Google Pixel 8a: Leaked specs, price speculation, leaked design & more
GoogleGoogle Pixel 8
Not sure if you should wait for the Pixel 8a, or buy the Pixel 7a? Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming budget phone.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are great smartphones, featuring Google’s homebrewed chip and powerful AI features. But the Pixel 8a might be the smartphone for the masses.
Google’s budget “A” lineup is the reason why Pixels are now more popular than ever. It is the cheapest way to join the Pixel ecosystem and enjoy Android as Google intends to.
The Pixel 7a emerged as a top-notch budget phone in 2023, giving the Galaxy A54 some serious competition. The upcoming Pixel 8a might take things to the next level with its impressive specs.
It might launch in May 2024 with a new processor and better display. Pixel 8a’s design could also be inspired by the current Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.
Here’s what we know so far, including the estimated price, release window, and specs of the upcoming Google Pixel 8a.
Google Pixel 8a: Release date speculation
Google has not announced a release date for the Pixel 8a, however, it’s likely to launch in the first half of 2024.
Google typically launches the Pixel A phones in the first half of the year and the flagship lineup towards the end. The Pixel 7a was announced on May 11 during the Google I/O event, alongside the Pixel Fold and the Pixel Tablet.
If the Google Pixel 8a is indeed launching this year, it will likely be unveiled on May 14 during the search giant’s developer conference. An Android Headlines report claims Pixel 8a will go on sale on May 16.
Google has even officially confirmed the Pixel 8a’s existence. In response to complaints about the disappearance of the Battery information page within settings, a Google employee said, “We only enable this page on Pixel 8a and beyond, so this is WAI (Working as Intended)”.
This not only confirms that Pixel 8a is coming soon but also reveals that it will launch with a Battery Information feature.
Another hint that the Pixel 8a is launching soon is its recent listing on a retailer’s website. As reported by Evan Blass, US Cellular had accidentally posted a device tutorial for Google’s budget smartphone.
Google Pixel 8a: Price predictions
The Google Pixel 8a is rumored to launch at $499 in the US. The Pixel 7a was also priced at $499, while the Pixel 6a came out with a price tag of $449.
Several reports, including one from WinFuture, claim the Pixel 8a may see a price increase compared to the Pixel 7a. The Pixel 8a is currently listed for €569.90, claims the publication, citing German retail sources. This suggests the device would be sold in the US for around $549. However, Android Headlines has reported the smartphone will cost around $499. SmartPrix cites information from @OnLeaks to suggest a similar price.
Google Pixel 8a: Design and display
X/Abhishek YadavGoogle isn’t very good at keeping its phones under wraps. There’s already a leaked hands-on image that reveals the Pixel 8a’s design. Unsurprisingly, the phone looks a lot like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro with round corners.
The phone keeps a bar-like camera module on the back and features a selfie camera placed at the top center. The bezels around the display are noticeably thick. Design renders shared by SmartPrix also show a similar look.
A leaked retail box image, shared by Twitter user @chunnvn8888, corroborates these leaks, showing the Pixel 8a in black color option with round edges all aroud. The smartphone will be offered in Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, and Mint colors, according to tipster Evan Blass.
Google is also reported to be making changes to the Pixel 8a’s display. While the Pixel 7a uses a 6.1-inch OLED display featuring a 90Hz refresh rate, the Pixel 8a could step it up with a 120Hz panel and 1,400 nits of peak HDR brightness, matching the specs of the higher-end Pixel 8.
Google Pixel 8a: Rumored specs
SmartprixJust like the Pixel 7a, Googe Pixel 8a might feature the same chipset as the more premium flagships. The Pixel 8 duo features the Google Tensor G3 under the hood and the Pixel 8a should get the same chip.
While not the most powerful chipset on the market, the Tensor G3 delivers decent performance and brings a lot of efficiency improvements. The chip also introduces many AI features, which were otherwise missing on the previous gen phones.
A recent report from Android Authority corroborates that the Pixel 8a will receive the same chipset as the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. However, the publication claims that the Pixel 8a will essentially have the same cameras as the Pixel 7a.
For reference, the Pixel 7a makes do with a dual camera system in the back, highlighted by a 64MP main sensor. There’s a 13MP ultrawide shooter as well.
There isn’t any info regarding the phone’s battery at the moment. The Pixel 7a is equipped with a 4385mAh battery, slightly smaller than its predecessor, the Pixel 6a, which had a 4410mAh cell.
It’s unlikely that Google will make any drastic changes to Pixel 8a’s battery. The phone is likely to stick with the same battery capacity as the Pixel 7a. The fast charging setup is expected to remain the same as well, with 18W fast charging through the cable and 7.5W wireless charging.
Google Pixel 8a: Software and AI features
The Pixel 8a is expected to run Android 14 on the software side, according to marketing material shared by Android Headlines. The leak did not reveal how many years of major Android updates the phone will receive, but it did mention that it will get 7 years of security updates.
A full product page posted by Evan Blass shows Google’s ongoing AI push with several of the leaked pages promoting AI tools for photo editing, Circle to Search, and the Gemini AI assistant.
Pixel 8a could be a solid budget phone
Pixel 8a might come out as a solid choice in the budget category. It could be priced much lower than the Pixel 8 while still delivering good specs. Google hasn’t officially confirmed this yet, so we’ll just have to wait and see what they’ve got in store.
