9to5Google
By Andrew Romero
The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro had their time in the spotlight as high-end flagship devices. Now, on the budget end, comes a new contender to the arena: the Pixel 6a.
Though it hasn't been released quite yet, there is enough to glean from leaks and reports out there to get a good idea of what to expect in the future.
Release date
If we have learned anything from past Pixel releases, it's that we know nothing. We only know that Google might release the Pixel 6a sometime in May 2022. Google I/O is set for May 11 and 12. More than likely, we'll see the Pixel 6a debut on May 11.
How big will the Pixel 6a be?
It looks like the main difference between the Pixel 6a and Pixel 6/6 Pro is overall size. Based on CAD renders, it seems as though the Pixel 6a will house a 6.2-inch display based on its size, coming in at 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.7mm. The display will likely be powered by a 1080p panel, since the 6a falls under the budget category.
Camera
The Pixel 6a will house a Sony IMX363 sensor coming in at 12.2-megapixels. Other than the downgrade in the sensor's ability to capture more data, the IMX363 is physically smaller than the 50MP GN1 sensor on the Pixel 6. This means that beautiful natural bokeh directly resulting from being able to capture more light probably won't make its way to the Pixel 6a. The two other sensors - the ultrawide and selfie camera - will be the same as on the Pixel 6.
Tensor!
While the Pixel 6a will get a camera downgrade, the area where the Pixel 6 series draws its power will remain the same; the processor. The Google Pixel 6a will house Google's Tensor GS101 chip. This means that all of the incredible algorithms and processes that the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are capable of will also find a home on the Pixel 6a. Features such as Google Assistant voice typing and Live Translation will likely also be key selling points on the Pixel 6a.
Internal specs
Internally, we have an idea of what will be assisting the Tensor chip in powering this budget-friendly device. First off, we can safely assume that the Pixel 6a will come in 128GB, and possibly only 128GB. Second, according to recent benchmarks, that 128GB will be accompanied by 6GB of RAM. While not incredibly, it's plenty enough to get the job done.
In all, the Pixel 6a is going to take a lot fo design cues from the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. That, paired with 128GB storage, 6GB of RAM, and a Tensor chip should prove to be a great device that will likely only cost around $499 or less. We surely can't wait until May 11.