Google Pixel 8a: Release date, rumored specifications, price

It’s no exaggeration to say that Google’s Pixel a series is one of the most popular smartphone segments in the industry. Google has consistently launched the ‘a’ series of devices, which are almost always in place for many people looking for an upper mid-range device. And in the same vein (or so we hope), Google is poised to launch the Pixel 8a next year. We don’t know the exact release date for the Pixel 8a at this time, but here are all the rumored specs and what you can expect from the device.

Pixel 8a release date

At this time, no official release date has been announced for the Pixel 8a. However, the Pixel 7a was also launched in the same month last year, so Google could launch it in May 2024.

Pixel 8a design

Several images have also been leaked by Abhishek Yadav, a prominent X leaker, where the Pixel 8a was shown in its entirety in the wild even before the launch of the Pixel 8 series. Next, high-resolution images of the Pixel 8a were leaked after the launch of the Pixel 8 series, courtesy of OnLeaks, some of the most trusted and prominent leakers in the smartphone industry.

The first set of leaked images matches the renderings and could indeed be legitimate. According to the leak, the Pixel 8a may have dimensions of 152.1 x 72.6 x 8.9mm, a slight reduction in height and thickness from the Pixel 7a’s dimensions of 152.4 x 72.9 x 9.0mm. It looks a little smaller than the Pixel 8 due to its overly curvaceous aesthetic, but it also looks super cute.

Like previous A-series devices, the Pixel 8a has a less protruding camera visor, much like the Pixel 7a and Pixel 8 series. However, unlike the Pixel 8 series, the bezels around the screen are thicker, and by thick we mean quite thick. In typical Google style, the front camera hole punch is centered, with both the power and volume buttons on the right.

Overall, without the visor, the Pixel 8a would look like a scaled-up (?) version of the Pixel 4a. It will probably have slightly curved edges.

Pixel 8a display

Not much is known about the Pixel 8a’s display, but considering it’s a mid-range device, we expect a Full HD+ panel with peak brightness of around 1000-1200 nits in direct sunlight.

Also very plausible is that the display refresh rate will be limited to 90Hz, which means Google will still keep the Pixel 8a below the Pixel 8 in terms of both price and specs, resulting in This is probably because you want to make sure it doesn’t exceed 8.

The screen size is approximately 6 inches diagonally. Again, the bezels are also pretty huge, probably bigger than the 7a judging by the images, but it’s too early to talk about the same. This doesn’t seem to be the year we see symmetrical bezels on mid-range devices either.

Pixel 8a processor

The Pixel 8a, like its predecessor, will also be powered by Tensor SoC, specifically Tensor G3. Since the release of the Pixel 6a, it has become standard for this year’s a-series devices to feature the same Tensor SoC used in that year’s flagship Pixel series.

Tensor G3 is not so good. The throttling issue is still there, as are the underwhelming performance numbers and heat issues, and I don’t see any difference in the Pixel 8a’s performance. Performance isn’t usually an important feature people consider when buying a Pixel, but this brings us to the most important thing about the Pixel.

Pixel 8a camera

Not much is known about the Pixel 8a’s camera specs, but since Google doesn’t really like tinkering with camera hardware, it’s likely that the Pixel 8a will feature the same 64 MP sensor as the Pixel 7a.

If you choose a 64 MP sensor, it will be the Sony IMX787 sensor. The secondary camera will likely be an ultra-wide angle with a larger FoV. The front camera will also likely be the same as the Pixel 7a, i.e. a 13 MP sensor.

There is no concrete information about the Pixel 8a’s camera specifications yet, so we recommend that you take the story with a grain of salt. However, given how much the Pixel relies on Google’s heavy post-processing, hardware shouldn’t matter.

battery

The Google Pixel 8a is expected to have the same battery as the 7a. For those who don’t know, the Pixel 7a is powered by a 4385 mAh cell that charges at 18W. A battery capacity of 4000 mAh or higher is generally pretty good, but what Google wants to improve on the 8a is charging speed.

The PIxel 7a’s current 18W is horribly slow considering how fast charging speeds are found in mid-range devices from Chinese manufacturers like Xiaomi, Realme, and OnePlus. The Pixel 8’s charging speed has been bumped up to an actual 23W speed, which is still a significant jump considering previous Pixels were 3W slower than commercially available charging speed values. Therefore, Google should consider increasing the charging speed of Pixel 8a to at least 23W.

Pixel 8a color

From the leaked images, the device is expected to arrive in two colors: Bay and Porcelain. Google may end up calling them something else, but you get the gist.

Pixel 8a price

Overall, if our predictions come true, we expect Google to price the Pixel 8a at the same price as the Pixel 7a’s healthy $499. Considering the display’s limited operating frequency of 90Hz, plastic back, and outdated hardware, $499 seems like a reasonable price.