Google Pixel 6A Review

Google’s Pixel 6A is the latest indication that you do not have to pay more than $1,000 to get a fantastic phone following the announcement that Apple as well as Samsung have launched their own phones that are wallet-friendly earlier in the year. The Pixel 6A costs $449. Pixel 6A was launched on July 28th and comes with the same processor and Tensor that powers it’s predecessor, the Pixel 6 however it is priced at $150 less. In other countries it is priced at AU$749. Pixel 6A cost PS399 and 749 dollars in Australia.

The Google’s cheaper series of Pixel phones aren’t new, they’ve been available since the Pixel 3A. However, it’s the Pixel 6A fills a different demand in Google’s lineup when compared to its predecessors that were more recent. In certain ways it’s like both the Pixel 5A and Pixel 4A appeared to be replacing some of the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4’s flaws. Both smartphones were expensive when they first launched, making it seem like the Pixel 5A as well as the 4A appear to be the more desirable upgrade for Pixel users.

Its Pixel 6A, on the contrary is a bit more difficult to follow. Its Pixel 6 earned a CNET Editors Choice Award last year for its value, which was $600, which is lower than the flagships of Apple or Samsung by around $200.

Pixel 6A Pixel 6A generally achieves its purpose of offering an array of features for less. It’s one step lower than the Pixel 6 however it can produce crisp and vivid images for an phone that costs less. It also comes with the attractive design and Pixel-specific software features such as Magic Eraser and Live Translate. The issue lies in the fact that Pixel 6 was offered at a substantial discount which brought the price at $499. With just a $50 different between the two models on Amazon Prime Day, the Pixel 6A seemed hard to recommend.

LIKE

• Fantastic camera
• Affordable price
• A premium design for a middle-tier phone
• One of the first to receive new Android updates

DON’T LIKE

• Somewhat dim display
• A bit pricey compared to reduced Pixel 6
• There aren’t so many decades of guarantee Android update as Samsung
• The quality of video isn’t as great as still images

Google is also facing greater competitors with Samsung in the middle of Android OS phone area. Samsung beats Google in certain ways, especially with regards to display However, I think Google has a superior overall experience.

Perhaps the most attractive phone at the moment

If you were to look over the phones side-by-side it’s easy to mistake the Pixel 6A with Pixel 6. Pixel 6. It’s got the same two-toned design, and has an black camera bar that is horizontally stretched to the side and sides of the phone. The one I’ve used is the Sage-colored Pixel 6A that is a deeper green contrasts with that of the Pixel 6, which is a pastel “sorta seafoam” color. Its camera strip is also darker. Pixel 6A’s camera strip also is smaller as compared to it’s Pixel 6’s, however they do have the same style and feel.

Its Pixel 6A’s rear panel an “thermoformed plastic composite” according to Google However, it’s easy to confuse it with glass. It’s one of the smallest visual distinctions that differentiate Pixel 6A and Pixel 6A as well as the Pixel 6, although you are unable to tell the differences.

These aspects create this phone Pixel 6A feel more expensive than it really is, particularly when compared to similar price Samsung handsets. In reality the Pixel 6A may be the most attractive phone in that price bracket that I’ve tested thus far. Another advantage is that fingerprint marks aren’t as obvious in the Pixel 6A’s “plastic composite” back as they are on the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, which costs $450. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, which is likely to be the Pixel 6A’s main rival.

Google is taking a different approach to it’s Pixel 6A in the size department as compared against its predecessors, the Pixel 5A as well as the Pixel 4A. The phones are larger then the smartphones they’re based off, Google made the Pixel 6A smaller than the Pixel 6. Its Pixel 6A has a 6.1-inch screen (making it similar to Samsung’s Galaxy S22 and iPhone 13). Galaxy S22 as well as the iPhone 13) and the regular Pixel 6 features the 6.4-inch screen.

Pixel 6A is a bit bigger than the Pixel 6A is easier to handle with just one hand than the Pixel 6, however I wouldn’t call it an ultra-compact phone. Samsung is far superior in cramming big screens into tiny spaces, such as Galaxy S22 proves.

Its Pixel 6A’s OLED screen is crisp and vivid enough to view videos and read news and read emails. However, Samsung surpasses Google in this area. In addition, the screens on phones such as Samsung’s Galaxy S22 and Galaxy A53 seem more vibrant and more vibrant, but Samsung has the option to increase the display’s refresh rate up to 120Hz, which allows for more fluid scrolling.

This feature is more prevalent on premium phones, and which is why its absence from Pixel 6A isn’t a huge deal. However, Samsung as well as Motorola have begun to include more powerful refresh rate on cheaper phones, like Samsung’s Galaxy A53 5G and Moto G 5G and this makes the absence of the Pixel 6A more noticeable.

