Subj : Googles affordable Pixel 8a may not be so affordable after all To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Wed Mar 06 2024 12:15:06 Googles affordable Pixel 8a may not be so affordable after all Date: Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:02:03 +0000 Description: A new European price leak suggests the Google Pixel 8a will be even more expensive than its predecessor. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Googles a-branded Pixel phones are billed as affordable alternatives to the brands letter-less numbered flagships, but the latest intelligence suggests that the Google Pixel 8a may not be so wallet-friendly after all. According to a new report from German outlet WinFuture (via 9to5Google ), the Pixel 8a will retail in Germany for 569.90 some 70 more than the starting price of its predecessor, the Google Pixel 7a . The latter phone debuted for $499 / 449 / AU$749 in other regions, so if we apply an equivalent 70 increase to the price of Googles next budget phone, the Pixel 8a could cost somewhere in the region of $549 / 499 / AU$849 (taking into account the higher VAT rates in European countries). In other words, it looks like the Pixel 8a may cost roughly $50 / 50 / AU$100 more than the Pixel 7a, which wouldnt be so bad if Google hadnt already hiked the price of the latter phone by the same amount last year (the Google Pixel 6a debuted for $449 / 399 / AU$749 in 2022). The Pixel 7as hefty starting price proved our biggest gripe with what is an otherwise impressive smartphone our Google Pixel 7a review leads with the line, wait until it's cheaper so Google could be about to make a rod for its own back by pricing the Pixel 8a at an even higher figure. The Pixel 7a (above) launched for $499 / 449 / AU$749 last year (Image credit: Google) Whats more, the Pixel 8a will face stiff competition when it does launch later this year (were expecting its arrival in May). The feature-packed OnePlus 12R , for instance, recently debuted for $499.99 / 649, while the Nothing Phone 2a just launched for an extremely reasonable 319. Of course, Googles next affordable handset will have global availability on its side the Pixel 8a will no doubt be sold in the US, UK, and Australia but Samsungs soon-to-be-released (and reportedly very impressive ) Galaxy A55 phone will likely snatch that selling point from under the Pixel 8as nose. Same-but-different The Pixel 8a will probably look similar to the Pixel 7a (above) (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne) So, what specs might Google be cooking up to justify that rumored $549 / 499 / AU$849 price tag? Well, for starters, were expecting the phone to be powered by Googles Tensor G3 chipset, which will presumably bring at least a few of the Pixel 8's AI features to the Pixel 8a. Some minor camera improvements seem a formality, too. A series of leaked Pixel 8a images suggest the phone will boast curvier corners than its predecessor, but otherwise its design looks set to remain similar to that of the Pixel 8. As WinFuture notes, Googles next Pixel phone will apparently be available in two storage variants 128GB and 256GB as well as four color options: Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, and Mint. Will all that be enough to tempt prospective Pixel buyers to part with their hard-earned cash? The jury is out, but for our money, the Pixel 8a could be Google's toughest smartphone sell for some time. You might also like... Google Pixel update brings Circle to Search to even more Pixel phones This new Galaxy Z Flip 5 rival is the first truly affordable foldable The Honor Magic 6 Pro is like a luxury watch for your pocket ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/google-pixel-phones/googles-affordable-pixel- 8a-may-not-be-so-affordable-after-all --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .