Google introduces Pixel 6a and gives first look at Pixel 7

At Google I/O 2022, Google surprisingly unveiled the Pixel 6a. The slimmed-down version of the Pixel 6 is expected to go on sale at the end of July. The company also gave a sneak peek at the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro – an interesting detail on the back of the devices.

Since introducing the Pixel 3a at Google I/O in 2019, Google has kept its developer conference hardware-free. On Wednesday, the first day of this year’s Google I/O, Google broke that unwritten rule and surprisingly introduced the Pixel 6a. Externally, the smartphone is very similar to the Pixel 6. As always with the a models, users have to accept a few downgrades.

The usual downgrades and an old camera module

With a screen diagonal of 6.1 inches, the Pixel 6a’s display is 0.3 inches smaller than that of its older brother. In addition, the display only supports a refresh rate of 60 instead of 90 Hertz. There are further downgrades in RAM and battery size: The Pixel 6a only offers 6 GB instead of 8 GB RAM, and with a capacity of 4,306 mAh the battery is almost six percent smaller than in the Pixel 6. There is only one option for internal memory with 128 GB.

Another downside: the Pixel 6a doesn’t get the same camera module as the Pixel 6, instead it’s outfitted with the exact same cameras as the Pixel 5a. It’s a 12.2-megapixel main camera, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and an 8-megapixel selfie camera. After all, the Google Tensor is the same processor as in the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.

The Pixel 6a comes with Android 12 and costs 459 euros in Germany. The smartphone will be available in the US from July 28th. It is not yet known whether the start date also applies to Germany.

Aluminum instead of glass in the camera bar of the Pixel 7 smartphones

In addition to the official presentation of the Pixel 6a, Google had another surprise in store: the company allowed a first look on the backs of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. The biggest recognizable difference to the predecessor can be seen in the camera bar. Here, Google does without the glass look of the Pixel 6 and relies on an aluminum bezel with cutouts for the cameras.

There is currently no information on the hardware equipment of the next pixel generation. Only the available colors are already known: The Pixel 7 is said to be available in the colors obsidian, snow and lemongrass. The Pixel 7 Pro is also available in the colors Obsidian and Snow, instead of Lemongrass there will also be the shade Hazel. Google did not give a specific release date for the Pixel 7 smartphones. If the company sticks to its previous release periods, the devices should appear this October.