Google’s Pixel 6a may not have formally hit the market yet but that hasn’t stopped some reviewers from getting hands on a device early, testing it out and showing a few ways that the cut-price Google phone doesn’t quite belong with the Pixel 6 family.
Malaysian tech YouTuber, Fazli Halim, managed to get hands on a retail-ready Pixel 6a sample in early June and gave it the unboxing treatment, but now he’s back with a full review, in which we see the 6a’s fingerprint sensor compared side-by-side with the line’s current top-dog, the Google Pixel 6 Pro.
While both phones feature optical in-display fingerprint sensors, in Halim’s review, the Pixel 6a’s sensor proves to be both consistently quicker at reading and unlocking the phone, as well as more consistent, when compared to the Pixel 6 Pro.
It’s surprising given the lower-spec (and therefore cost) of the Pixel 6a that the performance would be so much better – but early signs seem to suggest as much.
Analysis: a lighter touch
Sluggish and lacklustre fingerprint sensor performance was just one of the many small quirks that plagued the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro around their launch in late 2021, with Google only partially addressing some of the issues the phones have faced via subsequent software updates.
With this in mind, it was heartening to learn that the Pixel 6a would be using a different fingerprint sensor to the 6 and 6 Pro, something Senior VP of Devices & Services at Google, Rich Osterloh, confirmed during Google I/O 2022 when the Pixel 6a was first officially announced.
While Halim’s video gives us our first proper look at the Pixel 6a, consumers will have to wait until July 28 to officially buy the phone, which swaps out several key hardware attributes found on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro to achieve a lower asking price of $449 / £399 / AU$749, granting it the potential to be in the running as one of the best cheap phones out there.
The fingerprint is just one tweak that the Pixel 6a offers by comparison to its siblings, with a smaller 6.1-inch 60Hz Full HD+ OLED display, a lower resolution 12.2MP primary camera (compared to the 6 and 6 Pro’s 50MP main unit, which render them some of the best cameraphones currently on the market) and a base memory and storage configuration of 6GB and 128GB, respectively.
Where the Pixel 6a does hold up is with the same Google-made Tensor SoC and, of course, that snappier fingerprint sensor, which – paired to the lower price tag – might make for the perfect combination for some.
Then again, we’ve got the Pixel 7 just around the corner after Google inexplicably showed it off at I/O earlier this year – and that will probably come with a new PIxel 7a model not that long after, so the search giant hasn’t made it easy to decide when to go for a new phone, it seems.
Due to a Malaysian reseller, there are at least two Pixel 6a units out in the wild before next month’s launch. A pair of new videos in recent days provides more Pixel 6a details, including a look at how much better the fingerprint sensor is.
Before watching, it’s important to note that the Pixel 6a is running non-final software. We previously learned that these units are on the April security patch. Day one updates will certainly bring whatever fixes and optimizations have been made in the past three months.
With that in mind, the first video comes from Fazli Halim on YouTube with the Pixel 6a compared to a 6 Pro. Google previously said the 6a is using a different under-display fingerprint sensor compared to last year’s Pixel flagship line.
The mid-ranger appears faster – video below queued to 4:55 – at recognizing your finger with less contact seemingly needed. From quick thumb placements, we see the 6a unlocking more often than the 6 Pro. This bodes well for the newer hardware and hopefully will be used by Google moving forward as “Hold a little longer” is commonly encountered by existing owners.
YouTube account Izami Gadget does a camera comparison between the Pixel 6a and iPhone 13 Pro Max. It’s really not fair for a mid-range phone to go up against a flagship, while Google will most certainly have tuned the camera further ahead of launch. This might explain why the Pixel 6a got too hot to record after four minutes of video and an additional four spent on photos.
Device is too hot. Close Camera until device cools off.
The metal frame is said to get particularly warm. Meanwhile, one shot (as seen in our cover image above) shows dust annoyingly collecting underneath the camera bar.
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From time to time, I’ll grab a random device out of the Verge reviews closet and spend a week or two with it. It’s mostly out of random curiosity and for the sake of comparing “old” products against the latest and greatest. Most recently, I was drawn to Google’s Pixel 5. So I gave it a factory reset, updated the phone to Android 12, and have been using it as my daily driver for the past several days.
