Despite the fact that Google’s Pixel line is now in its sixth year, rumors and leaks about Pixel 6a have already started. According to what we (we think) know so far, the Pixel 6a looks like a really attractive budget smartphone. Here’s what we know so far about it.
It’s going to look a lot like the Pixel 6 XL.
Pixel 6 differed from the previous Pixels design, and Pixel 6a seems to follow in its footsteps. OnLeaks’ renditions show a smartphone that looks spooky like the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, with a large camera bar instead of the aforementioned camera squirrel. There are also two camera lenses and a flash visible in the reproduction, as well as an opening for the selfie camera.
Pixel 6a is expected to be approximately 9 percent smaller than Pixel 6 (158.6 x 74.8 x 8.90 mm) and Pixel 6 Pro (163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm). It is also slightly shorter than the Pixel 5a and approaches the small Pixel 5. For those who want small phones, this is good news.
It’s a marked shift in design direction, if you ask me; Google is finally developing a hardware style that works separately rather than a mix of the aesthetics of different manufacturers. I just hope they bring fabric covers back, to be honest.
It will most likely have a fingerprint sensor under the screen.
It looks like Google is planning to use a vertically mounted rear view camera. Based on this image, it would be difficult to distinguish Pixel 6 from standard Pixel 6 (Pixel 6 Pro has rounded edges). Despite being a cheap phone, there does not appear to be an external fingerprint reader, suggesting that Google will use another sub-display module instead.
This is not great, considering that the fingerprint reader on the Pixel 6 is perhaps its weakest feature – it’s annoyingly slow and unreliable, although a recent update has improved things somewhat. It is conceivable that Pixel 6 will include a fingerprint sensor in the on / off button, but this button appears to be too limited in the renderings.
There will be no headphone jack.
Pixel 6a renderings do not include a headphone jack, which is sad for those who like their wired headphones.
While this is a bit ironic considering that Google has just released an excellent advertisement for the headphone jack on the Pixel 5a, it’s not really that surprising; If Google had really thought the audio jack was on its way back, there would have been one on the Pixel 6.
Pixel Buds A-Series, on the other hand, are amazing. Google may release new earphones at launch, who knows?
Google Tensor will run it.
The new look is not much of a surprise, but I’ve had one concern since the Pixel 6’s debut: Would Google use its groundbreaking Tensor processor? Previous A-Series phones have typically used chips that were significantly less powerful than their flagship counterparts (Pixel 5a is a strange exception, as Pixel 5 chose a high-end CPU).
Fortunately, that does not seem to be the case. According to some code hunt, Pixel 5a – called Bluejay – will use the same Google Tensor processor as Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. It does not appear to be a minor variant of the Snapdragon 101 model number; it was branded GS101.
It is possible that the phone performs worse than more expensive versions due to thermal or software limitations, but all in all, it looks promising overall performance and long-term support.
Finally, I’m pretty sure Google’s consumer business will succeed. This suggests that the company intends to establish itself as a major telephone manufacturer.
All Google phones are expected to include the latest and greatest processor by 2020 (Pixel 3 Lite was announced today). Although the GS101 may be obsolete before the Pixel 6a debuts, it is unlike any other CPU on the market due to Google’s extensive hardware-software integration due to its greater financial resources.
It will use the same camera as the Pixel 5a and previous Pixels models.
The Sony IMX363 sensor has been found in every Pixel phone since Pixel 3 onwards, which may explain Google’s apparent return to it for 6a.
We had gotten used to it when Google announced that it would bring it back to 6a. The 12-megapixel sensor has proven to be effective for Google. Despite Pixel 6’s enhanced raw camera capability, Google’s camera software seems to be well optimized, as Pixel 5a can perform so efficiently.
Pixel Fold may be canceled or not, but it was also expected to use the same sensor as the other Pixels. At least we did not see the last of Google’s favorite camera. Pixel 6a should have a sensor similar to that of Pixel 5, which is significantly smaller than that of Pixel 6. Nevertheless, given Google’s processing capabilities, it will most likely perform well.
Finally, it is worth noting that the company has already invested a significant amount of time and money in optimizing for this sensor.
Given that most camera upgrades now take place via software, you could even argue that Google’s continued improvement of a proven sensor is beneficial, at least when it comes to financial constraints. On the computing side, Google Tensor can then take on most of the work.
I suppose if it is not broken, do not repair it. And I’m sure this sensor will get cheaper with time. Either way, the ultra-wide (12-megapixel IMX386) and selfie cameras (8-megapixel IMX355) appear to be identical to those on the Pixel 6.
We do not know when the service will be available.
We’ve learned a lot about the phone’s hardware features so far, but there’s no timetable for its release. Pixel 3a debuted in May 2019, 4a in August 2020, 4a 5G in November 2020, and 5a was released this year.
I bet Google will launch 6a this spring; due to the epidemic, later releases of previous models were most likely caused by it, and it makes sense for Google to continue with it. It’s also quite strange that such leaks appear so quickly after a model’s release date.
However, the pandemic has made corporate release dates just as unpredictable, forcing many companies to postpone their timelines. Who knows how long the device has been under development?
In any case, the Pixel 6a seems to be a fascinating phone for people who do not want the absolute best hardware. If you’re not ready to upgrade your smartphone right now, it may be worth waiting until next year to see what Google comes up with.
Subtly charming pop culture nerd. Amateur analyst. Freelance TV Buffer. Coffee lover
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