5G Pixel 6a could be unveiled earlier this year; tipster sees May introduction during I/O

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Google could unveil the Pixel 6a at Google I/O in May

This year’s Pixel 6a unveiling, if done in May as Jambor says, will happen much earlier than the last two models which were the Pixel 4a and Pixel 5a, both of which were announced in August. On the other hand, the Pixel 3a line first saw the light of day in May during Google I/O 2019 so an introduction of its mid-range handset earlier than August isn’t so far-fetched. The design will call to mind the Pixel 6 series.

Buy the Google Pixel 6 or the Pixel 6 Pro

Using the Tensor chip for the Pixel 6a would increase the odds that Google will include all or most of its latest AI and Machine Learning based features on the Pixel 6a.We would expect to see some of the features found on the Pixel 6 line make it to the Pixel 6a including the Magic Eraser. The latter removes parts of a photo that you don’t want in the background.

Motion Mode, which adds a blur to the background of action shots, might also be onboard. Other new features including the improvement to the At a Glance widget and the colorful Material You design come from Android 12 which will be preinstalled on the Pixel 6a.

One feature that won’t make it to the Pixel 6a from last year’s Pixel 5a that you wish did is the earphone jack. And we do wonder whether Google will return to the rear-mounted fingerprint reader on the 6a in light of the initial issues with the under-screen fingerprint scanner found on the Pixel 6 line. We do have to mention that after the January update, Pixel 6 series users weren’t complaining as much about the slow and lagging under-screen reader.

If you use your phone mainly to take photos, the Pixel 6a should probably be on the list of handsets that you’ll want to investigate. First, though, we need to see what the official specs of the Pixel 6a are once the device is announced as soon as May 26th.