Expandable storage is a useful and rare feature in the smartphone world today, leading many people to wonder if they'll find expandable storage on the Google Pixel 6a. There used to be a time when SD card slots were an expected feature on almost every Android smartphone. Regardless of who the manufacturer was or how much the handset cost, you used to rely on expandable storage being included.
But that's no longer the case. If you go out now and buy a Pixel 6, Galaxy S22, OnePlus 10 Pro, or virtually anything else, you'll find that most Android phones today do not have an SD card slot for expandable storage. Select devices like the Galaxy A53 5G and OnePlus Nord N200 still retain the functionality, but they're now the exception to the rule rather than the norm.
Unfortunately, that's a rule the Pixel 6a concedes to. Similar to the Pixel 3a, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 5a that came before it, the Pixel 6a does not have an SD card slot for expandable storage. Google's never offered expandable storage for its Pixel-a devices, so the absence of an SD slot on the Pixel 6a isn't surprising. Still, it is disappointing for anyone who's interested in the Pixel 6a and needs a smartphone with expandable storage.
The Pixel 6a Has 128GB Of Internal Storage
In addition to there not being an SD slot on the Pixel 6a, it's also worth noting that Google only has one storage option for the phone. If you buy the Pixel 6a, you'll get 128GB of internal storage for all of your apps and games — no more, no less. There are no 256GB or 512GB variants to speak of. Regardless of where you buy the Pixel 6a, it only comes with 128GB.
Whether or not that's a problem depends on how you use your smartphone. If you use a few dozen apps, stream most of your music, play a few light games, and actively use cloud backups for your photos/videos, 128GB should be enough space. It's not a lot of storage by 2022 standards, but it can get the job done.
But what if you need more than 128GB? Unfortunately, you may need to look at other smartphone options. The Galaxy A53 5G retails for the same $449 as the Pixel 6a, has 128GB of internal storage, and supports SD cards for expandable storage up to 1TB. An affordable Pixel with SD card support would be great to see, but unfortunately, the Google Pixel 6a isn't that phone.
Source: Google