Everything About Google Pixel 8A: Release Date, Features, Pricing Rumor
Google’s Pixel A series has by far been its biggest moneymaker, thanks in part to its price and the features it borrows from its expensive brothers. Now, following the successful launch of the Pixel 8 series, all eyes have turned to the potential arrival of the Pixel 8A.
However, while some rumors speculate on the device launching in the first half of 2024, others suggest that Google might skip this iteration entirely. Here’s everything you need to know about the Google Pixel 8A.
Why Google might cancel the Pixel 8A?
The confusion surrounding the Pixel 8A’s release stems from a report from Android Authority, where an anonymous source within Google hinted that while the phone, codenamed “akita,” is in active development, the company is contemplating whether to launch the device or not. This is because Google is considering aligning the A series’ launch cycle more closely with that of the iPhone SE.
Therefore, if this rumor holds true, it would mean a delayed release for the Pixel 8A, possibly in 2025. However, recent renders and photos of the device suggest that Google is in the final stages of development.
When will Pixel 8A launch?
Google’s release schedule for the Pixel devices has been pretty straightforward, with the company announcing new phones at the annual Google I/O conference. And although there is no rumored launch date for the Pixel 8A yet, judging by the pattern, it could launch in May 2024.
Pixel 8A Rumored Design
Google’s smartphone division hasn’t been the best at keeping secrets, as leaks of nearly every Pixel phone tend to surface months before their official launch. Similarly, details about the design of the Pixel 8A have been circulating online for some time, with actual images of the device recently surfacing.
When talking about appearance, the device will reportedly feature an aluminum frame, measuring 152.1 x 72.6 x 8.9mm, departing from the boxier design of the Pixel 7A and adopting a more rounded look akin to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. However, the display size is expected to remain unchanged at 6.1 inches, with a center punch hole for the selfie camera. Additionally, the Pixel 8A could incorporate Gorilla Glass Victus for display protection, similar to the Pixel 8 series.
Improved Cameras
Cameras have always been a standout feature in Google’s Pixel series, and the Pixel 8A will be no exception. This is because the device will inherit a camera setup similar to the Pixel 7.
While not confirmed, the Pixel 8A is rumored to feature an improved UltraWide and selfie camera with autofocus. However, the primary focus of the Pixel 8A’s cameras will undoubtedly be on AI capabilities, similar to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. As a result, the device might include similar AI features, including ‘Best Take,’ which automatically captures several photos in a scene and uses AI to blend faces, and the new ‘Magic Editor,’ which enables users to utilize generative AI in photo editing.
Display and Specifications
When talking about the display, the Pixel 8A is likely to sport the same 90Hz Full HD+ display, albeit with rounded corners. Furthermore, the phone will debut with Android 14 out of the box, and if Google’s promise of 7 years of software updates extends to its budget series, the phone could reportedly receive support until 2031.
In terms of specifications, the Pixel 8A will house an underclocked Tensor G3 chip, featuring one prime core clocked at 2.91GHz, 4x performance cores at 2.37GHz, and four efficiency cores at 1.7GHz. Additionally, the device will incorporate the Mali G715 GPU, marking a significant improvement from its predecessor. Moreover, leaked benchmarks of the Pixel 8A, where the phone scored 1,218 in single-core and 3,175 in multicore, have confirmed the presence of 8GB of RAM.
Battery and Charging
Considering Google’s trend of not drastically increasing battery sizes in its devices, the Pixel 8A might include a 4,385mAh battery, akin to the Pixel 7A. However, given the new Tensor G3 chip, the actual day-to-day usage could vary significantly. Additionally, the company seems inclined to maintain the same 18W fast charging and 7.5W wireless charging.
Google Pixel 8A Expected Pricing
Google’s pricing for the Pixel 8 series hasn’t been received well this year, given the $100 increase. However, this raises the question: will the Pixel 8A also see a price hike?
Although there’s no concrete rumor about the device’s actual price, rumors circulating online suggest that the Pixel 8A will cost the same as its predecessor at $499, making it $200 cheaper than its bigger brother.
Availability
Considering that the Pixel 8A is still months away from launch, there’s been little information on its availability. However, following the pattern of its predecessor, the Pixel 8A is expected to launch in several countries, including Canada, the United States, the UK, India, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden.
Download the Pixel 8A wallpapers
It’s no secret that Google is notoriously bad for keeping secrets, and the same seems to be true for the Pixel 8A, as the official wallpapers have already surfaced online. According to SmartPrix, artist Andrew Zuckerman designed these wallpapers, drawing inspiration from Earth minerals.
