The clearest evidence yet that the Google Pixel 6a design may have been inspired by the Pixel 6 is provided by images of a metal dummy unit shared by xleaks7 and, somewhat bizarrely, a fashion company called Fathom Bracelets .

No indication was given as to where this model came from, but it certainly seems plausible. Just as past Pixel 'a' phones resembled their full-sized siblings, it would make sense for the Pixel 6a to inherit the same camera rubber - especially since the device is rumored to feature the same 50MP Samsung ISOCELL GN1 sensor as Google's latest flagship Given that.

The metal model also corroborates other things that previous leaks have suggested: the same under-screen fingerprint sensor that was introduced for the Pixel 6 will hopefully return, along with the enhanced sensitivity that Google has offered since day one.

And unfortunately, there is no 3.5mm headphone jack in sight. In a way, this is surprising, given that Google ran an ad on the Pixel 5a advertising the presence of an audio jack.

Elsewhere, the metal molding features a USB-C port on the bottom alongside dual speaker grilles. The report adds that it will be "quite thick," although specific dimensions are not mentioned.

We speculate that the back will be plastic to cut costs and will feature a lower-spec version of Google's new Tensor chip. However, this is pure speculation on our part, and it is possible that it will feature a low-cost Qualcomm SoC as well.

Hopefully, the Pixel 6a will generate more buzz than its predecessor. While there is no doubt that it is a very good mid-range phone, people openly speculated that the Pixel 5a might be cancelled due to a chip shortage, and when it was finally released it was only available in the US and Japan.

A release date for the Pixel 6a has yet to be announced, but if it does go on sale in early 2022, it will likely face stiff competition. Not only might Samsung's much-delayed Galaxy S21 FE finally arrive, but Apple is also rumored to be preparing the iPhone SE 3 for a Q1 release.