With one Google Pixel launching out of the way, it’s time to start looking forward to the future. And while we’re sure there’s plenty on the table for Google’s future hardware lineup — new tablets, smartwatches, foldables, you name it — there’s one device we know for sure is on its way. The Pixel 8a is set to succeed last year’s Pixel 7a, and assuming it gets the same attention and care we recently saw with the Pixel 8, it could be one of the best budget phones of 2024.
Although we’re still a couple of months away from launch, we’ve started to see early glimpses of what the next A-series phone might look like. From a refined design to a new processor, here’s everything we know about the Pixel 8a.
Google Pixel 8a: Design and specs
A curvier take on last year’s Pixel 8 design
It might be early on in the hype cycle for the Pixel 8a, but that hasn’t stopped us from getting early glances at what Google’s next midrange smartphone looks like. Before the company even had the chance to announce the mainline Pixel 8 series live on stage, we saw early photos of what looks to be a Pixel 8a caught in the wild.
These images, which you should take with a grain of salt, seem to mix elements of the entire Pixel 8 series with the usual A-series compromises. This model looks similar in size and shape to the Pixel 8 but with curved corners that go one step further than anything Google has done in the past. Meanwhile, the front bezels look thicker than what was shipped on the company’s 2023 flagships, though that’s nothing new for this midrange lineup.
Corroborating these images are renders from the ever-reliable Onleaks, providing images of a device that looks almost identical to the leaked real-world model. While the color has been swapped to a Pixel 8-matching shade of pink, almost everything else is unchanged. It’s a curvier, chunkier take on the Pixel 8 design. From the front, it looks like older iPhone models.
These early looks are in line with what we’d expect from a value-focused take on the Pixel 8, and it lines up with a leaked Pixel roadmap from late 2022. That report pegged the Pixel 8a’s launch as dependent on the sales of its predecessor, and the Pixel 7a has apparently been a hit for the company.
And hey, why not throw in one more leak for good measure? The retail box for the Pixel 8a appeared on the web in late January, showcasing the smartphone in black and featuring the same ultra-curvy aesthetic from earlier rumors. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this leak isn’t the box itself, but what the official Google render could mean for the Pixel 8a’s design. The shine along the left side of this image seems to match how the Pixel 8 Pro is featured on its box, rather than the reflection seen on the Pixel 8’s box. This could meaning the Pixel 8a will ship with a matte finish, but we’ll have to wait for more concrete leaks — more hands-ons, basically — to confirm it.
As for the Pixel 8a’s specs, don’t expect anything out of the ordinary. Google’s Tensor G3 SoC seems like a lock — the company has yet to differentiate the A-series with an older processor — as does 8GB of RAM. In most respects, the Pixel 7a was built to bring Google’s midrange lineup closer in power to the mainline series, adding a faster 90Hz refresh rate and 5W wireless charging. Recent rumors ahead of I/O suggest we’re moving to a 120Hz panel this year, alongside a peak HDR brightness level of 1,400 nits. That’s a big jump from the Pixel 7a’s 1,000 nits rating, matching the Pixel 8’s panel dead on. Hopefully the overall quality of Google’s midrange screen follows suit, as I found the Pixel 7a had a pretty mediocre display compared to the rest of the lineup.
Finally, leaked retailer data suggests the Pixel 8a will come in Obsidian, Porcelan, Bay, and Mint — no big surprises compared to the rest of the Pixel 8 lineup. Those shades match up with some leaked wallpapers for Google’s next midrange device, so anyone hoping for new colors to arrive for Pixel will have to keep holding their breath for the Pixel 9.
Google Pixel 8a: Software
It’s all about AI, baby
The Pixel 8a will ship running Android 14 — that much is certain. Thanks to its assumed Tensor G3 processor, we also expect to see it get Google’s same seven-year OS upgrade promise, bringing support for the company’s next midrange phone into 2031.
However, things get a little blurry from here. Google began making certain features exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro last year despite the Pixel 8 using the same processor. It’s safe to say that tools like Zoom Enhance and Video Boost won’t come to the Pixel 8a, just as they aren’t headed to the Pixel 8.
But could Google take this a step further? As we’ve seen, the company now seems willing to divide features between hardware, even when tricks like Video Boost are handled in the cloud. Could we live in a world where something like Magic Editor is restricted to the flagship phones, leaving A-series customers without one of the company’s marquee photo tools?
Well, probably not. Until we hear concrete rumors about Google’s plans for the Pixel 8a’s software, it’s certainly not time to panic. But if you expect to see Pro-level features trickle down to the A-series, you’ll be disappointed.
Google Pixel 8a: Cameras
Stick to the status quo
Thanks to Google’s post-processing magic, the sensors in the Pixel 8a don’t matter as much as what happens after you tap the shutter button. To that end, we wouldn’t expect the company to change much in terms of hardware. The same 64MP f/1.9 main sensor as the last generation paired with an ultra-wide lens is what we’ll see this year, according to the same reports that brought us words of that brighter, faster display.
This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Until recently, Google had a habit of using the same group of sensors for multiple generations at a time. Thankfully, new sensors aren’t where the company’s photography skills shine anyway.
Google Pixel 8a: Price and release date
You might be paying more for your next Pixel
Google delivered price hikes to the Pixel 7a, Pixel 8, and Pixel 8 Pro throughout 2023, and initially, our instincts suggested that those numbers were likely to hold, at least for a generation. After all, at $500, $700, and $1,000 respectively those current tiers made plenty of sense for Google.
Unfortunately, that might not be the case. According to German retailer leaks, the Pixel 8a could start around 570 euros — likely $550 in the US. That’s yet another price hike for a phone lineup that’s supposed to be about affordability above all else. Considering the stiff competition from similarly priced devices like the OnePlus 12R, Google might have its work cut out for it. At the very least, it sounds like it’ll be in new regions, including the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Not too shabby.
As for the release date, pencil in a loose summer schedule this year. Although the A-series always sticks to a mid-year launch, that date has a habit of flexing and moving around the calendar. That said, Google I/O is confirmed for May 14th, and considering the Pixel 7a launched day-and-date with that event, don’t be surprised if we see a repeat this year. Four different Google-made smartphone models recently passed through the FCC — likely various Pixel 8a units designed for different regions or carriers — which lines up perfectly with a spring launch.
Google’s best Pixel features, but cheaper
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are some of the best Android phones Google has ever released, and we’re guessing it’s only the beginning. If Google can replicate that success on its next A-series phone, it might be one of the best devices you can buy this year, all while saving you some cash in the process. Only time will tell, but considering this is a Pixel launch, expect to hear plenty about the Pixel 8a leading up to its inevitable arrival.
We’ve updated this guide with new information about the Pixel 8a’s display, availability, camera specs, and potential launch at I/O.
Google Pixel 7a
If you are looking for a new device at a midrange price, the Google Pixel 7a checks off all the boxes. It has a fantastic camera system, strong power, great software support, and good battery life. It may be midrange in price but feels closer to its flagship siblings overall.
Google Pixel 8
The Google Pixel 8 is Google’s best phone yet, and it’s the most distinct regular model when compared to the Pro version. It comes with a wonderful form factor that fits well in the hand and has the usual software processing that you expect from a Pixel.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is the company’s latest flagship, boasting a new Tensor G3 chip, a brighter screen, and a new camera array capable of capturing even more light. As usual, the real power lies in Google’s Tensor chip, which offers even more photo enhancement and image editing features.