Launch date, rumors, specs, value, characteristic wishlist

The primary time Google launched an A collection cellphone was in 2019 with the Pixel 3a and 3a XL. On the time, these had been a few of one of the best Android telephones you would get for the value. Since then, Google’s launched a brand new A collection Pixel yearly. One would then anticipate that it’s a assure we’ll see a Google Pixel 8a in 2024, proper? Nicely, issues may not be that easy.

On this submit, we are going to spherical up all of the credible rumors we’ve seen to this point associated to the Pixel 8a, which incorporates details about it presumably not taking place. We’ll shut out the rumor roundup with a wishlist of things we hope to see on the cellphone if it does make it to market.

Replace (9/29/23): We’ve up to date this submit so as to add a number of extra particulars, together with alleged photographs of the Pixel 8.

Pixel 8a: At a look

• When is it popping out? If the Pixel 8a really occurs, it’s prone to launch someday round Could of 2024, throughout Google I/O.
• What’s new? It’s nonetheless too early to know for positive, however a Tensor G3 and 8GB of RAM are possible, no less than.
• How a lot will it value? The Pixel 8a price ticket will possible be $499, identical to its predecessor.

Will there be a Google Pixel 8a?

With most rumor hubs we create at Android Authority, the reply to this query is sort of at all times, “Sure, we assure it.” Nonetheless, issues aren’t so sure with the Google Pixel 8a.

On the finish of 2022, we spoke with an nameless supply with deep inner information about Google’s smartphone plans. This supply informed us that Google’s plans for the Pixel 8a are in flux. The corporate has given it a codename — “akita,” which continues Google’s animal-themed naming scheme for Pixels — however is just not dedicated to really releasing it.

As an alternative, Google may transfer to a biennial schedule for Pixel A gadgets, which means a launch each two years. This may make A collection telephones extra aligned with Apple’s iPhone SE program. Apple’s most up-to-date SE is the iPhone SE (2022); earlier than that, we had the iPhone SE (2020). Ostensibly, the iPhone SE 4 might launch in 2024 if Apple retains this up. Nonetheless, a number of analysts say Apple may not get round to this till 2025 or presumably even later.

With the Google Pixel 7a launching in 2023, it might — theoretically — be 2025 earlier than we see one other A collection cellphone. By then, it wouldn’t be a Pixel 8a however a Pixel 9a. Google might additionally rebrand the collection by eradicating the quantity for the sake of simplicity. After all, there have been a number of hints not too long ago suggesting the Pixel 8a could also be within the works in spite of everything. Not solely have leaked benchmarks hit (although these might be faked), there have additionally been a few alleged photographs of the system floating round.

• Pixel 3a and 3a XL: Could 7, 2019
• Pixel 4a and 4a 5G: August 3, 2020
• Pixel 5a: August 17, 2021
• Pixel 6a: Could 11, 2022
• Pixel 7a: Could 10, 2023

The record above makes it clear that Google’s most popular launch window for A collection Pixels is in Could at its annual I/O builders convention. Nonetheless, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Google did launch some A collection telephones later within the yr. Going ahead, although, we assume the Pixel 8a — if it launches in any respect — would land in Could at Google I/O 2024, round half a yr after the Pixel 8 collection correct drops.

Google’s smartphone division is notoriously leaky. The probabilities are excessive that if the Pixel 8a is launching in 2024, we’ll find out about it early, presumably even by the top of 2023.

Every thing we are saying beneath is, for now, primarily based on what Google has performed beforehand. Nonetheless, because it’s doable the Pixel 8a may not launch in any respect, a lot of this hypothesis could possibly be incorrect.

Design

Judging from the Pixel 7a and the Pixel 6a, the Pixel 8a ought to look similar to the Pixel 8. Fortunately, we already know so much concerning the Pixel 8’s design. Its design is sort of note-for-note an identical to the Pixel 7, though smaller total.

Traditionally the Pixel A collection has adopted the identical total design language because the flagship Pixel household. That appears to be case for the Pixel 8a as nicely, as not too long ago leaked photographs recommend it can take a number of design cues from the 7a and Pixel 8, basically mashing them collectively. This consists of iPhone-like corners, an aluminum digicam bar, and a blue shade that’s considerably just like the Pixel 7a’s Artic Blue colorway. Clearly, we will anticipate different colours as nicely, but it surely’s too early to say what these is likely to be.

