON: IP RATING Although not all water resistance is created equal, the fact that a cheap smartphone like the Pixel 6a has an IP classification at all is a major plus. A phone with an IP67 rating may essentially be submerged for up to 30 minutes in 1 meter (3.3 ft) of water. The Pixel 6a should survive a splash in the water but you shouldn’t even consider bringing it swimming. Simply avoid seawater and salt because they can harm your body. Puddles, rain, and clean water are all safe.
NOT ALL IS ROSES
The Pixel 6a is a fantastic low-cost smartphone, but it is not without flaws. The use of a 60Hz display is particularly contentious among tech aficionados. But this makes more sense in the context of the Pixel 6 range. The base Pixel 6 has a 90Hz panel, followed by the top-of-the-line Pixel 6 Pro with a 120Hz refresh rate. The entry-level Pixel 6a has a 60Hz panel. Each price point increase is more alluring in terms of features and functionalities since there is adequate differentiation.
Given the significant changes to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro late last year, it is simple to criticize the camera configuration on the Pixel 6a as well. It’s impossible to overstate how much better the 50-megapixel ISOCELL GN1 sensor is over the Sony IMX363 sensor. The now four-year-old 12.2-megapixel primary sensor is still capable, and with a lot of post-processing using Google’s secret sauce, it’ll be a trustworthy partner in almost all situations.
The 3.5mm headphone connector, a feature of the Pixel A-series since 2019, has also been eliminated. To continue using any wired headphones you now own, you’ll need to buy a pair of Bluetooth earbuds, such as the recently released Pixel Buds Pro or Pixel Buds A-series, or head out and buy a USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adaptor.
Are you considering purchasing Google’s newest low-cost phone? Or have you already seized one? In the comments box below, please share your reasoning for choosing the Pixel 6a as your future smartphone.
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