The Pixel 8a’s launch is likely just over a month away, and unlike previous years, Google hasn’t revealed the phone's specifications and features pre-launch–at least not yet. However, we already know a lot about the phone thanks to previous leaks.
Its predecessor, the Pixel 7a, went more in the direction of Google’s Pixel 7 family, eliminating some distance between it and the vanilla Pixel 7. The Pixel 8a, boasting some impressive specs, will allegedly cut the distance even shorter from the Pixel 8, but at a higher price point. Here’s all we know about the Google Pixel 8a so far.
A Better Display on the Cards
Last year, Google equipped the Pixel 7a with a 90Hz display, and this year, the Pixel 8a will receive an even better treatment. It is reportedly getting an upgraded screen, with specs similar to those of the Pixel 8. You can expect a 6.1-inch FHD+ panel, with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz and a peak HDR brightness of 1,400 nits. The display corners will be more rounded than the previous “a” models, similar to the regular Pixel phones.
Furthermore, the Pixel 8a will support the DisplayPort feature out of the box. It enables display output from your phone to a TV or monitor via the USB-C port for those unaware. We can expect all future Pixel smartphones to ship with this feature.
The Tensor G3 SoC to power the Pixel 8a
The Tensor G3 will power the Pixel 8a, the same chipset Google used in the Pixel 8 family. Compared to the Tensor G2, it gets faster CPU cores with a new layout, resulting in faster processing speeds. The new Mali-G715 GPU also sees a performance jump. However, the chipset will receive some cost-cutting to fit inside the affordable Pixel 8a.
Google did the same with the Pixel 7a, equipped with a toned-down version of the regular Tensor G2. For the Pixel 8a, the Tensor G3 will use cheaper materials in its packaging for cost reduction. It will use IPoP (Integrated Package on Package) instead of the FOPLP (Fan-Out Panel Level Packaging) used in its regular variant.
The performance might not match that of the Google Pixel 8, but overall, you will see a notable improvement over the Pixel 7a.
What Else Do We Know?
Another upgrade for the Pixel 8a will be in its battery capacity, as it is rumored to rock a bigger 4,942 mAh cell. If true, Google will probably market it as a 5,000 mAh battery. This will be a significant jump, considering the Pixel 7a’s 4,385 mAh battery already lasted a day under moderate usage.
For cameras, Google is borrowing the Pixel 7a’s hardware this year, as is usually the case when it comes to the A-series. The Sony IMX363 sensor, which debuted with the Pixel 3, was still Google’s favorite up until the Pixel 6a. The position seems to be replaced by Sony’s IMX787 and IMX712, which were previously featured in the Pixel 7a and will be on the Pixel 8a, too.
Moreover, the upcoming Pixel 8a will be the first “a” phone to introduce a 256GB variant, breaking Google’s pattern of offering a single 128GB storage option for its predecessor.
Google Pixel 8A Price and Release Date
It is not just the specs, but also the Pixel 8a’s pricing, which is expected to jump significantly. It is reported that the phone could carry a price tag of €569, which translates to around $615 in the US. The Pixel 7a, in contrast, launched at €499/$499. If Google follows a similar pricing strategy as last year, the Pixel 8a could land at $569 in the US.
Talking about the launch, the Pixel 8a is expected to debut at Google's upcoming I/O 2024 conference, scheduled for May 14. Last year, it unveiled the Pixel 7a and the Pixel Fold during the same event. While reports suggest the Pixel Fold 2 is launching late this year, the Pixel 8a is expected to mark its presence. Besides, there will be a bunch of other exciting announcements.
