Rumours about the Google Pixel 7a are doing the rounds online, painting a picture of a tempting mid-ranger with key upgrades over the popular Pixel 6a, though possibly with a higher price tag to match.
Rumoured upgrades include a display boost to 90Hz, fixing one of the biggest complaints about its predecessor, along with an upgraded Tensor processor. Plus, with real-world images appearing online and Google I/O 2023 fast approaching, we might be seeing it very soon.
Here’s everything there is to know about the Google Pixel 7a right now, from release date rumours to pricing speculation and, of course, the latest leaks.
When will the Google Pixel 7a be released?
While some smartphone manufacturers (we’re looking at you, Apple) tend to stick to the same yearly release schedule, the same can’t quite be said for Google and its Pixel ‘a’ range.
While the Pixel 6a was announced in May 2022 with an eventual August release, the Pixel 5a and Pixel 4a were both released in July in their respective years – though with a caveat that the Pixel 4a was allegedly originally scheduled for a May 2020 reveal but, y’know, Covid put an end to that idea.
With that in mind, it’s possible that like with 2022’s Pixel 6a, we could see the Pixel 7a announced as early as May 2023 – likely at Google I/O 2023 – and recent rumblings seem to confirm this.
Leaker Jon Prosser claims that Google is set to reveal the Pixel 7a at Google I/O, set to take place on 10 May 2023, with fans able to buy the phone immediately following the event with shipping on 11 May. The date was also reiterated by leaker Max Weinbach, lending more credence to the claim.
That’s a stark difference from previous years with a big gap between reveal and release, but it’ll no doubt be a welcome change among fans.
How much will the Google Pixel 7a cost?
With the Pixel 7a yet to be officially revealed by Google, it’s should come as no surprise that we haven’t yet got official pricing for the mid-ranger – but online rumours don’t paint a great picture.
While Google likes to keep prices the same between generations (the mainline Pixel 7 range costs the same as the Pixel 6) rumours suggest that the Pixel 7a is about to get more expensive.
The news comes from 9to5Google and, more specifically, leaker Max Weinbach, whose sources claim that the Pixel 7a will cost $499 at launch, a $50 increase compared to the Pixel 6a. That likely translates to around £449 in the UK, but we’ll have to wait and see for sure.
Given the Pixel ‘a’ range’s reputation for offering impressive performance at incredible prices, this will likely hit the company where it hurts, but it’s not all bad news. The report also claims that Google will keep the Pixel 6a on sale alongside the Pixel 7a “at a decreased price”, though specifics are yet to be announced.
Latest Google Pixel 7a rumours
Design
As with most other smartphones in Google’s collection, the Pixel 7a has been the subject of several huge leaks over the past few months that essentially provide us with basically everything we need to know about the design.
That started off with the appearance of renders via reliable leaker @OnLeaks and @SmartPrix, showcasing something that looks a lot like the Pixel 7 and, thus, the Pixel 6a. The renders didn’t just come with images either, with the leaker providing alleged dimensions of 152.4 x 72.9 x 9mm, rising to 10.1mm at the exaggerated camera bump.
Since that initial reveal, a few hands-on videos have surfaced online allegedly showcasing the phone in all its glory. Most recently, real-world images of the Pixel 7a have appeared on Twitter along with a few key specs – though more on those in a minute.
While that’s usually worth taking with a pinch of salt, the images look eerily similar to the render shared by @OnLeaks a few months ago, so there could be some truth to the leaked images.
A separate rumour claims that the Pixel 7a will be available in a new “Artic Blue” colourway, which would be quite a move from the current shades of Green and Orange. It’s not the first blue Pixel, though the appearance of the finish is sporadic in the history of the Pixel range.
Leaker Jon Prosser claims that it’ll also be available in a Coral finish, though it’s said to be exclusive to the Google Store.
Display
As mentioned, @Gadgetsdata has shared not only real-world images of the upcoming mid-ranger on Twitter, but a handful of specs.
That includes basic display specs, claiming that the upcoming Pixel 7a will sport a 6.1-inch OLED panel with a FHD+ resolution and, crucially, a 90Hz refresh rate. Considering the 60Hz panel of the Google Pixel 6a is one of its biggest weaknesses compared to the competition, it sounds like a welcome upgrade.
Otherwise, that all sounds pretty on the money given that it’s the same size and resolution as the previous Pixel 6a, and the fact we’re not expecting much of a redesign this time around.
Processor and specs
The same leaker also shared an insight into the possible processor and, as suspected, it looks like Google will use the second-gen Tensor G2 chipset found in the mainline Google Pixel 7 range.
It’s a smart move for Google that differentiates itself from most of the mid-range competition, especially when most use distinctly mid-range chipsets that can’t quite deliver the flagship experience. The fact that the Tensor G2 is a flagship chip will be a huge selling point for the mid-ranger.
That’s allegedly paired with faster LPDDR5 RAM, though exactly how much is yet to be confirmed, and the leaker also claims that the phone will use the slightly older UFS 3.1 storage in place of the newer 4.0.
Fans of wireless charging will also be pleased with wireless charging support, though at just 5W, it’s not particularly rapid.