The Pixel 6A’s 60Hz standard screen is surprisingly responsive and fast However, I’d prefer it was brighter. I felt the urge to raise the brightness of the screen to 50% while working with the Pixel 6A on several occasions even when indoors.

In addition to its fresh Pixel 6-like design and smaller screen, there’s an additional physical characteristic that differentiates this Pixel 6A from last year’s 5A that is the absence of the headphone jack. There’s no adapter for headphones in the box however Google has included an USB adapter to transfer information from your previous device.

The Pixel 6A’s stereo speakers are clear and loud enough to accomplish the task. It was the ideal volume for background music for an afternoon picnic in the park and not causing disturbance to others around.

Camera: Much better than Samsung’s $450 phone to a lower price than the Pixel 6

Its Pixel 6A’s camera system is good for an phone at this pricepoint, however, it’s a step down in comparison to that of the Pixel 6.. On paper the camera’s system is identical to that of the Pixel 5A’s. Both phones feature an 12.2-megapixel main camera that has the same aperture as well as field of view, and the pixel size.

However, there are some distinctions in Ultrawide cameras. the Pixel 6A’s features lower resolution and a smaller area of vision, however its pixels are larger. The inclusion that of the Tensor chip also adds the same features in photography that you can’t get with Pixel 5A. Pixel 5A.

Its Pixel 6A’s 12.2-megapixel main camera captured sharp and vivid photographs, however its Pixel 6’s camera with 50 megapixels is superior in managing detail, color and clarity. However, I found that the Pixel 6A took better pictures over Samsung’s Galaxy A53 5G in almost all my test scenarios.

Software

Similar to the Pixel 6 Google’s budget phone is available in the coming months with Android 12. which will make it among the first devices to receive Android 13.. Google regularly releases the latest software updates for Pixel phones with the program known as Feature Drops. Android 12 feels smooth and clear with the Pixel 6A overall, making it an excellent option for those who want simplicity and a straightforward interface.

I was a fan of Google’s interface more than anything else because of its ease of use, however, Samsung has significantly upgraded their One UI software, which is built on top of Android 12 in phones such as Galaxy S22 and the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy A53 5G.

Samsung also provides Android assistance for an extra year, compared to Google who only offers Android versions upgrades for 3 years following the date of Pixel 6A’s release. Samsung’s latest phones, by contrast, will receive 4 years worth of Android updates. The most important thing is that Google along with Samsung both provide security updates that last for five years.

Pixel phones also come with the software features that you cannot find with other Android phones. This applies to The Pixel 6A. There are Google-specific features such as Wait Times, which can provide estimated wait times prior to when you call a toll-free US number. I tried this out prior to making a call to CVS customer support and was delighted to find an alert that indicated I could be waiting as long as 10 minutes. There’s also Hold for Me that allows the Google Assistant to keep you on hold , and then notify to you when a representative is waiting to talk to you.

Google has also stated the Tensor chip will offer advantages for translation of languages through the feature known as Live Translate. The name is a reference to the fact that this feature allows the Pixel 6 phone to translate texts in videos and conversations into another language. I asked a colleague to text me in Spanish and the text instantly changed to English when I clicked the translate button on highest point of screen.

Good performance and a decent battery life

The Pixel 6A’s performance was sufficient for daily tasks. I’ve not observed anything like the glitches or issues that were a problem for this Pixel 6. Camera and other applications launch swiftly There’s no stutter nor delay when you navigate across the operating system and games such as Call of Duty and Asphalt 9 perform smoothly. I haven’t noticed that the Pixel 6A feeling warm while playing games or working with the camera.

It certainly has an advantage on Samsung’s Galaxy A53 5G. Samsung’s $450 phone was a breeze to use for the majority of times however there were times where I had to hold the home button a few times to close an application.

The fingerprint sensor is also able to work fast generally, unlike the Pixel 6’s which my colleague Patrick Holland wrote was a little finicky initially.

The Pixel 6A’s battery is adequate but it’s not very amazing. If I spent the majority of my day in my home and at home, the Pixel 6A had plenty of battery left about 9 p.m. However, busy days with driving to work and getting together with friends after work drain the battery quicker.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that the battery’s life will differ based on the way you utilize your phone. The brightness of your screen is increased or playing games frequently and recording videos for long durations will drain the battery quicker. While using Pixel 6A Pixel 6A, I primarily utilized the phone for checking my email and listening to music streaming from Spotify as well as watching YouTube videos as well as taking photos or playing games.

Here are a few instances of the way that it was that the Pixel 6A’s battery performed in different conditions. I haven’t tested yet the Pixel 6A’s Ultra Battery Saving Mode , however it’s a feature that Google claims can provide an up-to 72 hour battery power by prioritizing the most important apps you use. Other Pixel phones, like Pixel 6 Pro and 5A Pixel 6, 6 Pro and 5A also come with this feature however Google only gives it a rating of the duration of 48 hours for those phones.