The experience has been fantastic. I’ve got very large hands — an iPhone 13 Pro Max doesn’t look out of place in them — and I prefer large screens, so I don’t think I could fully switch over to the Pixel 5. But it’s such a good “small” phone (by 2022 standards) that I’ve certainly been tempted. The Pixel 5 makes it easy to do anything I need one-handed. Its midrange processor performs better than ever on Android 12, and this phone still looks unique next to the competition.
Google gave up on the Pixel 5 design and size way too soon. Been using one for the past week. It’s now even smoother on Android 12. Still looks and feels unique.
This should be the Pixel version of the iPhone SE and just get brought up to speed every couple years. pic.twitter.com/UXLfrms4p0
— Chris Welch (@chriswelch) June 20, 2022
Above all else, I’ve come away disappointed that Google gave up on the Pixel 5’s style and size after just one year. The smallest phone in the company’s lineup is currently the Pixel 5a, which has a 6.3-inch display. To its credit, Google is shrinking things down slightly with the upcoming 6A. But with the A-series models, you’re giving up niceties like the 90Hz display and wireless charging. In those ways, the Pixel 5 might be the last of its kind in Google’s lineup. So much for the even bezels, too.
The Pixel 5 is smaller than both the Pixel 5A and 6A — with more premium hardware to boot.Image: Google
I now find myself wishing that Google would keep the 5 around as an “iPhone SE”-style product that gets brought up to speed with hardware upgrades every couple years — without losing what makes it good. Let’s cover some of the Pixel 5’s strengths.
Design and materials: The Pixel 5’s 6-inch OLED display is surrounded by thin, symmetrical bezels that go a long way in making the phone comfortable and usable in one hand. And the textured “bio resin” coating on the 5’s body results in a unique feel and reassuring grip when you’re holding it throughout the day. The volume rocker shares this texture, while the power button is glossy metal — making it easy to distinguish between the two by touch. Owing to its feel and palm-able size, the Pixel 5 is one of those phones that can go caseless without causing much consternation.
Before Google went all in on the common “glass sandwich” design with the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, previous models in the series often used distinctive materials and textures that helped the phones stand out. With the Pixel 2, it was the almost-coarse rear shell of the black model. The Pixel 4 had grippy side rails. But after the 5’s bio resin — I’m still a big fan of the Sorta Sage green colorway with this finish — Google opted for a more basic in-hand feel with last year’s flagships.
The Pixel 5’s bio resin finish makes for a unique in-hand feel.Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
A better screen: The Pixel 6’s OLED panel might seem perfectly fine based on first impressions. But in all honesty, it’s mediocre. There are plenty of threads on Reddit complaining about uniformity issues, an unsightly green tint at lower brightness levels, and other imperfections. The Pixel 6 Pro’s gorgeous LPTO panel exhibits none of these problems, so it’s clear that Google settled for less as part of reaching the 6’s $599 price.
Even the Pixel 5’s screen seems of a slightly higher quality to me than the 6 that replaced it. They’re both 90Hz displays, but the 5’s white point, uniformity, and overall image are just a bit nicer to my eyes. This can sometimes come down to variance between individual units, but I hope to see better from the Pixel 7.
Pixel Imprint rear fingerprint sensor: I’m still let down that phone makers decided in unison to relocate the fingerprint reader from the back of the phone, where your index finger often naturally rests while holding it, to underneath the display. Google’s Pixel Imprint scanners were perhaps the fastest and most consistent in the entire Android ecosystem, and, well, let’s just say the in-screen sensor on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro has never matched it — even after Google improved the performance through software updates.
Consistent camera performance: Google spent several years optimizing its computational photography for the 12-megapixel main camera shared by the Pixel 5 and its predecessors. And while it lacks the dynamic range of the Pixel 6 / 6 Pro and doesn’t offer features like Real Tone or Magic Eraser, the Pixel 5 is a consistent shooter. You know what you’re going to get, which can’t always be said of the Pixel 6 line. I don’t love the unpleasant-looking background blur you sometimes get from the 6’s larger sensor, but this is something Google will no doubt improve.
The Pixel 6A will soon be Google’s smallest phone.Image: Google
The Pixel 5 isn’t perfect
Although I’m mostly satisfied with the smooth performance and general responsiveness of the Pixel 5 on Android 12, there are still occasions where the midrange Snapdragon 765G processor hits a wall and gets bogged down. Snap a photo, and the frustrating delay while the phone processes the shot remains present. The 5 can also get hung up if you get overly ambitious with multitasking.
