The Pixel 6a, just like it’s predecessors the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6 is powered by the Google Tensor processor.
In fact, it shares many similarities with the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6.
Update : With android 13 b4, M1 uses can now use the 5G SA service on Pixel 6a.
USB-C USB-A converter, SIM ejection pin and instruction manual
As we can see from the comparison chart, the Pixel 6a has a smaller screen at 6.1″ with only 60 Hz refresh rate as compared to the larger screen and refresh rate on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.
It also has a 6 GB RAM compared to 8 GB and 12 GB on the predecessors.
The Pixel 6a has a dual camera system is reduced to a 12.2 MP and 12 MP ultrawide instead of the 50 MP wide and 12 MP ultrawide on the Pixel 6. Both shares a 8 MP front camera.
The rear camera is a 12.2 MP f/1.7 with 1/2.55″ image sensor with SuperRes to 7X zoom. The other 12 MP ultrawide has a aperture of f/2.2 with 114 Field of view.
The front camera is 8 MP, 1.12 μm pixel width, ƒ/2.0 aperture Fixed focus and has a 84° ultrawide field of view.
Features like Magic Erase, Real Tone, Face Unblur, Cinematic Pan, Motion autofocus etc are all available on the Pixel 6a.
The battery in also smaller at 4410 mAh compared to 4614 mAh. It doesn’t support wireless charging while the Pixel 6 does.
It can record videos up to 4K video at 30, 60 fps, 1080p at 30 fps for front camera.
Cinematic Pan, Slow-motion video support up to 240 FPS, 4K Timelapse with stabilisation, Astrophotography timelapse videos are possible with the Pixel 6a.
As for network support, [5G Sub 6GHz] Model GX7AS, it supports the following:
GSM/EDGE: Quad-band (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+/HSDPA: Bands 1,2,4,5,6,8,19
LTE: Bands B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/42/48/66/71
5G Sub-6: Bands n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/20/25/28/30/38/40/41/48/66/71/77/78
There is only 1 physical slot as usual with SIM2 a eSIM.
[nextpage title=”Unboxing video and full video review”]
[nextpage title=”Photos taken with the Pixel 6a”]
The Pixel 6a has a dual camera system is reduced to a 12.2 MP and 12 MP ultrawide instead of the 50 MP wide and 12 MP ultrawide on the Pixel 6. Both shares a 8 MP front camera.
The rear camera is a 12.2 MP f/1.7 with 1/2.55″ image sensor with SuperRes to 7X zoom. The other 12 MP ultrawide has a aperture of f/2.2 with 114 Field of view.
The front camera is 8 MP, 1.12 μm pixel width, ƒ/2.0 aperture Fixed focus and has a 84° ultrawide field of view.
Features like Magic Erase, Real Tone, Face Unblur, Cinematic Pan, Motion autofocus etc are all available on the Pixel 6a.
You also have your night sight for taking night shots. Action Pan and Long exposure (from Pixel 6 Pro) didn’t make it to the Pixel 6a. SuperRes is up to 7X and now 20X
[nextpage title=”Videos taken with the Pixel 6a”]
In terms of videos, it can record in various modes – Standard (default), Locked (for 2x zoom), Active and Cinematic Pan.
For most users, standard mode is more than sufficient. Although OIS helps, adding on a gimbal, would make all your recordings real smooth while doing vlogging.
For Active mode, turn that on if you want to do a vlogging while you are jogging or running. You will be surprised by the results as the video is pretty stable even if hold it in front of your own hands. Google can consider making active cameras.
Watch the youtube segment of the video.
[nextpage title=”Benchmark with Geekbench”]
As we have an early unit of the Pixel 6a, the Geekbench app can’t be install off the Google app store. This geekbench app was installed from one of the offline apk store and it was able to run it.
From what we observe from the score, the performance is no different from the Pixel 6 Pro we review a couple of months ago.
In fact, the Pixel 6a has tuned up the Single core performance by over 19% (our PIxel 6 Pro scored 848). This is quite an boost.
My personal experience is that the Pixel 6a is quite hot when i used it as a hotpost.
The Tensor seems to boost single core performance but when it comes to multithread, it might not outperform the Snapdragon 865 and Exynos 100.
PCmark work 3.0
The result is kind of lower than what I expected. That would put it in the same league as the Samsung Galaxy S10 or Xiaomi MI 10T 5G range. The score on the Google Pixel 6 Pro was much higher. The amount of ram on board may have an impact on the result.
[nextpage title=”Conclusion”]
Google Pixel 6a is the little brother of the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6. They share some similarities in processor, design and features. The main difference on the Pixel 6a replaces the 50 MP camera with a 12.2 MP. As for performance, it seems that the Pixel 6a is on par with it’s Pixel 6 Pro model.
The Pixel 6a is more compact in size. The smaller body is easier to hold and navigate using a single hand. As the screen refresh rate is fixed at 60 Hz. For those who prefer super smooth interface, 60 Hz seems to be a design of yesteryear.
Thermal problem may be an issue in a small compact body as heat can lead to applications halting. I experienced the hotspot function stopped with a overheating message.
To date, the phone hasn’t receive any firmware update (still in Apr 2022). M1 5G (SA) SIM was inserted and to my surprise, VoLTE is still missing. As for SIMBA subscribers (formerly TPG), VoLTE option is also not available and you can’t make calls directly from the dial pad (you need to use SIMBA voice app).
As for 5G, the firmware doesn’t allow me to connect to the 5G SA network. I am not sure if Singtel or Starhub will work but I suspect they should. Anyway Pixel 6 Pro now works on all 3 telco’s 5G network.
Google seriously needs to revamp their policy and support VoLTE, VoNR (5G) for all telcos, be it local or worldwide. Customers will be disappointed if they purchase a Pixel phone and can’t even make a call or connect to their local 5G network. If a cheap brand S$400 phone can do it, there is no reason why the firmware is locked to prevent people from accessing these basic function on their network of choice.
The Pixel 6a retails for S$749 but the Pixel 6 at S$849, just S$100 difference. It is difficult to justify the price of S$749 as a S$100 more can get me the Pixel 6. Seriously, I would pay a bit more for the Pixel 6 for a smoother and slightly larger screen and 50 MP camera.
Tell us what you think by commenting below.
Pricing information: S$749 at amazon.sg, google store etc
Pros :
- Small and Compact
- 5G SA/NSA support*
- Magic eraser, face unblur
- 5 years of security updates
Cons:
- 12MP camera
- No charger provided
- 60 Hz display
- Heat generated
Ratings
- Performance 9
- Design 9
- Features 7
- Usability 10
- Value for money 9
- Score : 8.8 / 10
#Pixel 5 was not launched in Singapore
*Singtel and Starhub 5G networks only.
Check out our original Pixel 4 , Pixel 3 Review