The Google Pixel 8a is the company’s upcoming mid-range handset. That is the device aimed at a wide range of people, as the ‘Pixel a’ series is usually quite affordable. In the past, we’ve had an easy task of recommending ‘Pixel a’ series devices. It remains to be seen if the same will be the case this time around. The Google Pixel 8a is likely coming in May, during Google I/O 2024. That is, at least, what happened with the Pixel 7a last year.
Google I/O is taking place on May 14 and 15 this year, in case you were wondering. In any case, some Pixel 8a info did surface already, in fact, it has been surfacing for months. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what we (think we) know thus far. That way, you’ll get a better idea as to what to expect. Before we get to it, do note that the phone did get certified by the FCC already.
This article will be regularly updated with new information on the Google Pixel 8a (this is a preview article) — both official teasers and credible leaks, rumors, and insider claims — as it becomes available in the run-up to the release of the upcoming Android smartphone. The last update was made on March 20, 2024.
When will the Google Pixel 8a be released?
The Google Pixel 8a will become official in May 2024, almost certainly. The Pixel 7a launched on May 10, as part of Google I/O 2023. Google is expected to announce its successor during Google I/O 2024. Google I/O 2024 kicks off on May 14, and that’s when we’ll see this launch, probably. The conference will last for two days, but the keynote will be on May 14. Nothing guarantees that the Pixel 8a will launch during it, but considering what happened last year, we’re confident it will.
What models are coming?
Google is expected to announce a single Pixel 8a model but with two storage options. The Pixel 7a arrived with 128GB of internal storage. Based on what we’ve heard, the Google Pixel 8a will arrive in both 128GB and 256GB storage flavors, giving you some options. There won’t be a ‘Plus’ or ‘Pro’ model, or anything of the sort. Google has been keeping it simple for years, and chances are the same will be the case this year too.
How much will the Google Pixel 8a cost?
The Google Pixel 8a prices have surfaced already, and it seems like we’re looking at a price increase. Based on a report that mentioned European prices, the Pixel 8a pricing will start at €569.90. That is a price tag for the 128GB storage variant of the phone. The 256GB storage options will set you back €630, allegedly. The Google Pixel 7a retailed for €509 in Europe, at launch, so we’re looking at a price increase this year. The Pixel 7a has been discounted a number of times thus far, and it currently costs €399. Chances are we’ll see some launch offers for the Pixel 8a, followed by some discounts. We still don’t have the rumored price tags for the US.
What will the Google Pixel 8a look like?
The Google Pixel 8a design has surfaced several times thus far. We’ve already seen the phone’s CAD-based renders, while it also appeared in real-life images. On top of that, the phone’s retail box was also spotted online. Do note that you can check out all of those images at the very end of this section. Let’s talk more about what you can expect from this design, as all the leaks thus far basically showed us the same phone. So we can assume that the design that leaked is spot on.
This smartphone will look very similar to the Pixel 8, actually. Google is sticking to its design language here. The phone will feature a camera visor on the back, with two cameras placed inside of it. As you can see in the image provided below this paragraph, the Pixel 8a will be a bit larger than the Pixel 8. Its camera visor will be shorter, while the pill-shaped cutout for the two cameras will be smaller than it is on the Pixel 8. The overall shape of the device will remain unchanged, however.
The camera visor is smaller, but still very similar to the one on the Pixel 8
You’re still getting rounded corners, and the phone’s backplate will curve towards the edges, all of them. The camera visor still connects to the frame of the phone, on the left and right sides. Google’s logo will be present on the back, and it will once again be semi-transparent. When you flip the phone around, you’ll be greeted with a flat display. There will be a centered display camera hole at the top of that display, and the bezels will be thicker than on the Pixel 8. They won’t be thick, though.
The power/lock button will sit on the right-hand side, right above the volume up and down buttons. That’s the way Google does it, the opposite of all other Android OEMs, basically. The device is said to arrive in four color options. Those colors are Bay, Mint, Obsidian, and Porcelain. In other words, those are blue, greenish, black, and white colorways, based on what we’ve seen in the past. The Pixel 8a is said to measure approximately 152.1 x 72.6 x 7.9mm.
CAD-based renders:
Real-life images:
Retail box:
What specs will the Google Pixel 8a have?
What about its specifications? Well, the phone did surface on Geekbench, which gave us several pieces of the puzzle. We can also guess some of the specs, but we still don’t have full details. In any case, the Google Pixel 8a will be fueled by the Google Tensor G3 processor. That is the chip that fuels the company’s current-gen flagships, and the Pixel 8a will also get it. That’s what happened last year with the Pixel 7a, it’s standard practice. Google uses the most powerful chip it has at the moment for the ‘Pixel a’ series devices.
We’ll get a 256GB storage option this time around
Geekbench also listed 8GB of RAM for the device, and that’s likely the only RAM model we’ll get. Both 128GB and 256GB storage options were mentioned in rumors. Therefore, unlike last year, we’ll get two storage variants. The storage will not be expandable, by the way. Android 14 was mentioned too, which was to be expected, as that’s the most recent version of Google’s operating system.
A 6.1-inch fullHD+ AMOLED display is expected to be included on the phone. The one on the Pixel 7a was a 90Hz panel, while the Pixel 8a is expected to get a 120Hz panel. That would certainly be a nice gesture considering the price bump. The display will be flat, though, and it will be an AMOLED unit too. It will support HDR content, and its peak brightness will be set at 1,400 nits, allegedly. The resolution will remain unchanged at fullHD+ (2400 x 1080). DisplayPort will be supported too.
A considerably larger battery is tipped
One report suggested that the phone could include a 5,000mAh battery. If that ends up being the case, its battery will be a lot bigger than the one used in the Pixel 7a. The Pixel 7a includes a 4,385mAh battery on the inside. Do note that the aforementioned report was not 100% clear on whether this is truly a Pixel 8a battery, so… take it with a grain of salt. In terms of charging, we’re not expecting any improvement, but we’ll hopefully see some. At the moment, the most probable outcome is that it will support 18W wired charging like the Pixel 7a, and 7.5W wireless charging too. A charger won’t be included in the package.
The phone will feature stereo speakers, and it will also come with an in-display fingerprint scanner. That fingerprint scanner will be of an optical variety. In terms of cameras, the Pixel 8a is tipped to use the same exact setup as the Pixel 7a. A 64-megapixel main camera (Sony’s IMX787 sensor), backed by a 13-megapixel ultrawide unit (Sony’s IMX712 sensor). On the front, you’ll find a 13-megapixel camera (Sony’s IMX712 sensor). The phone is expected to measure 152.1 x 72.6 x 8.9mm.
Should you wait to buy the Google Pixel 8a?
In case you’re wondering whether the Pixel 8a is worth waiting for… well, it’s still too early to tell. The Pixel 7a is a very capable smartphone, and it’s hard to advise against buying it at its current price tag. That is especially true if the Pixel 8a will see a price increase. On the other hand, we’re about 2 months away from the Pixel 8a’s arrival, so it may not be a bad idea to wait a bit and see what the phone will end up offering.