While I’m sold on the Pixel 5’s look and feel, Google’s hardware quality assurance isn’t always the best. Many units have a slight gap between the display and body. After the phone’s release, the company said the gap wasn’t anything to worry about — but it’s exactly the sort of minor detail that I find annoying.
And then there’s that dreadful under-screen speaker, which still sounds tinny in most cases even after Google tried to improve it with an “adaptive sound” setting. Those symmetrical bezels didn’t come without tradeoffs.
But even with those downsides factored in, there’s still something special about this phone. I’ve come close to buying one from Woot, which is selling new, unopened Pixel 5s for $450. Apparently Google must’ve stumbled across some extra inventory in a warehouse somewhere. With Apple’s mini iPhone rumored to be cut from the upcoming iPhone 14 lineup, it seems small phones are on the way out (again). That makes this a tempting moment to buy. The only asterisk to consider in Google’s case is that software support for the Pixel 5 will end in October 2023.
But maybe by then, Google will reintroduce a small Pixel that doesn’t skimp on hardware features and doesn’t so blandly take after its larger siblings.
Android 12’s double-line clock is one of Google’s most notable expressions of Material You. Following iOS 16’s big emphasis, one concept design imagines how the Android and Pixel lockscreen could evolve with the addition of depth.
The Android lockscreen on Pixel phones today starts with the day/date in the top-left corner, while weather (condition and temperature) is underneath. Above this At a Glance widget is Android’s status bar where the carrier is noted at the left and the right shows battery percentage and connection statuses. At the bottom of the lockscreen, you get a shortcut to open smart home controls and Google Pay (soon Google Wallet).
Besides the background, the clock (when there are no notifications) is literally the biggest attraction and it uses Dynamic Color to adapt to your set wallpaper.
Designer Philip Chang (Twitter + Instagram) took inspiration from iOS 16 to imagine what the Android lockscreen could look like in the future. Namely, depth is applied so that the clock also adapts to what’s in the actual background image. In the example seen above, “10” is displayed behind the rock formations and the seagulls are clearly layered above the “12.” Also note how the hours and minutes are using different colors.
Other examples show the time as if it were appearing on the other side of a bridge, behind a mountain’s peak, and against a waterfall. My favorite example is the hour appearing behind clouds, while the minutes are partially submerged underneath the waves so that visibility is not impacted.
Meanwhile friend of the site RKBDI also imagined different font styles on the Android lockscreen:
This depth effect will certainly be popularized by iOS 16, but it dates back to watchOS 8 with the introduction of the Portraits watch face:
The Portraits watch face uses Portrait mode photos from your iPhone to create a multilayered watch face with depth. You can choose from three different type styles and select up to 24 photos.
On the Apple Watch, a photo with depth data is needed, but iOS 16 just leverages machine learning for a more scalable solution that also allows for non-people backgrounds. A hypothetical Android lockscreen could take the same approach. Google certainly has that depth know-how as seen by Cinematic photos in Google Photos where ML predicts an image’s depth and produces a 3D representation of the scene.
However, another thing for Google to consider is making new live wallpapers that feature a depth effect for the clock. By curating the experience, the company can guarantee that readability of the time is never impacted while also allowing for motion.
Until then, here is more of Philip’s concept:
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In addition to releasing a Pixel update that enables VoLTE roaming this month, Google Fi — as an MVNO — is explaining “how the T-Mobile 3G shutdown affects your service.”
In July 2022, T-Mobile will start to turn off their 3G network. As a result, some devices that don’t support Voice over LTE (VoLTE) or VoLTE roaming may lose voice calling services, including calls to 911, or connectivity when the 3G networks are shut down.
In short, Google recommends that “you upgrade to a device that has VoLTE enabled” as otherwise there will be home network issues. Google links to the standard Fi checker to confirm general device compatibility. A limited alternative is continued ability to use Wi-Fi for voice calls.
When T-Mobile’s 3G network is phased out, you will no longer be able to use your device for voice calling, including emergency calling, and will have minimal connectivity.
Speaking of connectivity, Google Fi makes clear that those who “primarily connect to a 3G network” will be impacted by this shutdown and points users to the coverage map, which just identifies 4G LTE and 5G at this point, to check.
Lastly, Google Fi breaks down the situation for Pixel owners:
If you use a Pixel 1 or 2 you are affected by the 3G network shut down. On your current phone, you will not have connectivity when roaming domestically, and your phone will not get the software update to enable VoLTE roaming.
