Google Pixel 6a could get the Pixel 6’s best feature

Google Pixel 6a could go the Pixel half dozen's best characteristic

(Image credit: 91mobiles / OnLeaks)

Update: U.K. readers who can't wait for the Pixel 6a can at present get the Pixel half dozen on sale for Black Fri, with iD Mobile offer it for just £27 a month and £19 upfront.

At that place's a good news/bad news situation on the latest specs leak for the Google Pixel 6a. It looks like Google'south next budget phone will feature the same Tensor chipset just introduced to the Pixel half dozen flagships, just the chief camera won't be every bit powerful.

That'south the word from 9to5Google, which credits the news on the Pixel 6a's master photographic camera to information in the Photographic camera app discovered by its APK Insight Team. According to the written report, the Pixel 6a is going to use a 12.2MP Sony IMX363 principal sensor, which is what previous A series Pixels have used. That was besides the primary photographic camera in the Pixel flagships until the Pixel 6 switched to a 50MP sensor for its chief shooter.

In addition to the increase in megapixels, the Pixel 6 sensor is also larger than what previous Pixels have used, so it lets in more than light. If the Pixel 6a opts for the smaller Sony IMX363 sensor, you won't run into that same do good in depression-low-cal shots.

On the ane hand, information technology would make sense that a flagship phone would utilise a amend camera setup than a lower-cost budget phone. Simply Google hasn't always operated like that. Instead, its Pixel A phones take oft relied upon the aforementioned camera sensors and features plant in the flagship Google phones. Based on this rumor, it seems like that policy is coming to an end with the Pixel 6a.

Other cameras on the Pixel 6a will reportedly match what the Pixel 6 offers. That includes the 12MP ultrawide angle lens on the dorsum of the phone forth with the 8MP front camera. And as we saw from Pixel 6a renders that have emerged this month, the upcoming telephone is expected to adopt the horizontal camera bar that makes the Pixel 6 look so distinctive.

The Google Pixel 6 Pro (in black) and Google Pixel 6 (in coral) laid next to each other on wooden decking — Pixel half-dozen Pro and Pixel 6 (Image credit: Tom'southward Guide)

Both the Pixel 5a and Pixel 6 rank among the best camera phones we've tested in the by year. You'd look the Pixel 6a to also put upwards a good fight against other budget photographic camera phones when information technology's slated to come up out adjacent year, but it seems possible that information technology could fall short of the Pixel 6's picture quality.

The Tensor news in the 9to5Google report is more encouraging. The Pixel 5a runs on a Snapdragon 765G chipset, though that phone debuted before Google introduced its ain Tensor system-on-scrap. With the Tensor able to keep up with Snapdragon eight series silicon, you'd expect a big spring in performance for next year's Pixel 6a. More importantly, Tensor enables a lot of auto learning-powered features, such every bit improved call back up and on-device dictation. We're eager to see if those features make the cut for the Pixel 6a.

We could be in for a wait before we find out. While the Pixel 3a debuted in the spring of 2019, both the Pixel 4a and 5a arrived in Baronial. Information technology's unclear if Google will stick to that timeline for the Pixel 6a side by side year.

And for those looking to get a Pixel sooner than the 6a's eventual release, there are some Black Friday phone deals going on. These include the Pixel 5a for $349 also every bit the Pixel 6 with a decent disbelieve at Best Buy, depending on your carrier. And exist sure to check out our best Blackness Friday deals for the latest discounts.

Philip Michaels is a senior editor at Tom'south Guide. He has strong opinions most Apple tree, the Oakland Athletics and one-time movies. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.