The upcoming Pixel 8a may be bigger than the Pixel but it’ll be less powerful
It’s been less than a week since the Pixel 8 series was unveiled as of this writing, and we’re already getting leaks about the upcoming mid-range model: the Pixel 8a.
In collaboration with industry insider OnLeaks, technical news site SmartPrix recently shared several renders of the potential design of the future smartphone. At first glance, the device looks like a cross between the standard Pixel 8 and the Pixel 7a, as it has features from both. The Pixel 8a will have the same rounded corners as the other models in the lineup, deviating from “the angular shape of its predecessor.” However, it will be slightly larger than the main model as its dimensions are 152.1 x 72.6 x 8.9mm.
But despite the extra volume, the screen does not get bigger. In fact, it’s the opposite. The report reveals thicker bezels around the corners, effectively shrinking the screen to 6.1 inches. For comparison, the Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch screen.
Design flourishes
Other notable design features include the rear camera module, which retains the visor look the series is known for. On the front you will see a small hole for the selfie lens. The power and volume buttons are on the left side and the SIM card tray is on the other side. At the bottom edge you will find a USB-C charging input between the speakers. The top edge apparently houses “an ultra-wideband antenna,” according to SmartPrix. The device will be available in Sky Blue and what appears to be Peach Pink.
What’s especially interesting is that these renders match another leak from late September. Industry insider Abhishek Yadav apparently got his hands on a prototype and proceeded to post images of it on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter). So it’s possible that the rounder design is more plausible than we initially thought.
Medium strength
Being a mid-range device, the Pixel 8a obviously won’t be more powerful than its siblings. SmartPrix’s report mentions a benchmark test discovered in August for the smartphone, although it is referred to by its codename: Google Akita. The results suggest that the model will feature an “underclocked variant of the Tensor G3 chipset, paired with the Mali-G715 GPU.” The amount of memory remains the same as it is “listed with 8 GB of RAM”. Android 14 will be the operating system.
In addition, 1/1 #Google #Pixel7a VS #Pixel8 VS #Pixel8a… #FutureSquad 🫡 pic.twitter.com/0spMsmue0qOctober 10, 2023
Going back to the rear camera, we know the Pixel 8a will have two lenses based on the images, but we don’t know how many megapixels each lens will have. If history repeats itself, the phone’s camera may have more megapixels than the standard model. It’s similar to the fact that the lenses on the Pixel 7a are technically better lenses than the Pixel 7. However, keep in mind that more megapixels don’t always mean better photos. You do have to take other things into account, such as the processor. Taking photos on the Pixel 8a can be a worse experience.
As always, you should take this information with a grain of salt. Things can change anytime, at any time. No release date was mentioned in the leaks. But again, if history repeats itself, we could see a May 2024 launch, just like we saw with the Pixel 7a when it launched in May 2023.
Until we know more, check out TechRadar’s list of the best Pixel phones for 2023.