Google Pixel 6a could launch earlier this year alongside the Pixel Watch

By Jay Bonggolto
published

Google Pixel 6a Renders
Google Pixel 6a Renders (Image credit: @OnLeaks / 91mobiles)

What you need to know

  • Google is tipped to unveil the upcoming Pixel 6a in May.
  • The rumored launch window is three months earlier than when the Pixel 5a debuted.
  • It's also in line with the launch schedule of the Pixel 3a and 3a XL before the pandemic.

Google unveiled the Pixel 5a and Pixel 4a in August 2020 and 2021, respectively, which was a little later than usual due to supply chain delays caused by the pandemic. However, it appears that the search giant is bringing the upcoming Google Pixel 6a to market much sooner than the previous Pixel A-series models.

The Pixel 6a will be announced in May, according to reliable tipster Max Jambor. If the tip is correct, Google's challenger to this year's best budget Android phones will make its debut at Google I/O, which is usually held during that month.

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Notably, the rumored release window indicates that the Pixel 6a will arrive three months earlier than the Pixel 4a and 5a. But it's not unprecedented given that the Pixel 3a was launched in May 2019.

A spring debut could be a good sign for the upcoming device as it signals a return to the pre-pandemic schedule, though this will ultimately be judged by how widely the device is available.

Google has not yet made an official announcement about the date of this year's I/O event. However, a recent rumor suggested that the much-anticipated Pixel Watch will be unveiled on May 26, giving rise to speculation that the watch and the Pixel 6a will be released concurrently.

For the time being, the phone's official specs and features are unknown, but recent leaks claim it will be powered by the same Tensor chipset found in the flagship Pixel 6 series. This makes the Pixel 6a the first Pixel A-series phone to include a flagship chipset.

The upcoming mid-range phone may also resemble the Pixel 6 series, but with a smaller body. Being a budget phone, it's expected to include some trade-offs to cut prices, including a downgraded camera and a plastic design instead of metal and glass.

Google Pixel 6 Kinda Coral Render

Google Pixel 6

The Google Pixel 6 is the company's latest flagship phone, with a brand new design, excellent cameras, and an intelligent custom-built Tensor processor that enables smart AI capabilities throughout your phone.

Jay Bonggolto
Jay Bonggolto
News Writer & Reviewer

Jay Bonggolto always keeps a nose for news. He has been writing about consumer tech and apps for as long as he can remember, and he has used a variety of Android phones since falling in love with Jelly Bean. Send him a direct message via Twitter or LinkedIn.

5 Comments
  • Definitely need a high refresh rate on the 6a. Wireless charging would be nice but not a must.
  • Couldn't care less about wireless charging, but definitely needs a high refresh rate... At least 90, but 120 would be a sure hit and would fly off the shelves
  • Anything with a tensor chip and modem with further destroy anything left of pixel business, they'll never recover from the 6 disaster
  • The "a" series never had problems. So I expect a perfect phone once again.
  • The 6a will probably be my next Android phone.