Google Pixel 6a official – and its price will surprise you

At Google I/O 2022 the Pixel 6a phone was revealed – and at a very competitive launch price too!

Google I/O
(Image credit: Google)

The Google Pixel 6a is official: and its price, which was revealed on stage at Google I/O 2022, may surprise you. 

Without delay, Google confirmed the 6a's launch price will be $449. Okay, I know, that's the same price as the earlier Pixel 5a from last year – but in these cost of living hard times, where inflation is always on that up, that's a competitive price. 

Especially when you consider what the Pixel 6a has to offer. It features the same Tensor processor as the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, meaning that power isn't a point of difference – there's no compromise on that front.

Google I/O

(Image credit: Google)

Google Pixel 6a: So what's the compromise?

It depends how you look at it: actually, I wouldn't call the Pixel 6a a true 'compromise', more a 'Google Pixel lite' if you like. 

It's largely in the cameras department where the 6a takes a step down from its cousins, offering a dual 12-megapixel array (there's no 50MP champ to be seen here). But even so, that doesn't mean features disappear: there's still Magic Eraser on-device editing available. 

The design looks decent to my eyes too: the aluminium frame and attractive colourway shown at Google I/O certainly appeals; there's 5G connectivity, so no dialling down of speed there either; and there's the same Pixel security features, such as five years of Android security patches and an under-display fingerprint scanner. 

Google I/O

(Image credit: Google)

Google Pixel 6a: When can I buy one?

In the USA the Pixel 6a will be available from 21 June 2022, then available in stores from 28 June 2022. It'll be available in black, white or green. 

And how about the rest of the world? Google hasn't said anything about that at the time of writing. There's often a delay between USA and UK/EU in that regard, so on these shores you might be left waiting a little longer. 

Looking for something a little more? Well, Google did present a sneak peek of its Pixel 7 – which you can take a look at here. That's the one I'm most excited about, frankly, but it's good to see Google going in strong in the affordable phones market too. 

Mike Lowe
Tech Editor

Mike is the Tech Editor and AV Editor at T3.com. He's been writing about consumer technology for 15 and, as a phones expert, has seen hundreds of handsets over the years – swathes of Android devices, a smattering of iPhones, and a batch of Windows Phone products (remember those?). But that's not all, as a tech aficionado his beat for T3 also covers tablets, laptops, gaming, home cinema, TVs, speakers and more – there's barely a stone unturned that he's not had a hand on. Previously the Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint for a 10 years, he's also provided work for publications such as Wired, The Guardian, Metro, and more. In addition to his tech knowledge, Mike is also a flights and travel expert, having travelled the globe extensively. You'll likely find him setting up a new mobile phone, critiquing the next MacBook, all while planning his next getaway... or cycling somewhere.