Google I/O 22: Everything you need to know about Pixel 6A, Pixel Watch

Expanding its devices portfolio, Google has unveiled a bunch of new products at the annual I/O 22 conference that concluded earlier today. It includes a new Pixel smartphone for mid-segment buyers and a new smartwatch called Pixel Watch. There is also a tablet that is being lined up for launch sometime next year.  

Pixel 6A 

Google’s high-end Pixel devices haven’t made a dent in the smartphone market. Pixel 6 and 6 Pro have impressed a lot with their design and camera capabilities, however, their higher price tag puts them beyond the reach of most Android users. With the Pixel 6A, Google has an opportunity to take its smartphone to mid-segment buyers. Priced at $449 (approx ₹34,818), the Pixel 6A has the good looks of its premium siblings, supports 5G, has IP67 protection, runs on Google’s Tensor chip, and has a dual-camera setup. It will also receive five years of security and OS updates, which is rarely seen in smartphones by Google’s OEM partners. 

Also read: Google’s open-source industry standard for smart home to roll out this year

Google has made a few compromises, though. Pixel 6A has a smaller 6.1-inch OLED screen with a 60Hz refresh rate. It also has an older Gorilla glass 3. 

After the pandemic, launches in the budget segment have shrunk as brands are focusing more on mid and premium segment devices to overcome the shortage of components. As a result, these two have been the fastest-growing smartphone segments.

Pixel Watch  

Another segment where a major shift in buying habits has been seen is wearables. More buyers are upgrading from smart bands to smartwatches, making it an apt time for any brand to launch a new smartwatch. According to Counterpoint Research data, the global smartwatch market grew by 24% year-on-year (YoY) in 2021. 

Also read: 5 key announcements from Google I/O 2022

At the I/O, Google confirmed that it is launching a Pixel Watch later this year (most likely October) along with the new Pixel 7 series of smartphones. The new watch will have a circular screen and it will run on Wear OS. 

Tablets 

This is another segment where a lot of traction has been seen due to hybrid work and the shift to online learning. For instance, in India tablet shipments grew 28% YoY in CY 2021, according to Counterpoint Research data. Google has announced that it will launch its one tablet next year. In addition, the company will update its apps as well as third-party apps so they can take advantage of the larger screen available on tablets.