Google’s Pixel 6 and 6 Pro were revealed during an event in October 2021 and they were a big departure from previous Pixel devices in terms of their design, but also their hardware, with both running on an in-house chip for the first time and not a Qualcomm processor.
There are already a number of rumours surrounding the mid-range model of the Pixel 6 devices though, expected to be called the Google Pixel 6a. Here is everything we have heard so far.
Release date and price
- May or July 2022?
- Around $500/£500
Rumours suggest the Pixel 6a will be released in May 2022 during Google I/O and with a packaging leak, this is certainly a possibility. The developer conference takes place on 11 and 12 May for 2022 so there’s not too much longer to wait if this release date is accurate. Others suspect the phone has been pushed back due to the ongoing chip shortage however, and may launch in late July.
The Pixel 5a 5G was announced in August 2021 but it wasn’t made widely available – US an Japan only – so perhaps the Pixel 6a will launch sooner than a full year cycle to meet the needs of those after a mid-range Pixel in the other regions of the world.
Previous to the Pixel 5a, the Pixel 4a was announced in August 2020 and the Pixel 3a was revealed in May 2019, meaning there isn’t a defined pattern as such.
In terms of price, the Pixel 5a costs $449 in the US. It’s not available in the UK. The Pixel 4a cost £349 in the UK when it launched, and $349 in the US. The Pixel 3a cost £399 and $399 in the US. It’s likely the Pixel 6a will therefore come in under $500/£500, but it will probably be a while before we know.
Design
- Similar to Pixel 6
- 152.2 x 71.8. x 8.7mm
The Google Pixel 6a has appeared in 5K renders showing a design very close to that of the Pixel 6 and a packaging leak showing off the top of the rear of the device supports the renders. Featuring the same standout camera strip across the rear of the device, the Pixel 6a is also shown as offering a flat display with a punch hole camera centralised at the top, again like the Pixel 6.
It’s said the Pixel 6a will measure 152.2 x 71.8. x 8.7mm, which is a little smaller than the Pixel 6 that measures 158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9mm, and it’s said it won’t offer a 3.5mm headphone jack, like previous Pixel “a” devices have featured.
The renders show a black and grey colour palette option, as well as a white and cream colour combination, though more recent rumours claim the Pixel 6a will be available in black, white and green colour options and the packaging leak shows off black. The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are both IP68 water and dust resistant, while the Pixel 5a 5G is IP67, so we would expect the latter for the Pixel 6a too.
Display
- 6.2-inch, Full HD+
- OLED
- Under-display fingerprint sensor
It’s claimed the Google Pixel 6a will come with a 6.2-inch flat OLED display with an under display fingerprint sensor.
There’s no word on resolution as yet, or refresh rate, though we would expect Full HD+ with 90Hz refresh rate. It’s possible it could offer a 60Hz refresh rate but with many mid-range phones now offering 90Hz, we think the latter is more likely.
Cameras
- Pixel 5 camera
- 12.2MP main, 16MP ultra wide-angle
According to the leaks, the Google Pixel 6a will feature the same camera setup as the Google Pixel 5, and consequently, the Google Pixel 5a 5G. While the Pixel 5’s camera is still great, it’s a slightly different take on what Google has done in the past with its “a” series. Previously, the “a” series was about offering the flagship Pixel camera experience in a mid-range device.
If the Pixel 6a offers the Pixel 5’s camera, you’ll still get a great camera experience, but it will be a step down from the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. It would also be an interesting move as the reason for the large camera housing on the rear of the Pixel 6 was because the new camera module didn’t fit into the square housing found on the Pixel 5, so it would be odd to have the same housing as the Pixel 6 but a different camera setup.
If the rumours are accurate though, we’ll see a 12.2-megapixel main camera, coupled with a 16-megapixel ultra wide-angle camera on the Pixel 6a, as well as an 8-megapixel front camera. There has also been mention of a 12.2-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel ultra wide sensor though so the camera section is a little questionable currently.
Hardware and specs
- Google Tensor chip
The Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro both run on Google’s in-house built Tensor chip and it has been reported that the Pixel 6a will do the same. A Geekbench listing revealed that we should expect 6GB of RAM on the upcoming handset and another listing saw the Pixel 6a compared to the Pixel 6, with the mid-range device marginally outperforming the flagship.
No word on storage yet, but since the Google Pixel 5a offers 128GB of storage as a base, it’s likely the Pixel 6a will do the same.
There’s also no word on battery capacity as yet, but we’d expect around 4500mAh, possibly larger.
Google Pixel 6a rumours: What’s happened so so far?
Here is everything we have heard so far about the Google Pixel 6a.
11 April 2022: Google Pixel 6a will be as powerful as Pixel 6
Geekbench listed the Pixel 6a alongside the Pixel 6 and it saw the Pixel 6a outperform the Pixel 6 by a fraction, supporting the idea that it will have the same hardware.
1 April 2022: Google Pixel 6a packaging leaks, suggests launch imminent
Techxine published an image of the Google Pixel 6a packaging, confirming the name of the device and its design.
25 March 2022: Google Pixel Watch to be teased at I/O but launched with Pixel 7 in October
Jon Prosser tweeted saying the Google Pixel 6a would be revealed at Google I/O, alongside a tease of the Pixel Watch.
8 March 2022: Google could miss I/O deadline for Pixel 6a
YouTuber Jon Prosser, of Front Page Tech, suspects the launch date has been pushed back due to the ongoing chip shortage. He now expects the phone to be announced in late July.
7 March 2022: Google Pixel 6a specs listed on Geekbench
Google Pixel 6a benchmark results appeared on a Geekbench listing, showing the phone punching well above its weight in performance and revealing specification info.
2 March 2022: Google Pixel 6a and Pixel Watch could be imminent after carrier listing found
The Google Pixel 6a appeared on a US carrier’s inventory and an inside source claimed the device would launch in May, come in three colour options and offer 128GB of storage.
24 January 2022: Google Pixel 6A tipped to launch in May
A reliable tipster tweeted that Google plans to launch the Pixel 6A in May which – if accurate – would mean around the time it usually has its annual I/O conference.
24 November 2021: Google Pixel 6a tipped to carry Tensor chipset
It’s been claimed the Google Pixel 6a will run on the Google Tensor chip and come with the same camera as the Pixel 5.
22 November 2021: Leaked Google Pixel 6a renders show familiar styling and no headphone jack
OnLeaks and 91 Mobiles published a series of 5K renders showing off what is claimed to be the Pixel 6a.