With the Pixel 6a, Google has announced the successor to the excellent Google Pixel 5aand it already looks like it will be one of them best cheap cell phones – or even one of the The best Android phones – on the market at release on July 28, 2022.
We love what Google is doing with its Pixel phones, setting the standard for all other manufacturers in terms of hardware and software. While Samsung is still the undisputed leader of the Android phone market, Google’s Pixels continue to raise important questions.
revealed around Google I/Oalongside lots of cool hardware and software, the Pixel 6a is a Pretty clear upgrade on the Pixel 5a.
In many ways, we already know what to expect from the Pixel 6a because it’s built on top of that Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro from late last year.
There’s a stunning 6.1-inch display, a 12-megapixel camera (more on that later), 6GB of RAM, a large 4,410mAH battery and, of course, a ‘pure’ version of Android 12soon Android 13.
But the raw specs alone aren’t why we’re so excited. Let’s dive into three reasons why the Pixel 6a is the next cheap Android hero.
(Image credit: Google)
1. Google’s Tensor chip
You may have heard about Apple making its own chips, but Google isn’t far behind.
Google’s Tensor chips, developed by the company, offer improved security and performance over competitors, similar to Apple’s.
The Pixel 5a came with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset, while the Pixel 6a comes with the Google Tensor Titan M2, a clear upgrade that makes the 6a very appealing right from the start.
As well as improved security, the Tensor chip also offers better battery life – Google says “all day” and up to 72 hours in Extreme Battery Saver mode – and means the Pixel 6a shares the same architecture as the Pixel 6 Pro.
Google also guarantees security updates for five years, which is a pretty good standard for an Android smartphone.
(Image credit: Google)
2. Incredible photography
While Google’s Pixel phones might be inferior to the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy devices in some respects, one area that has always stood out was the camera – and that’s not changing.
“Pixel 6a helps capture your most important moments with a camera bar that includes two rear cameras: a main lens and an ultra-wide lens,” says Google.
The company has included Real Tone, which helps to accurately represent all skin tones, and Night Sight for low-light shots. And of course Magic Eraser – for removing unwanted people or objects from photos – is also present.
It might be worth waiting for our full review, but if you want a great camera without breaking the bank, the Pixel 6a is your best bet.
(Image credit: Google)
3. Android on a budget
One of the best things about Android compared to iOS is how cheap some of the best smartphones can be: Google has consistently released excellent sub-$500 smartphones that run the latest version without a hitch.
The Pixel 6a is expected to continue this trend, with excellent hardware and a beautiful version of Android that doesn’t come with an annoying skin.
It doesn’t get much better than that.
(Image credit: Google)
But there’s a big caveat to buying the Google Pixel 6a
That big caveat is that the Google Pixel 7 comes this year too. We also now know what it looks like (pictured above) and that it will be rocking Google’s brand new, state-of-the-art Tensor 2 chip, which will offer even more performance than the first-gen Tensor used in the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6a loaded.
As such, the price you’re willing to pay for your next Android phone upgrade should largely dictate whether you box up the Pixel 6a or not. The Pixel 7 will no doubt cost hundreds of dollars more when it launches later in the year, but it will offer superior performance and features.
