by The Google Pixel 6a was announced at Google IO in May, but it won’t go on sale until July. As we wait, more promotional images of the mid-range handset have been leaked, giving us a better look at the device’s hardware and software.
These photos are from a well-known tipster Evan Blas (opens in new tab) on Twitter, and they look exactly as you would expect from official Google ad shots. The three colors are on display – chalk (white), sage (green) and charcoal (grey) – and there are some lifestyle shots to browse too.
While the images don’t really tell us anything we don’t know about these phones, there’s plenty of it. If you’re planning on picking up a Google Pixel 6a in late July, keep those shots on your toes until then.
Some 6A pixels to enjoy. pic.twitter.com/2jsMK8Y5FGJune 14, 2022
what we know
The Google Pixel 6a goes on sale on July 28, with pre-orders open a week in advance. It’ll set you back $449 / £399 / AU$749, and there’s a spec configuration that gives you 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
It’s all powered by the same first-gen Tensor chipset that powers the Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro, so performance should be top-notch. We also know that the phone will have a 6.1-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a 60Hz refresh rate.
As for the cameras, Google has opted for a 12.2-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera on the back, with an 8-megapixel camera on the front for selfies. The battery capacity is 4,410mAh and you can charge it at a rate of 30W.
Analysis: Google’s slow-burn phone is coming
Google took the somewhat unusual step of announcing the Pixel 6a, and indeed the Google Pixel 7, well in advance of actual sale – and we’re not sure that’s a particularly good move.
The company has a template for this. Remember when Google told us the Pixel 4a with 5G and Pixel 5 were coming months before the phones actually go on sale. That was at the same time that the Google Pixel 4a was introduced to the world, so Google likes to announce phones in batches.
On the one hand, it gives consumers plenty of warning about what to expect. Money can be saved, plans can be made and it means you won’t be caught buying an older handset days before a new one shows up out of the blue. Knowing more about what’s coming makes purchasing decisions easier.
It does mean, however, that by the time they’re finally available to buy, phones may already seem old and outdated – and there’s a risk of showing your cards too soon. We’ll have to wait and see how successful the approach is in terms of Pixel 6a sales.
