Anticipated launch date and what we need to see

Replace, October 9, 2023: We’ve up to date our Google Pixel 8a hub with leaked renders and the scale of the cellphone.

The primary time Google launched an A sequence cellphone was in 2019 with the Pixel 3a and 3a XL. On the time, these have been a number of the greatest Android telephones you can get for the worth. Since then, Google’s launched a brand new A sequence 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 publish, we’ll spherical up all of the credible rumors we’ve seen to date associated to the Pixel 8a, which incorporates details about it probably not occurring. 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.

Pixel 8a: At a look

• When may it come out? If the Pixel 8a really occurs, it’s more likely to launch someday round Could of 2024, throughout Google I/O.
• What new options might it have? It’s nonetheless too early to know for certain, however a Tensor G3 and 8GB of RAM are probably, not less than.
• How a lot will it price? The Pixel 8a price ticket will probably 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.” Nevertheless, issues aren’t so sure with the Google Pixel 8a.

On the finish of 2022, we spoke with an nameless supply with deep inner data about Google’s smartphone plans. This supply instructed 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 shouldn’t be dedicated to truly releasing it.

As an alternative, Google may transfer to a biennial schedule for Pixel A units, that means a launch each two years. This might make A sequence 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. Nevertheless, a number of analysts say Apple may not get round to this till 2025 or probably even later.

With the Google Pixel 7a launching in 2023, it might — theoretically — be 2025 earlier than we see one other A sequence cellphone. By then, it wouldn’t be a Pixel 8a however a Pixel 9a. Google might additionally rebrand the sequence by eradicating the quantity for the sake of simplicity. In fact, there have been just a few hints lately suggesting the Pixel 8a could also be within the works in spite of everything. Not solely have leaked benchmarks hit (although these could be faked), there have additionally been just 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 listing above makes it clear that Google’s most popular launch window for A sequence Pixels is in Could at its annual I/O builders convention. Nevertheless, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Google did launch some A sequence telephones later within the 12 months. 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 12 months after the Pixel 8 sequence correct drops.

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

Every little thing we are saying under is, for now, primarily based on what Google has completed beforehand. Nevertheless, 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 equivalent to the Pixel 7, though smaller total.

Traditionally the Pixel A sequence has adopted the identical total design language because the flagship Pixel household. That appears to be case for the Pixel 8a as nicely, as lately leaked photographs counsel it would take just a few design cues from the 7a and Pixel 8, primarily mashing them collectively. This contains iPhone-like corners, an aluminum digital camera bar, and a blue shade that’s considerably just like the Pixel 7a’s Artic Blue colorway. Clearly, we are able to anticipate different colours as nicely, however it’s too early to say what these may be.

One other leak gave us renders of the Pixel 8a within the Rose colorway of the Pixel 8. Not solely do the photographs seem to assist that the system shall be slimmer and smaller, but in addition the leaked dimensions say the identical at 152.1 x 72.6 x 8.9mm. By comparability, the Pixel 7a’s dimensions are 152.4 x 72.9 x 9.0mm. The leak additionally says the show is available in at 6.1 inches.

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

Cameras

From all of the dependable leaks we’ve seen to date, the Pixel 8’s digital camera system is sort of equivalent 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 sequence telephones, the Pixel 8a couldn’t have an equal digital camera system to the Pixel 8. As such, we might anticipate both the identical digital camera system we discover on the Pixel 7a or a slight improve of that. For the file, the Pixel 7a’s digital camera included a 64MP major, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 13MP selfie.

Do be aware that the software program powering the digital camera on all Pixels is identical. Subsequently, the Pixel 8a ought to have the ability to do every thing the Pixel 8 can until the included {hardware} prohibits it.

Specs and options

The Pixel 8a would additionally probably include Android 14 out of the field, identical to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional. Google has not indicated it would change its improve dedication for Pixels this 12 months, 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 sequence telephones have had the Tensor chip their corresponding mainline entry carried. Theoretically, this may imply the Pixel 8a would have the so-far unannounced Tensor G3, which we anticipate to debut with the Pixel 8 sequence.