In some methods, the design seems to be much more rounded than the Pixel 8. Nonetheless, it’s undoubtedly rocking the same design language. Bear in mind that is an early leak for a cellphone that received’t floor till later in 2024, so it’s laborious to confirm the accuracy of this leak.

Cameras

From all of the dependable leaks we’ve seen to this point, the Pixel 8’s digicam system is sort of an identical to the Pixel 7’s. The one notable improve is a leap from the Samsung JN1 sensor beneath the first lens to the newer and higher JN2. All different specs seem like unchanged.

By the very nature of A collection telephones, the Pixel 8a couldn’t have an equal digicam system to the Pixel 8. As such, we’d anticipate both the identical digicam system we discover on the Pixel 7a or a slight improve of that. For the report, the Pixel 7a’s digicam included a 64MP main, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 13MP selfie.

Do word that the software program powering the digicam on all Pixels is identical. Due to this fact, the Pixel 8a ought to have the ability to do the whole lot the Pixel 8 can until the included {hardware} prohibits it.

Specs and options

The Pixel 8a would additionally possible include Android 14 out of the field, identical to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional. Google has not indicated it can change its improve dedication for Pixels this yr, so we anticipate three Android upgrades and 5 years of safety patches for the Pixel 8a.

Since Google first launched its Tensor SoC in 2021, all A collection telephones have had the Tensor chip their corresponding mainline entry carried. Theoretically, this is able to imply the Pixel 8a would have the so-far unannounced Tensor G3, which we anticipate to debut with the Pixel 8 collection.

Due to leaks, we already know a ton about G3. It will likely be Google’s strongest Tensor but and enhance gaming, pictures, and AI smarts. We’re undecided if it is going to be extra energy environment friendly or higher at regulating temperatures, however we hope to see these enhancements.

We’re moderately assured that RAM and storage choices received’t change this yr with the Pixel 8. That may imply the identical choices for the Pixel 8a we noticed with the Pixel 7a, which was 8GB of RAM and a minimal of 128GB of storage. A current Geekbench benchmark leak additional backs this up, although these might be faked so this must be taken with a grain of salt. 

With the Pixel 7a, Google introduced gradual wi-fi charging help to the A collection for the primary time. It additionally introduced a 90Hz show refresh fee. Seeing as it might be foolish to introduce these options in a single technology after which take away them within the subsequent, we might be moderately assured each shall be included with the Google Pixel 8a.

The Pixel 8a would additionally possible include Android 14 out of the field, identical to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional. Google has not indicated it can change its improve dedication for Pixels this yr, so we anticipate three Android upgrades and 5 years of safety patches for the Pixel 8a.

• Pixel 3a and 3a XL: $399 and $479
• Pixel 4a and 4a 5G: $349 and $499
• Pixel 5a: $449
• Pixel 6a: $449
• Pixel 7a: $499

The record above exhibits that there has by no means been an A collection Pixel over the $500 mark. If it does really launch, we’d anticipate the Pixel 8a to land on the identical value because the Pixel 7a, which is $499.

It’s doable — even possible — that the mainline Pixel 8 collection could possibly be costlier this yr. The $599 entry value for the Pixel 7 is an outright steal for what you get. Though we don’t anticipate a ton of upgrades for the Pixel 8, we do anticipate an enormous variety of adjustments for the Pixel 8 Professional. These adjustments will nearly actually require a value improve for the Pixel 8 Professional, which might, theoretically, necessitate a value improve for the Pixel 8 as nicely.

Even when Google does improve the costs of the Pixel 8 collection, we don’t suppose it might go any greater than $499 for the Pixel 8a. That’s an affordable value for what you’re prone to get.

After all, the strongest rumor to this point is that Google will skip the Pixel 8a, leaving the Pixel 7a because the price range mannequin for 2024. We’ll want to attend and see what occurs.

