Pixel 6a

[Morty2264]

I'm no longer having any issues with the fingerprint sensor and it recognizes both my thumbs on the first try. Phone isn't heating up and just getting slightly warm if watching YouTube videos for a while and the battery is lasting me two days with my usage consisting of web browser surfing, YouTube videos, texting and emailing.

I'm loving this device more than the Pixel 6 I used to have. The camera on the 6A is more than enough for me.

So happy that you are enjoying your Pixel 6a!

 

[Deleted member 2609113]

Weekend battery update.
Phone has been off the charger since 6 am yesterday Saturday. Now weekend days are atypical from the weekday. I never know what we end up doing and how much or little I use the phone. Typically there is a lot more app usage, mobile switching between wifi use including wifi calling, 5G and LTE (via Google Fi). VPN and Bluetooth are always on, as is location sharing between my wife and I.
Right now, 23 hours later, at 5am Sunday morning the battery is at 45%. Again this would be comparable to what I experienced with my Pixel 6 Pro and its bigger battery and bigger 120Hz screen.
So in wrapping up this personal use battery experience the Pixel 6a is the little phone that can give the Pixel 6 Pro a run for a lot less money, and if you are able to take advantage of the $300 credit trade-in like I did it's a no brainer purchase.
Next up Fingerprint sensor performance.

 

[Deleted member 2609113]

Pixel 6a Fingerprint sensor performance review:
Backstory: I bought the Pixel 6a to replace my wife's Pixel 4a. In short she hated the P6a fps, especially compared to the superior P4a fps. So she went back to her P4a and gave back the P6a which I'm now using instead of my P6P.
I set up my left thumb print twice, plus turned on display touch sensitivity. The FPS was very problematic. Ouch! I setup a 3rd thumb print. Still ouch. Over a few days it did get better or I learned to be more deliberate in placing my thumb on the sensor but it still wasn't as good as the sensor on my P6P.
Now I did put a glass screen protector on the phone as soon as it arrived. Could that be a contributing factor? So yesterday I took it off. Keeping in mind the prints were setup with the protector on that did seem to noticeably improve the response to an acceptable use.
Since I'm not comfortable using the phone without some sort of screen protection I guess I'll put the other brand of glass screen protector I bought at the same time and order a TPU type and see if that works better.

 

[PowrDroid]

Wife's 6a does not have a screen protector. She reports no issues with the fingerprint sensor. Compared to the rear FP sensor on her old 2XL she has to keep her finger on the 6a a tiny bit longer.

Also, even though she does not have a screen protector, during setup I enabled Touch Sensitivity, "Improves touch when using screen protectors". This setting is found in Settings > Display.

 

[Morty2264]

Weekend battery update.
Phone has been off the charger since 6 am yesterday Saturday. Now weekend days are atypical from the weekday. I never know what we end up doing and how much or little I use the phone. Typically there is a lot more app usage, mobile switching between wifi use including wifi calling, 5G and LTE (via Google Fi). VPN and Bluetooth are always on, as is location sharing between my wife and I.
Right now, 23 hours later, at 5am Sunday morning the battery is at 45%. Again this would be comparable to what I experienced with my Pixel 6 Pro and its bigger battery and bigger 120Hz screen.
So in wrapping up this personal use battery experience the Pixel 6a is the little phone that can give the Pixel 6 Pro a run for a lot less money, and if you are able to take advantage of the $300 credit trade-in like I did it's a no brainer purchase.
Next up Fingerprint sensor performance.

This is so wonderful! Wow, that little phone is such a tank! So glad the battery is performing well!

 

[Deleted member 2609113]

Pixel 6a Fingerprint sensor performance review:
Backstory: I bought the Pixel 6a to replace my wife's Pixel 4a. In short she hated the P6a fps, especially compared to the superior P4a fps. So she went back to her P4a and gave back the P6a which I'm now using instead of my P6P.
I set up my left thumb print twice, plus turned on display touch sensitivity. The FPS was very problematic. Ouch! I setup a 3rd thumb print. Still ouch. Over a few days it did get better or I learned to be more deliberate in placing my thumb on the sensor but it still wasn't as good as the sensor on my P6P.
Now I did put a glass screen protector on the phone as soon as it arrived. Could that be a contributing factor? So yesterday I took it off. Keeping in mind the prints were setup with the protector on that did seem to noticeably improve the response to an acceptable use.
Since I'm not comfortable using the phone without some sort of screen protection I guess I'll put the other brand of glass screen protector I bought at the same time and order a TPU type and see if that works better.

After I installed the glass screen protector (it seems thick) I reset my fingerprint. It was a major effort. In fact in fact I did the same finger three times and each time was a frustrating experience. Tapping on app icon sometimes requires multiple taps before opening.
The end result is the fps unlocking is still not that great. The tpu screen protector will be delivered today. I'll see how that goes.

 

[anthonium]

After I installed the glass screen protector (it seems thick) I reset my fingerprint. It was a major effort. In fact in fact I did the same finger three times and each time was a frustrating experience. Tapping on app icon sometimes requires multiple taps before opening.
The end result is the fps unlocking is still not that great. The tpu screen protector will be delivered today. I'll see how that goes.

I too have noticed that trying to set up fingerprints with a tempered glass screen protector is a mission. Multiple times I received an error message stating the fingerprint could not be recognized and try again (this is during the setup process). Without the protector the process wasn't so bad but still not as good as it should be. I do find the FP sensor to have initially been fine but lately I have to position my thumb just right and with pressure for it to work (with screen protector on). I'm surprised because I'm pretty sure I read the sensor was supposed to be better than the one on the flagship models yet I found that the sensor on my former Pixel 6 worked flawlessly (after several updates).

This is my only major grievance with the device but it's still not a reason for me to stop using it. I'll always be a fan of the rear FP sensor or even a side sensor on the power button but it is what it is.

I can't get over how "small" and light this device feels in hand. I love it.

 

[PowrDroid]

The end result is the fps unlocking is still not that great. The tpu screen protector will be delivered today. I'll see how that goes.

I too have noticed that trying to set up fingerprints with a tempered glass screen protector is a mission.

This is my only major grievance with the device but it's still not a reason for me to stop using it. I'll always be a fan of the rear FP sensor or even a side sensor on the power button but it is what it is.

Have you two gone into your Display settings and enabled "Increase Touch Sensitivity"? It's supposed to improve touch when using screen protectors.

Otherwise, go naked. I've only used a screen protector on one of my phones in the past 20 some years. None of them have gotten scratched. Gorilla Glass is tough stuff.

 

[anthonium]

Have you two gone into your Display settings and enabled "Increase Touch Sensitivity"? It's supposed to improve touch when using screen protectors.

Otherwise, go naked. I've only used a screen protector on one of my phones in the past 20 some years. None of them have gotten scratched. Gorilla Glass is tough stuff.

Yes I have it enabled and it has helped a little but there is still some inaccuracy with the sensor. I tend to use protectors thinking long term resale value to at least be able to sell as mint condition.

 

[J Dubbs]

Have you two gone into your Display settings and enabled "Increase Touch Sensitivity"? It's supposed to improve touch when using screen protectors.

Otherwise, go naked. I've only used a screen protector on one of my phones in the past 20 some years. None of them have gotten scratched. Gorilla Glass is tough stuff.

I've never used a screen protector and never had any issues with scratched screens. I just keep my phones in my left front pocket by themselves, and keep the pocket clean.

 

[Deleted member 2609113]

I've never used a screen protector and never had any issues with scratched screens. I just keep my phones in my left front pocket by themselves, and keep the pocket clean.

If the new tpu screen protector does the job then fine, but if the fps and screen tap response is still affected then off it comes and I'll take my chances. The tpu sp on my Pixel 6 Pro and my P4a hasn't had any detrimental effect so I'll see.

 

[BEaRebel]

Just posted about Protecting Pixel screen. But, "Early Onset Cataract Sx" has me seeing Rather well.
Plano, for those who know - 20/20 !
Ahhh, the BLISS of LESS DETAILS.

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