Google Pixel 6a, reviewed – Irish Tech News
We look at the Google Pixel 6a, the latest release to follow the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. See more about the device on their website here also.
As you may have come to notice with previous iterations of the Pixel series, not too long after the lead device comes out, a stripped down version, the a, follows. Generally this has most of the software and good stuff released in the flagship version, but at a more midrange price, often with slightly lower hardware specs, processing power, and usually not all of the bells and whistles from the single number feature. The Pixel 6a does exactly all of this and so any consideration is couched in your awareness of these trade offs.
The Pixel 6a does not support wireless charging. As previous iterations of the phone become trickier to charge with various cables. This could well become a draw back in 6 to 18 months time, when, as you still like your phone, but it gets more temperamental about being charge by x or y cable. We are walking this scenario through because, much as we have had positive experiences with the 4 and 4a, we are finding it harder to keep them charged via cables, as, yes, they seem to get more finicky in terms of which ones they will take power from.
Overall, and we accept that there are many reasons for deciding which aspects of the tech to leave in or leave out, it might be strategic to enable wireless charging to remain as a feature.
In other ways the phone performs very well, and, as it is of course born of google technology, if you like all the associated gizmos that being in the google ecosystem, then this is a good positive factor for going with this device. This section of the market is very competitive in terms of midrange priced phones that do quite a few things well. The camera is still pretty good, especially as, while not all of the tech in it is like for like with the 6 or 6 pro, it has been used in previous iterations of the Pixels. Which means it is proven technology and does the job well.
You might weigh up if this the right phone for you based on a wider range of considerations, and your own particular use cases, but if you are familiar with Pixels, then you will like it. Similarly, if you want a phone that packs a bit more power and better photography chops than you current or previous, lower price range phone, then you would be happy with this offering too. There is no headphone jack either, so that is something to keep in mind also, depending on how you plan to use your phone. In terms of the impressive voice to text option and other similar, google led options, these all perform well and are an attractive option to consider.
This is a good phone, and, if your own personal use-cases align with these factors mentioned above, then this could be a good purchase for you. Even if you have less need of those specific types of functionality, it is a good phone, and one that you won’t regret purchasing. The one caveat is how it will perform 18 months to 2 years down the line, and there you might feel that wireless charging would have been a useful element to have in the package.
More information about the phone
Pixel 6a is specifically designed for users seeking a high-quality smartphone without breaking the bank. Pixel 6a shares many core similarities with Pixel 6, including the Google Tensor chip and outstanding security with Titan M2. Pixel 6a also has all day battery life, an excellent dual rear camera system, a 60 Hz display refresh rate, and an under-display fingerprint sensor system.
Audio
Stereo Speakers
2 microphones
Battery & Charging
Up to 72 hour battery with Extreme Battery Saver
Adaptive & all day battery designed to last over 24 hours
USB-C charging port
Camera
Dual Rear Camera
Main: 12MP IMX363 DP + OIS
UW: 12MP IMX386
Front Wide Angle Camera
8MP IMX355
84°FOV
Fixed Focus
Face Deblur
Magic Eraser
Real Tone
Display
SDC 6.1” gOLED
FHD+ 20:9
Center HIAA
60 Hz
Dimensions/Bezels
71.8 x 152 .16x 8.85 mm
1.08 mm camera bump
T: 4.27, S: 3.935, B: 5.71
Authentication
UDFPS
Power
4400 mAh typ
18W Wired Charging (0.8c)
Performance / Security
Tensor
Titan M2
128GB Storage / 6GB RAM
WiFi 6e / Dual Chain BT 5.2
eSIM / NFC
5G / mmWave supported on select models
GPS L1 only
Haptics
Z-LRA
Cirrus IC
Digital Audio
USB-C (3.0)
Other Features
Made with Google Tensor
Live Translate
Personal safety & car crash detection
Google Tensor Tech Spec Overview
Big CPU Cores
2x X1 @2.8GHz
Medium CPU Cores
2x A76 @2.25GHz
Small CPU Cores
4x A55 @1.8GHz
GPU
ARM Mali G78
MP20 – 20 cores
Process Node Samsung 5LPE
1
Smart, powerful, helpful. And less than you think.
