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We all know the Pixel A series aims to bring the Pixel experience to the masses, and the Pixel 8a is shaping up to be no different, but with a catch!
A new leak by Android Authority tells us ALL we need to know about Google’s upcoming midrange Pixel phone!
I will also compile some other details from other leaks and sources here.
A refreshed design!
The leaker Steve McFly, popularly known as OnLeaks, posted a few renders of the Pixel 8a showing off a new design.
What’s important to note here is that the corner radius has increased, so the design is more rounded than the Pixel 7a to bring it close to the design language of the Pixel 8 series.
According to another leak by Roland Quandt of Winfuture, it will be available in FOUR colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay and Mint.
We even had a real-life image leak of the Pixel 8a in late-September 2023 (shown above), showcasing presumably the Bay color of the phone and confirming that the phone will have a metal frame. OnLeaks’ renders could be the Porcelain color.
An Improved Display!
It is being said that the Pixel 8a’s display will now have a 120 Hz display, up from the 90 Hz display of the Pixel 7a.
It will also be brighter at 1400 nits, more than the 1000 nits of the Pixel 7a and apparently the same as the Pixel 8.
This could mean that the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8a might be sharing the same display technology, but this is something that only time will tell.
The display bezels of the Pixel 8a do seem a lot thicker than the Pixel 8 based on the renders from OnLeaks and the real-life image leak.
Upgraded DisplayPort Functionality
One thing to appreciate about the Pixel A series in general is that it always gets support for better USB standards.
Even models as far back as 2020’s Pixel 4a were no different in supporting the USB 3.1 standard through its Type-C port, and the same experience continues with the Pixel 8a’s USB 3.2 port, enabling faster wired transfers than most other phones at its price, and also allows for 4K video output to an external monitor.
With the Pixel 8a, Google is taking it to the next level by adding DisplayPort. It is currently limited to just screen mirroring, but it could gradually be developed as an compelling alternative to Samsung DeX and Motorola Ready For.
This feature is currently in beta for the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro as well.
Same great cameras!
It is being said that the Pixel 8a will share exactly the same cameras as the Pixel 7a.
This means the main sensor will be a 64 MP Sony IMX787, a 1/1.73″ sensor alongside two 13 MP IMX712 sensors, 1/3″ in size, for the Ultrawide and selfies.
This means that Google will likely focus on tuning the camera hardware with the Tensor G3, speaking of which….
The (worse) Tensor G3!
It is not a secret that Tensor is the single factor holding Pixels down, and the saga unfortunately continues with the Pixel 8a.
Just like the Pixel 7a and its Tensor G2, the Pixel 8a is rumored to be getting a worse version of the Tensor G3, different from the one used on the Pixel 8/8 Pro.
The Tensor G3 of the Pixel 8a will have a different plastic packaging for what is essentially the same silicon chip as the actual Tensor G3 of the Pixel 8 series.
The Tensor G3 of the Pixel 8 series uses FOPLP (Fan-Out Panel Level Packaging) in contrast to the Pixel 8a’s IPoP (Integrated Package on Package).
Without going into specifics, what matters here is that IPoP is the worse chip packaging technology: it generates chipsets that are thicker, hotter and less efficient than similar chipsets made using FOPLP. Google seems to be using it for the Pixel 8a because it is cheaper than FOPLP.
If anyone wants to read more about IPoP VS FOPLP, here’s a thread on X (formerly Twitter) which clarifies it in the context of the Pixel 7a:
While researching for one of the Google Pixel 8 articles I found something interesting: it turns out that the Pixel 7a uses a different, possibly slightly worse version of the Tensor G2 than the Pixel 7! 🧵
— kamila 🌸🏳️⚧️ (@Za_Raczke) June 19, 2023
Now, Android Authority claims that the different chipset tech won’t have a major difference, but I DISAGREE HERE.
The IPoP version of Tensor G2 used on the Pixel 7a last year turned out to be a major factor in the horrible thermal management of that phone when compared to the FOPLP version of the same chip on the Pixel 7/7 Pro, especially in hotter countries like India.
I fear the Pixel 8a, if it doesn’t have adequate internal cooling, could follow down the same path, making it a possible deal-breaker for buyers in tropical countries.
Availability and Pricing of Pixel 8a!
People in Eastern & Central Europe who always wanted to own a Pixel but couldn’t? REJOICE!
The Pixel 8a expands availability to many countries in Eastern & Central Europe which didn’t have access to Pixel phones before, as shown in the leak by Android Authority.
As for the pricing, this is really the biggest catch with the Pixel 8a. Android Authority’s leak doesn’t talk about a specific price, but Winfuture’s leak mentions a price of 569 Euros for a base 8/128 and 629 Euros for a higher 8/256 variant.
This hints at potential starting price of ~INR 55,000 in India and ~$549 in the US.
The problem is that these prices, if true, are so close to the mainline Pixel 8 with discounts and trade-ins that the Pixel 8a will become irrelevant for most markets.
What my personal opinion is that, Google really needs to rethink about the positioning of the Pixel A series: it was always meant to compete in a more affordable price segment and placing it this close to the Pixel 8 destroys the purpose, given that discounts on the Pixel 8 are inevitable once Pixel 9 drops.
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Also Read: How to Enable or Disable Circle to Search on your Pixel
