The Pixel 6 has only been on the market for a month, but speculations about an “a” model are already circulating. Given Google’s tradition since 2019, this isn’t entirely surprising, but the corporation hasn’t exactly been consistent in this area either. There’s some new information about the Pixel 6a that may pique some Pixel fans’ interest, but it’s way too early to make a decision, given how easy things can change at the last minute these days.
Google unveiled a cheap version of its Pixel flagship, the Pixel 3a, for the first time in 2019. The formula was basic and nearly predictable back then, with the Pixel 3a resembling its more expensive counterpart but for one crucial detail. In comparison to the Snapdragon 845 on the Pixel 3, the Pixel 3a had a Snapdragon 6-series chipset.
Last year’s Pixel phones, on the other hand, disproved assumptions by releasing three essentially similar phones. The Pixel 5 was hardly a premium flagship, so it’s no surprise that the Pixel 5a 5G, released a few months ago, was practically identical to it. The Pixel 6a is nearly anyone’s guess without a consistent pattern, and this latest detail adds to the confusion.
9to5Google reports that According to Google’s examination of the Google Camera app, the Pixel 6a, codenamed “Bluejay,” will use a 12.2MP Sony IMX363 camera sensor. Since the Pixel 3 in 2018, Google has been employing the same nearly obsolete hardware. However, the phone may employ the same 12MP Sony IMX386 sensor for its ultra-wide camera as the Pixel 6 and the same 8MP Sony IMX355 front-facing camera.
The idea that the Pixel 6a will still feature Google’s Tensor CPU rather than an off-the-shelf Snapdragon 6 or 7 series makes the rumour fascinating. As we saw in our recent Pixel 6 review, this could help compensate for the lower-grade camera hardware while still maintaining the acclaimed Pixel shooting experience.
However, a Tensor chip in the Pixel 6a sounds almost too good to be true, given how much it would cost Google to manufacture the phone, which will retail for a significantly cheaper price. The Pixel 6a is more likely to use a Snapdragon 7 Gen1 processor, or whatever it’ll be called next year, which will make it an actual mid-range phone. After all, there were allegations that previous Pixel phones, even with Google Tensor, could perform some of the image feats of the Pixel 6.
However, Google startled the market with its astounding $599 price tag for the Pixel 6, so the Pixel 6a might still be a surprise. Even if there are considerable cost reductions when using current materials and production pipelines dedicated to making the Google Tensor, some possible difficulties are owing to the chip shortage. It’s anyone’s guess at this moment, although one can certainly hope that Google will continue to promote their Tensor-powered experience.
Source: 9to5google
