Selecting between Google’s mid-range telephone, the Pixel 6a, and its flagship mannequin, the Pixel 6, isn’t straightforward. There’s a trivial $150 worth distinction, additionally they look comparable, home an equivalent chip and software program, and even share the identical ultra-wide and selfie cameras. Nonetheless, once I used them again to again as my every day drivers, I got here throughout a number of variations that may aid you make the very best resolution.
The Pixel 6a and Pixel 6 comparability boils down as to whether you’re searching for worth to your cash or a high-end flagship expertise. Although the previous inherits a number of options from the latter, there are trade-offs and features the place Google minimize prices below the hood to convey the worth to $450 from $600. The Pixel 6, due to this fact, provides an additional premium component in lots of areas that seem equivalent on the floor. They share a design, for instance, however the Pixel 6 has a glass physique, whereas the Pixel 6a has a plastic one.
So which one do you have to put money into? After testing the Pixel 6a and the Pixel 6 for weeks, right here’s what we predict.
Google Pixel 6a vs Pixel 6: Specs
| Google Pixel 6a | Pixel 6 | |
| Dimensions | 5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 inches | 6.24 x 2.94 x 0.35 inches |
| Weight | 6.28 ounces | 7.3 ounces |
| Show | 6.1 inch, OLED, HDR, 1080 x 2400 pixels | 6.4 inch, OLED, HDR10, 1080 x 2400 pixels |
| CPU | Google Tensor | Google Tensor |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB |
| Storage Capability | 128GB | 128GB/256GB |
| Rear cameras | Twin 12MP lenses (vast and ultra-wide) | Twin 12MP lenses (vast and ultra-wide) |
| Selfie digital camera | 8MP | 8MP |
| Battery measurement | 4410 mAh | 4610 mAh |
| Charging pace | 18W quick wired charging | 30W quick wired charging, 21W quick wi-fi charging, reverse wi-fi charging |
| Shade choices | Chalk, Charcoal, Sage | Sorta Seafoam, Kinda Coral, Stormy Black |
Google Pixel 6a vs Pixel 6: Worth
The Pixel 6a prices $449 unlocked for its one and solely 128GB variant.
The Pixel 6’s 128GB mannequin is priced at $599; its 256GB possibility will set you again $699.
Google Pixel 6a vs Pixel 6: Design and construct
At first look, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6a are tough to differentiate. Google has maintained a constant design language throughout its newest Pixel telephones. Each have a dual-tone bottom with a black, glass strip housing the digital camera gear, dividing the 2 colours on the high. There’s additionally an edge-to-edge display on the entrance. One other minor but helpful design characteristic they share is their sides are a bit textured for a greater grip — one thing you’ll sorely want since they’re each gigantic in measurement.
As a result of bigger display, although, the Pixel 6 is taller by 0.25 inches and thicker by 0.07 inches. Extra importantly, its again is made out of glass not like the Pixel 6a, which sports activities a plastic one with a glass-like end.
As talked about, it’s near not possible to inform these two aside. Nonetheless, once you choose them up, the Pixel 6a’s lighter (6.28 ozvs. 7.30 oz) and comparatively smaller kind issue is way simpler to carry. Plus, the Pixel 6a doesn’t have the Pixel 6’s noticeably cumbersome digital camera bump, so your fingers don’t need to consistently struggle gravity to forestall the system from falling out of your hand. All of it makes it potential for average-sized arms to make use of the Pixel 6a with one hand, which, within the Pixel 6’s case, is totally out of the query.
One other results of the Pixel 6a’s cutback is its entrance is protected by the outdated Gorilla Glass 3 expertise, whereas the Pixel 6 is provided with the stronger Gorilla Glass Victus that’s rated to outlive 6-feet drops. Pixel 6 can also be obtainable in additional enjoyable colours: Sorta Seafoam, Kinda Coral, and Stormy Black in comparison with the Pixel 6a’s Chalk, Charcoal, and Sage.
Although the Pixel 6 is nicer to carry, I don’t discover the usability trade-offs definitely worth the effort, particularly given the Pixel 6a appears and feels equivalent, to an extent.
Winner: Pixel 6a for one-hand use, Pixel 6 for high-end supplies
Google Pixel 6a vs Pixel 6: Show
Whereas each the Pixel 6a and Pixel 6 have an always-on 1080p HDR display, the latter’s panel is 0.3 inches taller and incorporates a 90Hz refresh price versus the previous’s 60Hz.
Except you’ve got beforehand owned a telephone with a better refresh price, the Pixel 6a’s show performs nice. In case you have, you’ll see a distinction. On the Pixel 6, actions like scrolling and navigating the UI are a lot smoother than on the Pixel 6a.
Apart from that, there’s not rather a lot to separate these two screens. They’re a lot vivid, practically bezel-less, vivid, and sharp for almost every part you’d need to do.
Winner: Pixel 6
Google Pixel 6a vs Pixel 6: {Hardware}
The Pixel 6 can survive as much as 1.5-meter deep water for half-hour because of its IP68 score, whereas the Pixel 6a’s IP67 certification can go as much as a meter for half-hour. One other {hardware} benefit of the Pixel 6 is that it helps the aptX HD Bluetooth commonplace that permits you to stream high-quality music on wi-fi equipment.
Aside from that, the Pixel 6a and the Pixel 6 have an equivalent set of stereo audio system, no headphone jack, and an in-screen fingerprint sensor.
