We subjected the Google Pixel 6a to our rigorous SBMARK battery test suite to measure its performance in terms of range, charging and efficiency. In these test results, we will analyze how it fared in a variety of tests and several common use cases.
Overview
Key specs:
- Battery capacity: 4410mAh
- 18W charger (not included)
- 6.1 inch OLED display, 1080 x 2400, 60Hz
- Google tensor (5 nm)
- ROM / RAM combination tested: 128GB + 6GB
Pros
- Discrete autonomy when streaming videos
- Low residual consumption of the charger itself
versus
- Very low autonomy during calls and music streaming
- Poor performance on the go, especially when calling
- Long charging time
- Poor autonomy recovered after 5 minutes of charging
- Very low charging efficiency
- On average high discharge currents (except video)
The Google Pixel 6a’s battery struggled in the battery test series, leading to an overall low overall score. Its performance during the typical use scenario was average, but downtime was not well handled. During the calibrated tests, the device consumed a lot of power when making calls and streaming music, but exhibited decent battery life when streaming video. When using key outdoor functions such as GPS navigation, the camera or especially during calls, the Pixel 6a’s battery life was very low.
In terms of charging, the Google 30W charger was unable to provide a decent experience because the device only supported 18W. It took 2 hours and 12 minutes to fully charge the 4410mAh battery. The battery life gained after charging the phone for 5 minutes averaged just 2 hours and 10 minutes, among the lowest in our database so far. Charging efficiency was also very low, although the travel adapter efficiency was average. A positive point, however, was that Google’s 30W charger had one of the lowest residual power levels when left plugged into a power outlet without charging the phone. On average, discharge currents were high, especially during calls and music streaming, but below average during video use cases, meaning the device is well optimized for video streaming, but not while calling and streaming music.
Compared to other devices in the same price range ($ 400 to $ 699), the Google Pixel 6a sits in the penultimate position in our high-end segment ranking, due to very poor charging performance, low efficiency and a level slightly below the average autonomy score due to its low autonomy in calibrated and on-the-go tests.
Test summary
About SBMARK Battery Tests: For the score and analysis in our smartphone battery reviews, SBMARK engineers perform a series of objective tests over a period of one week both indoors and outdoors. (See our introductory article and how we test articles for more details on our Smartphone Battery Protocol.)
The following section collects the key elements of our exhaustive tests and analyzes performed in SBMARK laboratories. Detailed performance evaluations in the form of reports are available upon request. Do not hesitate to contact us.
| Battery | Battery charger | wireless | Screen | Processor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 6a | 4410 mAh | 18W (not included) |
– | OLED 1080 x 2400 |
Google tensor |
| Google Pixel 6 | 4614 mAh | 30 W (not included) |
21W | OLED 1080 x 2400 |
Google tensor |
| Apple iPhone SE (2022) | 2018 mAh | 18W (not included) |
15W | IPS LCD 750 x 1334 |
Apple A15 Bionic |
| Samsung Galaxy A53 5G | 5000 mAh | 25W (not included) |
– | AMOLED 1080 x 2400 |
Samsung Exynos 1280 |
Autonomy
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Wiko Power U30
Wiko Power U30
How the autonomy score is composed
The range score is made up of three performance sub-scores: stationary, moving, and calibrated use cases. Each sub-score includes the results of a full range of tests to measure autonomy in all kinds of real-life scenarios.
70 hours
Light use
Active: 2h30 / day
50 hours
Moderate use
Active: 4 hours a day
32 hours
Intense use
Active: 7 hours a day
Stationary
56
Viva Y72 5G
Viva Y72 5G
A robot housed in a Faraday cage performs a series of touch-based user actions during what we call our “typical use scenario” (TUS) – making calls, streaming video, etc. – 4 hours of active use over a 16-hour period, plus 8 hours of “sleep”. The robot repeats this series of actions every day until the device is discharged.
In movement
56
Samsung Galaxy M51
Samsung Galaxy M51
Using a smartphone on the go puts a strain on autonomy due to additional “hidden” needs, such as the continuous signaling associated with the selection of the cellular network. SBMARK Battery experts take the phone outdoors and perform a well-defined set of activities while following the same three-hour travel itinerary (on foot, by bus, by subway …) for each device
Calibrated
53
Samsung Galaxy M51
Samsung Galaxy M51
For this series of tests, the smartphone returns to the Faraday cage and ours robots repeatedly perform actions related to a specific use case (such as games, video streaming, etc.) at a time. Starting at an 80% charge, all devices are tested until they have consumed at least 5% of the battery charge.
Reload
64
Realme GT Neo 3
Realme GT Neo 3
How the Charge score is composed
Charging is completely part of the overall battery experience. In some situations where autonomy is minimal, knowing how fast you can charge becomes a problem. The SBMARK battery charge score consists of two secondary scores, (1) Full charge and (2) Quick boost.
Full charge
65
Realme GT Neo 3
Realme GT Neo 3
Full charge tests evaluate the reliability of the battery charge indicator; measure how long and how much energy the battery takes to charge from zero to 80% capacity, 80 to 100% as shown by the user interface, and up to an actual full charge.
The charging curves, in wired and wireless mode (if available) show the evolution of the battery level indicator as well as the energy consumption in watts during the charging phases towards full capacity.
The full charge time graph breaks down the time it takes to reach 80%, 100% and full charge.
Fast thrust
63
Realme GT Neo 3
Realme GT Neo 3
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 graph here compares the average runtime gain from a 5 minute quick charge.
Efficiency
58
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
How the efficiency score is composed
The SBMARK energy efficiency score consists of two secondary scores, Charge up and Discharge rate, which combine both data obtained during a typical use scenario based on robots, calibrated tests and charge evaluation, taking into account the battery capacity of the device . SBMARK calculates the annual energy consumption of the product, shown in the graph below, which is representative of the overall efficiency during charging and in use.
To load
56
Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro
Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro
The secondary charge score is a combination of four factors: the overall efficiency of a full charge, relative to the amount of energy needed to fill the battery versus the energy the battery can provide; the efficiency of the travel adapter when it comes to transferring power from an outlet to the phone; the residual consumption when the phone is fully charged and still connected to the charger; and the residual consumption of the charger itself, when the smartphone is disconnected from it. The graph below shows the overall efficiency of a full charge in%.
Discharge
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Apple iPhone 13 Pro
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
The discharge secondary score evaluates the discharge rate of a battery during a test, which is independent of the battery capacity. It is the ratio of the capacity of a battery divided by its autonomy. A small capacity battery may have the same runtime as a large capacity battery, indicating that the device is well optimized, with a low discharge rate.
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