Our Google Pixel 6A review answers if it’s the right choice for Android users.
Check out the Pixel 6A here👉:
*CNET may get a commission from this offer
It costs $450 and stands out for its great camera, eye-catching design and easy-to-use software. The downside? The screen is a little dim, there’s no wireless charging and the Pixel 6 was just on sale for almost the same price. Plus, you might want to wait until the Pixel 7 launches in the fall to decide which phone is the best choice. Right now, the Pixel 6A is a top choice for Android fans looking to spend less than $500.
Check out the links below to learn more about the Pixel 6A.
Pixel 6A Review:
Pixel 6A vs. Pixel 6:
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Google Pixel 6A Review
00:44 Comparisons
01:50 Pixel 6A Design
02:54 Screen on Pixel 6A
03:43 Pixel 6A Cameras
05:36 Battery Life on the Pixel 6A
06:19 Processor
07:43 Conclusion
Subscribe to CNET:
Never miss a deal again! See CNET’s browser extension 👉
Follow us on TikTok:
Follow us on Instagram:
Follow us on Twitter:
Like us on Facebook:
James Dubben
July 21, 2022 at 6:33 pm
An OS update is feature I now look for
Amir Moradi
July 21, 2022 at 6:45 pm
Don’t really think no headphone jack is a big deal these days when you can just use a $5 USB c to aux adapter
CF542
July 21, 2022 at 6:59 pm
Your kitty has the same markings as mine. Did a double take when I saw him.
randamnly
July 21, 2022 at 7:22 pm
Nice
Travelling Techie
July 21, 2022 at 7:25 pm
Not sure why this phone exists. The Pixel 6a seems to be missing quite a few features of phones in the similar price bracket. Only 60Hz display (No 120Hz), old 12MP camera system (from the Pixel 2??), No wireless charging, only 18w charging capacity. Have to ask yourself though, if this phone is for the more budget conscious, how long will it actually have the legs to last, this seems behind already and is likely to get more and more swamped.
Ilpo Heikkilä
July 21, 2022 at 7:44 pm
Great video and nice phone. Unfortunetly they don’t sell it here in Finland.
Rolex
July 21, 2022 at 7:46 pm
Personally, I find this Pixel 6A expensive given the current market.
It should have at least had 90 hertz.
This smartphone is worth $300 – $350 at most.
Jorge Torrico
July 21, 2022 at 8:04 pm
Should have priced at $399-
WickermanTT
July 21, 2022 at 8:21 pm
60Hz screen, Tensor chip , no memory expansion, no headphone jack…. really how this a bargain.
Lasisi Abraham
July 21, 2022 at 10:07 pm
Promoting US products
Stevan B.
July 21, 2022 at 8:27 pm
Because big companies got us used to paying 1500 bucks (and more) for flagships – everything about 500 is “budget”. Taking away things (headphone jack, charger, sd card slot) and with even higher prices – I don’t think they are going to sell a lot of flagships in future. Phones have peaked and there’s nothing much to do, especially when it comes to hardware.
Tanner Davis
July 21, 2022 at 8:36 pm
At least you get some free pixel buds A-series if you preorder the 6a which kind of offsets the headphone jack.
A M
July 22, 2022 at 12:52 am
Plus a $300 trade in credit with a pixel 3a and newer, not too bad
Arghya Sarkar
July 21, 2022 at 9:02 pm
5:34 the lag :3
Phrancis5
July 21, 2022 at 9:35 pm
Clean OS, updates, and good camera software aren’t enough, considering there are cheaper androids (not just Chinese brands) with far better specs all around and some with longer term support as well. The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G for just under $300 has a 5.7″ 120 htz Amoled screen, expandable storage, headphone jack, snappy cpu, and will be updatable to Android 14.
David Jackson
July 21, 2022 at 9:37 pm
derp salad
Dio Titus
July 21, 2022 at 9:38 pm
Honestly, I think it would have been better if Google pulled an Apple and just simply brought the price of the regular Pixel 6 to the $450 mark when the 7 and 7 Pro flagships come out.
