Google Pixel 6a review

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The Google Pixel 6a is a mid-range smartphone that takes core elements of the Pixel 6 and repackages them into something more affordable while maintaining the look and vibe of Google's flagships. The device features a compact size, making it ideal for one-handed use, with a 6.1-inch OLED display offering full HD+ resolution and HDR content support. The Pixel 6a is powered by the first-generation Google Tensor chipset, which provides fast and powerful performance comparable to the Snapdragon 888. Despite initial reservations about gaming performance on the tensor chip, thermal management has improved significantly, resulting in a smooth gaming experience without throttling issues. Camera-wise, the Pixel 6a boasts dual 12.2-megapixel sensors for its main and ultrawide cameras, utilizing the same camera hardware seen in previous Google Pixels with incremental updates to the software. The results are consistently good daytime shots with excellent sharpness, accurate colors, and a wide dynamic range. The front-facing eight-megapixel selfie camera takes nice shots that are both sharp and flattering, while the Pixel 6a can record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. However, the device loses out on the headphone jack and does not include a charger in the box. Despite some shortcomings, the Pixel 6a is a solid all-around smartphone with consistently good cameras, improved performance, and security updates from Google through 2027. At $449, it's a great value, making it a worthy recommendation for those seeking a well-equipped Pixel phone at an affordable price.

Build Quality and Design

The Google Pixel 6a takes cues from its flagship counterparts, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, repackaging them into a more affordable device while maintaining the iconic look and feel of Google's flagships. One of the first things you'll notice about the Pixel 6a is its plastic build, which may come as a surprise considering its high-end chip. However, this approach has allowed Google to keep costs down without compromising on performance. The design language of the Pixel 6a is unmistakably Google, with each colorway featuring the distinctive two-toned aesthetic made mostly of plastic. The aluminum frame provides a sturdy base, while the camera bar is also constructed from plastic - a nod to the company's emphasis on practicality over premium materials. Despite being slightly shorter than its predecessor, the Pixel 5a, the Pixel 6a is still a great size for one-handed use, and its compact stature makes it an excellent choice for those seeking a more pocketable smartphone. The inclusion of IP67 water and dust resistance ensures that your device remains protected from everyday spills and splashes. The display itself measures 6.1 inches diagonally, boasting a Full HD+ resolution and HDR content support. While the refresh rate is capped at 60Hz - which may seem low by today's standards - the resulting image is sharp, bright, and features excellent color accuracy. Overall, the Pixel 6a's build quality and design are a testament to Google's ability to balance form and function without breaking the bank. The device's compact size, sturdy construction, and attractive aesthetics make it an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable and feature-packed smartphone at an affordable price point.

Battery Life

The Google Pixel 6a boasts great battery life, with an endurance score of 94 hours in our proprietary tests. This is better than expected, making it a reliable choice for those who need a phone that can last all day. The 4,410mAh battery is sufficient to power the device's demanding features, such as its high-quality camera and snappy performance. In our testing, we found that the Pixel 6a can easily get through a full day with moderate use. Even under heavy usage, such as gaming and video streaming, the phone's battery life is still respectable. We were able to get the phone to 42% in half an hour using Google's 18-watt adapter, and it took around two hours for a full charge. While this may not be the longest-lasting battery we've seen, it's certainly above average. The Pixel 6a's battery life is one of its standout features, making it a great option for those who want a phone that can keep up with their busy lifestyle without needing to be plugged in every day. Overall, the Pixel 6a's battery life is a major plus point, and we're impressed by how well it manages to balance performance and power efficiency. If you're in the market for a new smartphone, the Pixel 6a's battery life is certainly worth considering.

Display

The Google Pixel 6a boasts a 6.1-inch OLED display with full HD+ resolution, making it a great option for those who value crisp visuals. The screen is sharp and bright, with excellent color accuracy that's perfect for streaming HDR content. While the refresh rate is capped at 60Hz, this isn't uncommon in its price bracket. In terms of brightness, the Pixel 6a performs well, with a maximum brightness of 505 nits when using the manual slider. However, it's worth noting that adaptive brightness takes it up to an impressive 876 nits, making it suitable for use outdoors. The display is also home to an optical in-display scanner, which replaces the rear-mounted one from previous Pixel models. While not the fastest scanner, it's reliable and gets the job done. Overall, the display on the Google Pixel 6a is a solid offering that's well-suited for everyday use.

