Google’s new Pixel 6A, announced at its I/O 2022 keynote, may seem like just another budget-focused A-series model, but the latest midrange Pixel is a little different than its forebears. In the past, the Pixel A-line opted for a cheaper, plastic build and slower processor to hit a lower price point. This time, the Pixel 6A uses the same Google Tensor processor that first debuted in the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, and yet it still undercuts its flagship brethren to sell at the same $449 price as the outgoing Pixel 5A when preorders go up on July 21st and it hits stores on July 28th.
So if you’re not giving up slower performance, what are you giving up? And why would anyone still spend more on a Pixel 6 or 6 Pro?
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A blending of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 5A
Well, we’ve assembled all the key specs to see how the new Pixel 6A shapes up on paper when compared to the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and the Pixel 5A. You can see how the Pixel 6A has similarities with both the 5A and Pixel 6. The new 6A shares specs with the flagship Pixels, like the CPU and under-display fingerprint scanner, while maintaining some A-series sacrifices — like only having 128GB of storage, omitting wireless charging, a typical screen refresh rate of just 60Hz, and a lower weather resistance rating. While on the software side, all of these phones support Android 12 and will be updated to Android 13.
Google Pixel 6A vs. Pixel 6 line and Pixel 5A
| Specification | Google Pixel 6A | Google Pixel 6 | Google Pixel 6 Pro | Google Pixel 5A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specification | Google Pixel 6A | Google Pixel 6 | Google Pixel 6 Pro | Google Pixel 5A |
| OS | Android 12 (will receive Android 13 update) | Android 12 (will receive Android 13 update) | Android 12 (will receive Android 13 update) | Android 12 (will receive Android 13 update) |
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED | 6.4-inch OLED | 6.7-inch OLED | 6.34-inch OLED |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | 3120 x 1440 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Max. refresh rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Dimensions(mm) | 71.8 x 152.16 x 8.85 | 74.8 x 158.6 x 8.9 | 75.9 x 163.9 x 8.9 | 73.2 x 156.2 x 8.8 |
| Weight | 178 grams | 207 grams | 210 grams | 183 grams |
| Battery Capacity | 4400mAh | 4614mAh | 5004mAh | 4680mAh |
| Processor | Google Tensor | Google Tensor | Google Tensor | Snapdragon 765G |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB | 12GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB |
| Ports | USB-C charging port | USB-C charging port | USB-C charging port | USB-C charging port, 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Rear cameras | 12MP (f/1.7) main sensor, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide | 50MP (f/1.85) main sensor, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide camera (114-degree field of view) | 50MP (f/1.85) main sensor (takes 12.5MP pictures), 48MP (f/3.5) 4x telephoto lens, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide (114-degree field of view) | 12.2MP (f/1.7) main sensor, 16MP (f/2.2) ultrawide (118.7-degree field of view) |
| Front camera | 8MP (84-degree field of view) | 8MP (84-degree field of view) | 11.1MP (94-degree field of view) | 8MP (f/2 83-degree field of view) |
| Photo Modes | Night Sight, Portrait mode, Face Deblur, Magic Eraser, Real Tone | Night Sight, Portrait mode, Face Deblur, Magic Eraser, Real Tone | Night Sight, Portrait mode, Face Deblur, Magic Eraser, Real Tone | Night Sight, Portrait mode |
| Video modes | Slow-mo, Cinematic Pan, Astrophotogray Timelapse | Slow-mo, Cinematic Pan, Astrophotogray Timelapse | Slow-mo, Cinematic Pan, Astrophotogray Timelapse | Slow-mo |
| Video recording | 4K at 30 and 60 fps, 1080p HD at 30, 60, 120, and 240 fps, Front camera up to 1080p | 4K at 30 and 60 fps, 1080p HD at 30, 60, 120, and 240 fps, Front camera up to 1080p | 4K at 30 and 60 fps, 1080p HD at 30, 60, 120, and 240 fps, Front camera up to 4K | 4K at 30 and 60 fps, 1080p HD at 30, 60, 120, and 240 fps, Front camera up to 1080p |
| Glass display | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Biometrics | Under-display fingerprint scanner | Under-display fingerprint scanner | Under-display fingerprint scanner | Fingerprint |
| Water and dust protection | IP67 | IP68 | IP68 | IP67 |
| Wireless charging? | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| 5G support | sub-6GHz on the unlocked model, mmWave on Verizon for $50 more | mmWave and sub-6GHz | mmWave and sub-6GHz | sub-6GHz only |
| Starting price | $449 | $599 | $899 | $449 |
Perhaps the biggest deal-breakers for some Pixel A-series fans may be that the 6A doesn’t have a 3.5mm headphone jack, unlike the Pixel 5A. It also no longer borrows the same rear cameras of its flagship counterparts, opting for a matched pair of 12-megapixel sensors for both the main and ultra-wide cameras — whereas the Pixel 6 has a 50-megapixel main sensor. But a welcome sight, to some, may be that the Pixel 6A is the smallest and lightest of this batch of Pixel phones. A 6.1-inch display isn’t exactly tiny, but it’s undeniably more wieldy than the massive 6.7-inch display on the Pixel 6 Pro.
We’ll have to see how this all shakes out when we do our full review of the Pixel 6A and test how these specs translate to the real experience of using it. In the meantime, what do you think of how the Pixel 6A looks on paper compared to other Pixels?
Update May 11th, 5:40PM ET: Verizon plans to sell a separate Pixel 6A model with mmWave support for an additional $50. The unlocked version of the phone will only offer sub-6GHz support. We’ve updated our comparison table to reflect this.