Rumours and what we wish to see

Because the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are getting a lot of the consideration for now, we’re already eyeing the following entry to Google’s personal mid-range Android lineup, the Pixel 8a.

Since its inception with 2018’s Pixel 3a, the A-series has proved extraordinarily profitable because of 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 do not know for sure simply but, however we do have intelligence to work off of and we’re gathering it for you proper right here.

Google Pixel 8a launch date and worth

Whereas there are not any stable rumours about these points, we are able to make educated guesses about the place these will land.

As for an announcement, Google had been pulling its A-series releases up the calendar: the Pixel 5a took place in late August of 2020, the next 12 months had the Pixel 6a in mid-July, and the 7a was introduced on the Google I/O 2023 keynote on Could 10. This spot, nonetheless, would be the most acceptable one on which to plant the Pixel 8a subsequent 12 months. Whilst a convention geared toward builders, I/O all the time poses a chance to introduce {hardware} platforms to serve this new software program on – akin to a brand new Android cellphone or two – for the general public’s discernment. It additionally lands far sufficient away from the mainline Pixel cellphone releases that occur in October through the firm’s Made by Google showcases in order to not cannibalize gross sales.

Cash-wise, it’s totally doubtless that the Pixel 8a will carry over the Pixel 7a’s $499 price ticket – a $50 hike from the Pixel 6a and 5a and arguably known as for given international inflationary pressures. 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. There have been even doubts as as to if the 8a would present up in 2024, however we’ll get to why we’re assured that that would be the case shortly.

Google Pixel 8a specs

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 that pegs it as an Android 14 system that is operating a nine-core CPU with roughly 8GB of RAM. The existence of mentioned itemizing is why we imagine that an 8a is being pipelined for launch as we converse, however, as with something in hearsay 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 courting again to April for a supposed take a look at mattress named “Ripcurrent.” Leaks blogger @Tech_Reve claimed this chipset to be the Tensor G3, which might be the third era 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 cores are biking slower. It is the case throughout every cluster, however the low-power group sees the widest gulf at 1.7GHz versus 2.15GHz.

We’re not precisely positive what to make of this on condition that the Tensor G3 will presumably debut on the Pixel 8 and eight Professional first. We’ve not seen any indications of different potential Tensor G3 benchmarks on the market, that means it is onerous to inform if Google is flat-out downstepping its efficiency or is simply doing so for the Pixel 8a. One other complication is that it is simple to spoof system names for Geekbench runs, however that is all we’ve got to work with thus far.

Google Pixel 8a cameras

Digital camera particulars for the Pixel 8a have but to spill. Up via the Pixel 6 era of gadgets, Google has been counting on the identical 12MP sensor for its principal rear digital camera. The Pixel 7 and seven Professional launched a brand new array of sensors, however the 7a’s digital camera set was remarkably totally different to its siblings with a 64MP huge unit and a 13MP 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.

Google Pixel 8a rumours: What’s occurred thus far

24 August 2023: Leaker claims Galaxy Z FE telephones will launch after Z Fold/Flip 6

A tool that’s believed to be the Pixel 8a seems in a Geekbench consequence (through MySmartPrice).

15 June 2023: Google Pixel 8 Tensor G3 leak factors to some huge efficiency upgrades

Barely tangential, however this story in regards to the Tensor G3 does present some context in regards to the uncertainty surrounding the Pixel 8a’s powerhouse.

23 December 2022: Leaked roadmap reveals plans for Google Pixel Fold, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8, and past

A supply to Android Authority relayed particulars in regards to the Pixel 8a’s codename together with pricing plans and a possible change in launch cycle.