Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 6

Source: Date:

Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 6

75 out of 100
Google Pixel 8a
VS
65 out of 100
Google Pixel 6

Here we compared two smartphones: the 6.1-inch Google Pixel 8a (with Google Tensor G3) that was released on May 7, 2024, against the Google Pixel 6, which is powered by Google Tensor and came out 2 years and 7 months before. On this page, you will find tests, full specs, strengths, and weaknesses of each of the devices.

Key differences

An overview of the main advantages of each smartphone
Reasons to consider the Google Pixel 8a
  • Delivers 78% higher peak brightness (1518 against 851 nits)
  • 45% better performance in AnTuTu Benchmark (1223K versus 842K)
  • Higher display refresh rate – 120 Hz
  • Better camera quality (According to DxOMark rating)
  • Newer Bluetooth version (v5.3)
  • The phone is 2 years and 7 months newer
  • CPU with a higher amount of cores (+1)
  • 23% faster in single-core GeekBench 6 test: 1683 and 1363 points
  • Weighs 19 grams less
  • The front-facing camera can record video at 4K
Reasons to consider the Google Pixel 6
  • Waterproof body (IP68 classification)
  • Has a 0.3 inch larger screen size
  • More recent OS version: Android 15 versus 14
  • Supports higher wattage charging (30W versus 18W)
  • Reverse charging feature

Review

Evaluation of Google Pixel 8a and Pixel 6 crucial features
Display
Screen quality, color accuracy, brightness
Camera
Photo and video recording quality
Performance
CPU and memory performance (apps, system)
Gaming
Capabilities for playing modern games
Battery
Battery life, charging type and speed
Connectivity
Networks, ports, data transmission
NanoReview Score
Final comparison evaluation
Choose the importance of each parameter to more accurately identify the smartphone that best meets your particular needs.

Tests and specifications

Comparison table of technical specifications and tests
Phone:
vs

Display

TypeOLEDOLED
Size6.1 inches6.4 inches
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels1080 x 2400 pixels
Aspect ratio20:920:9
PPI430 ppi411 ppi
Refresh rate120 Hz90 Hz
Adaptive refresh rateYes (60-120 Hz)No
Max rated brightness2000 nits500 nits
Max rated brightness in HDR1400 nits800 nits
HDR supportYes, HDR10Yes, HDR10+
Screen protectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Gorilla Glass Victus
Screen-to-body ratio81.3%83.3%
Display features - DCI-P3
- Always-On Display
- DCI-P3
- Always-On Display
Display tests
RGB color space99.1%99.8%
PWM120 Hz397 Hz
Response time2 ms5 ms
Contrast∞ Infinity∞ Infinity
Peak brightness test (auto)
1518 nits
851 nits

Design and build

Height152.1 mm (5.99 inches)158.6 mm (6.24 inches)
Width72.7 mm (2.86 inches)74.8 mm (2.94 inches)
Thickness8.9 mm (0.35 inches)8.9 mm (0.35 inches)
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)207 g (7.3 oz)
WaterproofIP67IP68
Rear materialPlasticGlass
Frame materialMetalMetal
ColorsWhite, Black, Blue, GreenBlack, Blue, Yellow
Fingerprint scannerYes, in-displayYes, in-display
Screen-to-body ratio
83.3%

Performance

Tests of Google Pixel 8a and Google Pixel 6 in the benchmarks
SoC
ChipsetGoogle Tensor G3Google Tensor
Max clock3000 MHz2800 MHz
CPU cores9 (1 + 4 + 4)8 (2 + 2 + 4)
Architecture- 4 cores at 1.7 GHz: Cortex-A510
- 4 cores at 2.37 GHz: Cortex-A715
- 1 core at 2.91 GHz: Cortex-X3
- 4 cores at 1.8 GHz: Cortex A55
- 2 cores at 2.25 GHz: Cortex A76
- 2 cores at 2.8 GHz: Cortex-X1
L3 cache - 4 MB
ManufacturingSamsungSamsung
Lithography process4 nanometers5 nanometers
Neural processor (NPU)YesTensor Processing Unit
GraphicsMali-G715 MP7Mali-G78 MP20
GPU shading units8961280
GPU clock890 MHz848 MHz
FLOPS~1594.8 GFLOPS~2170.9 GFLOPS

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)
1683
Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)
4330
AnTuTu Benchmark 10
1223695
842548
CPU368321221486
GPU432077298771
Memory218319133827
UX204978188464
Total score1223695842548
Samples[3 tests][12 tests]
3DMark Wild Life Performance
Max surface temperature46.4 °C42.1 °C
Stability - 56%
Graphics test - 38 FPS
Graphics score - 6379
PCMark 3.0
Web score - 7660
Video editing - 6593
Photo editing - 18171
Data manipulation - 10286
Writing score - 14696

