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The Pixel 6a is the most exciting starter Google phone since 2019 when the tech giant introduced the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. The “a” series of Pixel phones are known for delivering toned-down designs and specs than their pricier relatives — all at a lower price point that doesn’t cut back on quality.
The latest one has the same design and Google Tensor chip as the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, which allows it to deliver a top-tier Android experience in a smaller and more affordable package. Compared to the stellar Pixel 5a it replaces, the latest iteration brings a thorough design and hardware refresh while retaining the same sticker. Best of all, it costs just $449 — an undeniably agreeable price tag given its design and specs.
Key Specs
• Google Tensor chip
• 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display with HDR compatibility
• Dual camera with 12MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 8MP selfie camera
• 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage
• 5G, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity
• 4,410 mAh battery, fast wired charging
• Stereo speakers, IP 67 waterproof
I spent almost a week with the Google Pixel 6a as my go-to Android phone and enjoyed everything it offers. The 5G product's design and performance defy its under-$500 price tag, making it a worthy Pixel 5a follow-up and, once again, the best phone for the money.
Design
The Pixel 6a has the same instantly recognizable design as the pricier Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, headlined by a camera bar that spans across its back. It has a more angular shape, which is a welcome change from its predecessors' silhouettes, and has a fully waterproof build with an IP67 rating, the same rating as the Pixel 5a. Its compact 6.1-inch display — a small unit by today's Android smartphone standards — makes the phone super easy to use with one hand.
During my testing, I found its smaller size to be a much-welcomed change from my larger smartphones. Throughout many walks outdoors, I could conveniently reply to messages and emails without having to stop and hold the phone with two hands while typing.
The Pixel 6a sports a textured alloy frame with a plastic back in a two-tone finish, a notable change from the metal housing of the previous iteration. Its build resembles the Pixel 6's, though the front utilizes Gorilla Glass 3 — a weaker material than the Corning Gorilla Glass Victus used on the flagship Pixels.
I tip my hat to Google for launching the Pixel 6a in a trio of characterful colors: charcoal, chalk, and sage. The Pixel 5a was only available in a basic dark shade of green dubbed mostly black — but the 6a's new colors and the fresher design make it look like a more expensive product.
Display
By producing vivid colors, infinite contrast, and robust maximum brightness with a dedicated mode, the screen of the 6a is enjoyable to use, including outdoors. The unit is noticeably brighter compared to the high-quality display of the Pixel 5a.
The 6.1-inch OLED screen of the Pixel 6a has identical FHD+ resolution and 20:9 aspect as the panels of the Pixel 5a and the Pixel 6. And because of its smaller size, the screen has a higher pixel density, making it much sharper.
Unlike the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro displays, the 6a's panel lacks a high refresh rate for faster and more fluid interactions like scrolling through content (e.g., emails, webpages, social media feeds) and gameplay, to name a couple of tasks. Considering the device's compact footprint and affordability, the lack of such functionality is not a dealbreaker.
Camera
Pixels have a well-deserved reputation for having impressive cameras, and the dual camera of the Pixel 6a does not disappoint. In fact, it's a legitimate reason to consider the phone over its competitors. Thanks to a pair of sophisticated image sensors with high-quality optics and Google's image processing capabilities, the phone snapped phenomenal photos regardless of the scenario.
I used the phone successfully to capture memories in multiple scenarios — from brightly lit Central Park visits with foliage and NYC architecture in the background to challenging city nightscape shots. The latter put the camera's Night Sight feature to good use. Thanks to the processing power of the Tensor chip, Night Sight can capture shareable photos in almost complete darkness, making the phone the best low-light photography tool in its price range.
The 4K video clips I recorded with the Pixel 6a were terrific, too. The camera interface is intuitive, and so are the tools for editing the content you capture. Google brought the Magic Eraser — a next-level image-editing trick that efficiently removes unwanted objects in photos — to the Pixel 6a. I saved myself desktop editing sessions by using the tool to edit out the passing cars and cyclists from city shots after capturing them with the phone. Having said that, the tool is not perfect for all photos and can leave behind wonky traces of photo editing sometimes — which is true for any Pixel with this feature.
Performance
The Pixel 6a packs a massive battery with a capacity just a tad below the power source of the Pixel 6. The unit has to light up a smaller screen without a high refresh rate, allowing the phone to make it through a day without a single charging session. Last year's Pixel 5a impressed me with its battery endurance, and I found its sequel to be just as dependable.
Equipped with the same Google Tensor chip and fast memory as the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro, the 6a delivers flagship-grade power and speed that belie its price point. I could instantly open and switch between multiple apps while I tested the phone. I found its under-display fingerprint sensor reliable, if not on the same level as the hardware setup on the back of the Pixel 5a.
Local and cloud-based gaming on the Pixel 6a was a stellar experience during my testing. I paired the phone with an external controller and enjoyed hours' worth of Rush Rally Origins — a graphics-intensive Android title — and Google Stadia gameplay.
Despite its many impressive features, the Pixel6a lacks convenient wireless charging — a notable missing feature in all Pixel A-series products (and most affordable Androids) to keep costs down. Thankfully, the phone supports fast wired charging, although you'll have to purchase an adapter separately since one does not come included.
User Experience
The Tensor chip onboard the Pixel 6a is a cutting-edge hardware component tailor-made for Android, which allows the phone to deliver the same fantastic user experience as the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro. Unlike other under-$500 phones, the Pixel 6a can stay on hold for you during calls, transcribe speech in real-time, and translate signs and documents by pointing the phone's camera at them.
Like most smartphones, the Pixel 6a will get years of timely Android and security updates — at least 5 years to be exact, according to Google. An up-to-date Android interface and features have always been a strong argument for choosing a Google phone over alternatives from other brands, and the latest one continues this trend.
Wrap-Up
About a year ago, the Pixel 5a made a compelling case for not having to overspend on a new smartphone with attractive features. The Pixel 6a is a solid upgrade from its predecessor and is worth every penny of its $449 asking price. Its design, camera, and hardware upgrades have taken the Pixel A-series of phones upmarket, making an even more convincing argument that this is the smartphone to get if you're looking for an upgrade below $500.
In the Android realm, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, like last year's Galaxy A52 5G, is an alternative to the Google phone with an identical price tag. It has a bigger screen with a higher refresh rate and expandable storage, but its plastic build is undeniably duller. Plus, the Google phone has a massive edge in hardware performance and camera quality, among other bits.
If Android is not a must-have platform, the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 13 are the most formidable, if considerably costlier, Pixel 6a challengers. The cheaper iPhone 11, while still plenty capable, is more dated yet pricier than the Google product.
The Pixel 6a is only available with 128GB of non-expandable storage — but that's more than enough for most consumers. I also recommend ordering a case along with your new smartphone to keep your investment intact.
Stefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015. He has more than a decade of experience covering consumer tech products, especially smartphones, tablets, laptops, and audio gear. He was previously the US editor for GSMArena.com; his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics and other Hearst publications.In the rare moments when he’s not playing with a new gadget, Stefan likes to watch live Premier League games or hang out with his cat and rabbit. He’s also an espresso snob.
