Google Pixel 6a Price, Release Date, Specs, Features

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• Google’s Pixel 6a is essentially a cheaper, smaller version of the Pixel 6 released last October.
• It runs on the same Google Tensor processor and has a dual-lens camera system.
• It costs $449 and will be available for preorder on July 21, with a full release on July 28.

Google announced its new Pixel 6a phone, on Wednesday during the company’s Google I/O event, that’s designed to be a more affordable version of the company’s premium Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro phones.

The Google Pixel 6a is priced at $449, compared to the Pixel 6 that’s $599, and the Pixel 6 Pro phones that’s $899.

Google’s “a” series of phones are one of my favorite options when it comes to more affordable phones. That’s primarily thanks to the premium-grade cameras that Google gives its “a” series phones, which usually outperform other affordable phones. 

Google Pixel 6a price and release date

The Pixel 6a will start at $450 when it becomes available for preorder starting on July 21 on Google’s online store. It will be fully released and available to buy on July 28. 

Comparatively, the latest iPhone SE from Apple costs $429, and the budget-aligned Samsung Galaxy A53 calls for $449.

Google Pixel 6a specifications

Google Pixel 6a comes with a dual-lens camera system

The Pixel 6a comes with a 12-megapixel (MP) main and ultrawide camera array, much like the standard Pixel 6. However, they’re not the exact same cameras. In order to make the Pixel 6a more affordable, Google gave the phone a “different” camera system, Google senior vice-president of devices Rick Osterloh said, but wasn’t more specific.

Still, I expect the Pixel 6a’s cameras will take excellent photos given Google’s impressive camera software that has proved itself over several generations of Pixel phones.

Plus, one of the reasons Google’s “a” series phones come so easily recommended is they include many of the camera features you’d find on its premium phone models. In the Pixel 6a, for example, you’re still getting Google’s Real Tone feature designed to better capture different skin tones. You also get the Magic Eraser tool that lets you edit away unwanted objects and subjects from a photo, as well as Google’s excellent Night Sight mode for low-light photos.

Google Pixel 6a looks a lot like the Pixel 6

The Pixel 6a looks a lot like the premium Pixel 6 phones. It has the recognizable camera bar on the back, and will be available in three colors, including “charcoal” (black), “chalk” (white), and “sage” (green). 

The frame on the Pixel 6a is aluminum, and the bezels around the display appear as thin as the Pixel 6 has.

Google Pixel 6a has a smaller screen

For those who thought the premium Pixel 6 phones were too large, the Pixel 6a offers them a smaller option. 

The Pixel 6a has a 6.1-inch screen that’s smaller than the 6.4-inch screen on the Pixel 6, and the 6.7-inch screen on the Pixel 6 Pro. 

Google Pixel 6a should have the same performance

The Pixel 6a runs on the same Google Tensor processor as the premium Pixel 6 series, which is unusual for an “a” model phone. Those phones have typically run on processors that are less powerful than those in the premium models, but still plenty capable. 

This means the Pixel 6a should have similar performance as the premium Pixel 6 phones. It’s worth knowing that the Pixel 6a has a little less memory (RAM) than the premium Pixel 6. More RAM typically leads to more apps saving your place when inactive instead of having to fully reload again, but it shouldn’t have much of an impact otherwise.