Camera

The Google Pixel 6a takes the best elements of its predecessors, the Pixels 6 and 6 Pro, and repackages them into a more affordable device while retaining the look and feel of Google's flagships. One of the standout features of the Pixel 6a is its camera setup. The phone boasts dual 12.2 megapixel sensors for its main and ultrawide cameras, which are identical to those found in previous Pixel models. The main camera sensor has been used in several Pixels before, and it's a solid all-around performer on the 6a. Images are captured much quicker thanks to the Tensor chip, but that's about it for camera improvements. Daytime shots have excellent sharpness and plenty of detail, with Google's HDR+ feature removing noise and producing accurate colors. The two times zoom toggle in the viewfinder is a digital zoom from the main sensor, which can produce soft images if looked at too closely. Portrait shots are good, with decent subject separation and sharpness, although accuracy isn't always consistent. Ultra-wide shots are great, with good contrast and vivid colors, and dynamic range is wide and consistent with the main cameras in terms of white balance, color, and capturing the characteristic Pixel style. HDR+ handles low-lit scenes very well, producing accurate colors and even exposures, but sharpness is softer and noise is more noticeable. The ultrawide camera isn't as good at capturing very dark scenes, but it will do just fine in most low-lit situations. Night Sight shots take a little bit longer to capture, but resulting photos are more exposed and have significantly less noise throughout. The front-facing eight megapixel selfie camera takes nice shots that are both sharp and flattering, with HDR+ working well to expose backgrounds properly no matter where the lighting is coming from. Portrait selfies look mostly okay, although we did see some issues with subject separation in our testing. Overall, the Pixel 6a's cameras are a highlight of the device, producing consistently good images across various scenarios. While there may not be any major innovations in camera technology, the Pixel 6a's cameras are reliable and produce excellent results.

Price and Value

In an era where flagship phones are getting increasingly expensive, the Google Pixel 6a offers a refreshing change with its affordable price tag of $449. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of its pricier counterparts, this device manages to pack in some impressive features that make it a great value for the money. One of the standout aspects of the Pixel 6a is its sleek design, which borrows heavily from the more expensive Pixel 6 models. The phone's compact size makes it perfect for one-handed use, and its IP67 rating ensures it can withstand the rigors of daily life. Under the hood, the Pixel 6a packs a punch with the Google Tensor chipset, providing fast performance that rivals some of the best mid-range phones on the market. The camera system may not be revolutionary, but it's solid all-around performer, capable of capturing great shots in a variety of lighting conditions. While the phone may lose out on some features like the headphone jack and charger, these are minor quibbles considering the overall package. Android 13 is now rolling out to the Pixel 6a, bringing with it improved performance and security updates through 2027. For those looking for a reliable and feature-packed smartphone without breaking the bank, the Google Pixel 6a is an excellent choice. Its price of $449 makes it one of the best value phones on the market, offering a great balance between quality and affordability.

Performance

The Google Pixel 6a is an affordable smartphone that takes the best elements of its predecessors and repackages them into something more budget-friendly. One of the key areas where the Pixel 6a shines is in its performance. Under the hood, the Pixel 6a is powered by Google's Tensor chipset, which is also found in the pricier Pixel 6 and 6 Pro models. This fast and powerful chip provides a seamless user experience, making it comparable to the Snapdragon 888. One of my initial concerns with the Tensor chip was its performance when playing games on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. However, I'm pleased to report that thermal management has significantly improved since then. The Pixel 6a does get warm under moderate use, but throttling is no longer an issue, making it a great device for gaming. In battery tests, the Pixel 6a performed admirably with an endurance score of 94 hours in our proprietary testing. While not the best in class, this was better than I expected from a mid-range device. The 4,410mAh battery also charges quickly, albeit not competitively, using Google's 18W adapter. The Tensor chip also enables features like voice typing and Magic Eraser on the Google Photos app, making it a solid choice for those who value convenience and accuracy in their smartphone experience. Overall, the Pixel 6a's performance is one of its standout features. With a fast and powerful chipset, seamless gaming capabilities, and impressive battery life, this device checks many boxes for those looking for an affordable smartphone with a premium feel.

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