Google Pixel 8a: news, rumored price, release date, and more

Recently, the tech community buzzed with the notion that the Google Pixel 7a might mark the end of Google’s beloved Pixel A-series. Contrary to these speculations, emerging rumors suggest a different narrative is unfolding.

Anticipation is building for the potential unveiling of the Google Pixel 8a this year. What exciting features and enhancements might this new budget-friendly smartphone bring? From its specifications and design to pricing details, we’re diving deep into all the details surrounding the Google Pixel 8a. Join us as we explore what could make it a standout in the competitive smartphone market.

Google Pixel 8a: release date

Google has consistently dazzled tech enthusiasts with annual releases of new Pixel models, each surpassing its predecessor in features and performance. The Pixel A series has seen a regular cadence of launches, with the Pixel 7a debuting in May 2023 and the Pixel 6a in July 2022. Preceding these, the Pixel 5a was introduced in August 2021, followed by the Pixel 4a in August 2020.

Historically, based on this pattern, the upcoming Pixel 8a is poised for a reveal in late spring or early summer of this year. A plausible scenario would place its announcement during the Google I/O 2024 event, starting on May 14.

Adding to the anticipation, the Pixel 8a recently cleared a significant milestone by securing approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on March 18. This major development strongly hints that Google is on the verge of launching this model, making its debut at Google I/O in May increasingly probable.

Google Pixel 8a: price

Google’s pricing strategy for its A-series smartphones has shown notable variation when compared to its flagship Pixel line. For example, the Pixel 7a launched at $499, offering a $100 savings over the Pixel 7, which debuted at $599. This price difference has made the A-series an appealing choice for budget-conscious buyers.

With the introduction of the Google Pixel 8 priced at $699 and the Pixel 8 Pro at $999—each $100 more than their predecessors—there was speculation that a similar price hike might affect the upcoming Pixel 8a. Early rumors hinted at a possible increase of 60 euros for the Pixel 8a in the European market.

However, recent insights from trusted leaker Yogesh Brar suggest otherwise. Brar indicates that the Pixel 8a will maintain a starting price of $500, akin to the Pixel 7a. This sentiment was reinforced by OnLeaks, who also reported a $500 starting price in late April.

While Google has yet to confirm these details officially, the evidence points towards the continuation of the $500 price tag for the Pixel 8a, making it an anticipated option for value-driven consumers once more.

Google Pixel 8a: design

The design of Google’s A-series smartphones typically mirrors that of its standard Pixel lineup, making it likely that the Pixel 8a will closely follow the aesthetics of the recently launched Pixel 8. In anticipation of this continuity, a leak in September, prior to the release of the Pixel 8, revealed a Pixel 8a model featuring distinctly rounder corners—a characteristic also observed in the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, which both sport more curved edges compared to earlier models. This trend suggests a consistent design evolution across Google’s smartphone offerings.

Recent leaks further reinforce the similarity between the upcoming Pixel 8a and the Pixel 8, showcasing images of what appears to be the Pixel 8a’s retail packaging. These images, circulated on the Google News Telegram channel, confirm the design parallels with the Pixel 8. Interestingly, the box highlights the inclusion of a 27W charger. However, this detail doesn’t necessarily imply an enhancement in charging speeds for the Pixel 8a compared to its predecessors.

Google is expected to adopt a strategic approach to the materials used in the construction of the Pixel 8a, blending premium elements found in the Pixel 8 with more cost-effective alternatives. This material mix aims to balance quality with affordability. A key aspect where the budget-friendly nature of the Pixel 8a will likely be visible is in the design of the bezels, where we might see thicker or more pronounced edges compared to the higher-end models.

In early April, TechDroider shared two hands-on photos of the Pixel 8a on social media, offering fresh evidence supporting earlier design leaks. These images give us a clearer view of the phone’s bezels, which are, frankly, quite substantial.

The lower bezel of the phone is especially bulky, and the top and side bezels are also thicker than usual. While not necessarily a deal-breaker, the size of the bezels might seem somewhat unattractive at first glance. There’s hope, however, that the Pixel 8a might present better in person than it appears in online photos.

Google Pixel 8a: specs

The eagerly anticipated Pixel 8a is set to feature Google’s Tensor G3 chipset, a component shared with the Pixel 8 series. However, preliminary Geekbench data suggests that this chip will be underclocked in the budget-friendly Pixel 8a, implying that while it will be a robust processor, it won’t deliver the flagship-level performance seen in higher-end models.

As for the display, the Pixel 8a is expected to maintain a 6.1-inch screen size but will include some enhancements in material quality. While the Pixel 7a utilized Corning Gorilla Glass 3, the new Pixel 8a is projected to upgrade to Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, aligning it with the more premium Pixel 8.

In a significant development reported by a major leak in early April, the Pixel 8a’s display refresh rate is said to jump to 120Hz, a step up from the 90Hz offered in the Pixel 7a and a notable improvement over the 60Hz screen of the Pixel 6a. Additionally, the storage options are expected to expand, featuring both 128GB and 256GB models, whereas the Pixel 7a was only available with 128GB.

Google Pixel 8a: battery

The Pixel 7a features a 4,385mAh battery, a slight reduction from the Pixel 6a’s capacity. However, the upcoming Pixel 8a is set to upgrade to a larger 4,500mAh battery, promising extended usage times.

In an exciting development, the Pixel 8a is slated to introduce a new battery feature. As per details uncovered from a developer post on Google’s bug tracker and reported by 9to5Google, the Pixel 8a will offer detailed battery statistics. Users will be able to view the battery’s manufacture date, number of charge cycles, and its current health as a percentage. These insights were once accessible on older models but had been removed; they are now re-introduced exclusively for the Pixel 8a and future devices.

Additionally, the Pixel 8a is expected to bring enhancements in charging capabilities. Rumors suggest it will support 27-watt wired charging, a significant step up from the 18W charging of the Pixel 7a, although the 7.5W wireless charging rate is anticipated to remain unchanged.

Google Pixel 8a: cameras

The camera setup on the upcoming Google Pixel 8a is expected to remain largely unchanged, with reports indicating it will feature a 64-megapixel main camera, a 13MP ultrawide camera, and a 13MP selfie camera. These specifications mirror those of the Pixel 7a. However, enhancements in software capabilities and image processing are anticipated to deliver improved photography results.

While the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro introduced several camera enhancements, it’s possible that the Pixel 8a could inherit some of these advanced features. For instance, the highly acclaimed Best Take feature from the Pixel 8 series, which combines multiple shots to optimize everyone’s appearance in a photo, might make its way to the Pixel 8a. Additionally, the Magic Editor, an AI-driven tool available in Google Photos that offers innovative and experimental editing options, could also be featured.

Although it’s uncertain which specific updates will be included in the Pixel 8a, it is reasonable to expect that several of these cutting-edge features will enhance the device’s photographic capabilities.

Google Pixel 8a: software and updates

The Pixel 8a is anticipated to run a clean, unmodified version of Android 14 upon release, aligning it with its higher-end counterparts, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. While it remains uncertain if Google will extend the same seven-year support promise—covering operating system updates, feature enhancements, and comprehensive service—as offered with its premium models, the Pixel 8a is still expected to be among the first to receive the Android 15 update slated for release later this year.

For context, the Pixel 7a, much like the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, is provided with five years of software support. This includes three years of Android OS updates and five years of monthly security patches, ensuring sustained performance and security over an extended period.