Google Pixel 6a unveiled: the must-have mid-range smartphone of 2022

There was certainly a lot of news shared during the GoogleI/O 2022 Keynote, the unveiling of the pixel 6a is probably one that most people have been waiting for. As we’ve seen in years past, the new a-series smartphone is a cheaper variant of the flagship smartphones Google released in the fall, but it’s not as much of a downgrade as you might think.

While Pixel a-series smartphones typically come with a mid-range chipset that allows the hone to offer better battery life and a lower price point, Google’s decided to equip the new Pixel 6a with the same Tensor SoC that’s used in the pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, giving it flagship-tier performance with a shockingly-low $449 sticker price. The phone should deliver near-identical performance to the Pixel 6 Pro at just half the price!

Since Tensor gives Google’s phones a major advantage in AI and image processing, Google didn’t want to make any compromises when it comes to the Pixel 6a. This means the phone comes with the same 5G connectivity, and security architecture (thanks to the Titan M2) as the Pixel 6 Pro, allowing the machine learning on the device to deliver a 5x improvement in AI processing over the pixel 5a. Google is also committing to five years of security updates which means you shouldn’t have any worries about using this phone for years to come. 

The display on the pixel 6a is a bit smaller than that of the Pixel 5a from last year. Based on the overall reduction in body size and bezels around the 6.1-inch display, Google says that the overall footprint of the phone should be very close to that of the Pixel 5.

The cameras on the Pixel 6a include two 12MP sensors for the main and ultrawide cameras on the back, along with the same 8MP sensor that’s been used in the past on Google-s a-series devices. The cameras have Real Tone, Nigh Sights and Magic Eraser built-in as well. 

At just half the price of the Pixel 6 Pro, the Pixel 6a is an incredible steal for anyone who wants flagship-tier performance without having to break the bank. The phone will be available in charcoal, chalk and sage with pre-orders kicking off on July 21 and in-store purchases starting on July 28. And unlike the limited availably of last year’s Pixel 5a, the Pixel 6a will be showing up in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom and of course the United States.

Pixel 6a Specification

• Display: 6.1-nch FHD+, 60Hz, Gorilla Glass 3
• SoC: Google Tensor
• RAM: 6GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Cameras: MP main, 12MP ultrawide, PDAF, 8MP selfie
• Body: Tactile Alloy Frame, 3D thermoformed composite back
• Battery:  4410mAh
• Fingerprint sensor: in-display