Does the Pixel 6a have the same fingerprint sensor as the 6 and 6 Pro?
Best answer: No, the Google Pixel 6a ships with a different in-display fingerprint sensor than the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.
Is the Pixel 6a's fingerprint scanner any better?
Why you can trust Android Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The Google Pixel 6a's fingerprint sensor might be an in-display version that looks similar to the Pixel 6, but Google swapped out those internal components for something that works a bit better. As we noted in our Pixel 6a review, however, it's still not quite as good as in-display fingerprint sensors from companies like Samsung or OnePlus.
When the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro launched, we found the fingerprint sensor to be hit-or-miss. While it works just fine for some people, others found it a frustrating and slow way of unlocking the phone securely. Over the months since the Pixel 6 was released, Google has issued several updates that have improved the speed and performance of the fingerprint sensor, but it's still not nearly as fast or accurate as in-display fingerprint sensors on other phones.
Among the best Android phones, the vast majority now rely on in-display fingerprint scanners to provide a biometrically-secure method of unlocking in a sleek and discrete way. While the first generation of in-display fingerprint sensors circa early 2019 left a bit to be desired, the technology has progressed monumentally over the past few years and is now equal in speed and accuracy to the dedicated fingerprint sensors of yore.
As we expected, Google has learned from feedback on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro and chosen a better fingerprint sensor — not just a different one — for the Pixel 6a.
Buy the Google Pixel 6
It might be $150 more but it packs even more megapixels into each camera, adds a 90Hz display, and ships with more premium materials than the Pixel 6a.
Buy the Google Pixel 6a
If you want to save a little cash, the Google Pixel 6a is a mid-range smartphone that boasts many of the same features that make the Pixel 6 great, plus a few things (such as the fingerprint sensor) that are even better. Preorders began on July 21st with an official launch date set for July 28th.
