A new lower-cost Pixel 8a smartphone will soon join Google's Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8 (pictured).
Google’s forthcoming Pixel 8a is expected to deliver powerful AI camera capabilities along with seven years of guaranteed security updates, according to a new report.
May 1 update below—This article was originally posted on April 30
Many features of the Pixel 8a have already been leaked, but now, thanks to four recently leaked promotional images, we know even more about Google’s forthcoming mid-range smartphone.
As recently reported by Android Headlines, the Pixel 8a is expected to boast a selection of powerful photography-based functions thanks to what Google calls its “AI-mazing” camera. These include Pixel favorites such as Night Sight, Best Take, and the Pixel 8-series exclusive Audio Magic Eraser.
The images also promote some of the Pixel 8a’s AI features, including call screening with Call Assist, automatic email summaries, and the recently introduced Circle To Search function, which lets you perform web searches by circling any item displayed on the screen.
The report goes on to confirm earlier leaks, such as Google’s home-grown Tensor G3 processor, the same chipset found on the current Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, and a requirement for some of Google’s most potent AI-based features. Also expected is a slight increase in battery capacity and a more significant bump in charging speed, tipped to run at around 27W according to leaked retail packaging—up from 18W on the current Pixel 7a.
The leaked images also reveal that the Pixel 8a will offer the same IP67 dust and water protection as the Pixel 7a and match the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro with seven years of security updates.
Also listed for the Pixel 8a is Google’s ill-fated VPN by Google One. The service is due to be discontinued for most users by June 10, 2024. However, Google has stated that the VPN service will remain available on the “Pixel 7 and up. ” It’s good to see that this will include the Pixel 8a, too.
Notably, the report does not mention Google’s Gemini Nano on-device AI model, initially available only on the Pixel 8 Pro but later extended to the regular Pixel 8. With Tensor G3 under the hood, the Pixel 8a may technically be capable of running Gemini Nano. Still, whether Google will enable the feature on the lower-priced model remains to be seen.
With the Pixel 8a expected to launch at $500 to $550, Google must differentiate the product from the often-discounted Pixel 8, currently available at $549. We expect to find out at the device’s official unveiling this May 14 at Google’s annual Google I/O developer conference.
April 30 update—Pixel 8a expected to match Pixel 7a launch price
Fears of an increased Pixel 8a launch price may have been unfounded, according to new information from OnLeaks in a recent Smartprix report and covered by Forbes contributor Janhoi McGregor. According to the report, the entry-level 128GB Pixel 8a will go on sale at the same $499 price tag as the Pixel 7a did at launch.
However, Google is also expected to launch a new 256GB Pixel 8a variant at a higher price of $559—$10 more than the current price of the 128GB Pixel 8. This gives potential Pixel customers a tricky choice between the higher-spec Pixel 8 or a newer Pixel 8a but with double the storage.
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