The Google Pixel 6a lands with camera power, Tensor and unbeatable price

The long-awaited budget The Google Pixel 6a phone took center stage at the I/O conference keynote, along with a Google Pixel 7 shoutout, and the folks at Mountain View shared some intimate Pixel 6a specs and feature details that differ from the rumors floating around. before the announcement.

In January, Google leaked the phone through a coloring book that was distributed to people from the closed Pixel Superfans group, a devoted community of Google enthusiasts who often get loot bags from the company. Check it out, that cool new Pixel 6a design has been officially confirmed today, as well as the bottom price and late availability.

Google Pixel 6a price and release date

Price: $449
Preorders: July 21
Release: July 28
Three colors: charcoal, chalk and sage
Pixel 6a country availability: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States

Pixel 6a colors

The Pixel 6a was rumored to be released in the summer, most likely in July, quite a bit after the announcement, and those rumors came out as a July 21 pre-order date for Pixel 6a and a Pixel 6a release on July 28.

The Pixel 6a price would be the usual great $399 price tag that offers unbeatable value with the first budget handset to get Android 13 at that price, but it costs a little more, $449, still a great value.

New Pixel 6a camera features

Improved Magic Eraser changes the colors of distracting objects
night vision
real tone

As expected, the Google Pixel 6a uses a camera setup very similar to its predecessor, including a 12.2MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera, but the new Tensor chipset coming straight from the Pixel 6 series will make a difference with its advanced image processing subsystem.

Unfortunately the phone gets the Motion Mode camera option from its more expensive siblings that keeps a fast-moving subject sharp and minimizes blur, but again it’s a budget option with different sensors albeit the same chipset. You do get Night Sight and Real Tone skin tones, though, as well as the improved Magic Eraser option that can now adjust the colors of the background objects to boot.

We have heard a lot of good news about the improved camera kit on the Pixel 6a, despite the inclusion of the good old Sony IMX363 in the phone’s photography roster. Since the rumors that the Pixel 6a could sport that the Pixel 6/Pro’s 50MP Samsung GN1 sensor hasn’t come out, we’re only left with the ultra-wide camera upgrade compared to the Pixel 5a spec, in the form of a larger sensor pixel size to to get more light in.

The Pixel 5a’s specs include a 12MP wide/16MP ultra-wide camera setup, while this kit above has another 12MP ultra-wide camera sensor with much larger individual pixels that could allow more light to enter.

Coupled with Google’s new Tensor chipset and its custom image processor, Pixel 6a photography should be a step above that of the Pixel 5a, so we’re holding out hopes for the new budget Android handset just launched by Google. has been revealed.

Google Pixel 6a specs at a glance

6.1-inch 1080p 60Hz display
Google Tensor GS101 processor
6GB RAM/128GB storage
4410mAh battery
30W charging speed
12.2 MP main camera with Sony IMX363 1/2.55″ image sensor, 1.4 μm pixel, ƒ/1.7 aperture, 77° field of view
12 MP ultra-wide camera with Sony IMX386 sensor, 1.25 m pixels, ƒ/2.2 aperture, 114° field of view
8MP front camera with IMX355 sensor (from Pixel 6)
Dimensions 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9mm

Design and display of Google Pixel 6a

Well, the new Pixel 6a design looks exactly like it did in the coloring book, with a page from the outside of the Pixel and 6 Pro. Google is trying something signature in its budget phone A-line, a design that will be instantly recognizable and carry the brand with it like an iPhone notch.

The Pixel 6a cameras and associated paraphernalia such as a flash and sensors are nested in a strip on the back that asymmetrically splits the two-tone Charcoal, Chalk and Sage body.

Pixel 6a design

This phone design is different not just because of it. The neatly arranged sensor and lens combos can’t easily snap your fingers or cut off the ultra-wide perspective the way a camera island in the corner would. Plus, there’s plenty of stripping space for our index finger to press against while using the phone with one hand.

Pixel 6a box contents - The Google Pixel 6a lands with camera power, Tensor and unbeatable price

Contents of the Pixel 6a box

Second, the “strap” is unique to look at and fits the back without sticking out like a sore, er, thumb, even though it IS raised. Third, it’s a design playground, as there can now be countless two- and three-color combinations of the Pixel 6a to keep the look fresh and keep us entertained. Kudos to Google and the designers it poached when it bought HTC.

The 6.2-inch Pixel 6a display may not surprise you with its 1080p resolution, but it will certainly be a sight to behold as we see the panel of its predecessor, the Pixel 5a, the best kept secret in the budget phone niche, with near-perfect color calibration, earning a bonus spot in our best phone displays roundup, so we expect nothing less from the just announced Google Pixel 6a.