Google Pixel 6a review: great balance and lots of yield

In this very hot summer, the moment of Google Pixel 6a has also arrived, announced during the Google I / O and finally available from today also in Italy. Well-calibrated list price, Google Tensor, Pixel-style camera and a modern design make it one of the most successful smartphones in recent months, net of some compromise on which probably something more could be done. But let’s go in order and find out all the details of Google Pixel 6a.

To see it the Pixel 6a a Pixel 6 (and 6 Pro) in a more compact size, a rather important difference that from the first contact made us appreciate it more than the older brothers, although obviously it is a subjective consideration. To be precise, the dimensions are 71.8 x 152.16 x 8.85 mm, the weight of 176 grams.

Just like the Pixel cousins the impeccable build quality and embellished by IP67 certification against water and dust. We said that the design remains almost the same, with the distinguishable “camera bar” and a two-tone plastic rear body, the surface treatment of the aluminum frame is also beautiful, opaque and slightly rough, which makes the smartphone less slippery than average.

On the front, the frames are a bit thicker than other competitors, with the chin just more pronounced, they really do not bother at all and go well with the punch hole for the centrally positioned front camera. As with Pixel 6, all around the front glass there is a black plastic frame that acts as a link with the metal edge, a detail that is often seen in the mid-range and that makes the look a little less refined.

On a constructive level, the most important differences with the superior models are the back cover in composite materialwhich, however, when compared with the glass of the Pixel 6 is practically indistinguishable, and the protection of the display that is entrusted to a Gorilla Glass 3against the Victus of the older brothers, even the certification against water and dust stops at IP67 degree instead of IP68, never mind.

There are three colors available, sage green, light gray and anthracite gray. Beyond the technical data, the feedback transmitted in the hand by the Pixel 6a that of a smartphone built well and made with quality materialsand for this we must also give some credit to the vibration motor, really perfect and punctual in giving physicality to the interactions with the touch screen.

The Pixel 6a display ever the least convincing part from a technical point of viewit is a 6.4-inch 60Hz OLED without particular points of interest and with only a fair quality. The brightness is not very high and its readability outdoors is somewhat affected. There is also a reflection of too much and a tendency to vary the colors if you look from a side point of view, in short, a classic mid-range OLED display, we have seen better ones on decidedly cheaper smartphones.

As for the refresh rate, the first impact was a bit unsettling, we are now used to higher values. In truth, it must be admitted that after a few hours our brain does a nice reset and we completely forget about the old 60 Hz, confirming that it is more a matter of habit and impression, the speed of a product given by another. .

All good with proximity luminosity sensors, perfect oleophobic treatment and a rarity lately.

Google Pixel the essence of Android, but also the only software that brings out the qualities of the green robot as Google has thought of them. That’s how it is using the Pixel 6a an always pleasant and streamlined experience, simple but never banal. The accurate graphics, the smooth and consistent animations, the precise and punctual sounds as well as the haptic feedback.

There is no shortage of exclusive Pixel functions such as Live Translate also in Italian or the recorder with automatic transcription, but also the Google assistant that answers phone calls or stays on hold and an “at a Glance” widget that dynamically shows the most useful information user during the day, to which are added the features of the Google Photos app such as the “magic eraser”, the cropping of the subject or the modification of the sky.

Unlike the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro that hit the market with a ton of bugs, things are profoundly different here. We have now had the opportunity to try the Pixel 6a for a month and we have not encountered any major malfunctions or annoying bugs, everything runs smoothly without stumbling, evidently the refinement work carried out on the two superior models in recent months, served as a basis for the newcomer.

In any case, Pixel 6a will benefit from a long software support, at least 3 years of Android updates (13,14,15 ideally) e 5 of security patches updated every monthplus quarterly feature drops and beta channels to preview new software releases.

The fingerprint reader integrated in the display is not lightning but does not present particular slowdowns, so to speak we go much better than on the Pixel 6 of the early days, but not as fast as the Pixel 6 Pro reader, that is, we are average.

As far as security is concerned, we find here the same attention that Google has reserved for the rest of the family, in fact present the Titan M2 chip for the storage of personal data. Then there are the SOS functions, accident detection, safety check and emergency contacts, which have recently been renewed and offer a nice utility package for the user.

