📱 2022-08-19 12:00:00 – Paris/France.
The Pixel 6a isn't a small phone by most standards. But at an ounce lighter and 0,25 inches shorter than the more expensive Pixel 6, it's far more ergonomic for one-handed use. Not to mention the lack of a bulky, protruding camera bump, which means your fingers don't have to work as much to hold the Pixel 6a. So how does it compare to the smaller option in the iOS camp: the iPhone 13 mini?
The Google Pixel 6a and Apple's iPhone 13 mini couldn't be more different, but they share one common trait: they're more practical versions of their larger siblings that inherit the same performance and look. These are the most affordable options for someone who wants to buy the flagship experience of their respective ecosystem. And, thanks to some offers, they're not too far apart in price either. The question is which one to choose: Pixel 6a or iPhone 13 mini?
Pixel 6a versus iPhone 13 mini
Pixel 6a | iPhone 13mini | |
---|---|---|
Price | $ 449 | $ 429 |
Displays and Signage | 6,1-inch, 2400 x 1080, 60Hz OLED | 5,4-inch, Super Retina XDR OLED, 2 x 340 pixels |
CPU | Google tensor | A15 bionic |
RAM | Go 6 | Go 4 |
Storage | Go 128 | Starts at 128 GB |
Camera for selfies | 8MP | 12MP |
rear cameras | 12,2 MP wide, 12 MP ultra wide | Two 12MP lenses (wide and ultra-wide) |
Battery size | 4 410 mAh | 2 438 mAh |
Colors | Chalk, Charcoal, Sage | Red, Orange, Lavender, Mint, Navy, WhiteStarlight, Midnight, Blue, (PRODUCT)RED and Pink. |
Length | 5,9 x 2,83 x 0,35 inches | 5,2 x 2,5 x 0,3 inches |
Ballast | 6,28 ounces | 4,97 ounces |
Pixel 6a vs. iPhone 13 mini: price
The Google Pixel 6a is only available in one configuration (6GB and 128GB) and costs $449.
The iPhone 13 mini starts at $699 (with an installment plan) or $729 unlocked for 128GB of storage. Its 256GB variant is priced at $799 and the 512GB model costs $999.
If you're someone who hangs on to your phone for 6 years or beyond, the value equation may start to tip over to the iPhone 13 mini, but for most people the Pixel 6a is clearly the winner here.
Winner: Pixel 6a
Pixel 6 (Image credit: Laptop Mag)
Pixel 6a vs. Pixel 6: design
The Pixel 6a and the iPhone 13 mini are two equally beautiful phones. However, their designs will appeal to disparate types of people. The Pixel 6a turns heads, while the iPhone 13 mini looks understated.
The former continues Google's tradition of opting for fresh, playful, and quirky looks. It features a two-tone rear with a periscope-like black glass strip at the top housing the camera lenses and flash. Although it's plastic, it doesn't feel like it: it has a smooth glass texture and finish that's both comfortable to hold and doesn't add too much weight. The edges also have a texture that helps with ergonomics, while the front is dominated by a 6,1-inch screen save for the small cutout for the front camera.
Google Pixel 6 (Image credit: Laptop Mag)
The iPhone 13 mini, meanwhile, has a nearly two-year-old industrial glass exterior. Compared to the Pixel 6a in particular, the 13 mini proves to be more robust and can better withstand drops and accidents. Part of the reason is that it's a seamless piece of engineering as opposed to the Pixel 6a, which has a handful of separate parts like the camera section. The sides are square here, and while they don't sit naturally in a hand like curves, they provide plenty of room for your fingers to rest comfortably.
The elephant in the room is, of course, the size difference. The iPhone 13 mini (5,2 x 2,5 x 0,3 inches, 5 ounces), as its name suggests, is a compact device ideal for one-handed use. It can fit in any pocket, and you can even reach every corner of the 5,4-inch screen without readjusting – a benefit hardly any other phone offers.
The best way to describe the Pixel 6a's footprint is that it's not giant, unlike the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. It's the best of two extreme worlds; the relatively narrow form factor allows average-sized hands to use it one-handed and yet its screen is large enough that you can consume media on it without squinting. For this reason, the Pixel 6a (5,9 x 2,8 x 0,34 inches, 6,3 ounces) is supposed to be heavier, but since the extra 1,4 ounces are evenly distributed across its taller build, you can barely feel the extra weight.
Winner: Draw
Google Pixel 6a (Image credit: Laptop Mag)
Pixel 6a vs. iPhone 13 mini: Display
Apart from the dimensions, the OLED screens of the Pixel 6a (6,1 inches) and the iPhone 13 mini (5,4 inches) share several similarities. They both have 1080p resolution, support HDR, and are incredibly bright at around 800 nits. Thanks to these high-end specs, there's not much to complain about: they're crisp, vibrant and easily readable outdoors, even in direct sunlight. However, several factors can help you choose one over the other.
The Pixel 6a's display definitely offers a more cinematic experience. It's not only 0,7 inches taller, but thanks to the smaller notch for the selfie camera, it also offers an uninterrupted display. It's obviously better for just about anything you'd do on it, whether that's playing games or scrolling through social media. Another advantage it has is that it can stay always on and constantly show you the time, notifications and date without draining the battery too much.
