The Google Pixel 6 got its release late last year with much fanfare, with Google’s custom chipset Tensor initially receiving much praise. Fast-forward a few weeks, both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have been plagued with various bugs ranging from screen flickering issues to overheating, which many believe have cropped up in part due to the use of the Tensor chipset.
However, these setbacks have apparently not stopped Google from proceeding with their plans to release the Google Pixel 6A, which should be the affordable follow-up to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.
Prior to the launch of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, the tech giant opened up its Pixel Superfans group to more people, giving them the opportunity to join others who happened to be as obsessed with Google’s hardware. The members of this group have since received a few goodies from Google. Pixel-branded socks and the like. However, last week, a few lucky Pixel Superfans received a bigger package than usual, which included a Nest Audio and a colouring book.
Inside the colouring book, there is a QR code that launches what appears to be a new colors.withgoogle.com site that lets users enjoy a bit of colouring of Google hardware. Images of the colouring book show a variety of black and white sketches of Google devices like phones, smart displays, and security cameras that you can colour. A table-of-contents lists a “Pixel 6A,” a phone which Google has never publicly mentioned. Unfortunately, turning to pages 6 and 7 doesn’t show the phone.
This is not the first time Google has had its unannounced phone leaked in an unconventional place. For instance, the Google Pixel 5a first appeared in the metadata of a photo posted to one of Google’s blogs. Photo metadata is the information and specific details concerning a particular image file. This information often includes date created, author, file name, content, themes and more.
One might find it reasonable for the Google Pixel 6a mention to be a typo, but this is unlikely to be the case, as other leaks have started surfacing online. Add to the fact that the Pixel 3, 4 and 5 were all followed up with affordable options that had the A moniker, it makes it likely that the trend will continue with the Pixel 6.
9to5Google believes that the Pixel 6a will still be powered by the Google Tensor but will instead have a downgraded camera system from the Pixel 6 in order to keep the cost down. They also state that it will feature the same 12.2 MP Sony IMX363 primary sensor used by the Pixel 3 to 5a, instead of the 50 MP GNI1 from Samsung that is used on the Pixel 6. The unannounced Pixel 6a might also have a 12-megapixel IMX386 ultrawide from the Pixel 6, and a 12-megapixel IMX355 selfie camera.
The Pixel 6a will look similar to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, albeit a little smaller with a 6.2-inch screen compared to the 6.4 inches on the Pixel 6. Unlike the Pixel 5a, The Pixel 6a will have no headphone jack, which is a shame really.