• Screen: OLED 6.1 “Full HD +, 20: 9 aspect ratio, 60 Hz refresh rate, HIAA center
• SoC: Google Tensor GS101
• Safety: Titan M2 chip, fingerprint reader for biometric authentication under the display
• Memory: 6GB LPDDR4X RAM, 128GB storage
• Cameras:
  • Front wide: 8 MP (Sony IMX355), 84 FOW, fixed focus
  • Rear: 12.2MP main (Sony IMX363 DP) with OIS + 12MP ultra wide angle (Sony IMX386)
  • Night Sight, Face Deblur, Magic Eraser, Real Tone

• Audio: stereo, 2 microphones
• Connectivity: USB-C 3.0 (no video out), 5G (SA / NSA), Wi-Fi 6E, Dual Chain Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, eSIM, NFC, GPS (L1 only)
• Operating system: Android 12
• Battery: 4,400 mAh with 18W charging
• Dimensions and weight: 71.8×152.16, x8.85 mm; rear camera protrusion 1.08mm; 178 g
• Frame thickness: upper 4.27 mm; lateral 3,935 mm; bottom 5.71 mm
• Certification: IP67

Looking at the data sheet, the element that stands out most is the presence of the SoC Google Tensor, the same processor of the Pixel 6 Pro flagship that testifies to how Google has designed an economical model but with precise limits to stay within. In fact, we have saved on the display, on wireless charging and even on the GPS module but on performance and therefore on the fluidity of the user experience there are no compromises.

Indeed the little one is a real ace when it comes to performanceon the other hand, without overheating despite the torrid period we are going through and everything has a positive effect on gaming but also in the recording of videos that reach 4K at 60 fps without sacrificing stabilization.

We also know that the Tensor is not a chip that focuses entirely on raw power, but is associated with a particular attention to machine learning processes, and in fact, Pixel 6a is unrivaled in all situations in which computing capacity is required. AI, such as the preview of the shots, the HDR functions, or simply the energy management of resources, which over time improves more and more by increasing the autonomy considerably.

AUTONOMY AND RECHARGE

The 4410 mAh battery which are not very many in an absolute sense, but in the field test they proved to be more than enough to close a full day of use. In reality, with a little attention, the two days are also covered and compared to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro it seems that the smartphone better digest stressful situations such as GPS navigation, or sunny days with maximum brightness.

In numerical terms we are more or less around 6 hours 30 min of display on spread over the day, but it must be taken into account that with the heat and long days the results can be slightly underestimated.

Instead, the disappointing recharge, just 18 Watts with cable and no wireless charging, something more could be done. For the record, the power supply not included in the package.

AUDIO AND MULTIMEDIA

Google Pixel 6a leans on two good quality stereo speakers, it does not reach the levels of the mighty Pixel 6 Pro but we certainly cannot complain. The audio jack for the headphones is missing but well replaced by the Bluetooth connection in version 5.2.

TELEPHONE PART AND CONNECTIVITY

The smartphone supports a physical nano SIM and an eSIM, the audio quality in call is very good, it is a pity that only one of the two speakers is used in hands-free mode.

Another not exactly positive consideration concerns the reception, good but not excellent, so we happened to find ourselves a bit in difficulty in the poorly covered areas, where other smartphones did not present problems.

Let’s talk about the photographic sector, historically a strong point of the Pixels and here too certainly rise to the occasion, despite the adoption of objectively dated hardware. Compared to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro which are equipped with a 50 MP camera with Samsung GN1 sensor, on the newcomer we find once again a 12 MP main camera with Sony IMX363accompanied by a ultrawide 12 MP (the same as the Pixel 6) and one 8 MP front with IMX355that is the same sensor that we carry with us from the Pixel 3.

Analyzing only the technical aspect, BigG’s choices could be more than questionable, but then we clash with the reality of the facts that he shows us. fabulous images, with that “Pixel” paste that alas was a bit lost on the new models at the end of 2021. Right now the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro have something more, especially in terms of detail, but overall even Pixel 6a does not make them regret and indeed, demonstrates all the reliability of the hardware and software combination that has left its mark by now. a few years. Also good on ultrawide and selfies, but useless to go around it, here the software that truly works wonders. The videos are of a high standard, but you will soon see a video on our channel in which most of the clips were made with the smartphone, testifying to the reliability demonstrated in the field test.

Google Pixel 6a on pre-order from todaythe first deliveries are scheduled for July 29, you can buy on the official website and also on Amazon (link below), for more with Pixel buds as a gift.

The list price of 459 Euros, in the only memory cut expected 6/128 GB. In our opinion it is a correct positioning, for a product that has no particular flashes but that manages to do everything damn well, from photographs to autonomy, passing through top performance and impeccable build quality.

If anything, one might wonder about the relationship with the Pixel 6, 649 Euros only on paper because Google itself often discounts it under 600 Euros, for him the best display, best materials, wireless charging, faster cable charging and better main camera. For 100 Euros it is definitely worth it, the only consideration to keep in mind on the size, because on this the Pixel 6a is another story.

Overall, therefore, a more than positive judgmenta pity only for the hardly understandable choice on the 60 Hz display, which mind you, does not ruin the experience of use, but for those who are more attentive to the technical aspect, it will certainly leave a bit of a bitter taste in the mouth.