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expiredchuq posted Oct 2, 2022 3:21 PM

128GB Google Pixel 6a Unlocked 5G Smartphone (various colors)

$350

$449

22% off
(or less w/ Visible Offer) + Free S/Hat Amazon
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Deal Details
Update: This popular deal is still available.

Various Retailers have the 128GB Google Pixel 6a Unlocked 5G Smartphone (various colors) on sale for $349 or less (see Best Buy Visible offer details below). Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Members chuq & sr71 [discuss] for finding this deal

Available retailers:
  • Amazon $349
  • Target $349
  • Best Buy (select 'Activate Later) $349 or less
    • Charcoal
    • Chalk
    • Sage
      • Special Offer: Save an additional $50 off your Pixel 6A when purchased together with a $45 Visible Wireless Prepaid Card (add both items to cart for automatic discount to apply, see details), making the combined price $344.99 ($299.99 for the device + $45 prepaid card).
  • Google Store $349
    • Charcoal
    • Chalk
    • Sage
Product Features:
  • Google Tensor Titan M2 Coprocessor
  • 6.1" 2400x1080p FHD+ (Up to 60Hz) Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Display w/ 12MP Dual Pixel (Rear) & 8MP (Front) Camera
  • 128GB Internal Storage
  • 6GB LPDDR5 RAM
  • 5G Ready Device
  • WiFi 6 (802.11ax) w/ 6E (6GHz) MIMO Bluetooth 5.2
  • Dual SIM
  • AR/VR Core
  • Fingerprint Unlocked Authentication
  • 5-Years of Pixel Updates included
  • Unlocked Device for All Carriers
Includes:
  • 128GB Google Pixel 6a 5G Unlocked Smartphone (Charcoal Colorway)
  • 1 meter USB-C to USB-C Cable (USB 2.0)
  • Quick Switch Adapter
  • SIM Tool
  • 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty

Editor's Notes

Written by powerfuldoppler | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This deal is $100 off (22% savings) the listed retail price of $449.
  • Ratings & Reviews:
    • Rated 4 out of 5 stars based on 236 Amazon customer reviews.
  • About these stores:

Original Post

Written by chuq
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Update: This popular deal is still available.

Various Retailers have the 128GB Google Pixel 6a Unlocked 5G Smartphone (various colors) on sale for $349 or less (see Best Buy Visible offer details below). Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Members chuq & sr71 [discuss] for finding this deal

Available retailers:
  • Amazon $349
  • Target $349
  • Best Buy (select 'Activate Later) $349 or less
    • Charcoal
    • Chalk
    • Sage
      • Special Offer: Save an additional $50 off your Pixel 6A when purchased together with a $45 Visible Wireless Prepaid Card (add both items to cart for automatic discount to apply, see details), making the combined price $344.99 ($299.99 for the device + $45 prepaid card).
  • Google Store $349
    • Charcoal
    • Chalk
    • Sage
Product Features:
  • Google Tensor Titan M2 Coprocessor
  • 6.1" 2400x1080p FHD+ (Up to 60Hz) Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Display w/ 12MP Dual Pixel (Rear) & 8MP (Front) Camera
  • 128GB Internal Storage
  • 6GB LPDDR5 RAM
  • 5G Ready Device
  • WiFi 6 (802.11ax) w/ 6E (6GHz) MIMO Bluetooth 5.2
  • Dual SIM
  • AR/VR Core
  • Fingerprint Unlocked Authentication
  • 5-Years of Pixel Updates included
  • Unlocked Device for All Carriers
Includes:
  • 128GB Google Pixel 6a 5G Unlocked Smartphone (Charcoal Colorway)
  • 1 meter USB-C to USB-C Cable (USB 2.0)
  • Quick Switch Adapter
  • SIM Tool
  • 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty

Editor's Notes

Written by powerfuldoppler | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This deal is $100 off (22% savings) the listed retail price of $449.
  • Ratings & Reviews:
    • Rated 4 out of 5 stars based on 236 Amazon customer reviews.
  • About these stores:

Original Post

Written by chuq

Community Voting

Deal Score
+85
Good Deal
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184 Comments

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Pro
Expert
This user is an Expert in Computers
Oct 3, 2022 5:17 AM
54.7K Comments
Joined Sep 2007
sr71
Pro
Expert
This user is an Expert in Computers
Oct 3, 2022 5:17 AM
54.7K Comments
activate later means you do what you want with it, prepaid or other... no need to subscribe to anything right away
Quote from wangs78 :
Activate *later*? So does this phone require signing up for wireless service or not? (Confused)
Pro
Oct 3, 2022 5:58 AM
17.7K Comments
Joined Aug 2009
PocketsThick
Pro
Oct 3, 2022 5:58 AM
17.7K Comments
Quote from vsauce :
Google had their trade in promotion for the Pixel 6a. The phone I sent them was the wrong storage GB, so they rejected and returned it. I never got my old phone back, Google has been stalling and telling me to wait for the past 5 weeks. They don't want to take responsibility.

