I bought the phone last January for €310. I have it as a second phone and I haven't put a SIM card in it, I bought it to try out a pixel phone. After months of frequent, almost daily, use (internet, social media, games, photos, videos), I have the following to report:

- It has a pretty good screen and the size helps you use it with one hand. The refresh rate is 60 Hz but it doesn't cause any issues when scrolling. The bezels are not particularly large, but they could be smaller. Overall, it is a sleek and fast phone.
- The functionality is very good, with almost all the features found in more expensive pixels, making the usage enjoyable and easy. It receives all updates promptly and, of course, it is on Android 13.
- The battery is small and no matter how good the management is, it doesn't last long even with moderate use. However, a big downside is that it charges very slowly. There is no wireless charging.
- The camera is very good, but only during the day. The nighttime photos have a lot of noise and in low light, they are often not visible. The front camera is average. The video is good during the day and mediocre at night. Of course, with the hardware being old and mediocre, I wouldn't expect anything better. On the other hand, there is a big advantage, which is the amazing software that can completely transform most average or bad photos. There are many good tools and photo or video editing produces incredible results.

I also want to mention some issues that I don't know if I have alone or if they happen to others:
- The Wi-Fi often disconnects or the signal is quite weak. I noticed this in the last 2 months. I don't know if it has to do with some update.
- When I enter a page, especially in the newsfeed, in 90% of cases, it takes a long time to load. However, once it opens, it continues to other pages without any problem.

Overall, it is a good phone but with some limitations. If someone wants a beautiful phone with clean Android and good daytime photos, they could get it. However, if someone wants a good camera overall and a good battery, I think it would be better to look elsewhere. Especially if they want a good camera, I believe that with the same or even less money, they can find something better

Excellent smartphone!

An exceptional device, I will start with its positives.

Camera!
Incredible for a phone with such old lenses to take such great photos, even in low light conditions. The AI with its camera CPU does a fantastic job, as you can see in the sample photos I uploaded, including night shots. If I had to pick its strongest feature, it would be the camera, which surpasses even high-end smartphones.

UI, the Android experience is smooth, everything runs very smoothly without any lag. The apps open quickly, and switching between apps is very fast. After all, it's what characterizes having the Android operating system as it should be on every Android smartphone.

Sound, the sound quality is very good, I didn't expect it to be the best, but for its budget, it is very satisfactory and enjoyable for listening to music.

Video, in terms of video, although it records well, I would say it is average, and I would have liked it to be better. Of course, I don't miss it as much because I don't record videos very often, but for someone who is a big video enthusiast, if you're getting it for that reason, don't expect something very good compared to the camera.

Display, I wouldn't call it excellent since it has AMOLED, but it's not one of the powerful AMOLED displays. Nevertheless, it has good colors and looks nice with its 60Hz, which appears as if it's running at 90Hz, and the reason behind it is that it runs on pure Android.

Negatives

Selfie camera

While the rear camera is excellent, the same cannot be said for the front camera. It is a mediocre camera that should have been given more attention. I would have expected something better. It's not that it will bother you if you are an average user of the front camera, but if you are a selfie enthusiast, this is not the phone you are looking for, as it is not as good in this aspect, and there are better options at this price range.

Battery, here I didn't expect an amazing battery, but neither did I expect such a bad one. It's not the worst, but definitely not good. With heavy usage, it will last around 10-12 hours, and with regular usage, it will last a day. However, if you play games, etc., it will drain quickly. Unfortunately, it has slow charging compared to the technologies we have today. When I say slow, I mean a simple fast charging of 18W, not 30+.

Overall, the Pixel 6a is the best one can find at the price of €350. It offers a great experience with stock Android and one of the best cameras, but with poor sound quality.

As a fan of pure Android, starting with the Galaxy Nexus, Motorola Moto G2, and then the Moto G52 (7 months ago, good for what you pay), I thought of trying the Pixel 6a, mainly because of the price compared to the 6 and 6 pro...

Positives: Convenient size, good screen, good camera (not as good as they describe it), software updates and security.

Negatives: The fingerprint scanner is downright useless, if it works 1 out of 2-3 times and without any consistency (and yes, I've done everything Google says, but no difference).

