Google Pixel 8a: Rumors and leaks

We now know that Google I/O 2024 will kick off Could 14, the place we anticipate Google will give us extra particulars about Android 15, its Gemini AI efforts and perhaps even the Pixel 8a, the subsequent entry to the corporate’s mid-range Android lineup. Simply this month, the Pixel 8a was confirmed by Google, though unofficially. Google’s A-series of smartphones has proved extraordinarily profitable due to the corporate’s mixture of nice software program assist, a continuing drip of user-friendly options, and {hardware} that is low-cost however cheerful.

The Pixel 7a was a welcome advance from its predecessors with the inclusion of wi-fi charging for the primary time. Will we see one thing as drastic make an look on the Pixel 8a? We have rounded up the present rumors and leaks about Google’s subsequent entry-level telephone for you under.

When will Google launch the Pixel 8a?

We might see it ahead of later

With the announcement of Google I/O 2024 and the truth that Google by accident confirmed the 8a’s existence all inside a few weeks, we’re beginning to get our hopes up that we’ll see the 8a introduced throughout I/O’s opening keynote on Could 14.

Prior to now, the A-series announcement has moved round fairly a bit. The Pixel 5a got here out in late August 2020, the next 12 months. The Pixel 6a in mid-July, and the 7a was introduced on the Google I/O 2023 keynote on Could 10.

Whilst a convention geared toward builders, I/O at all times presents a chance for Google to introduce new {hardware} to function a showcase for its newest software program, corresponding to a brand new Android telephone just like the Pixel Fold, for the general public’s discernment. It additionally lands far sufficient away from the mainline Pixel telephone releases that happen in October through the firm’s Made by Google showcases in order to not cannibalize gross sales.

How a lot will the Pixel 8a value?

The newest leaks point out pricing will stay the identical as final 12 months’s Pixel 7a

It is potential that the Pixel 8a will carry over the Pixel 7a’s $499 price ticket — a $50 hike from the Pixel 6a and 5a. Late final 12 months, an unnamed supply claimed that the Pixel 8a would be the one to take on that $499 price tag and never the 7a.

A report from WinFuture says that the Pixel 8a would possibly see a slight value enhance over the 7a, which might see the machine go from $499 to about $549. Given the pricing trajectory of Pixel a collection gadgets by means of the years, the next asking value is properly throughout the realm of risk.

Extra just lately, prolific tipster Steve Hemmerstoffer of OnLeaks fame partnered with Smartprix to disclose leaked pricing of their very own. In line with this new leak, the Pixel 8a will preserve its $499 entry value level for 128 GB of storage. The larger-capacity 256 GB variant will reportedly value $559. If this rumor proves correct, the Pixel 8a would possibly find yourself being a reasonably strong bang-for-your-buck providing, although we’ll have to attend to make certain.

What’s going to the Pixel 8a seem like?

A refined model of the Pixel 8, 8 Professional

It took till the thick of autumn earlier than we bought our first actual have a look at what a Pixel 8a would possibly seem like, however the footage did not disappoint — not less than when it comes to element. In late September, Indian blogger Abhishek Yadav posted photographs to X (previously Twitter) of what was presupposed to be a Pixel 8a, seemingly an engineering validation unit. Lengthy-radius corners dominate the design right here, very similar to they did with the Pixel 8 gadgets, and there have been some complaints in regards to the show bezel. Most notable was the selection of colorway on show, one thing just like the Pixel 8 Professionals’ unique Bay blue.

As mid-October approached, Smartprix printed CAD renders offered by OnLeaks of the Pixel 8a that roughly matched up with what we might see from the leak in September. However once more, shade yells the loudest right here, and we had been handled to a Rose-esque remedy that the non-pro Pixel 8 bought. It is essentially the most tacit of implications that do not get a verbal point out from both the weblog or OnLeaks operator Steve Hemmerstoffer, nevertheless it appears as if we might be able to anticipate two particular non-grayscale hues on supply. After all, particulars corresponding to availability can get messy, and nothing has been picked up on that entrance but, so we recommend not holding your breath about appears to be like.

Hemmerstoffer does supply some perception as to how broad the corners on the Pixel 8a could also be and, proportionally talking, they appear to be wider than those on the Pixel 8 and eight Professional.

Lately, images of what appears to be like to be the Pixel 8a have surfaced on X, as noticed by DroidReader. The telephone is showcased within the Bay blue and Mint inexperienced colorways, giving us an thought of what the machine will almost definitely seem like in the true world. Having the Pixel 8a leak in Mint is not too shocking, given Google’s introduction and promotion of the colour for its Pixel 8 and eight Professional fashions.

Some additional marketing images, together with ones showcasing the brand new Mint colorway, can be found alongside the latest pricing leaks courtesy of Hemmerstoffer and Smartprix.

Geekbench/Pocket-lint

Google Pixel 8a specs

Not a lot is understood proper now

One source known as out the Pixel 8a’s codename as Akita, and that appears to be correct, as a Geekbench result listing from August pegs it as an Android 14 machine that is operating a nine-core CPU with roughly 8GB of RAM. The existence of stated itemizing is why we consider that an 8a is getting nearer to launch, however, as with something in rumor and hypothesis, do not take anybody’s phrase for it.

The SoC appears to be styled after one which was seen in two Geekbench listings relationship again to April for a supposed check mattress named “Ripcurrent.” Leaks blogger @Tech_Reve claimed this chipset to be the Tensor G3, which might be the third technology of Google’s customized design that has been based mostly on Samsung’s Exynos blueprints.

The chipsets on each Ripcurrent and Akita builds are clustered identically with a single-core hero unit, a quad-core mid-tier unit, and one other quad-core low-power unit. The large distinction between the 2 is that the Akita’s core cycles slower. It is the case throughout every cluster, however the low-power group sees the widest gulf at 1.7GHz versus 2.15GHz.

The Tensor G3 has now been launched, powering the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, and it would simply be that it’s clocked to a barely slower pace. One other complication is that it is simple to spoof machine names for Geekbench runs, however that is all we have now to work with thus far.

What in regards to the Pixel 8a’s cameras?

Google does not fiddle with cameras

Digital camera particulars for the Pixel 8a have but to spill. Up by means of the Pixel 6 technology of gadgets, Google has been counting on the identical 12-megapixel sensor for its most important rear digicam. The Pixel 7 and seven Professional launched a brand new array of sensors, however the 7a’s digicam set was remarkably completely different from its siblings with a 64-megapixel broad unit and a 13-megapixel ultrawide.

At this second, we suspect the corporate will carry those self same cameras (and a few value financial savings) over to the Pixel 8a. There merely have not been any main leaks or rumors to recommend a unique digicam setup in comparison with final 12 months’s mannequin. After all, this might change at any second, however up to date digicam {hardware} would seemingly have leaked by this level if it had been to be part of Google’s street map.

Software program assist on the Google Pixel 8a

Will the Pixel 8a get 7 years value of updates identical to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional?

Whereas nothing is but confirmed, a brand new Android Headlines leak means that the Pixel 8a will obtain 7 years of safety updates. Importantly, the leak makes no point out of OS or function updates. It is nonetheless potential that Google will promise 7 years of platform updates for the Pixel 8a. In all probability, nonetheless, the perk will stay unique to the corporate’s costlier flagship fashions.

After all, it nearly goes with out saying that the Pixel 8a will both launch with — or get first entry to — Android 15 out of the field. Google is difficult at work on finalizing the software program launch, with platform stability expected to arrive someday across the finish of the summer time.

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