This Google Pixel 6 vs Pixel 5a comparison will help you see how the new Google phones compare.
This Pixel 6 vs Pixel 5a comparison will help you decide if a Pixel 6 or Pixel 5a is right for you.
The affordable Pixel 5a is now available for purchase and ranks among the top Android phones. It’s not surprising that the Pixel 5a is so affordable, with the best camera experience for under £500.
The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, which are both in development, will be able to elevate the Pixel line. We expect great things from the new Pixels, including improved camera hardware and Google’s Tensor system-on-chip. We hope that the Pixel 6 Pro will be the best overall camera phone, with its triple-lens setup.
This Pixel 5a vs. Pixel 6 comparison looks at the phones based on what we know and rumours. The Pixel 5a is an excellent phone for £449. It remains to be seen if the premium for the regular Pixel 6 or the Pro is worth it.
Google Pixel 5a and Pixel 6: Prices and availability
The only official place to get a Pixel 5a is the Google Store or Google Fi carrier. Only one model is available for £449. The Pixel 5a is only available in the USA and Japan.
Although we don’t yet know what Google plans for the Pixel 6, we do hope there will be a wider range of availability.
We don’t yet know the prices of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, but Google has stated that they will be high-priced products. We don’t know what this means, but it could be as high as £999 or higher. The Pixel 5a’s £449 starting price might make it even more appealing once Google launches the Pixel 6.
Google Pixel 5a and Pixel 6: Design
The Pixel 5a maintained the same safe design language as the Pixels. The Pixel 5a doesn’t have a beautiful design, although Google’s focus on function over form is not bad. It is a slab of plastic in off-black with the Pixel square module camera and fingerprint sensor. That’s all.
Google teased us already with the Pixel 6’s radical new design. We had seen it in leaks. The new phones will feature a central front-facing camera with a hole-punch design.
Rather than the camera cutout in the left corner as the Pixel 4a/5G, 5a, and 5a, the new Pixel will have a camera bar that spans the width of your phone. This bar will replace our square-shaped camera module from the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL.
The Pixel 6 will also have a tri-tone scheme. This is a significant change from the single-colour options on the previous three Pixels. Google seems to be returning to fun colours. The Pixel 5 had a break from the original colour choices and used a soft sage as an alternative to black. The Pixel 6 would stand out from the crowd of Android phones with new colours.
The Pixel 6 will likely have a metal frame with a glass back. This will be quite different from the Pixel 5a’s plastic body. However, this is a budget phone, so no one expects premium materials. The Pixel 6 should feel high-end.
Google Pixel 5a and Pixel 6: Displays
The Pixel 5a features a 6.43 inch FHD+ OLED display and a 60Hz refresh rate. We really liked that feature in our review. The Pixel 5a has good colours and brightness. It is also great for watching movies and playing games. Although it’s not as good as the OnePlus 9 Pro or the Galaxy S21 Ultra, the Pixel 5a’s screen is still quite affordable.
Google confirmed that two Pixel 6 models will be available, one regular and one larger. According to rumours, the first will have a 6.4 inch OLED FHD+ display and a 90Hz refresh rate. The Pixel 6 Pro should feature a 6.7-inch OLED FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
The only difference between the Pixel 5a’s display screen and the rumoured Pixel 6’s is the refresh rate (60Hz instead of 90Hz). However, we will need to do display benchmarks and side-by-side comparisons to determine if the Pixel 6’s screen is worth the extra money.
The Pixel 6 Pro’s display is a massive upgrade to the Pixel 5a. The Pro may have twice the refresh rate and a resolution jump of up to 1440p. This all adds up to a significant upgrade.
Google Pixel 5a and Pixel 6: Cameras
Pixel phones excel in photography, regardless of whether they are a flagship or mid-range phone. Google has been pushing the boundaries in smartphone photography for years, and while other manufacturers may have caught up, the Pixel 6 could take things further with its powerful hardware and AI skills.
Google has added a 16MP ultrawide lens on the Pixel 5a to its budget phone. The Pixel 5a still uses the 12.2MP primary sensor from its predecessor. The Pixel 5a is now the most powerful camera phone under £500.
The base model Pixel 6 will have a massive 50MP primary sensor and a 12MP ultrawide, according to rumours. Although megapixel counts aren’t everything (as Google repeatedly demonstrated throughout the life of the Pixel line), they will add to the professional quality.
Photos of Pixel 6 with Appeal
Rumours suggest that the Pixel 6 Pro will add a 48MP telephoto lens and 4x optical zoom. Google already offers one of the most powerful digital zooms, the Super Res Zoom. This uses AI to enhance zoomed-in images. We are excited to see how far the Pixel 6 Pro can go. The Pixel 6 Pro’s zoom capabilities could be comparable to the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s thanks to Super Res Zoom and AI enhancements using the Tensor chip.
Google Pixel 5a and Pixel 6: Tensor chip, specs
Tensor is Google’s latest in-house system-on-chip. The Pixel 5a used a Snapdragon 765G. However, the Pixel 6 will not be using a Qualcomm chip. Tensor is a company that pushes the boundaries in AI and machine-learning applications. This makes the phones extremely powerful.
Rumours suggest that the Pixel 6 will have 8GB RAM, while the Pro may have 12GB. The Pixel 5a has 6GB RAM, which is sufficient for most applications.
Let’s return to Tensor. With rumours suggesting that Google might support the Pixel 6 for at least five years, this new chip could enable Google to be the closest to an iPhone. This is a rare feat for Android phones. Apple is known for its support of its iPhones over many years. 2015 iPhones will get iOS 15.
We fully expect the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6 to support and mmWave 5G networks.
Google Pixel 5a and Pixel 6: Batteries, Pixel Stand
At 4,630 mAh, the Pixel 5a’s largest battery has ever been found in a Pixel phone. This has resulted in real-world battery life improvements over other Pixel phones. The Pixel 6 Pro will take this one step further.
Rumours suggest that the smaller of the new Pixels will have a 4,614mAh battery, while the Pro may have a massive 5,000 mAh power pack. The Pixel 6 phones may last quite a while without needing to be charged.
A leaked listing for the new Pixel Stand suggests that the Pixel 6 could have faster wireless charging, which the Pixel 5a does not offer. There are rumours that the Pixel 6 may support 33W charging. This would be a significant improvement on the 18W charging of the 5a.
Google Pixel 5a and Pixel 6: Outlook
We’ll need to wait until the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6 Pro are in our hands to make a final judgment. However, it seems like the new phones will offer many upgrades over the Pixel 5a. This is to be expected. However, Google’s current budget offering does the job for most people at £449. It is a powerful camera phone.
Google warned that the Pixel 6 would be a premium-priced product, so the 5a’s below £500.
The new phones’ MSRPs might make the price even more appealing. Many people might find it difficult to justify buying a Pixel 6 when they have the 5a, which does a great job at most tasks. Google plans to push the new phones, so some Android enthusiasts can choose the Pixel 6 or Pro. We’ll be watching to see how that turns out.
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