Meet Pixel 6a, the more affordable Google phone that adapts to you.1 Powered by Google Tensor, it’s super fast and secure. The battery lasts over 24 hours.2 The Pixel Camera captures the moment just how you experienced it. And with Titan M2™ security, protection is built right in.
2
Google Tensor.
The brains behind it all.
Google Tensor is the first chip designed by Google just for Pixel. It’s the same chip as in Pixel 6 Pro, and it makes Pixel 6a super fast and responsive. Apps launch fast, pages and images load quickly and everything runs smoothly. Tensor also powers advanced features like Live Translate, which enables you to chat in 11 languages in real time.3
3
Designed around you, inside and out.
Pixel’s interface, Material You, helps you to find things easier and get things done faster. The entire phone UI updates to reflect whatever image you choose as your wallpaper. And every few months, you get new wallpapers, called Curated Culture, that celebrate cultural moments. Pixel 6a comes in three classic yet modern colours: Charcoal, Chalk and Sage. It includes 128 GB of storage and 6 GB of RAM4, and enhanced Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
4
Your photos match your vision.
This Pixel includes a dual rear camera with an upgraded ultrawide lens and advanced photography features. With Magic Eraser, you can remove distractions or make objects blend right in.6 Face Unblur makes faces in motion sharper.7 With Real Tone, photos represent different skin tones beautifully and authentically. And Night Sight lets you take rich, vibrant photos, even in low light.
5
The battery lasts a really, really long time.
Pixel’s Adaptive Battery can last over 24 hours.2 It learns your favourite apps, so it doesn’t waste power on the ones that you rarely use. Turn on Extreme Battery Saver and the battery can last up to 72 hours.8 You can choose which apps to keep running and Pixel will turn the others off. When you plug in your Pixel, it charges fast.9 With just a few minutes of charging, your phone gets hours of power.
6
Your protection, built into Pixel.
Pixel is built with an extra layer of hardware security in Google Tensor, which works with the Titan M2™ security chip to make Pixel more resilient to attacks.5 Fingerprint Unlock is a secure and reliable way to unlock your phone with just a touch. With IP67 protection, Pixel 6a can take a little water and dust, so you can take your phone wherever you go.10 The Security hub helps to protect your phone, account and passwords by keeping all your security settings in one place. And your Pixel comes with at least five years of security updates, so it gets even more secure over time.11
7
Pixel just keeps getting better.
Every few months, your Pixel gets feature drops. They’re automatic software updates that send new features, tricks, wallpapers and apps to your phone.12
8
So much help. In so many ways.
Pixel’s features help you get things done easier. Use your voice to record and transcribe notes in real time, edit your audio clips, and share them with Recorder.13 Anything you record – personal notes, conversations, waves at the beach – is easy to find, and recorder will even tag transcripts with keywords.13 Pixel can also identify songs you’ve heard throughout the day and add them to your Now Playing history. You can even export the songs to a playlist in YouTube Music.14
9
A whole world of Pixel.
Get Pixel 6a accessories from Google or choose from 68 products designed by Made for Google brands. The new Pixel 6a cases are built to protect your phone and let its colours shine through. With Google Pixel Buds A-Series you can enjoy full, crisp audio for your songs, videos, and phone calls.15 Go the extra mile with our brand new Google Pixel Buds Pro which will bring premium, immersive sound to Pixel 6a, with Active Noise Cancellation that adapts to you.
10
The best of Google, included with Pixel.
Pixel 6a comes with three months of YouTube Premium and Google One free of charge.16 Enjoy your favourite videos and music without ads, in the background and offline. Get access to 100 GB of cloud storage from Google One and automatic phone backup for your photos, videos, contacts and more.
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