Google Pixel 6 screen (Image credit: Laptop Mag/Sean Riley)
The 13 mini has its own tricks. Its built-in True Tone technology automatically adapts to the lighting in your room and adjusts the screen's color temperature to be more accurate and calming. Moreover, it has a ceramic layer which is at least theoretically much stronger than the protection of the Pixel 6a.
However, if I had to choose, I would go for the Pixel 6a, as I often read on my phone.
Winner: Pixel 6a
Pixel 6a vs. iPhone 13 mini: Hardware
Even though the Pixel 6a is a mid-range phone, it has a handful of advantages over the iPhone 13 mini, which is a high-end flagship model.
The Pixel 6a is equipped with the latest connectivity modules, such as Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 compared to the latter's Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5. These are largely incremental upgrades, but they will matter in low connectivity scenarios. Additionally, I found the Pixel 6a's in-display fingerprint reader and USB-C port to be more convenient than the iPhone's Face ID and proprietary Lightning charging slot. Its stereo speakers are also louder and crisper than the iPhone's.
The only advantage of the iPhone 13 mini (IP68 rating) is that it can survive up to 6 meters of deep water crashes for 30 minutes, while the Pixel 67a's IP6 rating is limited to 1 meter.
Winner: Pixel 6a
Google Tensor (Image credit: Laptop Mag/ Sean Riley)
Pixel 6a versus iPhone 13 mini: performance
The Pixel 6a and iPhone 13 mini run on high-end internal chips developed by Google and Apple. Although there are some underlying technical differences, they are both more than capable of handling all sorts of tasks without breaking a sweat. In actual use, they can comfortably multitask between multiple resource-intensive applications like gaming and video editing. I never had to wait for apps and web pages to load on either and both rarely warmed up unless I was charging them in my car on a sunny day.
On paper, however, despite the Pixel 2a's 6GB extra RAM (6GB RAM, octa-core) and two extra cores, the iPhone 13 mini (4GB RAM, hexacore) performed better during benchmark tests, likely thanks to Apple's years of refinement. and experience in silicon design. On Geekbench 5, the iPhone 13 mini earned a single-core score of 1 and a multi-core score of 705. The Pixel 4a fell remarkably short at 426 and 6, respectively. The iPhone 1 mini also has the added benefit of three storage options: 046GB, 2GB, and 121GB. The Pixel 13a is limited to just 128GB.
Additionally, Apple's chips have a reputation for being the most durable in the industry and keeping devices running smoothly for years. The iPhone 13 mini is expected to receive major software updates for at least five years. The Pixel 6a is said to receive three major annual Android updates and five years of security patches.
Winner: iPhone 13mini
Google Pixel 6a (Image credit: Laptop Mag/Sean Riley)
Pixel 6a vs. iPhone 13 mini: Battery life
The iPhone 2 mini's small 438mAh battery is no match for the nearly double-packed 13mAh Pixel 4a. If you're careful, you can squeeze a day out of the iPhone 410 mini's battery with a bit of juice at night and an average screen time of 6-13 hours. However, the Pixel 3a is on another level. It can last up to two days with moderate use and produce an impressive screen time of around 4 hours. You won't have to worry about carrying a power bank and cable before you go.
Both phones can be charged quickly with a maximum 18W adapter. 6% in less than 2 minutes.
The only downside to the Pixel 6a's battery is that it doesn't support wireless charging. The iPhone 13 mini, by comparison, is compatible with 7,5W Qi fast wireless charging as well as 15W MagSafe charging.
Winner: Pixel 6a
Google Pixel 6a (Image credit: Laptop Mag/Sean Riley)
Pixel 6a vs. iPhone 13 mini: Cameras
The iPhone 13 mini's cameras are theoretically better than the Pixel 6a's mid-range setup. Its 12-megapixel main shooter has a larger 1,7µm (up from 1,4µm) sensor and a smaller f/1,6 (up from f/1,7) aperture, meaning it can capture more light without compromising detail. But the reality hardly reflects this, as the two go hand in hand in the results.
In daylight scenes, the Pixel 6a and iPhone 13 mini can click well-lit, detailed images with rich, accurate colors. However, the idea of what a good photo looks like is different from Apple and Google. While the Pixel 6a results accentuated shadows and highlights and presented a contrasting look, the iPhone 13 mini believes in the balance of all qualities.
For example, if you click on something next to a bright window, the Pixel 6a shot will enhance both the foreground and background so the photo is dramatic and vivid, but not in focus. to think that it is oversaturated. The iPhone 13 mini will blast light from this window to better expose the subject, and you won't be able to see much of what was visible outside the window when you took the final shot.
(Image credit: Laptop Mag/Sean Riley)
At night, the Pixel 6a and iPhone 13 mini do a decent job of making sure your photos aren't blurry and still have plenty of detail and light. You won't be able to tell the iPhone has a technically superior camera since Google's clever software algorithms clean up everything the 6a's hardware messes up. Speaking of which, on the Pixel 6a you'll find a handful of smart camera features to edit your photos. You can remove unnecessary objects from images after taking them and adjust the angle at which light falls on someone's face.
Their two secondary ultra-wide cameras are fun to play with, but don't expect print-worthy results from them. Although they allow you to capture a wider scene, the lenses themselves are not of high quality. You will often see that the edges are a bit distorted and the lighting and dynamic range are turned off. But as long as there's enough light and you're not trying to photograph a moving object, you'll get great shots with both ultra-wide cameras.
(Image credit: Laptop Mag)
Although it's hard to pick a winner...
SOURCE: Reviews News
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