Google Pixel 6a review: The tiny Pixel phone I’ve been hoping for

Cameras

Google has lengthy excelled at pictures, and the Pixel 6a is a continuation of that custom. Its pair of 12-megapixel rear cameras and 8-MP entrance sensor took brilliant, colourful photos that rivaled these from dearer telephones.

Particulars like window panes and particular person blades of grass had been crisp, and Google continues to ship superior pictures in low gentle. Frankly, at this value, there isn’t a higher digital camera for nighttime pictures. Thanks largely to Evening Sight, the Pixel 6a usually captured brighter pictures in extraordinarily dim environments, retaining larger element even in shadows. The stationary bicycles in an train room at evening had been clearer in pictures from the Pixel 6a than these from the iPhone SE, and I may even learn the phrases on an indication in Google’s model. Apple’s determination to chop the evening mode on its finances cellphone places it at an actual drawback right here.

In comparison with the iPhone SE, the Pixel 6a’s photos tended to have decrease distinction and less-saturated colours. Apple additionally produces higher dynamic vary, and it was onerous to select my favourite pictures between the 2.

Google has the higher hand with regards to versatility, although. Because it has an extra ultrawide lens (in comparison with the iPhone’s solo rear digital camera), the Pixel 6a made it doable to zoom out to seize expansive landscapes. And although it doesn’t have a telephoto lens, Google’s viewfinder interface makes zooming into distant topics simpler. As a substitute of getting to pinch on the iPhone, you may swap between preset distances like 0.6x, 1x and 2x simply by tapping the onscreen buttons.

I additionally most well-liked Google’s Portrait mode, which let me get nearer to topics and utilized a shallower depth of discipline. Each the iPhone and the Pixel took selfies of comparable high quality, and the variations between them got here right down to very slight variations in coloration temperature. Given Google and Apple use 8-MP and 7MP sensors respectively, the similarity in sharpness isn’t stunning.

Regardless of having the sharpest cameras, the Galaxy A53 delivered pictures that had been shut in high quality to the Pixel 6a and iPhone SE. Its 32-MP entrance digital camera and first 64-MP sensor on the again didn’t lead to crisper pictures. In comparison with the Pixel and iPhone, although, the Galaxy A53’s digital camera was noticeably slower and struggled to seize a number of pictures in fast succession.

Although Google did equip the Pixel 6a with a few of the instruments discovered on its flagships, like Magic Eraser to edit away photobombers, for instance, options like Motion Pan and Lengthy Publicity are absent. That’s tremendous by me, since Magic Eraser is essentially the most helpful of the lot, and works as properly on the 6a as on the Professional. You additionally get the power to shoot in RAW, which you’ll be able to’t do on the iPhone SE.

Efficiency, fingerprint sensor and in use

As the primary A-series cellphone utilizing Google’s personal Tensor chip, the Pixel 6a’s efficiency needs to be fairly just like its flagship siblings. On the whole, this was true — the 6a barely stuttered when leaping between video games, enhancing pictures, shopping Instagram and taking pictures movies. Identical to my Pixel 6 Professional, although, the 6a tended to run heat when enjoying informal video games similar to HK Mahjong or the New York Occasions Crossword for greater than quarter-hour. It by no means obtained alarmingly scorching, however I did wish to put it down after some time.

Sometimes, the Pixel 6a would take a number of seconds to show data in an app, however that principally occurred within the first hours after I arrange the cellphone, so I’ll chalk that as much as early loading points. I’m extra involved in regards to the long-term stability of the Pixel 6a’s software program, particularly given all the issues plaguing the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional since they launched. I haven’t encountered something main throughout my testing, however a lot of the bugs on the opposite two solely began displaying up weeks after our evaluation interval.

For now, I can solely say the software program behaves as anticipated, and that Google helps as much as 5 years of Pixel updates. Switching wallpapers and making use of new system-wide coloration schemes generated by Android occurred with out vital delay, and every little thing I get pleasure from about Pixel UI is right here. I really like with the ability to simply inform my cellphone “Cease” to silence it when an alarm goes off. (Although, on my Pixel 6 Professional this often takes round three more and more annoyed makes an attempt till I’m screaming on the cellphone.) I additionally recognize Assistant options like Name Screening and Maintain For Me, which make the excruciating expertise of being on the cellphone so much much less painful.

Perhaps I’ve grown used to the Pixel 6 Professional’s sluggish, in-display fingerprint sensor, however the Pixel 6a’s scanner didn’t really feel as difficult. It’s nonetheless slower than Samsung’s, nevertheless it’s serviceable.

Battery life

The A-series has lengthy stood out for wonderful battery life, and as soon as once more, the 6a is a winner. It clocked a whopping 19 hours and 10 minutes on our video rundown take a look at, which is shorter than the Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, and Galaxy A53, however nonetheless hours longer than the iPhone SE.

Whereas the iPhone SE provides wi-fi charging, sadly the Pixel 6a doesn’t. It additionally solely helps quick charging with wired 18W chargers. The excellent news is although, the 6a can also be appropriate with the M3/T4 listening to assist normal, in addition to sub-6 and mmWave 5G.

Wrap-up

I believe it’s time we stopped seeing the Pixel A collection as a “finances” line. With its refined design, highly effective processor and satisfying cameras, there are extra similarities than variations between the 6a and its flagship siblings. It’s simply among the finest telephones for the cash. Sure, it could be good to get a sooner, brighter display and wi-fi charging, however these aren’t a given on a midranger. In case you can’t stay with no greater refresh price and may spend not more than $500, the Galaxy A53 is an alternate, although be warned that its efficiency is questionable. Within the US, there isn’t a higher Android cellphone underneath $500 than the Pixel 6a.

Key specs