Google just recently concluded its annual developer conference, Google I/O 2022. Usually, we do not see a ton of hardware but this year we did, or at least a ton of hardware announcements.
We can divide the entire event into three categories: the upcoming devices which are the Pixel Buds Pro and the Pixel 6a and in this article we are going to talk about them. There there is the upcoming hardware later this year and finally, they also announced some technology for 2023.
Pixel 6a
We already knew that Pixel 6a was kind of around the corner and now we finally have all the details about it.
Now talking about the Pixel 6a, it can be said that it is a smaller and bumped-down Pixel 6. If you look at it from a distance, you can say that it is very similar to the Pixel 6. There is the same camera bar, same glass, and same software with Material You. The great thing is that it is powered by the same Google’s very own Tensor chip that powers the flagship Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.
However, the main difference between the Pixel 6a and Pixel 6 is the display and cameras. The display is obviously a little smaller and then it is a 6.1-inch 60-hertz 1080p G-OLED panel.
Google told that they have saved cost on the cameras which might concern you a little bit but it still has a standard and an ultra-wide lens and the main sensor is the Sony IMX363 which is an old but very reliable sensor and it is also present on the Pixel 2, 3, and 4.
Other than that, the battery and material of the phone are just about the same.
Here are some of the key specifications of the phone:
- 128GB Storage
- 6GB RAM
- 4,400mAh Battery
- IP67 Water Resistance
- 18W Charging
- In-Display Fingerprint Sensor
Now, this is all great and given the fact that it has a low refresh rate screen and the same Google Tensor chip, we might see great battery life on the Pixel 6a.
Apart from that, you will get all the camera features like Magic Eraser, Night Shift, Real Tone, etc.
The new Google 6a is priced at USD 449 and the preorders for the phone will begin on July 21 and will be available by July 28. The ‘a’ Pixel series from Google is always well-received by people as they offer great features on a budget, it will be interesting to see how well the Pixel 6a performs.
Pixel Buds Pro
Google Pixel 6a is launching alongside new flagship earbuds from Google called the Pixel Buds Pro. The key highlight of the Pixel Buds Pro is that they are wireless earbuds with ANC(Active Noise Cancellation).
They come with a Transparency mode, they also support multi-device connectivity and they are compatible with Android(of course), iOS, and PCs as well.
Because they are from Google, you also get built-in Google Assistant. To increase the usability of the earbuds, they also have IPX4 sweat resistance. If we talk about the design of these earbuds then it is quite simple and versatile. You can see the mics clearly and then there are the silicone tips and their case looks pretty much the same as the first-gen Pixel Buds.
These earbuds come with an 11mm driver and they also support wireless charging for the case.
Google quotes that the battery life on these is 11 hours of music playback and it reduces to 7 hours with ANC turned on.
The key highlight of the Pixel Buds Pro is the six-core audio chip on board which basically contributes significantly to ANC, Transparency Mode, and other features.
As of now, there is barely any competition to the AirPods as they are the only good TWS earbuds to have both ANC and Transparency Mode. But with Pixel Buds Pro, it will be interesting to see.
The Pixel Buds Pro is priced at USD 199 and they are going to be up for preorders starting this July 21.
These are the two main devices that are going to be coming this summer and they are both pretty good on paper.