Google Pixel 6a – 128 GB-Unlocked Android 5G Smartphone with 12 megapixel camera and 24-hour battery – Sage

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If the Google Pixel 6a’s whole deal is about getting the Pixel 6 experience on a budget, the camera is a good example of that. This isn’t a phone for professional photographers, but it’ll take snaps that are social media-worthy. The Google Pixel 6a has a 6.1-inch display, making it a smidge smaller than the 6.4-inch panel on the Pixel 6. It offers the same resolution of 1080 x 2400, though. More AI features for this more affordable handset are 'Face Unblur', which does exactly what it sounds like and stops faces in photos from being blurry, plus its True Tone tech, which makes the cameras more effective at accurately showing darker skin tones in portraits. The only tool missing is Motion Mode, which adds effects to moving objects. So if that's a major draw, you'll have to spend more for the flagships. Smartphone battery life is often hard to quantity. A device might perform well in lab-based tests but struggle in everyday use, given the huge variance of screen-on time that you’ll use day-to-day, and as such testers can be hesitant to provide decisive verdicts on a phone’s lasting power. Google is on a roll. After years of good but not great phones, the Pixel 6a is another excellent model bringing the Android-maker’s magic down to a more affordable price.

Google Pixel 6a – 128 GB-Unlocked Android 5G Smartphone with

Samsung’s mid-range marvel has an attractive design, good rear cameras, an impressive screen and a similar price to the Pixel 6a, making it a very tempting alternative. The software is smart and refined, and will be updated for at least five years, which is longer than most rivals. The camera is miles better than any mid-range model, competing with phones twice the price or more. Instead of using the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro’s 50MP main camera, the Pixel 6a gets a 12.2MP f/1.7 one, which sits alongside a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide snapper with a 114-degree field of view.The new Pixel 7a boasts the latest 2nd-gen version of this chip, but our long-term use hasn't changed our opinion on its performance: It's smooth and speedy to use, and we haven't encountered crashes or shuttering when taking snaps.

green Pixel 6a and 6 side by side - 9to5Google Here are the green Pixel 6a and 6 side by side - 9to5Google

Google’s version of Android is fast and full of fun colour customisation, although some of the vast array of wallpaper options are a little strange. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian The battery life issue won’t ruin the phone for everyone, but it does make you stop and think “can I use a phone that needs charging multiple times per day?” If you can, that’s great. But we imagine lots of people will rule out the phone based on this simple issue. The Pixel 6a takes 1 hour 45 minutes to fully charge, hitting 60% in 44 minutes using an USB-C adaptor outputting 18W or more (not included). There is no wireless charging. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian With a 6.1-inch display, the Pixel 6a isn't a small phone, but it's much more compact than the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro — closer to the iPhone 13. So, if you found the Pixel 6 to be big, this affordable alternative feels better. That said, you may still want to invest in a cover to protect the rear panel, which seems a bit easier to scratch. The issue for power users is the limited battery. We found from tests that it's fine for about a day of normal use, but not too much more. On the plus side, having one of the best power banks solves that. Google Pixel 6a verdictThe Pixel 6a is the best mid-range phone you can buy and a fantastic option if you’re looking for a smaller Android. The single configuration of phone going on sale has 6GB RAM, and its chipset has a 5G modem, so you can connect to next-gen networks if you’re on the right contract. Your speed will depend more on your area and provider than on the phone though.

Google Pixel 6A | Carphone Warehouse Google Pixel 6A | Carphone Warehouse

The Pixel 6a has the exact same Tensor processor as Google’s top 2021 phones with slightly less RAM, which makes it faster than almost all other mid-range competitors and well optimised for Google’s various AI systems. The Pixel often struggled to last a full day of use, even when battery saver mode was active the whole time. And we’re not talking about a day of hardcore gaming, video recording and so on - the Pixel 6a struggled with everyday medium use.We like that the 6a is thin and less chunky than the 6 or 7 Pro, sitting flush when on flat surfaces. Even after months of use, we're continually impressed with the sleek design. The display is broken up by a punch-hole camera at its top - this isn’t huge, so doesn’t take up much space. Google opted to use the same chip in the Pixel 6a as in the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro - its self-designed Tensor chipset - and this means the three phones are equally powerful.

Google Pixel 6a review: Still the best value Android phone

I used the Pixel 6a’s primary camera for the bulk of my shooting, and it delivers results worthy of the Pixel name. The color recreation is accurate, especially in rich sunlight like the image of the flowerpot above. Google’s natural bokeh is impressive, too, and is most evident in the picture of the pink and white flowerbox. I didn’t notice any issues with clouds washing out in the sky, whether I was above them (in the image of the airplane wing) or below (in the image of the waterfall). The only real complaints come if you crop in. No matter how smart Google’s processing is, a camera with a smaller, lower megapixel sensor just doesn’t let in as much light or provide as much information as something like the 50MP shooter on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. The Pixel 6a is Google’s latest mid-range smartphone offering the same chips and performance as its top phones, but in a new, smaller body for a cheaper price.

In tests, we found this hasn't changed on the Pixel 6a, despite the camera's primary lens being downgraded from a 50-megapixel (MP) wide-angle to a 12.2 MP wide-angle. (That's closer, at least on paper, to a Pixel 5.) You also get a 12 MP ultra-wide on the rear module of the 6a, while your selfies are shot in a solid 8 MP.