NotTheAverageGamerz
July 21, 2022 at 9:51 pm
Pixel 6 has been on sale recently for 499$ and shelling out a bit more is worth it for the better 6. Pixel 6 has 90hz, wireless charging, better 50mp camera, bigger and better display, 2 gb more ram, and faster 30w charging. Pixel 6a is just not worth it for the price.
Native2458
July 21, 2022 at 11:14 pm
That was a sale price not regular
Linux Aficionado
July 21, 2022 at 10:10 pm
I am not in a buying mode now but will be next year. It seems Google could of made the “a” reincarnations sort of like Apple’s SE series. Slightly smaller high-end form factor like 5a but with modern processor and camera. But they know their market better than me.
Native2458
July 21, 2022 at 11:04 pm
No sd card
Tom Degreorio
July 21, 2022 at 11:07 pm
I got the pixel 6 a week ago and love it but it’s huge and very heavy. I just ordered the Pixel 6a and hopefully it will feel better to use, I would be great if the speakers where a bit lower and had a touch mor bass then the pixel 6 but I’m sure that won’t be the case . I think a good phone is all about how it fits YOU of course it has to have a great processor so you don’t have to think about using the phone.
Dr. Steven Penny, M.D.
July 21, 2022 at 11:18 pm
Great video thank you. Is it back glass or plastic? I would rather have plastic.
Matthew Eskuchen
July 21, 2022 at 11:47 pm
I may be in a minority, but even at the same price, I’d opt for the more compact 6a vs the Pixel 6, despite other pros of upgrading.
𝖏𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖗𝖔
July 22, 2022 at 3:03 am
Yeah the 6 and 6 pro are too big
Josh Smith
July 21, 2022 at 11:50 pm
It’s not the best, per se….. I think they should have given us a good midrange, chip SD778? and added back features like the 90hz screen, maybe the 30w charging etc
Baker Kawesa
July 22, 2022 at 12:09 am
Awesome review.
Dom Larry
July 22, 2022 at 1:20 am
Wireless charging is a must these days imo
Big bro
July 22, 2022 at 12:50 pm
It’s slow and inefficient.
Maulana Rafif
July 22, 2022 at 1:26 pm
Nope, it’s a novelty, fast charging however…
pasta1298
July 22, 2022 at 4:45 pm
I would much rather have a higher refresh rate than wireless charging. I have a wireless charger on my desk at work and never use it. It’s too slow and I find that I pick up my phone too often to really get any use out of it. I’d rather just plug it in. Everyone’s situation is different of course.
Charoen P
July 22, 2022 at 1:36 am
No design it’s look piece of brick so bored
Wild Bill
July 22, 2022 at 2:13 am
I hear it has heating problems.. cancelled my order..
Mieka Marie Hodson
July 22, 2022 at 2:19 am
still no 256 storage option
ANDROID MAID
July 22, 2022 at 2:48 am
Tensor is a capable chipset
Berry Mckockiner
July 22, 2022 at 4:14 am
The nothing phone is better than the pixel 6a
Minaz Khan
July 22, 2022 at 4:17 am
Is it glass back or plastic back
Kindly reply
Thanks in advance
Abraham Clayton
July 22, 2022 at 4:20 am
Do you guys think that upgrading from a pixel 4 to a 6a is worth it? It would be 150 bucks to upgrade…
AEgis
July 22, 2022 at 12:48 pm
I think yes because the security updates are ending soon. I have the 4a and I’m struggling with the decision since I’ve seen so many bad things about the 6’s fingerprint reader
Mohamed Ahmed
July 22, 2022 at 6:59 am
The 4a was hyped the same way but now am having touch response issues without any update to address it. I would never buy a pixel ever again.
Angel Balderas
July 22, 2022 at 7:01 am
samsungs low light photos look HORRIBLE !!!
DANonPC
July 22, 2022 at 7:13 am
Free buds make it worth it?
mkd1r
July 22, 2022 at 7:28 am
Is this video bought by Google? Best phone under $500? What are you smoking? You get a S21FE already for 480, a A53 for 320. What are you guys smoking?
Nizar Noor
July 22, 2022 at 9:51 am
I wish Pixel 6 Pro came out in 6a size
Pulang Kampung
July 22, 2022 at 10:42 am
Android genosida memang di ciptakan merekam Azab Kafir,.gak percaya .,?
