Just days after the much-anticipated reveal of the Pixel 8 series, the tech world is already abuzz with leaks of Google’s upcoming mid-range model, the Pixel 8a. In collaboration with industry insider OnLeaks, tech news site SmartPrix recently unveiled renders providing a sneak peek into the smartphone’s potential design.
A Blend of Familiar Features
The Pixel 8a’s design is an intriguing fusion of elements from its predecessors. Notably, it retains the rounded corners found in the Pixel 8 series, departing from the boxier shape of the previous model, the Pixel 7a. However, it’s worth noting that the Pixel 8a will be slightly larger, with dimensions measuring 152.1 x 72.6 x 8.9mm.
Surprisingly, despite its increased size, the Pixel 8a’s display is not getting bigger. Instead, there are thicker bezels around the corners, which effectively shrink the screen down to 6.1 inches. For comparison, the Pixel 8 boasts a 6.2-inch display.
Design Details
The Pixel 8a maintains the iconic visored look for its rear camera module. On the front, there’s a discreet punch hole for the selfie lens. The power and volume buttons are positioned on the left side, with the SIM tray on the opposite side. At the bottom edge, you’ll find a USB-C charging port between the speakers. Interestingly, the top edge houses what SmartPrix identifies as “an ultra-wideband antenna.” The Pixel 8a will be available in two color options: Sky Blue and what appears to be Peach Pink.
What’s particularly fascinating is that these renders align with a leak from late September. Industry insider Abhishek Yadav shared images of a prototype he reportedly had in his possession on X (formerly known as Twitter). This suggests that the Pixel 8a’s rounder design might be more than just speculation.
Mid-Range Power
Being a mid-range model, the Pixel 8a won’t outperform its siblings in terms of power. SmartPrix’s report references a benchmark test discovered in August, where the smartphone is referred to by its codename, Google Akita. The results indicate that the model will feature an “underclocked variant of the Tensor G3 chipset, coupled with the Mali-G715 GPU.” Memory-wise, it’s expected to come with 8GB of RAM, and it will run on Android 14.
In the camera department, the Pixel 8a is seen with two lenses in the images, but specific megapixel details remain undisclosed. If history is any indication, the Pixel 8a might surprise us with more megapixels than the standard model. However, it’s important to remember that a camera’s performance isn’t solely determined by megapixels but also by other factors like the processor.
What Lies Ahead
As with any leak, it’s wise to take this information with a grain of salt. Details can change before the official release. Unfortunately, the leaks didn’t provide a specific release date, but if history repeats itself, we might see the Pixel 8a hit the market in May 2024, much like its predecessor, the Pixel 7a, which was launched in May 2023.
Keep an eye out for more official information from Google in the coming months as they prepare to unveil their mid-range marvel, the Pixel 8a.
