Google has finally embraced its inner Apple.
The search giant recently revealed that its Pixel 6a smartphone would not have a 3.5mm headphone jack during the later part of the keynote address of its recent I/O event, making it the first phone under the A-series model to not have one.
The headphone jack is also not present in Google's Pixel 6 smartphone, the higher-end phone counterpart of the Google Pixel 6a.
Google Pixel 6a Specifications
According to Google's announcement, the phone will have a two-tone look and slim bezels keep to the Pixel 6's design. The phone's camera bar houses its dual rear camera system consisting of a 12MP main and ultra-wide camera lens.
Google promises that its custom mid-range Tensor chip that powers the 6a, along with its 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, will be capable of a similar performance to the Pixel 6. This performance includes taking care of the phone's various camera features, such as Night Sight, Real Tone, and Magic Eraser, which allows you to "change the color of distracting objects in your photo."
The Pixel 6a will also support 5G connectivity, and all three major wireless carriers will offer the phone, with the difference being that Verizon's Pixel 6a offer is priced at $500 due to it supporting millimeter-wave 5G, per CNET.
The phone will also come with the same security architecture as the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro due to it being equipped with the Titan M2 industry-leading protection, making the phone more resilient to cyberattacks.
However, the search giant didn't mention anything about including a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is also absent with the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro smartphones.
The Pixel 6a was previously rumored to not be featuring a 3.5mm headphone jack in late November of 2021, but it couldn't be confirmed if the phone would not have a headphone jack at the time.
Why No Headphone Jack?
It isn't clear why Google chose not to include a headphone jack with the Pixel 6a, but this isn't the first time it happened. According to Macrumors' report, the lack of a headphone jack follows a technology trend that Apple started with the iPhone 7 in 2016.
Although Google made fun of the decision when it revealed the Pixel 5a on August 27, 2021, it didn't take long for them to follow suit, with the Google Pixel 2 not having a headphone jack when it was released.
Former Google Product Chief Mario Queiroz told Tech Crunch that Google wanted to make future Pixel phones with thinner bezels around the display, saying that the headphone jack was in the way of the company doing so. As such, removing the headphone jack "sooner than later" will make the switch easier, per Business Insider.
Another probable reason why Google wanted to remove the headphone jack is to sell its take on AirPods, which came in the form of the newly introduced Pixel Buds Pro, according to The Verge.
Google Pixel 6a Availability And Price
The Google Pixel 6a will be available for pre-ordering starting July 21 for $449, with the phones being available for purchase on July 28, per 9to5Google's report.
Related Article: Google Pixel 6A Specs, Price, Release Date: Leak Hints Major Downgrade Amid Cheaper Price
