Not long ago, it seemed like the Google Pixel 7a would be the last smartphone in Google’s Pixel A series. However, recent rumors indicate that this may not actually be the case.
As a result, we’re likely to see the release of a Google Pixel 8a this year. What can we expect from this new budget phone in terms of its specs, design, price, and more? Let’s take a closer look at everything we know about the Google Pixel 8a.
Google Pixel 8a: release date
It’s well-known that Google has a history of releasing new Pixel models every year, always with better features and improvements than the previous ones. The latest addition to the Pixel A series, the Pixel 7a, was released in May 2023, while the Pixel 6a debuted in July 2022. The Pixel 5a, on the other hand, was launched in August 2021, and the Pixel 4a appeared in August 2020.
According to previous release schedules, the Pixel 8a will arrive either in late spring or summer of this year. If we had to guess, we’d probably see the Pixel 8a announced at Google I/O 2024, which kicks off on May 14.
On March 18, the Google Pixel 8a’s release took a big step forward when it passed through the FCC. This is a strong indicator that Google is nearing the phone’s release, meaning a launch at Google I/O in May seems more likely than ever.
Google Pixel 8a: price
Google has been inconsistent with the pricing of its A series smartphones compared to its regular Pixel series. For instance, at launch, the Pixel 7a was priced at $499, while the initial price for the Pixel 7 was $599. This $100 difference between the two smartphones made the Pixel 7a a more attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.
More recently, Google’s latest release, the Google Pixel 8, has been increased to $699, and the Pixel 8 Pro to $999. This is $100 more than the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro on launch, which suggests we may be seeing price increases across the board. These assumptions are backed up by rumors that the Pixel 8a will see a small price increase in the European market, where leaks say the Pixel 8a’s price will rise by 60 euros. That could easily translate to a $100 rise in the U.S., though it’s important to note price increases don’t always hit all regions.
On the other hand, other sources suggest the Pixel 8a won’t get a price increase. Reliable leaker Yogesh Brar claims the Pixel 8a will start at the same $500 price as its predecessor. Nothing is official until Google says so itself, but this is certainly encouraging.
Google Pixel 8a: design
The regular Pixel lineup usually inspires the design of the A series. As a result, it is safe to assume that the Pixel 8a will resemble the Pixel 8 to a great extent. In September, before the Pixel 8 was released, a Pixel 8a leak showed a phone with noticeably rounder corners. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have more rounded corners than their predecessors.
These leaks have been backed up by more recent leaks, which allege to show the Pixel 8a’s box. From these images shared on the Google News Telegram channel, we can see the design is similar to the Pixel 8. The box also mentions a 27W charger, but this may not mean the charging speed has similarly increased.
Google will likely use a combination of materials for the Pixel 8a. Some materials may match those used for the Pixel 8, while others may be less expensive to bring down the price. One area where we expect the Pixel 8a to showcase its more budget design is with the bezels.
In early Aril, TechDroider posted two hands-on photos of the Pixel 8a on social media. The images back up previous Pixel 8a design leaks while also providing a closer look at the phone’s bezels. Simply put, they’re big.
The bezel towards the bottom of the phone is particularly chunky, while the bezels on the top and sides are noticeably thick, too. It’s not a deal-breaker by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a bit unsightly at first glance. Hopefully, this is one of those things that looks better in person compared to photos online.
Google Pixel 8a: specs
The upcoming Pixel 8a is expected to come equipped with Google’s Tensor G3 chipset, which is also found in other devices in the Pixel 8 series. However, tests from Geekbench, likely from the Pixel 8a, indicate Google’s latest chip will be underclocked for the budget phone. In other words, don’t expect to see flagship-level performance from the chip. It’ll still be a capable processor, but it won’t be at the same level as the chip in the flagship phones.
The Google Pixel 8a’s display is expected to remain the same size (6.1 inches diagonally), with some minor upgrades in terms of materials. Although the Pixel 7a uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for its cover glass, the Pixel 8a will likely feature Corning Gorilla Glass Victus — the same cover glass found on the Pixel 8.
Surprisingly, a huge Pixel 8a leak from early April claims that the display refresh rate will be 120Hz — an upgrade from the Pixel 7a’s 90Hz refresh rate (which was already an improvement from the 60Hz screen on the Pixel 6a). It’s also reported that storage options will include 128GB and 256GB. As a reminder, the Pixel 7a is only available with 128GB.
Google Pixel 8a: battery
The Pixel 7a is equipped with a 4,385mAh battery, which is actually slightly smaller than the one featured in the Pixel 6a. Thankfully, the Pixel 8a is reported to have a larger 4,500mAh battery this year.
The Pixel 8a is also expected to debut with a new battery feature. According to a developer post on Google’s bug tracker (as spotted by 9to5 Google), the Pixel 8a will include a new suite of battery stats, including when it was manufactured, how many charging cycles it’s been through, and its health as a percentage. Similar stats were previously available for older devices but were removed, as they were apparently only intended to be available on the Pixel 8a and newer devices.
Another upgrade we’re expecting is faster wired charging. The Pixel 8a is rumored to support 27-watt wired charging, improving on the Pixel 7a’s 18W charging. The 7.5W wireless charging performance is expected to stay the same.
Google Pixel 8a: cameras
In terms of camera specs, the Google Pixel 8a likely won’t change much at all. Reports suggest a 64-megapixel main camera, a 13MP ultrawide camera, and a 13MP selfie camera. If you recall, these are the same camera specs as the Pixel 7a, though new software features and tuning should still result in better photos.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro come with various camera updates, some of which could be included on the Pixel 8a. Assume that some, if not all, of these features will make the leap.
Best Take, a highly touted new camera software feature on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, could be included on the Pixel 8a. Best Take automatically blends similar images to ensure everyone in a photo looks their best. Another new feature is Magic Editor, which is available on Google Photos. It uses AI to provide a unique and experimental editing experience.
It’s hard to say which of these features will be on the Pixel 8a, but it’s safe to assume that at least some will.
Google Pixel 8a: software and updates
A clean version of Android 14 is expected to grace the Pixel 8a, just like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. What isn’t known is whether Google will promise seven years of operating system updates, feature drops, and overall support, as it does with these more expensive handsets. Regardless, the Pixel 8a should be first in line for an Android 15 update when it launches later this year.
Like the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, the Pixel 7a includes five years of software support, which consists of three years of Android OS updates and five years of monthly security updates.
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