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(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)T3 VerdictThe Google Pixel 6a is a model example of a small-screen Android phone – and I think its size is the key selling point. However, the older Pixel 6 from 2021 doesn’t really cost much more and will suit a wider audience really. Still, if you’re looking for a handset that’s small, full of great features, is long-lasting per charge, and clearly among the best Android has to offer, then the Pixel 6a is just the ticket.Reasons to buy+Android runs at its best on Pixel+Decent, easy-to-use cameras arrangement+Battery life is impressive despite smallish capacity+If you don’t want a massive phone this is a solid optionReasons to avoid-Only a 60Hz refresh rate display-Screen feels small (to me anyway)-Pixel 6 isn’t much more cash and a more logical buy for most-Proximity to Pixel 7 series reveal in October feels mistimed
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
T3 VerdictThe Google Pixel 6a is a model example of a small-screen Android phone – and I think its size is the key selling point. However, the older Pixel 6 from 2021 doesn’t really cost much more and will suit a wider audience really. Still, if you’re looking for a handset that’s small, full of great features, is long-lasting per charge, and clearly among the best Android has to offer, then the Pixel 6a is just the ticket.Reasons to buy+Android runs at its best on Pixel+Decent, easy-to-use cameras arrangement+Battery life is impressive despite smallish capacity+If you don’t want a massive phone this is a solid optionReasons to avoid-Only a 60Hz refresh rate display-Screen feels small (to me anyway)-Pixel 6 isn’t much more cash and a more logical buy for most-Proximity to Pixel 7 series reveal in October feels mistimed
T3 VerdictThe Google Pixel 6a is a model example of a small-screen Android phone – and I think its size is the key selling point. However, the older Pixel 6 from 2021 doesn’t really cost much more and will suit a wider audience really. Still, if you’re looking for a handset that’s small, full of great features, is long-lasting per charge, and clearly among the best Android has to offer, then the Pixel 6a is just the ticket.
T3 Verdict
The Google Pixel 6a is a model example of a small-screen Android phone – and I think its size is the key selling point. However, the older Pixel 6 from 2021 doesn’t really cost much more and will suit a wider audience really. Still, if you’re looking for a handset that’s small, full of great features, is long-lasting per charge, and clearly among the best Android has to offer, then the Pixel 6a is just the ticket.
Reasons to buy+Android runs at its best on Pixel+Decent, easy-to-use cameras arrangement+Battery life is impressive despite smallish capacity+If you don’t want a massive phone this is a solid optionReasons to avoid-Only a 60Hz refresh rate display-Screen feels small (to me anyway)-Pixel 6 isn’t much more cash and a more logical buy for most-Proximity to Pixel 7 series reveal in October feels mistimed
Reasons to buy+Android runs at its best on Pixel+Decent, easy-to-use cameras arrangement+Battery life is impressive despite smallish capacity+If you don’t want a massive phone this is a solid option
Android runs at its best on Pixel
Decent, easy-to-use cameras arrangement
Battery life is impressive despite smallish capacity
If you don’t want a massive phone this is a solid option
Reasons to avoid-Only a 60Hz refresh rate display-Screen feels small (to me anyway)-Pixel 6 isn’t much more cash and a more logical buy for most-Proximity to Pixel 7 series reveal in October feels mistimed
Only a 60Hz refresh rate display
Screen feels small (to me anyway)
Pixel 6 isn’t much more cash and a more logical buy for most
Proximity to Pixel 7 series reveal in October feels mistimed
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Thing is, as I’ve already casually pointed out above, the Pixel 6a arrives at a rather peculiar moment in time. It feels late in the calendar cycle to me, also priced too closely to the older yet more feature-packedPixel 6, and only really a bit part in the run-up to that all-important Pixel 7 launch.
Nonetheless, I’ve been living with the Pixel 6a for a week – having moved out of thesame-priced Nothing Phone 1– using the phone as if my own and, I must admit, if you’re looking for a small form-factorAndroidhandset then this little number has a lot going for it. But in the context of Pixel and its competition does that add up to enough?
Google Pixel 6A review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
But it’s all about context. At the time of writing the full-fat Pixel 6 is just £49 more, priced at £649 in the UK, and I know during theAmazon Prime Day salesthat difference was half again. Why pay almost exactly the same for the smaller 6a variant? The answer is if you absolutely want a smaller-screen phone first and foremost.
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Google Pixel 6A review: What’s new?
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
In some respects there’s no point of comparison here for many people, as Google’s previous Pixel 5a model never arrived in the UK, Europe or Australia.Say what? It was the reserve of the USA and Japan only, for whatever reason. Perhaps that’s part of the reason I’m finding the 6a a little misplaced: I never saw the predecessor in the wild.
Even so, rather than pin the Pixel 6a against its virtual predecessor (which my colleague has done in thisPixel 5a vs 6a comparison feature), I think there’s more sense in comparing it to the Pixel 6 proper – especially given the close price point.
So here’s what you get in summary: the Pixel 6a delivers a 6.1-inch screen, so it’s smaller than the 6.4-inch one in the older Pixel 6. The 6a’s refresh rate is also entry-level, at 60Hz, while the Pixel 6 offers 90Hz. There’s no difference in resolution, though, so the 6a is theoretically sharper owed to its smaller scale. It’s really this small form-factor that’s the reason to want this newer Pixel phone.
The 6a also drops camera resolution, opting for a 12-megapixel main sensor, rather than the 50MP one in the Pixel 6. Otherwise it’s a similar experience, including the same internal processor, Google’s own Tensor chip. Battery capacity is proportionate to physical scale, but the 6a lacks the wireless charging of the Pixel 6 and it can’t charge quite as quickly either.
