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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a better screen and battery life, the Pixel 6 has a larger screen and longer battery endurance. For performance, both phones feature the same processor and have equivalent base storage. However, the Pixel 6 offers more RAM, which could enhance multitasking and overall speed. The Pixel 6 also comes with a marginally higher-quality camera system. On the flip side, the Pixel 6a is slightly lighter and more compact due to its smaller screen size, which might be preferred for better portability and ease of handling. Both phones are built on the same platform, so your choice might come down to preferring a larger screen and slightly better performance and camera with the Pixel 6 or going for the smaller form factor of the Pixel 6a. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 6
- The Google Pixel 6 has no clear advantages over the Google Pixel 6a.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 6a
- Good battery life
Key differences
Battery
6.9 Hours
7.6 Hours
The Google Pixel 6 has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$270
$400
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Google Pixel 6 has a price of $270 and the Google Pixel 6a costs $400.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.7
7.6
The Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6a both have good overall cameras quality.
The Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6a both have high selfie quality scores, providing great front camera results, backed by strong software that enhances photo resolution, dynamic range, and low-light performance. However, the Pixel 6 offers slightly better camera versatility and photo software experience, which could affect the quality and variety of shots you can take beyond selfies.
Photo Quality
7.7
7.4
The Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6a both have good photos.
The Google Pixel 6 takes very good photos due to its high-quality software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance; its selfie camera is also rated well. On the other hand, while the Google Pixel 6a matches the 6's software experience and has a similarly good selfie camera, it comes in a more budget-friendly package which may mean some tradeoffs in features not explicitly rated here, such as build quality or screen refresh rate.
Video Quality
7.0
7.2
The Google Pixel 6a and Google Pixel 6 both have good videos.
The Google Pixel 6a takes better videos than the Pixel 6 because it has higher scores in video stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance, indicating more stable footage with better contrast and clarity in various lighting conditions. Additionally, the Pixel 6a's superior mic quality suggests that it captures clearer audio, enhancing the overall video experience.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6 has a screen size of 6.4 inches and the Google Pixel 6a is 6.1 inches.
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How the Google Pixel 6 and the Google Pixel 6a compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6 | Google Pixel 6a |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$270 | $400 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | |||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 28, 2022 | July 21, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.4" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 411 | 429 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | Tensor | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.9 Hours | 7.6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4614 mAh | 4410 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 21 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (5 watts) | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.24" x 2.94" | 5.99" x 2.83" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.30 oz | 6.28 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | |
Color | |||
Color | Stormy Black, Sorta Seafoam, Kinda Coral | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 6
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Police
Taylor Kerns | April 2022
"It punches above its weight in nearly every way: performance is great, build quality is very good, and the cameras positively rip. this is a big phone, which is a bit of a shock after the compact Pixel 4 and Pixel 5. But it’s a very good big phone at a very good price."
Google Pixel 6a
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Ron Amadeo | July 2022
"it's very hard to find fault with the Pixel 6a. It has a processor that, in the US at least, blows away other Android phones in this price range. The design is great, the camera is fine, and the price is right. What's not to like?"
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6 or the Google Pixel 6a
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
137,100
Recommendations made
77,690
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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