Memory

RAM
RAM size8 GB8 GB
Memory typeLPDDR5LPDDR5
Memory clock3200 MHz3200 MHz
Channels44
Storage
Storage size128, 256 GB128, 256 GB
Storage typeUFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Memory cardNoNo

Software

Operating systemAndroid 14 Android 12 (Can be upgraded to Android 15)
ROMStock AndroidStock Android
OS size18.4 GB17.6 GB

Battery

Capacity4492 mAh4614 mAh
Max charge power18 W30 W
Battery typeLi-PoLi-Ion
ReplaceableNoNo
Wireless chargingYes (7.5 W)Yes (21 W)
Reverse chargingNoYes, (wireless)
Fast chargingYes (33% in 30 min)Yes (41% in 30 min)
Full charging time2:09 hr1:53 hr
Battery life tests
Web browsing08:15 hr07:07 hr
Watching video13:00 hr13:13 hr
Gaming04:54 hr05:02 hr
Standby86 hr85 hr
General battery life
19:43 hr
18:55 hr

Main camera

Matrix64 megapixels50 megapixels
Image resolution9000 x 70008192 x 6144
ZoomDigitalDigital
FlashDual LEDDual LED
StabilizationOpticalOptical
8K video recordingNoNo
4K video recordingUp to 60FPSUp to 60FPS
1080p video recordingUp to 60FPSUp to 60FPS
Slow motion240 FPS (1080p)240 FPS (1080p)
Angle of widest lens120°114°
Lenses1) Standard: 64 MP
2) Ultrawide: 13 MP
1) Standard: 50 MP
2) Ultrawide: 12 MP
Camera features - Bokeh mode
- Pro mode
- RAW support
- Bokeh mode
- Pro mode
- RAW support
Standard lens
Image resolution64 MP50 MP
Aperturef/1.9f/1.9
Focal length26 mm25 mm
SensorSony IMX787Samsung GN1
Sensor size1/1.73"1/1.31"
Pixel size0.8 micron1.2 micron
AutofocusPhase autofocus (Dual Pixel)Laser autofocus
StabilizationOpticalOptical
Ultra-wide lens
Image resolution13 MP12 MP
Aperturef/2.2f/2.2
Focal length - 17 mm
SensorSony IMX712Sony IMX386 Exmor RS
Sensor size1/3.06"1/2.9"
Pixel size1.12 micron1.12 micron
StabilizationDigitalDigital

DxOMark main camera tests

Photo quality
Video quality
Generic main camera score
Bokeh6065
Preview7165
Zoom12679
SamplesPhoto samples of Google Pixel 8a from DxOMarkPhoto samples of Google Pixel 6 from DxOMark

Selfie camera

Megapixels13 megapixels8 megapixels
Image resolution4032 x 30243840 x 2160
Aperture - f/2.0
Focal length - 24 mm
Sensor - CMOS
Pixel size - 1.12 micron
Autofocus - No
Stabilization - Digital
Video resolution2160p (4K) at 30 FPS1080p (Full HD) at 30 FPS
Depth sensor (TOF 3D)NoNo
DxOMark front camera
Photo - 130
Video - 127

Connectivity

Wi-Fi standardWi-Fi 6E (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax)Wi-Fi 6E (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax)
Wi-Fi features - Dual Band
- Wi-Fi MiMO
- Wi-Fi Direct
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Wi-Fi Display
- Dual Band
- Wi-Fi MiMO
- Wi-Fi Direct
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Wi-Fi Display
Bluetooth version5.35.2
Bluetooth featuresLELE, A2DP
USB typeUSB Type-CUSB Type-C
USB version3.23.1
USB features - Charging
- USB-Storage mode
- OTG
- Charging
- USB-Storage mode
- OTG
DisplayPortYes -
GPSGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS
NFC*YesYes
Infrared portNoNo
Network
Number of SIM*11
Type of SIM cardNanoNano
eSIM support*YesYes
Hybrid slotNoNo
LTE Cat*2020
5G supportYesYes

Sound

SpeakersStereoStereo
Headphone audio jackNoNo
FM radioNoNo
Dolby AtmosNoNo
Speakers test
Max loudness
89.3 dB
86.3 dB

Other

CategoryMid-rangeFlagship
AnnouncedMay 2024October 2021
Release dateMay 2024October 2021
Launch price$499$600
Sensors - Barometer
- Proximity sensor
- Gyroscope
- Accelerometer
- Ambient light sensor
- Compass
- Fingerprint
- Barometer
- Proximity sensor
- Gyroscope
- Accelerometer
- Ambient light sensor
- Compass
- Fingerprint
Bundled chargerNot includedNot included
*Disclaimer! NFC, GSM network support, and some other specs can be different depending on the country.
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