Subj : Google Pixel 8a: latest news, rumors, and everything we know so f To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Tue Aug 22 2023 17:15:03 Google Pixel 8a: latest news, rumors, and everything we know so far Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2023 16:03:01 +0000 Description: There might not be a Google Pixel 8a, but here's everything we know so far about this potential phone. FULL STORY ====================================================================== The Google Pixel 8a could be the next mid-range Pixel phone, offering an affordable alternative to the Google Pixel 8 and the Google Pixel 8 Pro (both of which are also yet to launch at the time of writing). We say could be, because theres some doubt as to whether there will actually be a Pixel 8a or not, and well get to why that is below. But its certainly a possibility, and given our 3-star Google Pixel 7a review , theres plenty of room for improvement. Below, youll find everything weve heard about the Pixel 8a so far, and well add to this as soon as we hear anything new. Then further down weve included a list of the things we most want from this phone if it ever actually launches. Cut to the chase What is it? The next mid-range Pixel phone When is it out? Possibly mid-2024 How much will it cost? Likely around $499 / 449 / AU$749 Google Pixel 8a: release date and price The question isnt so much when the Pixel 8a will release as whether it will at all, because a couple of sources suggest it might not. First, there was a claim from an anonymous but trustworthy source speaking to Android Authority in December 2022 that Google is developing a Pixel 8a , and its apparently codenamed akita, but this source added that depending on how the Pixel 7a sold, Google might decide to scrap it, and move to only releasing a new a-series model once every two years. Since then, leaker Yogesh Brar has posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying that the Pixel a-series seems to be coming to an end, and that it is certain that there won't be any 8a coming. So that sounds rather more conclusive, but nothing has been confirmed just yet. Pixel a series seems to be coming to an end. With the spec and price bump on the Pixel 7a, it is certain that there won't be any 8a coming.Google will likely stick with vanilla and Pro models alongside a foldable going forward. Something similar might happen with Samsung May 1, 2023 See more If we do get a Pixel 8a, it will probably be announced in May of 2024, as the last two models were unveiled in May of their release years. However, while the Pixel 7a also went on sale in May, the Pixel 6a didnt ship until late June, so the actual Pixel 8a release date is less clear, but expect it sometime around the middle of 2024, if it lands at all. Alternatively, we might be waiting for the Pixel 9a in 2024, or not get any new a-series models at all, depending on which of either of the leaks above is right. As for what the Pixel 8a might cost, Google upped the price for the Pixel 7a in the US and the UK, and it doesnt do this every year, so wed think the Pixel 8a will likely have the same price tag as the Pixel 7a, which would mean a starting price of $499 / 449 / AU$749. Dont be surprised if it costs a little more though. Google Pixel 8a: news and leaks The Pixel 8a will probably look similar to the Pixel 7a (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne) We havent really heard anything about the Pixel 8a yet, beyond the possibility that it might not launch. But its sure to be a slightly more basic alternative to the Pixel 8, and while that hasn't launched yet either, there have been plenty of leaks about it. As such, we can predict that the Pixel 8a will probably look a lot like the Pixel 7a, since Google is rumored to be sticking with the same basic design as it has been using since the Pixel 6, complete with a large camera visor running across the back of the phone. It will also probably have a new Tensor G3 chipset too, so should be more powerful than the Pixel 7a or even the Pixel 7 Pro which didn't feel lacking for power in our Google Pixel 7 Pro review . Going by past form, its likely that the Pixel 8a will have different and worse cameras than the Pixel 8, and many of its other specs may differ too, so those details are harder to predict, but well update this section as soon as we hear anything about the Pixel 8a itself. Google Pixel 8a: what we want to see The Pixel 7a is a reasonable phone but not an exceptional one, so theres lots we want to see improved with the Pixel 8a, including the following things. 1. Better battery life The Pixel 7a has bad battery life (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne) Our biggest complaint about the Pixel 7a was its battery life, with our review finding that it would struggle to make it through a full day. Thats really not ideal for a smartphone, so wed like to see big improvements to battery life with the Google Pixel 8a. 2. Faster charging (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd) Longevity isnt our only issue with the Pixel 7as battery we were also disappointed by how slowly it charged. It charges at up to 18W, which is exceptionally slow by 2023 standards. Now, the standard Pixel 7 doesnt charge much faster, but we also want improvements there. So for the Pixel 8a, wed like at least 25W charging, and ideally far faster speeds than that. 3. Longer-term software updates The Pixel 7a isn't supported for as long as we'd like (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne) Since Google makes Android it should be leading the way with how long its phones get software updates for, but its not. Samsung offers more (four years of OS updates), and even the top-end Pixel 7 Pro is only guaranteed to get three years of major Android version upgrades, and five years of security updates. The latter is competitive, but only getting new versions of Android for three years isnt, especially on a top-end phone, but even on an a-series model, so we want better support offered for the Pixel 8a. 4. A lower price The Google Pixel 7a costs substantially more than the Pixel 6a (at least in the US and UK), which makes it hard to recommend when the Pixel 7 itself is a bit of a bargain. So at a minimum we dont want another price rise for the Pixel 8a, but ideally Google will find a way to reduce the price back down to Pixel 6a levels in other words charging around $449 / 399 / AU$749 for it. 5. A 120Hz refresh rate The Pixel 7a only has a 90Hz refresh rate (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd) The Pixel 7a has a 90Hz refresh rate, which even for a mid-range phone isnt special in 2023, so wed like to see that boosted to 120Hz for the Pixel 8a. We doubt this will happen though the Pixel 7 itself also only has a 90Hz refresh rate, and while there are rumors that the Pixel 8 might get a 120Hz one, we think its unlikely the 8a will get the same upgrade. You might also like Best Pixel phones Google Pixel 7 review Google Pixel 7a review ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/google-pixel-phones/google-pixel-8a --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .