We're expecting a new mid-range smartphone to launch from Google in the next few months but there are some superb deals on the slightly older Google Pixel 6a right now that are well worth checking out.
In the US, for example, you can pick up the Google Pixel 6a for its lowest-ever unlocked device price at the retailer, whereas those in the UK can get an awesome Pixel Buds bundle complete with a whopping £150 saving.
Reasons to buy
A good chip for the price
The Google Pixel 6a isn't a high-end device by any stretch of the imagination but the own-brand Tensor chip inside the phone is a superb chip for the price. It's powerful enough to zip through most daily tasks, handle gaming relatively well, and enables great integration with Google Assistant and other AI-assisted tools like Live Translate.
Great camera
Speaking of which, the Tensor chip also enables some superb computational photography features like Magic Eraser and Face Unblur. Even with a modest 12MP main camera, the Pixel 6a is capable of taking some great social-media-worthy shots under most conditions. Check out our Google Pixel 6a review if you want to see some samples of what this device can do.
Reasons to avoid
The Google Pixel 7a is likely around the corner
The 'Pixel A' series usually comes somewhere in the main Pixel flagships product cycle, which means it could come as early as May this year. For reference, the Pixel 6a was initially announced in May 2022 and shipped the following July.
Is it worth waiting for? Well, we expect the Google Pixel 7a to follow in the vein of the 6a by offering a cut-down version of the main Pixel 7 with a price that makes sense in the $400 to $450 range. A recent leak suggests that the device will carry the Tensor 2 chip, a 90Hz display, and wireless charging - all meaningful upgrades that could make it worth the wait.
The Pixel 7 is also pretty cheap right now
By cheap, we mean it's $599 / £560 - which may not seem cheap compared to the Pixel 6a - but it's much more reasonable than the Galaxy S23's $799 / £849, for example. If you can afford the jump up in price, then it's not a bad idea to upgrade to the Pixel 7. Not only does it have an upgraded camera and chip, but its glass-backed design and 120Hz definitely give it a more 'premium' feel and look. If the Pixel 7 is still out of your budget, then it's also worth checking out our best cell phone deals roundup for a few other reasonably-priced alternatives.