The Pixel 3 and 3 XL “may have reduced ability to make phone calls while roaming” as it did not receive the VoLTE roaming update. All other Pixel owners, including 3a users are not impacted.
Google Fi also links to:
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On Wednesday, the launch of Android 13’s third beta was somewhat rough and delayed by an hour or two. Google is now rolling out Android 13 Beta 3.1 for Pixel owners to address one particular issue.
Coming at just after 1 p.m PT on a Friday afternoon — another rarity, Beta 3.1 fixes an “issue where the Android Beta Feedback app was not available in some cases.” That particular problem “mainly affect[ed] new beta users, and users can still file bugs directly using the issue tracker.”
It’s a worthwhile thing for Google to fix as the entire point of the Android Beta Program is feedback, but otherwise:
The known issues listed for the Beta 3 release still apply to Beta 3.1.
Android 13 Beta 3.1 build TPB3.220513.017.B1 just appends “B1” to the end, while factory and OTA images are now live for manual install. We’re not yet seeing the actual on-device OTA just yet. If you need help, here’s our full guide on installing Android 13.
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Following the most recent release at I/O 2022, Google is rolling out Android 13 Beta 3 to Pixel phones today. The Platform Stability milestone for application developers brings finalized system behaviors and APIs.
Update 2: Just before 1 p.m. PT, Google posted the factory and OTA images for manually sideloading Android 13 Beta 3.
Update: In a curious turn of events, Google has updated the release notes page for Beta 3, but now says the factory and OTA images will be “Available soon.” (The Beta 2.1 builds have been removed.) The company is not even yet offering a build number today, but big fixes should include:
Fixed an issue where unlocking the phone with a fingerprint while Always On Display was active would sometimes cause the entire screen to be tinted green temporarily.
Fixed an issue on Pixel devices where swiping on the all apps search result page would sometimes cause the Pixel Launcher to crash.
This is the time to begin final testing and development work needed to ensure that a compatible version of your app will be ready for users at the final release to the ecosystem. Android 13 will provide a standard API level at this time.
With the API Level 33 SDK and NDK APIs now final, Google recommends that developers “start final compatibility testing for apps, SDKs, and libraries,” as well as publishing in Play Store alpha and beta tracks.
Key Android 13 behavior changes include the new notifications permission and corner Clipboard preview, with Google telling developers to make sure apps hide sensitive data, like passwords and payment information. Other changes that applications should test for include the richer media controls, as well as new permissions covering media file access, body sensors, and Wi-Fi.
As always, the Android Beta Feedback app is available on Pixel devices to log problems. Users can access it from the drawer or via Quick Settings to file bugs in the Google issue tracker, while the Android Beta community is on Reddit.
Android 13 Beta 3 system images are available for the Pixel 4 (XL), Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro, as well as in the Android Emulator.
Of course, most users will be installing Beta 3 (TPB3.220513.017) with the June security patch via the Android Beta Program website. Those on the Beta 2 can expect an OTA update in the coming hours. If you need help, here’s our full guide on installing Android 13.
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Another alleged Google Pixel 7 prototype has surfaced, this time from a Reddit user who says they bought it on Facebook Marketplace. From appearances, it’s a Pixel 7 Pro, which Redditor AMC20_ says was listed as a Pixel 6 Pro without a box. It is not, in fact, a Pixel 6 Pro.
Google’s phones have a long history of unusual leaks, but even by Pixel standards, this is a strange one. It’s also the second time a prototype Pixel 7 Pro has surfaced in the last week. In case you missed episode one of this saga, someone listed a Pixel 7 prototype on eBay. As Android expert Mishaal Rahman pointed out, the photos seem to have been taken with another prototype unit — a Pixel 7 Pro, which can be seen in the reflection on the phone’s glossy back panel. The person who purchased the 7 Pro prototype on Facebook thinks that his phone is the same one used to take those photos.
The buyer says this phone was advertised on Facebook Marketplace as a Pixel 6 Pro without a box.Image: Reddit user AMC20_
Google pre-announced the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro at its I/O keynote last month, revealing what the devices will look like and… not much else. They’ll very likely make their formal debut in October with Android 13. These alleged prototypes haven’t shed much more light on what we can expect from the phones, either — just confirmation that it’s using a different modem than the Pixel 6 series and that it appears to come in a variant with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM.
