There is no better starting point than accepting the elephant in the room. Is the Google Pixel 6a a ‘compromise’ Pixel phone? The chances of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro launching in India remain as good as none. That’s all we’ll get on these shores, at least for now. The complication (which also doesn’t help perception) is that it’s also the most affordable Pixel phone. Google’s Tensor chip and the exclusive set of features it brings (such as Magic Eraser, which we’ll get to in a moment) could be different. But it’s not that simple.
Why would you actually buy a Google Pixel 6a? Does it still have the camera superiority expected of Pixel phones? Is it really a flagship killer in the form of the OnePlus 10R or the Nothing Phone (1)? Does the Tensor chip have a distinct advantage over anything offered by Qualcomm or MediaTek? That’s a lot of pressure on one phone.
When the similarities are as deep as the differences
There is only one configuration of the Google Pixel 6a that will be sold in India – that’s 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and in Charcoal and Chalk colors. Sage isn’t here yet. We quite like the greenish shade. Looking like the Pixel 6 has to be a good thing. You’d be forgiven for (inevitably) mistaking it for the Pixel 6. The design language is the same, save for the two-tone finish.
The ₹39,999 price tag puts it up against the OnePlus 10R and Xiaomi 11T Pro, two phones that instead focus on specs more than the Pixel 6a. What is this Pixel’s trump card in this battle? A much smaller 6.1-inch screen, making it a rare compact Android phone – the other phone in the same category is the Nothing Phone (1), But other than that?
Are you bothered by a 60Hz display on a phone that costs this much?
You start with a very understated 6.1-inch OLED screen that’s covered with Corning’s older Gorilla Glass 3, instead of the newer Gorilla Glass Victus that the Pixel 6 gets, First signs of cost-cutting? The fact that the display is limited to 60Hz (not a pleasant blast from the past) puts it at a disadvantage. Does it matter in the real world? Now it’s hard to push it aside that it’s not a problem. A higher refresh rate has its advantages, although it is not absolutely necessary. Still, at this price, its lack must be categorized as a big enough flaw.
For what it’s worth, this screen is good in terms of color (you also get the enhanced option) and we’re pretty happy with the sharpness, which helps with readability. It’s also bright enough, although there is some “washing out” of certain colors (such as yellows and oranges) when the brightness is increased. The fingerprint sensor is accurate and fast. Good thing, because the Google Pixel 6a doesn’t have facial recognition for unlocking.
The 12-megapixel camera is good enough, just right&Pixel phones and good cameras (at least that’s the general impression) go hand in hand. The Google Pixel 6a has a dual 12-megapixel camera and an 8-megapixel camera for video calls and selfies. Remember, it’s still the primary 12-megapixel sensor, which is similar to the Pixel 5a from late last summer (right down to the pixel size). Google bases upgrades on Tensor improvements, of which there are many.
Take Magic Eraser, for example, which can pretty effectively remove something from a photo, although sometimes if you look closely, you’ll notice a stitch effect when the lines match. All areas where Google Photos play an integral part are skin tone enhancements. Google talked at length about achieving realism in the reproduction of skin colors in photos, especially the subtle shades of darker skin tones.
The 12-megapixel camera mostly goes the way of expectations. Still, distortion and noise in low-light photos are noticeable, as are muted colors in some daytime photos. You will be able to squeeze out photos that are suitable for the Pixel phone. Tensor-based software improvements allowed the Pixel 6a to keep up. However, their presence would be felt more behind-the-scenes upgrades, where there is a loaded megapixel bin to play with.
Tensor makes an impression right from the first ride
Other specs may have been trimmed, but Google hasn’t made any changes to the beating heart of the Pixel 6a. After Apple’s success with the M series, there is a push for proprietary silicon to deliver performance and battery gains (well beyond Qualcomm’s ability to offer). Our experience with the Google Pixel 6a’s performance suggests consistency, responsiveness, and the kind of frugality that allays concerns about battery life.
There might be some concerns about the 6GB of RAM (there’s no 8GB or 12GB option) for multitasking, but we can say that this is largely compensated by the purest Android you can find. Google’s control over hardware and software has borne fruit, especially when it comes to optimizations, And the wider AI processing, which we have already talked about especially with the camera. Even casual gaming, if that screen size is comfortable enough, 6GB of RAM never came close to creating a virtual ceiling.
The battery size isn’t exactly small – it’s stationary, leaving about 30% charge left before bedtime. There is 18-watt wired charging, which is not in the same league when the competition does more than 100-watt fast charging. The Pixel 6a also doesn’t have wireless charging. This is hard to justify. The saving grace is that you’ll probably need to plug it in when you’re getting ready for bed at night.
This Pixel phone isn’t just about one thing, including the price tag
Unlike the Pixel phones, the Pixel 6a isn’t all about cameras and pure Android. There is a wider field at play. Google’s Tensor chip is the next chapter for Pixel phones, and it looks like it’s off to a good start. The compact floor plan is positive and everything is pleasantly in its place. Perhaps except for the price tag. Compared to more performance-oriented rivals, it will feel underpowered. It shouldn’t, but it will. No error on Google Pixel 6a.