Heavy for its size and not well-balanced, with most of the weight at the bottom, resulting in it slipping from the palm (and yes, I use a silicone case).

The power button is upside down compared to other phones, meaning it is above the volume buttons, so whenever I want to increase the volume, I end up locking the phone.

It does not have wireless charging (a disadvantage for me), its battery barely lasts a day with typical use, calls, messages, emails, browsing, 20%-25% by late afternoon! (I haven't installed any social media apps because I don't use them). Also, significant battery consumption in idle mode (from 11:00 PM - 8:00 AM, 10%-12%!).

I use a Fast Charge (15W) charger and a Samsung cable, but it seems it is not compatible with this phone, as it only charges at around 4.5W-5.5W, 33% per hour, which means almost 3 hours from 0% to 100%!

The camera is good when there is good lighting, but in low light conditions, you have to keep it steady for at least 8-10 seconds (comparing to the iPhone 11, which only takes 3 seconds with better results). It also heats up a lot during camera usage. A phone capable of 4K with only one option of 128GB?

Most Google features do not work, such as call screening, geolocation, Glance, Weather, etc., due to geographical location (Europe).

It does not support 5G because, as I was informed by my (green) provider, "Google does not provide permission." As mentioned above.

Even though SMS Auto Fill is enabled, codes and OTPs received via SMS are not automatically filled in.

VoLTE & VoWiFi are disabled because Google does not provide a license for their use in the EU (ADB process to enable them), resulting in a downgrade from 4G to 3G during calls, which means almost nonexistent speed for data and related activities!

There is no authorized service center in case of damage.

It has frozen three times so far, with only four apps running (Gmail, Brave with 5 open tabs, Dialer, and SMS), and it required two restarts!

6 gigabytes of RAM is not enough, and it shows (Pixel 7a has 8GB).

Essentially, the Tensor G1 is a "repackaged" Exynos 2100, with all the issues of the latter (thermal throttling, stuttering, etc.).

June update: Hoping that the June update would solve some of the many issues faced by several users, such as battery consumption, fingerprint reader, night shots, etc., I downloaded it and can confidently say that it is even worse than before. The battery is even worse with slower charging and higher consumption, basically, it doesn't last me a day!
The fingerprint reader remained at the same levels, meaning it's a gamble whether it will work or not, resulting in the inability to use apps that require it to function.
The camera, as you can see from the comments on the Play Store, has become even worse in low-light conditions.
And it overheats with simple usage, something that didn't happen before the latest update.

Something I learned by searching on Google forums is that in order for "fast charging" to work, the charger needs to be at least 15W-20W PD type in combination with a USB C to USB C cable.
After purchasing 4 chargers, 3 Anker and 1 Samsung (total of €145), I achieved unstable charging, ranging from 12W-15.4W, from the initial 5W, and with the battery temperature rising to 43-45 degrees Celsius from 33-35! (Note that when the battery exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, the charging drops to 3W, presumably due to overheating.)
What Google is thinking and doing, even they don't know!

June Security Patch (19.4MB): Supposedly, Google acknowledges the issues with the fingerprint reader, throttling, overheating, camera, battery, etc., and with this update, they should have been fixed to a significant extent...
Unfortunately, even though all the above are mentioned in the Pixel 6a forums, with every update, it gets worse in every aspect!

23/7/23: I happened to be in an area with poor 3G/4G coverage, and while all the other phones had signal, once 2G was activated, the Pixel lost signal since it doesn't support 2G, except for "emergency situations," "Emergency Call 112."
So, in the end, you have to carry a second phone with you because Google...

24/7/23: The screen went black for 10"-15" and restarted twice on its own.

July Security Patch: Overheating, freezing, battery, fingerprint, and now, its speed, all just terrible.
I think Google, with the launch of the Pixel 7a, simply wants to make the 6a as bad as possible, and they're achieving that 100%!

2nd July Security Patch 11/7: Should I copy/paste the previous comment or just say that it couldn't get any worse? Actually, if there isn't a dramatic difference with the next update, then back to the Moto g52, which it replaced, which at least doesn't freeze and has signal everywhere, something very useful in a phone!

Android 14 feature update: Battery improved (somewhat), speed further reduced, SOC seems to be showing its age, camera somewhat better (during the day).

