Google will soon unveil the new budget smartphone, the Pixel 6a, about which some information has been leaked in recent months. As an offshoot of the highly acclaimed Pixel 6, it should generate a lot of interest and become one of Google’s best-selling smartphones. But we’re not there yet, so let’s take a look at what’s currently known about the device.
Despite good sales figures, the a-series of Pixel smartphones has not been exactly lucky: The Pixel 3a had to save the third generation after the flop of the Pixel 3, which was even acknowledged by Google. The Pixel 4a was delayed until August due to the Covid pandemic in this country and the Pixel 5a was launched in just two countries (USA and Japan) from the start. However, the signs for the Pixel 6a look much better.
The Pixel 6a will look very much like the Pixel 6 on the outside, which is not a big surprise: the camera will be placed in the middle of the display, the fingerprint sensor should be installed under the display like its big brother, and the camera bar is on the back, which in this and presumably also the following generations has a great recognition value. However, the display size is also based on the “original” and is said to be a 6.2-inch display. You will also look in vain for a headphone connection in the form of the classic jack.
As usual, the following render images are based on information from suppliers or other unknown sources. At this early stage, it can theoretically also be a matter of forgeries or incorrect information. However, because several leakers have jumped on the smartphone in the past two weeks, this is rather unlikely. Nevertheless: Take all the information with reservations.
The expected specifications
- Display: 6.2 inch OLED
- SoC: Google Tensor
- Memory: up to 128GB
- RAM: 6GB or 8GB
- Dimensions: 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.7mm
- Camera: 12.2 megapixels Sony IMX363 main camera & 12 megapixels Sony IMX386 ultra-wide
- Front camera: 8 megapixel IMX 355
- Colors: Leaks show light gray and dark gray
Nothing is set in stone yet, but the specs sound realistic. The Pixel 6a has to be cheaper than the Pixel 6, of course, so you have to cut corners somewhere. For the first time, the camera has been slimmed down in an a-device, but this does not necessarily mean a noticeably poorer image quality. But there is still a large display, probably a large battery and the Tensor chip, which may be very important in the future, should also be on board.
When is the Pixel 6a coming?
The next budget pixel is expected for spring of this year and a leaker has now leaned out the window and confirmed the release for May 2022 from his point of view. The probability of a hit is very high and there is some evidence that we already have a very precise date of May 26, 2022 . This date comes from the Pixel Watch and since both the smartwatch and the Pixel 6a are likely to be announced at the same time, a simultaneous launch is highly likely. Maybe even as a bundle.
Pricing
There is no information about the pricing so far. Even leakers are still reluctant to do so, so that Google may not have set the final prices to the last euro or dollar. The previous a smartphones had reasonable prices, but because the Pixel 6 is significantly cheaper than its predecessors, this could still play a small role in the Pixel 6a.
The Pixel 6a will set the bar pretty high and we can only hope that Google has invested enough resources into its development. After the strong Pixel 6, many people are likely to speculate on the budget offshoot, which supposedly delivers the same performance for a lower price. The pause of the Pixel 5a, except in the US and Japan, has also caused potential buyers to wait longer than usual for the device. With the Pixel 4a as the global predecessor, you have another big plus.
The Pixel 6 stumbling blocks are likely to be fully addressed in the coming weeks, quickly eclipsing any worries of a similar scenario with the Pixel 6a. Google’s Tensor SoC was also tested to some extent by spring of this year and should no longer cause any major problems on the Pixel 6a. The first tangible leaks will probably not be long in coming. We’ll keep you up to date.