There probably won’t be much more we can learn from it, either. The purchaser of the alleged prototype said that the phone had been functioning fine until a few days ago when it seems to have been remotely wiped. That’s not surprising — if it’s the genuine article, Google would have a safeguard like that in place in the event that the phone went missing. But given the Pixel series’ track record, it probably won’t be long until we see another leak.
In a surprising turn of events, someone claims to have used the unreleased Pixel 7 Pro for three weeks without noticing it wasn’t the Pixel 6 Pro, and they have pictures to prove it.
Last week, news circulated that a prototype version of the Pixel 7 was available for purchase on eBay, offering an early look at the upcoming phone, albeit little more than what Google themselves showed at I/O. Shortly thereafter, the listing was taken down from eBay, but some noticed in reflections that the Pixel 7 was photographed with a Pixel 7 Pro.
In a new post to the Google Pixel subreddit, user AMC20_ has revealed that they purchased their device from a Facebook Marketplace listing where the device was described as a “Pixel 6 Pro.” This makes sense — This Is Tech Today reported that they too found a Pixel 7 prototype on Facebook.
In the post, AMC20_ says that they were able to use the phone for three weeks without issue. In fact, it’s not clear that the redditor was even aware that they were using a Pixel 7 Pro rather than the Pixel 6 Pro that was advertised.
After all, based on the photos shared — seen below — their prototype Pixel 7 Pro has the Obsidian color option and looks quite similar to the Pixel 6 Pro in Stormy Black. The two phones should even have the exact same display tech under the hood.
Unfortunately, things went awry yesterday once news of the loose prototypes was reported. According to the owner’s post, the Pixel 7 Pro prototype was remotely wiped by Google and made unusable. Turning it on now brings the phone directly to Android’s fastboot recovery menu. From there, we can see the Pixel 7 Pro’s “Cheetah” codename alongside confirmation of our report that the Pixel 7 series will use the Samsung Exynos Modem 5300.
9to5Google’s Take
On the one hand, it’s great that Google has managed to land on a stable design language for the Pixel series, making it more easily recognizable. However, it’s probably not a good thing if someone can’t easily visually distinguish between two generations of your phone. It’s also really not a great experience to buy a phone online and have it be remotely shut down three weeks later without understanding why.
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An alleged prototype of Google’s upcoming Pixel 7 smartphone has been posted on eBay, giving us our first look at the new phone in the wild months ahead of its scheduled fall release (via Android guru Mishaal Rahman).
Google just revealed the phone a few weeks ago at Google I/O, and what we can see in the prototype matches up with what Google has already shown. The distinctive camera bar is back, and this year it’s an aluminum bar with cutouts for the cameras. And the alleged prototype’s casing is a deep black that looks just like one of the colors Google showed off at I/O.
One of Google’s official Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro images — including that deep black.Image: Google
The eBay listing includes a few photos of the front, back, and sides of the device, though there’s not much to see that you can’t already spot on Google’s official renders. A photo of the phone turned on shows it has 128GB of storage, which suggests Google will once again be offering a 128GB model as an option for the final phone. A screenshot says that the phone’s model is GVU6C. And one photo indicates that this eBay seller may have gotten their hands on a Pixel 7 Pro as well, as you can catch the reflection of what looks to be the Pixel 7 Pro’s camera bar on the back of the Pixel 7 prototype.
We’ve collected images from the eBay listing into the gallery below, if you want to scrutinize them for yourself:
In messages with The Verge, the seller claims they bought the Pixel 7 prototype from a wholesaler without knowing what it was. The seller says they realized it was a Pixel 7 after doing research and seeing pictures that seemed like the phone they had. They also say they had a Pixel 7 Pro, but sold it already.
The listing has been closed, so you won’t be able to snap up this device for your collection. There were no bids for the prototype, and the starting bid was $450. Google didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.
This Pixel 7 listing is just the latest major pre-release leak of a Pixel device, which has a history of surprise appearances dating back to the very first phone to carry the name. A prototype of a Pixel Watch was apparently found at a restaurant shortly before the smartwatch’s announcement at I/O. A mention of the Pixel 6A appeared in a coloring book all the way back in January. Somebody filmed what appeared to be a Pixel 6 Pro test unit a few weeks before Google officially launched the device. I could go on.
Unfortunately, we’ll likely be waiting a few months before Google shares more about the Pixel 7. The phones aren’t set to arrive until the fall, and if past years are any indication, we should expect some kind of launch event in October. Until then, these photos from eBay might be our best look at the upcoming phone… well, until it inevitably leaks again.
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