The Pixel 6a, Google’s answer to a mid-range smartphone in a smaller body meets every expectation and then some.

For people who love a smaller phone, the Pixel 6a comes at £200 less than its higher-end cousins but does not leave you wanting for much.

Just like the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro from last year, the Pixel 6a rocks Google’s new Tensor chip making it super fast and responsive.

At first touch, the Pixel 6a feels exactly like you think it would; a smaller Pixel 6. With a flat glass front with the signature camera bar, that we’re now getting used to, across the top. The bar even protrudes a little less on this one which means it does not get in the way.

With a smaller 6.1 inch OLED display, the Pixel 6a is as big as an iPhone 13 but lacks the fast refresh rate of the Pixel 6.

When we reviewed the Pixel 6 we called it a ‘big device’ that might not be ideal for those with small hands. This phone is the answer for those people. If you have tiny hands like mine, the Pixel 6a fits like a glove. It’s also much lighter as the back is made from plastic instead of glass.

It’s available in three different colours: Charcoal, Chalk and Sage and includes 128 GB of storage and 6 GB of RAM4 with enhanced Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

The battery lasts well over 24 hours which is always a joy on a smaller phone. Lasting about 34 hours between charges, and performing various tasks, it’s on par with the Pixel 6 and bigger competitors.

As with all Pixel phones, the highlight is the camera and the 6a’s dual rear camera with an ultrawide lens does not disappoint. The 12-megapixel cameras on the back have no telephoto camera for zoom but the quality for the price is unbeatable.

The Pixel 6a also comes with advanced photography features like the ‘Magic Eraser’ — Google’s answer to Photoshop right in your phone. It’s a fun tool that lets you remove annoying photo bombers. ‘Real Tone’ lets you capture multiple skin tones particularly well and ‘Night Sight’ comes in handy when you want to take great photos even in low light.

We loved the Portrait mode and 4K at 60 frames video quality. The 8-megapixel selfie camera is similar to the one on the Pixel 6 models which we already know does a great job.

Google Pixel Buds Pro

Along with the Pixel 6a, Google has launched its updated wireless headphones — the Pixel Buds Pro.

It’s Google’s first offering with Active Noise Cancellation and is miles ahead of the previous model.

The earbuds take getting used to but fit well on your ear canal to maximise the amount of noise blocked.

Google says that the Pixel Buds Pro use an integrated system with a custom processor, algorithms and speakers to achieve noise cancellation.

It also has decent battery life with up to seven hours at moderate volume levels with noise canceling on, and at up to 11 hours with noise canceling off.

The Pixel Buds Pro are great for taking calls even in loud and windy places. Google says that they use bone conduction to analyse vibrations near your jaw area to pick out your voice so you can be heard loud and clear wherever you are.

For Android users, it’s an added bonus to be able to talk to Google Assistant hands-free.

However, priced at £179, it’s still not the best wireless headphone experience out there. You can buy them here.

Just like the Pixel 6, the Pixel 6a comes with Android 12 but will get the Android 13 update that is due to be released soon.

Other perks that come with a Pixel 6a are three months of YouTube Premium and Google One free of charge.

Having no facial recognition and needing to unlock the device using a fingerprint scanner or a pattern/PIN option is still a downside.

However, Google maintains its competitive pricing with the Pixel 6a and at £399 with 128GB of storage, it’s a cost-effective alternative to similar Apple and Samsung phones.

So, if you’re looking for a smaller Android phone, the Pixel 6a is a no-brainer.

Google Pixel 6a: the details

Name: Google Pixel 6a

Starting price: £399 for 128GB of storage

What’s good:

• Powerful yet compact
• Great camera with some neat tricks
• Android 12 and guaranteed updates

What’s bad:

• No face-based unlocking option

Where can I buy it: At Google’s official online store here or, alternatively, on Amazon here.

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