Google Pixel 6A review: Design and display
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
As you can tell from my quick comparison above: theGoogle Pixel6a is therefore all about being small and proud; it’s a smaller-scale screen, a more trim format for your hand. And that is precisely what some people will be pining for.
I, on the other hand, immediately found the 6a’s scale a bit small to be honest, especially having just come from the chunkier and larger Nothing Phone 1. It only took me a couple of days to get used to the tighter keyboard arrangement on Google’s phone, though, and as I found over coming days, the Pixel is a far more reliable handset in a number of areas.
Design-wise, I think Google has hit a home run when it comes to its Pixel series' aesthetics. The handsets all feature that camera ‘strip’ to the rear, adding a point of distinction, while adding practicality thanks to the omission of anything that massively protrudes from the body – and so many of the competition have that ‘desk wobble’ irksomeness that isn’t an issue here.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
The look is right, and I do find the Pixel 6a’s plastic rear fits the visual bill too, although it does show fingerprint smears rather pronounced, which diminishes the appearance of what’s otherwise a well-considered slab. I suspect I’ve drawn the short straw in getting the Charcoal (black) handset, as there’s a much more eye-catching Sage (green) or Chalk (white) option, either of which would be my preference.
The layout is practical and well-positioned too: the on/off button and volume up/down rocker to the right side (facing screen) are easy to reach, while the under-display fingerprint scanner’s third-up position is also effective. The scanner is a bit slower than many, performing a ‘double registration’ (it vibrates twice with haptic feedback), but it works suitably enough.
The Pixel 6a’s display is neatly nestled into its design; it’s a flat panel, so no curves on the glass itself, revealing medium-size bezel to all four surrounds, and a punch-hole camera top and centre. The software’s default muted colour palette looks attractive, but the OLED panel here can deliver much more punch as needed. The resolution is solid, as is the brightness. It’s only the refresh rate that really lacks, but I can’t say I’ve suffered as a result – and given the great battery life I think that’s just fine.
Google Pixel 6A review: Performance and battery
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Unlike in the Pixel 5a (which used a Qualcomm Snapdragon platform), the Pixel 6a fully embodies Google’s own hardware, called Tensor. It’s the very same chipset you’ll find in the Pixel 6 and6 Pro, albeit with a little less RAM in the 6a. Even so, as we’ve seen from those other handsets in the series, Tensor is an impressive bit of kit.
That fluidity extends to all manner of things: from navigating around the latest and greatest Android software (Pixel always gets this first, so that’s another reason to consider buying), to delving into games, to using Google’s editing tools within its camera app. All without getting all too hot – and I’m going to forgive the 6a for getting a little warm as it’s been near to 40C/104F in the UK during this initial testing period and the handset has still aced its tests.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Particularly impressive to me has been the battery life. Despite such heat and my asking a lot in terms of apps and games over a given day, the 4,410mAh cell inside has delivered long innings. A standard day has taken me through around 50% use within 12 hours. So Google’s claim of 24 hours per charge isn’t as unfeasible as that may sound. I’m not talking under moderate use either: the above included 6 hours of screen time, including 1 hour of gaming (hi there soon-to-be-abandonedSouth Park Phone Destroyer) and 1 hour of Zwift Companion training adding to the overall intensity.
Google Pixel 6A review: Cameras
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
I’m a fan of Google’s approach to cameras – and the Pixel 6a doesn’t disappoint in keeping things straightforward. On the rear are two cameras: a 12.2-megapixel main sensor, alongside a second 12MP ultra-wide. There’s nothing else slapped on the back to try and lure in the punters, which is just the way it should be.
There are some great features in the camera system too, including a super-wide f/1.7 aperture and optical image stabilisation (OIS) for the main sensor, both of which combine to ensure sharp images in all manner of conditions (the ultra-wide has no OIS, but it’s less needed there) thanks to lots of light-gathering properties.
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(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
My gallery of image samples shows that the Pixel 6a is happy to capture colour and detail, but it’s low-light where this mid-range handset will knock its mid-priced competition out of the water. The automatic Night Mode is still among the most impressive on the market, plus it’s super easy to use in a point-and-shoot format. Again, nice and straightforward, no drama here.
If there’s any downside to the 6a’s cameras it’s pretty simple: there aren’t more lenses on the rear to cater for greater zoom functionality like many competitors (although, in fairness, you won’t find such a feature at this price point). You can use a 2x digital zoom within the camera app with ease, but that’s your lot. If you want more proper zoom, however, I’d suggest forking out the extra for a Pixel 6 Pro which has such an optic.
Google Pixel 6A: Verdict
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
In many ways I really love the Google Pixel 6a. It’s a model example of a small-screen Android phone, which is what I think will appeal the most to those not wanting a massive device that’s hard to use with one hand.
But, in the same breath, super as the Pixel 6a is, it’ll be superfluous for many. That’s because the Pixel 6 already exists and doesn’t really cost that much more. That device gives more screen real-estate, more camera resolution, wireless and faster charging, and more RAM as part of its package.
The mid-range market is also really competitive, but it’s often stacked full of less familiar and/or gimmicky options. The Pixel 6a is quite the opposite: accessible, full of great features with no throwaway add-ons, long-lasting per charge, and clearly among the best Android has to offer. I’d just probably wait for it to be available on special offer in the future given the timing of its arrival.
Also consider
If you’ve got £400/$450/€460/AUD$750 to spend on thebest affordable phonethen your options are certainlynotlimited. You could go experimental and buy intoNothing’s Phone 1. You could go tried and tested, but cheaper still, with aSamsung Galaxy A53.
Or you could stick to Google’s Android accomplishments and pay a little more for thePixel 6proper. That’s part of the 6a’s issue: there’s so much surrounding competition that it might struggle to make its case for most people.
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