The fingerprint scanner didn't improve (even worse!), charging time became even slower, most "features" are for the US, it loses signal very easily in areas with poor 3G coverage, doesn't support 2G, resulting in the screen often displaying "Emergency Calls Only"!

15/2/04 Android 14 feature update & Security update: No improvement in anything, but 3-4 apps "sprouted" that didn't exist before, and of course, you can't delete or disable them, and the annoying thing is that they are only for the US and Nest.

The battery has become even worse, to the point where it needs to be charged twice a day!

Another thing I noticed is that, while on the Nokia G42 5G, you can activate from 2G up to 5G and Google Assistant works fine, on the Pixel, none of these is possible. When you say "OK Google" on the Pixel, it displays a message that it needs to download further "feature package," but instead of proceeding with the installation, it simply shows "Error unable to download." Because...?

P.S. The devices I use are not given to me as gifts, but I buy them with my own money, so I am not biased when it comes to the reviews I make about them, and I do not want to deceive or misinform potential buyers.

Leaving aside my beloved iPhone 7 Plus in December 2020 after 3 years of use (the last year I suffered with the battery), I decided not to buy another expensive phone and not to hold onto a device for such a long time. The reason for my decision was that after two years of use, the battery performance objectively starts to decline.

I said it was better to buy a new device every year with a maximum cost of 300 euros and do my job decently, rather than be with a flagship phone and a charger in my hand from one point to another. I had no intention of marrying another phone.

Obviously, with this money, I couldn't buy anything other than a mid-range Android phone.

The Poco Phone X3 with its incredible battery (purchased for 220 euros with VAT exemption) turned out to be one of my best purchases and made me break my promise and keep the same phone for about 2.5 years. When I bought it, I knew that the camera couldn't compare to that of the iPhone, but all I cared about at that time was having a phone with a great battery, even if I sacrificed the good camera.

However, the truth is that during these 2.5 years, I missed my good camera and in the last period, I started the process of buying a new phone, resulting in me putting the Poco X3 aside. Any Android phone I saw felt like I was holding the Poco in my hands, so I didn't feel particularly excited. The phones I was following were the Xiaomi Note 12T, the OnePlus Nord 2T, and the Poco X5 Pro.

The fact that the Pixel 6a has one of the best cameras on the market and features clean Android software, made me take the risk and order a phone that I had never seen or held in my hands before.

Today, I received this phone, which is the most beautiful device I have ever held (peanut color).

I won't mention the negatives. They have been mentioned by others here.

On the positive side:
I never expected an Android phone to have such a camera. It can really be compared to phones that cost 1000 euros.

Clean Android is really the best. Minimal style without exaggeration.

The size is what a phone should have. Neither too big nor too small.

At this price of 299 euros with VAT exemption, it is a really great choice.

I don't know if I will ever buy a phone in the future that is not a Pixel. I am really very satisfied for now.

I promise to come back.

edit 23/3/2023

Take it with closed eyes, especially now that the price has dropped. I have tried countless mobile phones, and now I will stick only to Pixel. Never anything else. Speed-ball. Impeccable software, clean & free of any useless bloatware. Screen-sound-battery taken from mobile phones of multiple prices. And last but not least, the camera. Due to having a child, I wanted to always have a mobile phone with a good camera to capture anything. These photos I have with the Pixel6a I don't have from any other mobile phone, and even those of 1000+. Simple things. I have nothing to say, you have to see it to believe it. Especially at night, the videos (and especially the impeccable slow motion), stabilization and effects. The only thing I regret is the moments I missed and didn't capture with the 6a and I have photos from other mobile phones. The only unique flaw is the fingerprint that takes hours, but there are tricks to help it and as far as I know it gets better with use. All this and I haven't even mentioned the amazing capabilities of the tensor in live translation, the speed-response of android auto and thousands of others that you discover over time. It's worth 100 times its money, I recommend it immediately and unreservedly. Lack of 5g and fast charging do not personally bother me.

In my opinion, the 6a is the best "budget" phone to have a good camera. The camera is fast, performs well in low light conditions, and produces decent videos.