**Don't buy hardware from a software company**
You tried taking advantage of them by sending in the wrong GB to see if they would accept it. They didn't, now you're big mad. Don't trade in phones if you're not going to do it properly. It's not rocket science.
2
1
Pro
Oct 3, 2022 6:00 AM
17.7K Comments
Joined Aug 2009
PocketsThick
Pro
Oct 3, 2022 6:00 AM
17.7K Comments
Quote from Kimka68 :
My 6a is stable after the Android 13 update. Battery is fine, not overheating, fingerprint sensor works. Be sure to use a case with adequate ventilation to prevent overheating.

My only complaint is that the speaker is super quiet for watching videos/listening to audio. Call volume is fine and no issues when using headphones.
Weird, I had the Pixel 4A and the Pixel 6A's speaker is way louder. The lowest volume setting is loud on the 6A. I liked how low the volume could get on the lowest setting on the 4A. Enough to alert me without letting everyone around me know that I have a new notification. I now have to keep my phone on vibrate with the 6A because of the loud booming speaker.

Other than that I haven't had any real issue with the 6A. It has been rock solid. Great battery life too.
1
Oct 3, 2022 6:30 AM
451 Comments
Joined Jan 2017
GimpsUnlimitedOct 3, 2022 6:30 AM
451 Comments
Quote from Sriram.sethumadhavan :
My Pixel 6a drops calls, and signal reception is patchy when not on WiFi and i am on Android 13 and the most recent update. Phone's build quality is also pretty crappy. Google's Customer Service is Sub-Par. I wish and hope SlickDeal members look elsewhere.
Look on the bright side. Maybe it is worth keeping for the simple purpose of trading it in a year for something better?
Oct 3, 2022 6:37 AM
3.2K Comments
Joined Dec 2010
radarsOct 3, 2022 6:37 AM
3.2K Comments
Wait for $299!
1
Oct 3, 2022 6:44 AM
577 Comments
Joined Apr 2007
izxOct 3, 2022 6:44 AM
577 Comments
Quote from likeundu :
I have the Pixel 5a and love the back fingerprint sensor. I wish Google brings it back in a future phone.
I hear you.

After being used to the speed and accuracy of capacitive fingerprint sensors on older phones (on the back, on home/power buttons, etc.), I find that the only on-screen sensors that come close are the ultrasonic sensors used by Samsung in their flagship phones (S20/21/22) -- you can tell by the way they don't light up when you place your finger on them.

The optical on-screen sensors most other phones use these days don't come close. My Pixel 6A DID improve noticeably after the recent Android 13 security update though.
Oct 3, 2022 7:31 AM
5.2K Comments
Joined Jan 2011
sumthin_gudOct 3, 2022 7:31 AM
5.2K Comments
Quote from coolmann :
I'm writing this comment on my pixel 6a, and I can confirm how bad the fingerprint sensor is. I've been using a slow charger, my friend says it's better for the battery, but not much improvement over the old 3a I traded in.
also agree. fingerprint is indeed shit

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Oct 3, 2022 8:28 AM
3.8K Comments
Joined Sep 2003
starcaptorOct 3, 2022 8:28 AM
3.8K Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank starcaptor

tl;dr - If you have TMO, the $200 deal for the Pixel 6 from WorstBuy may be close to the deal of the year. No other deal offers former flagship specs for that price without weird shenanigans (trade-in, number-port, refurbished?) The 6 Pro does have nice additions for $400, but it very slippery, and IMO, not worth TWO Pixel 6s.


----------------------------------

I purchased all three of the 6 series through every deal published on SD (the OG trade-in deal at Google Store with buds, the $400 "price-mistake" of the Pro at WorstBuy, and the recent $200 deal for the regular 6. Used the 6a for almost a month, the 6 pro for about two weeks, and the 6 for just a few days.

Main activities are media consumption, pics of the toddler, and typical contractor stuff (calendar, Waze, email, google voice). Very casual. Every phone is still on Android 12 to serve as control variables. The former phone is my very-beloved Samsung Note 9 and a Pixel 4a 5G.

Originally wrote a long post, but everything has been said about these phones, so Ill just quickly run my takes. I am lumping all three into one post, since the experiences, apart from the screen, are nearly identical