Because of leaks, we already know a ton about G3. Will probably be Google’s strongest Tensor but and enhance gaming, images, and AI smarts. We’re unsure if will probably be extra energy environment friendly or higher at regulating temperatures, however we hope to see these enhancements.

We’re fairly assured that RAM and storage choices gained’t change this 12 months with the Pixel 8. That might 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 latest Geekbench benchmark leak additional backs this up, although these could be faked so this needs to be taken with a grain of salt. 

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

The Pixel 8a would additionally probably include Android 14 out of the field, identical to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional. Google has not indicated it would change its improve dedication for Pixels this 12 months, 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 listing above exhibits that there has by no means been an A sequence Pixel over the $500 mark. If it does really launch, we’d anticipate the Pixel 8a to land on the identical worth because the Pixel 7a, which is $499.

It’s doable — even probably — that the mainline Pixel 8 sequence could possibly be dearer this 12 months. The $599 entry worth for the Pixel 7 is an outright steal for what you get. Regardless that we don’t anticipate a ton of upgrades for the Pixel 8, we do anticipate a large variety of adjustments for the Pixel 8 Professional. These adjustments will nearly actually require a worth improve for the Pixel 8 Professional, which might, theoretically, necessitate a worth improve for the Pixel 8 as nicely.

Even when Google does improve the costs of the Pixel 8 sequence, we don’t suppose it might go any increased than $499 for the Pixel 8a. That’s an affordable worth for what you’re more likely to get.

In fact, the strongest rumor to date is that Google will skip the Pixel 8a, leaving the Pixel 7a because the funds 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. Subsequently, if you happen to’re searching for a funds cellphone, we extremely counsel not ready round.

The obvious different to the Pixel 8a could be the Pixel 7a ($477 at Amazon). It options just about every thing you want from a contemporary Android cellphone, together with wi-fi charging and a show with a excessive refresh charge. Nevertheless, the digital camera, show, and total construct high quality shall be inferior to the Pixel 7 ($545 at Amazon). Contemplating the Pixel 7 shouldn’t be rather more costly than the Pixel 7a and goes on sale continuously, that’s additionally price a glance.

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

In order for you one thing not from Google, our go-to funds cellphone advice 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 strong 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 digital camera system. The 64MP major shooter, particularly, is fairly good. Nevertheless, the Pixel 7’s system continues to be higher each on the front and back. Since we anticipate the Pixel 8 to get an upgraded major sesnor, wouldn’t or not it’s cool if the Pixel 8a simply took the Pixel 7’s digital camera system? That means, the Pixel 8a would nonetheless be a weaker system than you get with the mainline Pixel 8 but in addition higher than the Pixel 7a. It might be disappointing if Google simply transferred the cameras from the Pixel 7a to the Pixel 8a. Hopefully, that gained’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 normally) have sooner wired charging. That is very true for the Professional fashions. In an ideal world, the Professional-level Pixels ought to cost no slower than 45W with a cable. At that velocity, 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 expenses 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 bought wi-fi charging, however the 7.5W velocity of that cost is fairly dismal. We’d like to see not 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 sooner speeds for iPhones, that’s what will probably be. In different phrases, it wants to hurry issues up ultimately, so why not achieve this with the Pixel 8a?

An extended replace dedication

If Google does transfer away from annual launches for A-series Pixels, then it might want to increase its replace dedication. Do not forget that A-series Pixels normally launch within the first half of the 12 months, so that they land with the earlier 12 months’s Android model. In different phrases, if the Pixel 8a launches in 2024, it would have Android 14. If a brand new A-series Pixel doesn’t launch till 2026, that will imply the Pixel 8a could be practically 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 provide not less than 4 Android upgrades for Pixels — which, consequently, would match Samsung’s current dedication.