Additionally, it has fast performance for basic tasks (I don't play games) and provides some conveniences, such as real-time translation and song recognition. The battery is okay for me, as I work long hours and don't constantly use my phone. The haptic engine is also very good, if anyone is interested. Another positive is that it will receive updates quickly for at least 3 years, so it may have some resale value.

On the negative side, the screen's low refresh rate didn't make much of a difference for me. Also, the fingerprint sensor is fine until you put a screen protector on it. After that, it often doesn't recognize the same finger even after multiple scans. This weakness is exacerbated by the lack of facial recognition.

In conclusion, I highly recommend it to someone who wants a good camera and doesn't want to sell their kidney to get it. I don't recommend it to someone who wants a large screen for consuming content or playing games.

I got this specific phone as a second one mainly for its camera. I also have a Xiaomi 12x.

The camera is very good, but not so much better than other phones that justify choosing it just for that. It is definitely a camera that takes very good photos in most scenarios, but what one considers a good photo is often a matter of taste. For example, the Pixel has very realistic colors while the 12x exaggerates them, but if you take a picture of a child's joy, the 12x will look nicer to you.

On the other hand, having read a lot of complaints about the Google processor, I must admit that it left me speechless. The phone, in combination with pure Android, is very fast and cannot be compared to mid-range phones. Perhaps the most pleasant surprise from this specific phone.

I don't even care about the 60hz screen. What good is a fast screen with SD 7xx processors? Ok, if you put it side by side with a flagship that has a higher refresh rate, it looks slower, but when you open an application, you forget about it. The only downside of the screen is the brightness, which is a bit low for Greece.

Its battery is huge and easily lasts for a day, but if you make the mistake of needing to charge it during the day, it's better to put the sim in another phone. The phone only charges at night, anything else is utopian. Nevertheless, I believe that anyone who charges it all night will never complain about the battery.

In terms of connectivity, I personally have no issues with missed calls or the speed of 4G, but this probably has to do with the coverage of each area.

If I had to judge the phone more easily, I would call it a flagship killer because with 300 something euros, you get a top processor with a very good camera and a large battery, rather than a photographic mobile.

Update.

Kudos to Google because there is no shaky photo.

Evaluation after one week of use.
The phone is honest in terms of its price.
Very good analysis, nice screen, nice menu and navigation, nice feel as a device. The photos of the rear cameras are commendable, especially those of the "portrait" option. The front selfie photo is fine, nothing impressive but it's okay, night shots are also good. The video with the rear cameras is quite good, however, I have a big complaint about the video of the front camera, which is bad. The battery with relaxed use lasts about a day, while with minimal use almost 2, but if you use it heavily, it can drain in a few hours. Another negative is the slow charging, from 20% to 100% it takes about an hour and forty minutes to charge. Overall, it is a very good choice and given the approximately €330 I spent, I have no complaints. If it had a better front video and a better battery or at least faster charging, the phone would be excellent. But it wouldn't belong to the mid-range budget category. So it's definitely a good choice.

Purchased in August.

-Battery: In the first few days it didn't hold up as well until the phone learned your usage. Now it easily lasts a day.

-Camera: Just look at the photos.

-Video: Very good, but not as good as the photos.

-Screen: It's 1080p with a 60hz refresh rate. Personally, I don't mind because with the software it runs smoothly and I have no complaints about it.

-Signal: It doesn't pick up 5G because it's not supported in Greece, only up to LTE.

At the price of 380 euros, I'm very satisfied. If what you're looking for is a good camera, good software, and a good battery in a small size, this is the way to go.

If anything comes up, I'll update.

Updated review
- June 3, 2023
Minor issues with the phone after 10 months of use:
- As we all know, it has a problem with calls. I don't miss many, but there are times when the phone just doesn't ring and I get a message saying I missed a call. However, I emphasize that this doesn't happen often.
- An annoying thing for me is that it heats up quickly and you feel it. The processor is powerful, but it's not normal for the temperature to rise so much after 15-20 minutes of continuous use. It's not that you can't touch it, but you'll feel discomfort in your fingers.

In conclusion, a great phone with its problems. If anything comes up, I'll keep you updated.
Good luck to everyone.

Update review
- August 16th 2023
The problem with the heat is manageable now with the update of July's. Only in games it is getting heat up
- Camera , software and battery life is getting better and better in each update they throw it
- I will update if something happen
Stay safe