- Phones only get hot during initial set up. Navigation, which notoriously heats up all my phones...no issue here. Did I get lucky?!!
- Loud speakers, esp on the Pro. Plenty for media consumption and Google Meet calls.
- Optical fingerprint sensor is quite slow (3/4 to one second), but has been 99% accurate. I have a lacerated thumb from a prior accident.
- refresh rate is rapture-level hysteria in these threads, and I cant understand why.... zero issues using the 60 hz screen on the 6a. Maybe im a filthy casual? (My daily screen is a 60 hz 4k OLED). 120 hz is nice for scrolling icons on the home screen...and thats about it. I dont get noticable blur when scrolling on any of the phones. High-refresh is most noticable when playing games with quick actions...not worth the battery hit on a phone IMO.
- the radio does seem to have issues. On the 6a, I dropped many texts, couldnt access panera website, and dropped a call to a fried in SoCal 3x during an hour, and neither of us were moving at all. Full reception on 5G VZ. Wife's Pixel 4a 5G on TMO had no such issues. Will keep testing these functions. Al three phones have since worked fine.
- Cameras are sufficient (I am totally the wrong person to ask about these)
- The battery life on the 6 pro is amazing for me...I have only charged the phone once every 2-3 days. Phone is on wifi the entire time. 6a is probably even better, but I have it plugged into car so often that I havent tested. Accubattery Pro actually reports 4496 mAh vs the actual 4410 on it. However, the champion of battery is my mom's Pixel 4a. I think that phone loses like 40% battery a day. and she uses it heavilly for video.

All in all, I actually think the 6a has the superior form factor of the three, and will serve a vast majority of the population well. If they had wireless charging, it would be a peerless mid-range choice.
4
Oct 3, 2022 8:35 AM
577 Comments
Joined Apr 2007
izxOct 3, 2022 8:35 AM
577 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank izx

Quote from sumthin_gud :
also agree. fingerprint is indeed shit
Update to the latest security update (check manually!), then delete and re-register your fingerprints. The difference was night and day on my Pixel 6a.
3
Oct 3, 2022 8:47 AM
577 Comments
Joined Apr 2007
izxOct 3, 2022 8:47 AM
577 Comments
Quote from starcaptor :
<snip>

Originally wrote a long post, but everything has been said about these phones, so Ill just quickly run my takes. I am lumping all three into one post, since the experiences, apart from the screen, are nearly identical

<snip>
Thanks for taking the time to both 'experience' all three Pixel 6's and write about it so informatively for us.

Have a 6a (and a still-boxed 6), and agree with your take. Fingerprint sensor on 6a took a dive with the initial Android 13 update, but the recent security update seems to have fixed it accuracy-wise. Samsung's ultrasonic sensor is still the best on-display fingerprint option.

And yes, 120Hz looks nice when scrolling and that's about it! (not a phone gamer, though). Maybe those of us who grew up on 60Hz displays are missing something?
Pro
Oct 3, 2022 9:50 AM
395 Comments
Joined Dec 2007
userix
Pro
Oct 3, 2022 9:50 AM
395 Comments
Is the bootloader unlocked?
Oct 3, 2022 11:13 AM
136 Comments
Joined Dec 2010
euuser1174589Oct 3, 2022 11:13 AM
136 Comments
Quote from izx :
And yes, 120Hz looks nice when scrolling and that's about it! (not a phone gamer, though). Maybe those of us who grew up on 60Hz displays are missing something?
Not just scrolling, but all animations, videos, etc. Using a 60Hz phone after using a 120Hz phone is like watching 480p after watching 1080p. I could live with 60Hz but choose not to. I can not live without wireless charging, that's a deal breaker for me.
1
Oct 3, 2022 11:33 AM
1.2K Comments
Joined Jul 2010
lenserOct 3, 2022 11:33 AM
1.2K Comments
Is this is big step up from the 5a?

I do like the smaller size of the 6a.
Oct 3, 2022 11:35 AM
5.4K Comments
Joined Nov 2003
xcopyOct 3, 2022 11:35 AM
5.4K Comments
Quote from NoSleep007 :
Yup staying away from pixel lineup for now at least. Thinking about getting a different phone like Samsung a53. Really disappointed in Google. How did you sell the 6a?
Agreed, I think I've had my last google phone. I don't use google search, I don't use chrome, and from what I've read they may be discontinuing chromebooks (I could be mistaken, but I also couldn't care less). In short, I'm trying to get google out of my life. They are not a company I want to support (it's hard to think of any company today that is worthy of support or allegiance of any kind IMO.)

I wish samsung had a decently priced phone that wasn't huge. I need a phone, not another laptop. Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)
1

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Oct 3, 2022 12:33 PM
577 Comments
Joined Apr 2007
izxOct 3, 2022 12:33 PM
577 Comments
Quote from BranCKY3 :
Not just scrolling, but all animations, videos, etc. Using a 60Hz phone after using a 120Hz phone is like watching 480p after watching 1080p. I could live with 60Hz but choose not to. I can not live without wireless charging, that's a deal breaker for me.
OK, you've convinced to turn off power-saving on my Note 20 and experience 120 Hz in all its glory for a week Smilie

As for wireless charging on the Pixel 6A, i got an aftermarket Qi receiver for $13 (search amazon for "Nillkin Qi" and the seller must be Nillkin) and am pretty happy with it. No, it won't fast charge (5W max), but it doesn't heat up noticeably and if you have a case on the Pixel 6A, it becomes invisible.
1

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