Skip to main content

Google Pixel 6a renders leak, show compact midrange phone with no headphone jack

The Google Pixel 6 lineup currently includes the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro, both of which are in high demand and are extremely difficult to get a hold of. If you were looking to get either of these phones, you may want to consider dropping the idea entirely. Google is reportedly working on a midrange Pixel 6 series handset called the Pixel 6a, expected to launch in the next few months.

Over the weekend, popular smartphone leaker Steve Hemmerstofer (OnLeaks), in collaboration with tech blog 91Mobiles, released the first-ever renders of what is thought to be the upcoming Pixel 6a. As you might have guessed by now, the Pixel 6a will be a slightly watered-down version of the Pixel 6/6 Pro with more midrange specifications and a much lower asking price.

The first thing you will notice from the renders is that the Pixel 6a carries the same design language as both of its better-specced siblings, which, honestly, is a good thing. The Pixel retains the trademark Pixel 6 camera module design, which adds a bit of character to the design. The Pixel 6a will also be noticeably smaller in size compared to the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro and will feature a 6.2-inch OLED panel. Like its siblings, the Pixel 6a is likely to incorporate an in-display fingerprint scanner.

From the renders, the phone also appears to have a dual-camera setup at the rear. Initial reports indicate the primary camera sensor will be the 50-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL GN1 sensor. While we did not initially have the details of the secondary rear camera, a credible tipster on Chinese social media platform Weibo revealed that Google could use the IMX383 sensor with an ultrawide lens. For selfies, the phone is likely to use Sony’s 8MP IMX355 sensor.

While there was talk about Google using a watered-down Tensor chip on the Pixel 6a, indications are that the phone will instead be powered by a more mainstream Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G chipset.

Eagle-eyed Pixel fans might have already noticed that the renders do not show the presence of a 3.5mm audio port anywhere on the phone. The Pixel 6a could become the first Pixel A-series device to omit the 3.5mm jack if this is true. While not confirmed yet, we expect Google to offer the Pixel 6a in 6GB/8GB RAM and 128GB storage options. As always, we do not expect Google to provide expandable storage as an option.

The phone will certainly boot Android 12 at launch, and we can expect timely software updates for the next three years, with security updates likely to continue for the next five years.

Editors' Recommendations

Rahul Srinivas
Rahul is a smartphone buff turned tech journalist who has been tinkering with all things mobile since the early 2000s. He has…
The Google Pixel 8a’s release just got a lot closer
Possible renders showing the Google Pixel 8a.

Google Pixel fans, it's almost time to open up your wallets. Rumors and leaks regarding the Google Pixel 8a have been floating around online for months, and now the phone has taken a big step closer to its official release.

On March 18, Google submitted four new smartphone models to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Getting FCC approval is required of smartphone companies before they can sell a smartphone in the U.S., and it's usually one of the last big leaks we see for a phone before its official unveiling. In this case, the four model numbers submitted by Google include G8HHN, G6GPR, G576D, and GKV4X.

Read more
The Google Pixel Fold 2 could get a massive display upgrade
A game running on the Google Pixel Fold's open screen.

It seems Google’s next foldable phone will go big — quite literally. According to Ross Young of DSCC (which is now a part of industry analysis heavyweight Countepoint Research), the screen size of the Pixel Fold 2 will be bigger than what other leaks have suggested.

When the first set of Pixel Fold 2 leaks came out with alleged renders, they predicted a 7.9-inch inner foldable screen. Young writes in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the inner flexible panel measures 8.02 inches, which is a major bump compared to the 7.6-inch OLED panel on the first-gen Google Pixel Fold.

Read more
A big Google Pixel 9 feature just leaked, and it sounds impressive
Holding the Google Pixel 8 Pro in front of a bush.

Google introduced a “screen protector detector” service with the launch of Google Pixel 8 last year. It detects when you take a screen protector on or off to adjust the display's touch sensitivity. Google now seems to be building upon that and is aiming to release a new feature called “Adaptive Touch” with the next Pixel.

According to a report from Android Authority, Google is preparing to add this Adaptive Touch feature on the Google Pixel 9. In his teardown of Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1, Mishaal Rahman found the option under Settings > Display > Touch sensitivity. It is said to “automatically adjust to your environment, activities, and screen protector.”

Read more