We don’t even know if Google goes to launch a Pixel 8a in 2023. Due to this fact, when you’re searching for a price range cellphone, we extremely recommend not ready round.

The obvious different to the Pixel 8a can be the Pixel 7a ($477 at Amazon). It options just about the whole lot you want from a contemporary Android cellphone, together with wi-fi charging and a show with a excessive refresh fee. Nonetheless, the digicam, show, and total construct high quality shall be inferior to the Pixel 7 ($545 at Amazon). Contemplating the Pixel 7 is just not rather more costly than the Pixel 7a and goes on sale often, that’s additionally value a glance.

It additionally is likely to be advisable to attend till October 2023, which is once we anticipate Google to launch the Pixel 8 collection. The Pixel 8 itself is likely to be a viable choice over the Pixel 7a, for one. Moreover, the launch of the Pixel 8 collection will undoubtedly consequence within the liquidation of the Pixel 7 collection, permitting you to get a Pixel 7 (or perhaps a Pixel 7 Professional) for affordable.

If you need one thing not from the Made by Google staff, our go-to price range cellphone suggestion is the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G ($449.99 at Samsung). It has comparable specs to the Pixel 7a, an extended software program replace dedication, and Samsung’s sturdy One UI software program options.

Making a wishlist of options for one thing just like the Google Pixel 8a is hard. On the one hand, you need the cellphone to be tangibly higher than the earlier technology. However, alternatively, you may’t make the cellphone too good, or it simply turns into a Pixel 8. Regardless, listed here are three issues we hope to see with the Pixel 8a if it turns into a actuality.

Borrow the Pixel 7’s cameras

The Pixel 7a has an honest digicam system. The 64MP main shooter, specifically, is fairly good. Nonetheless, the Pixel 7’s system remains to be higher each on the front and back. Since we anticipate the Pixel 8 to get an upgraded main sesnor, wouldn’t or not it’s cool if the Pixel 8a simply took the Pixel 7’s digicam system? That manner, the Pixel 8a would nonetheless be a weaker system than you will get with the mainline Pixel 8 but additionally higher than the Pixel 7a. It might be disappointing if Google simply transferred the cameras from the Pixel 7a to the Pixel 8a, so hopefully, that doesn’t occur.

Quicker charging

We’ve complained so much about how a lot slower wired charging is on Pixel telephones in comparison with the competitors. We’d like to see the Pixel 8a (and Pixels basically) have quicker wired charging. That is very true for the Professional fashions. The best way we see it, in an ideal world, the Professional-level Pixels ought to cost no slower than 45W with a cable. In the event that they charged at that pace, the Pixel 8a might cost at one thing like 30W and nonetheless permit superiority for the Professional fashions. For reference, the ultra-cheap OnePlus Nord N30 fees at a whopping 50W (and features a charger within the field), so we’re not asking for a lot right here.

Likewise, it’s nice that the Pixel 7a received wi-fi charging, however the 7.5W pace of that cost is fairly dismal. We’d like to see no less than 10W and even 15W wi-fi charging on the Google Pixel 8a.

Granted, any adjustments to the Pixel 8a’s charging speeds would necessitate Google altering the speeds of all new Pixels. We notice that is unlikely, however Google can also’t be the corporate with the slowest charging speeds within the trade. As soon as Apple adopts quicker speeds for iPhones, that’s what it is going to be. In different phrases, it wants to hurry issues up ultimately, so why not accomplish that with the Pixel 8a?

An extended replace dedication

If Google does find yourself transferring away from annual launches for A-series Pixels, then it might want to increase its replace dedication. Keep in mind that A-series Pixels normally launch within the first half of the yr, which implies they land with the earlier yr’s Android model out of the field. In different phrases, if the Pixel 8a launches in 2024, it can have Android 14. If a brand new A-series Pixel doesn’t launch till 2026, that will imply the Pixel 8a can be almost aged out of Android upgrades by the point that new cellphone comes round, since it might get Android 15 in 2024, Android 16 in 2025, after which be due for Android 17 later in 2026. That doesn’t appear proper to us, so Google ought to supply no less than 4 Android upgrades for Pixels — which, consequently, would match Samsung’s current dedication.