The Pixel 6a is Google's latest addition to the Pixel family. Naturally, many are wondering if it's worth the $449 price tag and whether the device lives up to the reputation of the Pixel a-series. In this guide, we'll be looking at the five biggest differences between the Pixel 6a and the regular Pixel 6 to help you make a better buying decision.

1. Camera

The main camera on the Pixel 6a is notably different from the one on the regular Pixel 6, in that the former has an older 12.2MP f/1.7 lens (the same one used since the Pixel 4) while the latter has an improved 50MP f/1.9 lens with Laser Auto-Focus. Both devices use the same 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide lens and 8MP f/2.0 front cameras.

This doesn't mean the Pixel 6a has a bad camera. After all, the Pixel 4 and 5 are still some of the best phones on the market for photography, so naturally, the Pixel 6a fills their shoes just as well. But it certainly won't be as good as the Pixel 6.

That said, the Pixel 6a can theoretically deliver a better bokeh effect since it has a wider aperture which gives a smaller depth of field. Still, this is not a huge difference. Plus, the Pixel 6a has all the camera features of the Pixel 6 like Night Sight, Magic Eraser, Real Tone, and more.

2. RAM and Storage

The Pixel 6 offers 8GB RAM and 128GB storage on the base variant and can be upped to 256GB storage. The Pixel 6a, however, is limited to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage which might be a little off-putting to you.

For power users and gamers who benefit greatly from more RAM and storage, the Pixel 6 is the obvious choice. However, while it would've been great to see the same on the Pixel 6a, 6GB RAM is fine for the average user.

3. Build Quality

The Pixel 6a is significantly weaker than the Pixel 6 in terms of durability. On the front, the former comes with Gorilla Glass 3 protection while the latter flaunts its much tougher Gorilla Glass Victus.

For reference, Gorilla Glass 3 was released in 2013 and is the third generation of Corning's strengthened glass technology while Gorilla Glass Victus was released in 2020 and is the seventh generation of the same. Basically, this means the Pixel 6 is more likely to survive an accidental drop than the Pixel 6a.

Furthermore, the Pixel 6a comes with a plastic back while the Pixel 6 has a more premium glass back with Gorilla Glass 6 protection. The former is also a little less water-resistant with its IP67 rating compared to the latter's better IP68 rating.

4. Display

The Pixel 6 has a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support, while the Pixel 6a has a smaller 6.1-inch OLED display that's limited to 60Hz.

A 60Hz refresh rate is certainly not in line with current smartphone standards—including mid-range devices like the Samsung Galaxy A53 and A33—and can be a deal-breaker for many. Anyone who has ever used a high refresh rate device before knows that going back to 60Hz is next to impossible, so take that into consideration before you make your decision.

5. Battery and Charging

Google Pixel 6a front and back view
Image Credit: Made by Google

The Pixel 6a has a slightly smaller 4410mAh battery than the Pixel 6's 4614mAh battery. Yet since the former has a smaller screen and a 60Hz refresh rate, it uses less power than the latter and is therefore unlikely to show any significant difference in overall battery life.

The bigger difference between the two devices is their charging speed. The Pixel 6a supports up to 18W fast charging while the Pixel 6 supports up to 30W. The latter also supports 21W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, but the 6a doesn't have either of those features.

The Pixel 6a Makes a Handful of Compromises

The a-series Pixel phones have quite a reputation among enthusiasts for being affordable yet well-rounded devices. For the lower price, you do indeed have to make some sacrifices, but you're still getting the best of Android before anyone else, not to mention Google's frequent feature drops.

The same is the story with the Pixel 6a. For $449, you're getting top-notch software and the same Google Tensor chip found on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. However, you're having to settle with a 60Hz refresh rate, less durable screen, plastic back, slower charging, smaller display, and limited memory.