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DisplayWe put the Google Pixel 6a through our rigorous DXOMARK Battery test suite to measure its performance in autonomy, charging and efficiency. In these test results, we will break down how it fared in a variety of tests and several common use cases.
Overview
Key specifications:
- Battery capacity: 4410 mAh
- 18W charger (not included)
- 6.1-inch, 1080 x 2400, 60 Hz, OLED display
- Google Tensor (5 nm)
- Tested ROM / RAM combination: 128 GB + 6 GB
Scoring
Sub-scores and attributes included in the calculations of the global score.
Google Pixel 6a
Key performances
These key points are derived from the lab measurements during testing and do not figure into the overall score. The lab measurements, however, are used for the overall score.
160th
32nd
Pros
- Decent autonomy when streaming video
- Low residual consumption of the charger itself
Cons
- Very low autonomy when calling and streaming music
- Poor performance on the go, especially when calling
- Long charging time
- Poor autonomy recovered after 5-minute charge
- Very low charge efficiency
- High discharge currents on average (except for video)
The Google Pixel 6a’s battery struggled in the series of battery tests, leading to an overall low global score. Its performance during the typical usage scenario was average, but the idle phases were not well-managed. During the calibrated tests, the device consumed a lot of power when calling and streaming music, but showed decent autonomy when streaming videos. When using key outdoor functions such as the GPS navigation, the camera, or especially when calling, the Pixel 6a’s autonomy was very low.
In terms of charging, the 30W Google charger couldn’t provide a decent experience because the device supported only 18W. It took 2 hours and 12 minutes to fully charge the 4410mAh battery. The autonomy gained after charging the phone for 5 minutes was only 2 hours and 10 minutes on average, among the lowest in our database so far. The charge efficiency was also really low, even though the travel adapter’s efficiency was average. One good point, however, was that Google’s 30W charger’s had one of the lowest residual consumption levels when left plugged into a power outlet without charging the phone. On average, the discharge currents were high, especially when calling and streaming music, but below average during the video use cases, which means that the device is well-optimized for streaming videos, but not when calling and streaming some music.
Compared with other devices from the same price range ($400 to $699), the Google Pixel 6a’s finds itself in the penultimate position in our High-end segment ranking, because of its very poor charging performance, low efficiency, and a slightly below-average autonomy score due to its low autonomy in calibrated and on-the-go tests.
Test Summary
About DXOMARK Battery tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone battery reviews, DXOMARK engineers perform a variety of objective tests over a week-long period both indoors and outdoors. (See our introductory and how we test articles for more details about our smartphone Battery protocol.)
The following section gathers key elements of our exhaustive tests and analyses performed in DXOMARK laboratories. Detailed performance evaluations under the form of reports are available upon request. Do not hesitate to contact us.
| Battery | Charger | Wireless | Display | Processor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 6a | 4410mAh | 18W (not included) |
- | OLED 1080 x 2400 |
Google Tensor |
| Google Pixel 6 | 4614mAh | 30W (not included) |
21W | OLED 1080 x 2400 |
Google Tensor |
| Apple iPhone SE (2022) | 2018mAh | 18W (not included) |
15W | LCD IPS 750 x 1334 |
Apple A15 Bionic |
| Samsung Galaxy A53 5G | 5000mAh | 25W (not included) |
- | AMOLED 1080 x 2400 |
Samsung Exynos 1280 |
Autonomy
Google Pixel 6a
195
Autonomy score is composed of three performance sub-scores: Stationary, On the go, and Calibrated use cases. Each sub-score comprises the results of a comprehensive range of tests for measuring autonomy in all kinds of real-life scenarios.
Battery Life (moderate)
119th
Battery Life (moderate)
25th
Home/Office
Google Pixel 6a
221
A robot housed in a Faraday cage performs a set of touch-based user actions during what we call our “typical usage scenario” (TUS) — making calls, video streaming, etc. — 4 hours of active use over the course of a 16-hour period, plus 8 hours of “sleep.” The robot repeats this set of actions every day until the device runs out of power.
On the go
Google Pixel 6a
195
Using a smartphone on the go takes a toll on autonomy because of extra “hidden” demands, such as the continuous signaling associated with cellphone network selection, for example. DXOMARK Battery experts take the phone outdoors and perform a precisely defined set of activities while following the same three-hour travel itinerary (walking, taking the bus, the subway…) for each device
Calibrated
Google Pixel 6a
198
For this series of tests, the smartphone returns to the Faraday cage and our robots repeatedly perform actions linked to one specific use case (such as gaming, video streaming, etc.) at a time. Starting from an 80% charge, all devices are tested until they have expended at least 5% of their battery power.
Charging
Google Pixel 6a
218
Charging is fully part of the overall battery experience. In some situations where autonomy is at a minimum, knowing how fast you can charge becomes a concern. The DXOMARK Battery charging score is composed of two sub-scores, (1) Full charge and (2) Quick boost.
Full charge
Google Pixel 6a
224
Full charge tests assess the reliability of the battery power gauge; measure how long and how much power the battery takes to charge from zero to 80% capacity, from 80 to 100% as shown by the UI, and until an actual full charge.
Charging Time 0-80%
152nd
Charging Time 0-80%
30th
Quick boost
Google Pixel 6a
212
With the phone at different charge levels (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%), Quick boost tests measure the amount of charge the battery receives after being plugged in for 5 minutes. The chart here compares the average autonomy gain from a quick 5-minute charge.
Efficiency
Google Pixel 6a
154
The DXOMARK power efficiency score consists of two sub-scores, Charge up and Discharge rate, both of which combine data obtained during robot-based typical usage scenario, calibrated tests and charging evaluation, taking into consideration the device’s battery capacity. DXOMARK calculate the annual power consumption of the product, shown on below graph, which is representative of the overall efficiency during a charge and when in use.
Charge up
Google Pixel 6a
205
The charge up sub-score is a combination of four factors: the overall efficiency of a full charge, related to how much energy you need to fill up the battery compared to the energy that the battery can provide; the efficiency of the travel adapter when it comes to transferring power from an outlet to your phone; the residual consumption when your phone is fully charged and still plugged into the charger; and the residual consumption of the charger itself, when the smartphone is disconnected from it. The chart here below shows the overall efficiency of a full charge in %.
Discharge
Google Pixel 6a
194
The discharge subscore rates the speed of a battery’s discharge during a test, which is independent of the battery’s capacity. It is the ratio of a battery’s capacity divided by its autonomy. A small-capacity battery could have the same autonomy as a large-capacity battery, indicating that the device is well-optimized, with a low discharge rate.
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