Buktikan saja.
Eminem
July 22, 2022 at 11:20 am
It reminds me of Nokia Lumia
James Green
July 22, 2022 at 11:41 am
The yellow flower looks orange.
Maulana Rafif
July 22, 2022 at 1:25 pm
Not even the best Android under $450
Divyam Maheshwari
July 22, 2022 at 1:50 pm
You’re so out of touch with the smartphone market…
Daniel Hall
July 22, 2022 at 5:18 pm
Looks like a pretty good upgrade for me from the Pixel 4A. Google is also running a preorder deal right now where I can trade in my 4A for $300 and get Pixel Buds A series for free. The 6a with the Pixel Bud A series comes out to $182 with tax after the $300 trade in credit. This phone is definitely worth $182, particularly with my 4A battery life and performance starting to get worse.
Neev
July 24, 2022 at 2:27 pm
Did you get it?
Kokkraj _
July 22, 2022 at 9:07 pm
Still can’t use Pixel phones across the whole Europe…
Tomas Bartkevicius
July 23, 2022 at 7:45 am
Hack PRO. Bug edition
John Manalo
July 23, 2022 at 2:07 pm
4:00 is it just me or the flowers in the photos are in the orange shade and not yellow?!
Nelly Mchoraji Gifted
July 23, 2022 at 2:27 pm
Poco F4 GT costs 440, has Snapdragon gen 1 processor, 120watts charging, 120 Watts amoled screen, 256GB ROM, 8 GB RAM, 5000mah battery…. And you say pixel 6A is the best phone under 500?
JollyOldCanuck
July 24, 2022 at 9:04 pm
The Pixel 6a has superior software support.
For Who? Who For?
July 24, 2022 at 1:39 am
*I got am unlocked Moto G100, 6’7 inch 1080 Super LCD display, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, Headphone Jack, SD card support, Snapdragon 870, 6K recording and imaging, Screen Mirror support for Laptop and TV, all for 299*
Lamonte Steve
July 24, 2022 at 3:22 am
No thanks
Elazar Kotkes
July 24, 2022 at 8:56 am
Zenfone 9 might be a better overall deal. Worth checking out on July 28th
Vaux Glandzer
July 24, 2022 at 12:44 pm
Google pixel phones should start becomes available worldwide..
TattleTeller
July 24, 2022 at 2:17 pm
The SD card slot and the 5000mah battery are enough to make me pick Samsung.
Hashira Knight Walker
July 24, 2022 at 8:18 pm
Pre orders mine this morning
Blue Diamond
July 25, 2022 at 3:18 am
buy anything , a cheap one will do better, I hate it, i got google pixel 1 and i fell in love with it, so i thought google 6 pro omg it most be amazing , big mistake, i can honestly say is the worst phone i have ever had, so bad it made me love my old samsung phone ,so i said since i expend all this money in this trash I will use it to play music while i play, but no , this trash keeps stopping my music and it keeps tryint to snich , yes I HATE IT.
jayce ng
July 25, 2022 at 4:14 am
next Google Tablet，give like that Google will do a tablet
Tony Ginnetti
July 25, 2022 at 12:55 pm
I think it’s important to note that those “alleged bugs” that a handful of the original Pixel 6 devices were experiencing have been eliminated for months now thanks to recent software updates – and those bugs can be attributed to Android 12 more than the actual devices! I purchased my standard Pixel 6 when it was launched and have never experienced ANY issues whatsoever! Even the fingerprint sensor has worked well……..maybe a little laggy over the first few months but even that has improved immensely with the recent updates! Not only is the Pixel 6 a tremendous phone at $599.99 but it’s a tremendous phone PERIOD!
Matthew Watson
July 25, 2022 at 8:34 pm
At 149$ delivered with free Pixel Buds (99$value) after 300$ Pixel 4a5g trade-in, why not? Don’t need 120hz screen–still not using it on my work 1+ 7Pro. Prefer the longer battery life, and already set up for Google Pixel chargers and USB C cables in office, home, & car. No need for Qi charging and case issues. Agreed that the Pixel 2 camera has improved, but do wonder how much longer they can still use it. Still not enough to beat the upgrade price. 149$=done deal.