These two phones are considerably different in pretty much every way. They do have some similarities, though. We’ll first compare their specifications, and will then compare them across a number of categories. We’ll let you make your own conclusions, but it’s hard to argue that the Pixel 6a is a great phone, and upgrading wouldn’t exactly be a mistake. That being said, let’s get started, shall we?
Specs
Google Pixel 6a vs Google Pixel 4a: Design
The Pixel 6a represents Google’s new design language, while the Pixel 4a has that old(er), understated design. The device comes with a frame made out of aluminum, and a plastic backplate. The Pixel 4a features a plastic unibody build. The Pixel 6a is taller, wider, and thicker, while it’s also heavier. That’s not surprising considering that it has a larger display, and an aluminum frame. The phone is far from heavy, though, at 178 grams (compared to 143 grams of the Pixel 4a). The Pixel 6a does have less curved corners, while both phones have fairly thin bezels, and a punch hole. The Pixel 6a has a centered punch hole, at the top of its display, while the Pixel 4a’s is located in the top-left corner. The two phones look even more different from the back. The Pixel 6a has a camera visor that goes from one side to the other. It does create a really nice two-color design. The Pixel 4a has that single-color design, with a camera island in the top-left corner. It’s worth noting that the Pixel 4a also has a capacitive fingerprint scanner on the back. The Pixel 6a does not, it includes an in-display fingerprint scanner, an optical one. The two devices offer a completely different in-hand feel. Neither is too grippy, but they’re less slippery than glass-made phones. The Pixel 4a is easier to use with one hand, mainly due to its size. The Pixel 6a is IP67 certified for water and dust resistance, while the Pixel 4a does not have any such rating.
Google Pixel 6a vs Google Pixel 4a: Display
Both of these phones have fairly compact displays, considering the competition. The Google Pixel 6a comes with a 6.1-inch fullHD+ (2400 x 1080) OLED display. That display is flat, and it’s a 60Hz panel. So the phone does not offer a high refresh rate display. HDR content is supported here, while the panel is protected by the Gorilla Glass 3. We’re looking at a 20:9 display aspect ratio on the Pixel 6a. The Google Pixel 4a, on the other hand, includes a 5.81-inch fullHD+ (2340 x 1080) OLED display. This is also a 60Hz panel, and it’s flat. HDR content is supported on this display as well. The same display protection is used here, the Gorilla Glass 3. That’s not the best option, as it’s rather prone to microscratches compared to some newer models, and it’s also not as shatter-proof. The Pixel 4a offers a 19.5:9 display aspect ratio. Now, both of these displays are fairly good, but the Pixel 6a has the better panel. The colors look better, and it’s brighter as well. The viewing angles are good on both, and despite the fact they don’t offer a high refresh rate, they’re a joy to use. The blacks are also deep, as you’d expect out of OLED panels.
Google Pixel 6a vs Google Pixel 4a: Performance
Google’s Tensor SoC is included inside the Pixel 6a. That is the company’s very first processor. In addition to that, the Pixel 6a packs in 6GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and UFS 3.1 flash storage. The Pixel 4a, on the flip side, comes with the Snapdragon 730G SoC, along with 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.1 flash storage. So, the Pixel 6a has the advantage from the get-go. Not only does it include a more powerful processor, but faster RAM and internal storage. Does that reflect on its performance, though? Well, yes, it does. The Pixel 6a does offer really, really good performance, actually. It’s really smooth in day-to-day performance, unlike the Pixel 4a. The Pixel 4a stutters quite a bit more these days, as it has been over two years since it was launched. Its SoC wasn’t exactly the latest and greatest back then either, and the same goes for RAM and storage. It’s still very usable, but it’s nowhere near as smooth as it used to be. What about gaming? Well, truth be said, neither of these two phones are great for gaming. The Pixel 6a is the better choice, though, far better choice. You can play the vast majority of games on both, but when it comes to graphically intensive games, such as Genshin Impact, the Pixel 6a will struggle at high details, but you can always lower the bar a bit. The Pixel 4a’s bar is set considerably lower, though, of course. The Pixel 6a also does heat up when you strain it with such games. So, it’s not the best phone for gaming (though it’s good), but that was to be expected. For anything else, though, the Pixel 6a is great.
Google Pixel 6a vs Google Pixel 4a: Battery
The Google Pixel 6a comes with a 4,410mAh battery. The Pixel 4a, on the other hand, includes a 3,140mAh battery pack. Despite the fact the Pixel 6a has a larger display, this is a major difference in battery capacity, and when you count in the Tensor optimizations… the Pixel 6a does offer much better battery life. The Pixel 4a didn’t really have great battery life to begin with, so… there you go. With the Pixel 6a, we were able to cross that 7-hour screen-on-time mark constantly, and still have some battery left in the tank. The Pixel 4a usually died on us before reaching the 6-hour screen-on-time mark, and sometimes even before reaching the 5-hour screen-on-time mark. Your mileage may vary, of course, as you’re using your phone differently. You also have different apps in use, different signal strength, and so on. When it comes to charging, the two phones offer the same speed, even though different standards are in use. The Pixel 6a does support USB Power Deliver 3.0, while the Pixel 4a is limited to USB Power Delivery 2.0. In any case, both phones offer support for 18W charging. One thing to note is that the Pixel 6a does not include a charger in the box, while the Pixel 4a does.
Google Pixel 6a vs Google Pixel 4a: Cameras
These two phones actually have the same main camera, a 12.2-megapixel unit. That is the same sensor Google has been using since the Pixel 2. The company’s image processing voodoo is keeping it alive, though. The Pixel 6a also has a secondary camera on the back, a 12-megapixel ultrawide unit. On the front, you’ll find the same 8-megapixel camera on both devices.
Are there any differences in photo quality? Well, truth be said, the Pixel 6a can do a bit better job in some instances, but for the most part, the images turn out pretty much the same. The Tensor probably does make the difference on occasion, but the Pixel 4a is keeping up quite nicely. You’ll be getting really contrasty and vivid images from both smartphones, with great performance in HDR conditions. They both manage to pull out quite a few details in the dark as well, and sacrifice a bit of noise for it. The Pixel 6a tends to perform ever so slightly better in low light, but the Pixel 4a manages to keep up in such conditions as well. The Pixel 6a’s ultrawide camera can be quite useful, even though we’d prefer an even wider FoV. For low light, though, you may want to stick to the main sensor.
Audio
Both of these smartphones do include stereo speakers. These are not the best speakers we’ve heard, not at all. They are good enough on both phones, though. The performance is not that different between them, though the Pixel 6a does seem to offer slightly more detailed sound, and it’s a bit louder as well. The Pixel 4a also has an audio jack, which is something that Google omitted from the Pixel 6a. You’ll have to use a Type-C port on the Pixel 6a if you’d like to connect your headphones via a wire. The Pixel 6a does support Bluetooth 5.2, though, while the Pixel 4a is limited to Bluetooth 5.0.
