In Google Pixel 6a vs. Pixel 6 comparison, here are the differences between Google’s entry-level Pixels. With Google Pixel 6a now out, it’s time to consider if the original Google Pixel 6 is still worth purchasing. Is it better to save your money or spend it on more features because there is a decent price distinction between the two?
While you have the Pixel 6a yet (this was only introduced at Google I/O), all indicators point to it being one of the best affordable phones, similar to the Pixel 5a before. Nevertheless, the Pixel 6 is among the top picks for the best phones, thanks to its superb blend of premium content at a significantly lower price than competitors. But, with those capabilities shared with the Pixel 6a, does the rationale for purchasing the Pixel 6 become weaker?
We’ll answer those questions throughout this Pixel 6a vs. Pixel 6 comparison, where we’ll go through all of the important stats and features. Check back following the Pixel 6a, as we won’t have more analysis to provide, as well as a, peek at the difference between the Pixel 6a and the Pixel 5a.
What will you see here?
Design
The Pixel 6 arrived with only a new design in 2021, and the Pixel 6a will follow suit. Both include a rear camera bar that houses the twin camera sensors, giving the duo a different appearance compared to other smartphones on the market.
The construction quality of the two Pixels differs. The Pixel 6 includes a Gorilla Glass Victus front panel, and a Gorilla Glass 6 rear panel sandwiched between an aluminum chassis and an IP68-certified body. The Pixel 6a has a Gorilla Glass 3 display panel, and a “3D thermoformed composites back” with a fingerprint-resistant covering on the back. The phone is dust and water-resistant, but its IP67 rating is lower.
Its Pixel 6 is a relatively large phone, despite its 6.4-inch display, due to its vast bezels. If you want a more compact phone, the Pixel 6a is the best option.
Display
The Pixel 6, with a 6.4-inch, 2400 x 1080-pixel AMOLED display, has a larger panel than the Pixel 6a, which has a 6.1-inch, 2400 x 1080-pixel OLED screen. The Pixel 6 features a smoother, snappier display due to its 90hz resolution. Whereas the Pixel 6a does have a drab, yawn-inducing 60Hz panel.
Google claims that the Pixel 6’s display is constructed of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, one of the hardest glasses on the market. But it is not convinced (Also have a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, which also has Gorilla Glass Victus, & it is covered in scratches & cracks despite it having a screen protector). The Pixel 6a has Gorilla Glass 3, which is more likely to break than the Pixel 6.
Can the Pixel 6 shoot pictures underwater?
Pixel users may now take photographs and videos on land & underwater!
The Google Pixel 6a vs. Pixel 6 camera arrays share a few commonalities, at least on paper. Both phones have the same 12MP ultrawide rear camera and an 8MP front-facing camera. The primary camera sensor, which is 50MP on the Pixel 6 & 12.2MP here on the Pixel 6a, is the only difference here. This could give the Pixel 6 photos an advantage in terms of detail and brightness.
Both the Pixel 6a vs. Pixel 6 offer photography gimmicks such as Magic Eraser to eliminate undesired sections of an image and face un-blurring to recover shifting people’s faces definition.
Google revealed a new Magical Eraser function with the Pixel 6a, which allows users to recolor things to make them less conspicuous without deleting them. It seems likely that functionality will be brought here to Pixel 6 via an update, as it would be weird to provide such advanced capabilities just on the less expensive device.
5G and performance
Last year, Google stunned us by revealing the exclusive Google Tensor processor for such Pixel 6 series. This chip is currently available in the Pixel 6a, providing flagship-level performance in a more affordable handset.
So, almost. The Pixel 6a has less RAM (6GB) than that of the Pixel 6 (8GB), which may affect its overall performance. How much is unknown until they run google Pixel 6a through a few benchmarks and see how it performs.
In terms of memory, the Pixel 6 & Pixel 6a both come standard with 128GB of storage. However, it is the only choice for the Pixel 6a, whereas the Pixel 6 can be upgraded to 256GB.
Both the Pixel 6a & Pixel 6 feature sub-6GHz 5G by default, and mmWave is available on select versions. Accessibility to mmWave might price you extra (an extra $50 again for 6a on Verizon) and may need you to purchase it locked to a single carrier, but it’s available if you need or want those faster speeds.
Is wireless charging available on the Google Pixel 6a vs. Pixel 6?
The Google Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro both enable wireless charging speeds of up to 21W and 23W, respectively.
The Pixel 6 has a 4,614 mAh battery, whereas the Pixel 6a has a 4,410 mAh battery. Its Pixel 6a does not enable rapid wireless charging, whereas the Pixel 6 does.
Surprisingly, Google boasts that the Google Pixel 6a vs. Pixel 6 has a battery life of more than 24 hours. The battery test Google did for both phones included voice, data, standby, and other features. However, the Pixel 6 only lasted 7 hours & 47 minutes in the severe battery test (i.e., continuous internet surfing at 150 nits on a cell connection).
Google stated that their testing found that the Pixel 6a’s average battery duration is 29 hours. The search engine giant claims also that Extreme Battery Saver mode activated, the figure can rise to 72 hours. When Google had a nose, sure it’d be growing right now. Because there’s no way the Pixel 6a could give such long battery life.
However, Experts feel that the Pixel 6a’s 60Hz display will provide superior performance of the battery to the Pixel 6. Google Pixel 6 seems to have a 90Hz panel, which consumes a lot of energy.
Software
Android 12 is pre-installed on both the Google Pixel 6a vs. Pixel 6 However, because these are Pixels, you’ll get able to attempt out Android 13 and possibly multiple subsequent generations of Android on them in in near future.
Google promised 5 years of security support for such Pixel 6, and the Pixel 6a keeps that promise. Google did not indicate the number of years of platform updates that may expect, although the Pixel 6 received three. That might imply the Pixel 6 will outlast the Pixel 6a, or conversely, depending on whether Google favors the Pixel 6a’s newer launch or even the Pixel 6’s flagship status in deciding when to stop platform update support.
Is it a good investment in Pixel 6a vs. Pixel 6?
A Pixel 6 is currently available from a number of carriers, with starting prices at $599/£599/AU$999 with 128GB of storage. Some carriers may demand extra. However, they employ a type of 5G that isn’t available on the Pixel 6’s standard model.
The Pixel 6a will be available on July 28 for $449/£399/AU$749. That’s a difference of $150/£200/AU$250, which may be significant for customers on a limited budget. However, the difference between a budget phone and a flagship phone isn’t that great.
More crucially for the UK and other non-US and Japanese users, Google is selling the Pixel 6a through its normal range of nations. You’re probably relieved to learn you’re not following this debate in vain, right?
Google Pixel 6
Conclusion
Google Pixel 6a vs. Pixel 6: The Pixel 6a appears to have done a fantastic job of distilling the essential components of the Pixel 6 into a package that is around two-thirds the price. So if your want the most bang for your buck, it Pixel 6a appears to be the phone to go for. That is, providing that don’t discover anything majorly wrong with it during our evaluation.
However, a few of the features that its Pixel 6 possesses but the Pixel 6a does not may be deal-breakers. The Pixel 6 has a larger, clearer display, higher resolution cameras, more RAM, the option of additional storage, a larger battery, and faster charging, all of which are very appealing qualities.
If you would like at least a couple of them and can afford the difference. You could be better off getting the plain Pixel 6 rather than its less powerful sibling.
