The US budget smartphone market is in for a major shake-up with the Google Pixel 8a poised for release. While we’re anticipating an official announcement at Google I/O in May, a recent leak tells us just how close this launch date is.
Renowned leaker Evan Blass spotted a brief mention of the Google Pixel 8a on US Cellular support pages. Although only revealing the phone’s front, the image confirms some design updates. Compared to the Pixel 7a, the 8a will feature more rounded corners. While the affordable nature of the phone means thicker display bezels remain, the leak shows a flat display with a centered front-facing camera.
Google I/O 2024, scheduled for May 14-15, seems the most likely stage for Google to officially unveil the Pixel 8a, likely during the opening keynote.
Rumors suggest the phone will launch in four colors: Bay, Mint, Porcelain, and Obsidian. The Tensor G3 chip is expected alongside 120Hz display refresh rate and DisplayPort output support, with other specifications broadly aligning with the Pixel 7a. The camera setup should be comparable to the 7a, if not slightly upgraded. With Android 14 out of the box and Google’s commitment to seven years of updates, the Pixel 8a could be an exceptionally compelling choice for budget-minded smartphone buyers.
Google also recently teased the Pixel 8a on Google Fi, as per some reports, suggesting the phone’s launch is indeed imminent.
Hillary Keverenge
2114 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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