Everything We Think We Know So Far

We’re quickly approaching the advent of Google’s annual spring developer conference, and as a result, rumors of the company’s next mid-range smartphone are loudly percolating. What will the Pixel 8a look like? Will it arrive soon? Will it offer more RAM at its supposedly slightly higher price point? No one knows exactly, and Google hasn’t revealed anything yet, but the rumors have certainly conjectured a ton.

The Pixel 7a was mainly a reprise of its flagship predecessor, the Pixel 7. At $500, the Pixel 7a offered an impressive camera system, wireless charging, and the same Google Tensor CPU powering the rest of the Pixel brood. Google tends to prioritize maintaining AI processing and camera algorithms over everything else.

Will the Pixel 8a follow in the footsteps of its predecessor? Probably, though not without costing a little more. Here’s what we think Google’s next device will be like and what to expect if you’re holding out for this mid-range smartphone.

When will the Pixel 8a arrive?

All bets are on Google revealing the Pixel 8a at Google I/O 2024, which starts May 14. We expect a hardware launch during the annual developer conference since it’s been the status quo for the last few years. Even the Pixel 7a debuted at Google I/O 2023.

What to expect from the Pixel 8a

Last month, Android Authority revealed what its “source inside Google” teased about the Pixel 8a. Perhaps in a bid to compete with its ultimate frenemy, Samsung, the Pixel 8a may have a 120Hz refresh rate instead of 90Hz, making for a smoother scrolling experience (and more work for the battery!). The screen resolution and OLED panel will likely reprise the Pixel 8‘s, offering a higher peak HDR brightness.

According to the same leaker, the corners are getting rounder. This one is easy to believe because all the rumors point to a rounder Pixel 9 on the horizon—almost as round as the latest iPhone 15. We figured we’d see the Pixel 8a in a blue variant to match its brethren, but there’s also chatter about a green hue floating around.

Inside, the Pixel 8a will likely reprise some of the best specifications of the Pixel 8, including the Tensor G3 CPU. There’s not much about the memory offerings and battery size quite yet. The Pixel A-series historically has the best battery life of the rest of the Pixel family. The Pixel 8a is expected to carry the same torch.

Will the Pixel 8a’s camera be worthy?

The camera algorithms are the reason the Pixel A-series exists. It’s how Google can easily flex its muscle outside the flagship wars and among the masses who are sick of buying cheap phones with bad cameras. The Pixel 8a will likely not have a lousy camera, though it may rely more on algorithms for its prowess than updated hardware. The leaker alleges it’s the same camera configuration as last year’s Pixel 7a, down to the 64-MP Sony IMX787 sensor. There’s no point in fixing something that isn’t broken. Does that work for camera algorithms, too?

How much will the Pixel 8a cost?

It’s good to see that affordability continues to be a top concern for hardware makers. But is $500 affordable in this day and age of raging price increases and stagnant wages? What about $550?That’s how much a report out of Canada says you’ll be paying for the Pixel 8a. Of course, the figure in the original article is in Canadian dollars, but the conversion rates match similar gossip from earlier this year, suggesting a price increase in Europe.

Will the Pixel 8a offer enough to be worth all the extra cash? We’ll find out soon enough.