Winner: Pixel 6
Google Pixel 6a vs Pixel 6: Efficiency
The Pixel 6a and the Pixel 6 are powered by the identical Tensor octa-core chip from Google. Nonetheless, the Pixel 6 advantages from an additional 2GB of RAM (8GB vs 6GB). Along with an entry-level 128GB storage variant, it additionally has a 256GB mannequin, whereas the Pixel 6a is proscribed to 128GB.
Throughout my assessments, each of them went toe-to-toe in efficiency and dealing with on a regular basis duties. Even once I was hopping between resource-intensive apps like video editors and high-end video games, I didn’t encounter any stutters or lags on both system. Digital camera shutter pace in quick-fire bursts was snappy, however the 6a does take a further second to course of and save footage.
On the Geekbench benchmark app, the Pixel 6 scored larger within the multi-core check at 2,773 in comparison with the 6a’s 2,121. The one-core rating for each gadgets was 1,045.
Subsequently, within the first yr or two, that further 2GB of reminiscence received’t result in markedly superior efficiency on the Pixel 6. However over time, as you put in yearly updates, the Pixel 6 will most probably age higher and stay easy longer than the Pixel 6a.
Winner: Pixel 6
Google Pixel 6a vs Pixel 6: Software program
Although the Pixel 6a and 6 run on the identical Android 12 software program out of the field, the 6a is predicted to obtain updates for a yr longer as a result of it was launched about eight months later than the Pixel 6. As per Google’s web site, the 6a will get main releases till July 2025 and safety patches till July 2027.
The Pixel 6, however, is assured for main updates till October 2024 and safety ones till October 2026.
Winner: Pixel 6a
Google Pixel 6a vs Pixel 6: Battery life
The Pixel 6a and Pixel 6 sport similarly-sized batteries: 4410mAh and 4614mAh. However because of the Pixel 6’s extra demanding excessive refresh price and barely bigger show, I’ve discovered the 6a lasts a tad longer on a single cost. Each of them, on regular to heavy utilization, can comfortably go on for 1.5 and even 2 days with a screen-on time ranging between 6-7 hours.
Nonetheless, the Pixel 6 makes up for the endurance distinction with large upsides in charging speeds and capabilities. For starters, you may high it up quicker and utterly in below 90 minutes over a cable because of its 30W brick compatibility. Alternatively, the Pixel 6a is proscribed to 18W and takes a bit over 2 hours to go from 0% to 100%.
On high of that, the Pixel 6 helps wi-fi charging (21W), which is totally absent on the 6a. Not solely that however it may well additionally reverse-wireless cost different gadgets. You may place, for instance, your wi-fi earbuds’ case over its again and high it up.
Winner: Pixel 6
Google Pixel 6a vs Pixel 6: Cameras
The battle of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6a cameras is an attention-grabbing one. On paper, the setup is about equal. They even share a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens and an 8-megapixel selfie digital camera. The distinction is in the principle vast lens on the again.
The Pixel 6a carries an outdated 12.2-megapixel sensor, whereas the Pixel 6 swaps it out for a 50-megapixel digital camera. However don’t let the megapixel rely idiot you into believing one is superior to a different. You see, the Pixel 6 is hard-coded to supply 12.5-megapixel pictures via pixel-binning, a method for capturing extra mild by primarily clicking and mixing info from 4 12MP pictures (out of 50MP). However the factor is the 6a’s digital camera has a bigger aperture (f/1.7 vs. f/1.9) and an even bigger sensor (1.4µm vs 1.2µm) — each of which allow the Pixel 6a to naturally collect extra mild.
In layman’s phrases, this finally interprets right into a largely comparable digital camera expertise and efficiency. For the reason that Pixel 6a and the Pixel 6 depend upon the identical Google algorithms and chipset to course of your pictures, there’s hardly any distinction of their remaining outcomes. In each daylight and low-light situations, they each seize pictures which are well-lit and detailed. They’ve that signature Pixel contrast-y look that incorporates a sharp dynamic vary and a steadiness between the scene’s shadows and highlights.
The Pixel 6’s 50-megapixel lens does result in a stronger bokeh (blur) impact between your topic and background, however whether or not that’s a very good factor comes right down to your choice. I’ve additionally discovered that the Pixel 6 focuses faster in dimly-lit areas and through movies courtesy of its Laser auto-focus.
They arrive with a slate of helpful software program instruments as properly, together with Night time Sight for capturing stars and skies at evening and Magic Eraser for eradicating undesirable objects out of your pictures. There are two options unique to the Pixel 6: Lengthy Publicity and Motion Pan, which fixes the concentrate on a shifting object and blurs the remaining.
The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6a are equally succesful at recording movies. They’ll shoot 4K clips at as much as 60 fps and 1080p ones at a most of 240 fps.
Winner: Pixel 6
Backside line
The Google Pixel 6a is a wonderful worth to your cash. For $450, it provides a flagship processor and design, a succesful set of cameras, an edge-to-edge display, and a long-lasting battery. However for an additional $150, the Pixel 6 takes many of those qualities up a notch with a glass chassis, wi-fi charging, larger refresh price, extra reminiscence, and better storage ($699 variant). If these upgrades matter to you and you’ve got the funds, the Pixel 6 is a no brainer, but when they don’t, the Pixel 6a received’t allow you to down both.
For a greater breakdown of every telephone, take a look at our Pixel 6 and Pixel 6a opinions.
